Suspension & Stabiity

[henry]

Is there a way to improve suspension and stability?

[mbouse]

add an aftermarket rear anti-sway bar. you'll be glad you did.

also, have heard to increase the size of the front roll bar, but have not personally attempted this.

[henry]

I will try it.

Thank you.

[mdrburchette]

I went with a stiffer front bar and yellow Konis to make mine more stable. Of course, just replacing the suspension bushings will make a huge difference if yours are worn out.

[So Cal Mark]

your car should be stable to begin with, if it's not you probably need suspension work

[henry]

I went with a stiffer front bar and yellow Konis to make mine more stable. Of course, just replacing the suspension bushings will make a huge difference if yours are worn out.

Stiffer? an aftermarket one? I already change the bushings.

Henry.

[sptcoupe]

I posted this in another thread some where, but here is my favorite set up for enthusiastically street driven 124 is:

The best tires you can buy with a tread wear factor of 220 - 240. (too much tire or too sticky a tire will cause the car to move around by following road contours. I like 185/60 -13s, or 185 -195/60-14s)

Lowered about 1'1/4" (reduces body lean, but at the end of the day, this is not the most serious handling deficiency)

Rear sway bar (stiffens rear of car to reduce understeer - which I believe is the biggest handling deficiency)

Konis in the rear (same as above)

KYB Gas -a Justs on front (A good shock that works well but is compliant enough to prevent jounce)

But Mark is correct. The car should be stable and a good drive in stock trim.

[arancia72]

I also agree. Before one goes changing to many things - its nice to be able to experience what these cars drove like when new. The stock suspension in proper trim is more than adequate for spirited driving, after all these are sports cars out of the box. Unless your rallying or a serious auto-crosser put your money in quality tires and a rebuild of your stock suspension (don't forget to attend your brakes!). After that has been accomplished and if you feel the need you can begin suspension upgrades now at least you have a sound basis to make driving comparisons.
These are drivers cars. - As it is, in stock form, its difficult to reach their limits safely on city streets or back country roads.

[joshuagore]

I also agree. Before one goes changing to many things - its nice to be able to experience what these cars drove like when new. The stock suspension in proper trim is more than adequate for spirited driving, after all these are sports cars out of the box. Unless your rallying or a serious auto-crosser put your money in quality tires and a rebuild of your stock suspension (don't forget to attend your brakes!). After that has been accomplished and if you feel the need you can begin suspension upgrades now at least you have a sound basis to make driving comparisons.
These are drivers cars. - As it is, in stock form, its difficult to reach their limits safely on city streets or back country roads.

My stock suspension was in decent shape and still felt the suspension was slightly under rated. It seemed to be built more for sporty touring than switchbacks. One of my favorite stock suspension setups has always been the Miata, and on the more aggressive side the s2000. That being said obviously the spider is not going to be as stiff in the chassis department, but I see no reason we can't expect similar roll, turn in, and tracking as a miata.
This is not to say the stock suspension isn't capable, I believe for most people its adequate, if not good.

I decided to build mine to be an exteme, duplicating wheel rates seen in an s2000, but this is not for everyone.

Josh

[mdrburchette]

I had the opportunity to autocross and compare my 82 X19 and my 72 Spider this weekend and was very impressed with the way my 72 acted. It has the 1" swaybar and Koni yellows (stock springs). I was running the Kumho V700 tires that are already several years old. My car had a little body roll but I had a tough time getting the thing to break loose and I felt no under or oversteer. Alvon drove both. Maybe he can comment on how it handled.

[racydave]

But, the X is all stock! Hard to compair. And you've driven the 72 for ever. If you shelf thoes new tires ( for the 72), youll never get to enjoy them.

[mdrburchette]

No comparing here and I don't feel the X did shabby at all. In fact, I was quite surprised at how much pep it had when it needed it. I've always heard they were weak, but I didn't see it. I was just pointing out that the little enhancements I made to the Spider made the handling awesome.