Fast rides and better lap times with the chassis.

High-Speed Performance and Better Lap Times with Track Suspension

If you're looking to shave seconds off your lap times and enhance your suspension, prepare to sacrifice some daily driving comfort. Power can be easily increased in any turbo car by updating the engine control (though we don’t recommend it due to the potential voiding of factory warranty). But if your goal is to circle the track as fast as possible, should you focus on increasing power or optimizing the suspension for the track first?

That's right—focus on optimizing the suspension.

Standard suspensions are designed to perform well under varying road conditions, representing a compromise between performance, safety, comfort, and manufacturing costs. But what if you want to turn your car into an uncompromising track machine, or simply make the suspension sportier? Any suspension modification is a compromise, as improvements in one area often lead to declines in another.

While all cars are different, every suspension consists of similar components. Here's a guide for suspension modifications—remember, you're responsible for any changes.

Bushings

Replacing suspension bushings with polyurethane or nylon ones can increase suspension precision but won't enhance comfort. In fact, hard bushings transmit vibrations and noise better than standard ones. Consider carefully what you want!

Springs

Springs support your car's weight and are the heart of suspension. Changes to their length and stiffness significantly affect track performance. Stiffer and shorter springs might be better but offer a harsher ride.

Shock Absorbers

Shocks wear out over time. If your car has many miles, even replacing them with new stock ones can improve the driving feel significantly. If changing standard springs, replacing shocks is often necessary too. Shorter springs can cause standard shocks to bottom out over large bumps, negatively affecting handling and suspension.

Suspension Kits

A suspension kit designed for your car is perhaps the easiest way to make it more track-focused. Still, choices must be made: do you choose a kit with non-adjustable springs and dampers designed to work together, or a kit where you can adjust rebound damping, compression damping, or both? Or perhaps a kit allowing seamless ride height adjustment?

Typically, a suspension kit lowers the car, reducing the center of gravity and theoretically reducing air resistance. Many find the appearance improved, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder. A low suspension can make daily driving cumbersome if the underside scrapes every speed bump.

Anti-roll Bars

Often, suspension kits are designed to work with certain anti-roll bars. If the kit manufacturer offers one, it might be smart to pair it with the springs and dampers. However, initially, you can try just the kit without changing the anti-roll bar(s). But if you have the enthusiasm and especially expertise, anti-roll bars can significantly alter handling, particularly oversteering or understeering tendencies.

A diligent suspension developer will choose a bar whose stiffness can be adjusted by altering the link attachment point, opening new possibilities for success or error!

Tires and Rims

Whether tires are considered part of suspension depends on the definition, but they significantly affect car behavior on both track and road.

Remember, track slicks are not road-legal. If using road-approved semi-slicks, consider their relatively fast wear. The winning choice might be two sets of tires—one for the track and another for the road.

Low-profile tires enhance handling, but larger rims can significantly weigh more than standard ones. It's essential for unsprung mass, such as rims, to be as light as possible. If swapping rims for better lap times, seek the lightest that fit your budget and car.

Camber Adjustment

If changing rims, pay attention to their offset—distance from the wheel hub’s mounting surface to the centerline. Camber, or wheel tilt inwards or outwards, changes with offset. Adjusting camber may be necessary, sometimes through shims or by lengthening or shortening the control arm.

Before Adjusting

This text is not an exhaustive guide on track suspensions but an overview of various suspension components.

Car suspension is complex, so it's wise to use professional or experienced track drivers' help in tuning. If modifying the suspension, always perform a four-wheel alignment.

If the project seems too challenging, consider a car developed by the automaker’s tuning division. AMG for Mercedes, M series for BMW, SVR for Jaguar, RS for Audi, and John Cooper Works for Mini—all exciting cars that excel on the track!