uspension setup with some adjustability

[11sec_car]

I am looking for nice suspension setup with some adjustability (ride height and rebound/compression). My car is 95% street driven, with occasional amateur road course events. Basically I need something that can be adjusted to be comfortable on the street, and good on the track…
Thanks
Sebastian

[jeremy@matrix]

Originally posted by 11sec_car
I am looking for nice suspension setup with some adjustability (ride height and rebound/compression). My car is 95% street driven, with occasional amateur road course events. Basically I need something that can be adjusted to be comfortable on the street, and good on the track…
Thanks
Sebastian

Do you have a budget of what you're looking to spend?

Is compression adjustability a "must have?"

[11sec_car]

I would say that I can spend little bit over $1000...and I don’t need compression adjustability, just something that I can adjust to be comfortable on the streets (similar to stock), and good on the track.
Sebastian
ps. I am looking for a kit that doesn’t require removing the shocks to adjust them :)



Originally posted by 11sec_car
I am looking for nice suspension setup with some adjustability (ride height and rebound/compression). My car is 95% street driven, with occasional amateur road course events. Basically I need something that can be adjusted to be comfortable on the street, and good on the track…
Thanks
Sebastian

[jeremy@matrix]

Originally posted by 11sec_car
I would say that I can spend little bit over $1000...and I don’t need compression adjustability, just something that I can adjust to be comfortable on the streets (similar to stock), and good on the track.
Sebastian
ps. I am looking for a kit that doesn’t require removing the shocks to adjust them :)

Unfortunately you'll have to spend a bit more to get a track worthy and easily adjustable setup.

The STaSIS Street Sport is a great kit, but won't hold up to the rigors of track use;

STaSIS StreetSport coilover kit for B5 S4; 4 KONI sport dampers; single adjustable (rebound), narrow band; suspension disassembly required for adjustment; silver chromate plated threaded steel damper bodies; height adjustable; 4 progressive rate KONI springs (400lb. front /390lb. rear spring rate); balanced and adjusted on SPA damper dynamometer
$1095
(Dampers have to be removed off vehicle to adjust)

What I'd recommend for you for street and track, is STaSIS Track Sport kit;

STaSIS TrackSport coilover kit for B5 S4; 4 STaSIS custom-valved KONI dampers; double digressive damping; single adjustable (rebound), wide band; adjustable while installed on vehicle; silver chromate plated threaded steel damper bodies; height adjustable; 4 STaSIS custom lower spring perches; 2 STaSIS custom upper rear spring perches; 4 linear rate Hyperco springs; 450 lb. to 1000 lb. spring rates; balanced and adjusted on SPA damper dynamometer
$1895
(Dampers can be adjusted for rebound on the vehicle)

We have numerous clients who run this on their B5s...some never even make it to the track. Regardless, it's handles extremely well, and is very comfortable on the street; doesn't pogo like the H&R kit does.

LMK your thoughts!

[belinko]

Jeremy,

Obviously you are very knowledgeable about the suspensions setups. So my question to you is: How would one change the dynamics of the car, so that you can just point and steer. My problem is I push the car into a corner and the car keeps going straigt, whats up with that. I just go back from test driving a B6 S4 and it did the same thing. Turned of the ESP (roundabout) doing 30mph crank on the wheel, start the turn the nose of the car just slides out of the turn. Can this problem be fixed? What would it take to improver these Audi traits on a B5 vs. B6?

Thanks.

[jeremy@matrix]

Originally posted by belinko
Jeremy,

Obviously you are very knowledgeable about the suspensions setups. So my question to you is: How would one change the dynamics of the car, so that you can just point and steer. My problem is I push the car into a corner and the car keeps going straigt, whats up with that. I just go back from test driving a B6 S4 and it did the same thing. Turned of the ESP (roundabout) doing 30mph crank on the wheel, start the turn the nose of the car just slides out of the turn. Can this problem be fixed? What would it take to improver these Audi traits on a B5 vs. B6?

Thanks.

Great questions.
Thanks for the kind words as well.

You have found what the manufacturers like to build into the vehicle; a safe condition. They'd rather have you plow through a corner than get the back end sideways in a corner.

A few things would help reduce the push/understeer (also found on the tech section of our website; http://www.matrixintegrated.cc/faq_suspension.php)

-stiffer rear end of the vehicle (ie higher ride height than front, stiffer spring rate, add rebound damping to the rear, etc)
-STaSIS rear and center differentials. These will help transmit more power to the rear of the vehicle, resulting in a controlled power slide while the front end is clawing for traction as well.

I hope that helps a bit.
LMK if you have any other questions. I am happy to help.

Best,
Jeremy

[belinko]

Great, thank you for the info. I'm definately looking into getting an S4, just don't know if I want to jump into a B5 or B6. Correct if I'm wrong, I would assume that the suspension mods would be the same for both. The problem is that I'm trying to replicate the handling of an M3, maybe I'll just have to swing that way.

[jeremy@matrix]

Originally posted by belinko
Great, thank you for the info. I'm definately looking into getting an S4, just don't know if I want to jump into a B5 or B6. Correct if I'm wrong, I would assume that the suspension mods would be the same for both. The problem is that I'm trying to replicate the handling of an M3, maybe I'll just have to swing that way.

Don't swing the way of an M3. A mildly built B5 S4 will conquer it easily.

You are correct on mods for B5 or B6; they're the same.

I love the rumble of the B6 S4, but I also drive a 450bhp stg3 B5 S4 every day so maybe I'm a bit jaded. It all depends what you want. IMHO, the B5 S4 is currently the best bang for the mod buck in Audi's lineup.

[belinko]

Originally posted by jeremy@matrix


-stiffer rear end of the vehicle (ie higher ride height than front, stiffer spring rate, add rebound damping to the rear, etc)
-STaSIS rear and center differentials. These will help transmit more power to the rear of the vehicle, resulting in a controlled power slide while the front end is clawing for traction as well.


Jeremy,

Specifically, what components (new diff and suspension, is that it, 2K?) would I need to buy to make a stock B5/6 S4 handle the way you mentioned above? In addition to that I would like to be able to adjust the overal ride height of the vehicle for my winter travels. Perhaps adjust it myself.

Oh yeah, so you're driving a 450hp B5 S4 daily, that seems plausible. Locally AMS tuning could to that for me without any problems. The question is: when you're driving on a track, tight road coarse or canyons do you heel and toe? Do you still like the B5 interior, anything you wish you had in the car?

Thanks

[jeremy@matrix]

Originally posted by belinko
Jeremy,

Specifically, what components (new diff and suspension, is that it, 2K?) would I need to buy to make a stock B5/6 S4 handle the way you mentioned above? In addition to that I would like to be able to adjust the overal ride height of the vehicle for my winter travels. Perhaps adjust it myself.

Oh yeah, so you're driving a 450hp B5 S4 daily, that seems plausible. Locally AMS tuning could to that for me without any problems. The question is: when you're driving on a track, tight road coarse or canyons do you heel and toe? Do you still like the B5 interior, anything you wish you had in the car?

Thanks

Well, I'd start off with either of these;

STaSIS TrackSport coilover kit for B5 A4Q; 4 STaSIS custom-valved KONI dampers; double digressive damping; single adjustable (rebound), wide band; adjustable while installed on vehicle; silver chromate plated threaded steel damper bodies; height adjustable; 4 STaSIS custom lower spring perches; 2 STaSIS custom upper rear spring perches; 4 linear rate Hyperco springs; 450 lb. to 1000 lb. spring rates; balanced and adjusted on SPA damper dynamometer
$1895

STaSIS MotorSport coilover kit for B5 A4Q; 4 STaSIS valved OHLINS dampers w/ external front reservoirs, double digressive damping, external damping adjustability (comfort & performance), adjustable while installed on vehicle, lightweight aluminum threaded damper bodies, height adjustable, 4 linear rate Hyperco springs, 450 lb. to 1000 lb. spring rates, balanced and adjusted on SPA damper dynamometer
$3895


Then, after that, do diffs.

STaSIS clutch type rear diff for A4
$1895

STaSIS 4:1 Torsen center diff
$550

How much do you want to raise it from where it'll be lowered(it'll be lowered about 1" below stock)?


450hp in your A4?

Heel and toe is great.

Anything I wish for in the B5 S4? Recaro's like the B6 S4 perhaps. More power at times(you get used to it). And less traffic around here of course. [:)]

LMK if I can help to answer any other questions.

[belinko]

Jeremy,

I'd be looking to get an S4 (B5 or B6), I wouldn't want to drop that much money into a 450hp A4.

What would be the need for the new rear diff.?

My current pedal setup doesn't allow me to heel and toe very well (accelerator is 1.5" lower than the break pedal). Any good tips help?

[jeremy@matrix]

Originally posted by belinko
Jeremy,

I'd be looking to get an S4 (B5 or B6), I wouldn't want to drop that much money into a 450hp A4.

What would be the need for the new rear diff.?

My current pedal setup doesn't allow me to heel and toe very well (accelerator is 1.5" lower than the break pedal). Any good tips help?

Oh, gotcha.

If you want that much power, get a B5. IMHO, it is the best Audi chassis for comfort and power.

Here's a good client testimonial to offer you some insight;

"Jeremy helped me out when I decided to get the differentials installed. So, I'd be happy to give you my impressions of the differentials. First of all, you'll realize that your car will not feel the same ever again. You'll realize that the original open diff set up gives you a bad understeer. I autox and also do track days so my experience will be more on the racing application of the diffs. When I used to drive through slaloms without the diffs, I'd have to throttle-lift oversteer to get around corners. In quick transitions, the weight transfer and the inside rear wheel lifting would give you a throttle response delay. The quattro system would try to send the power to the front and the rear wheels which felt like they lost power. There's a lag when the power is being transferred. In this power lag, the rears would drop by down and the quattro would send the power to the rear again. This added to lost time in power delivery. With the rear LSD, quattro feels like it always keeps the power to the rear when there's traction issues. So, in essence, you're always on power. The difference after the rear LSD and center diff was that I just went flat out through slalom sections. The car just hooked up and I drove quicker. The transition issues didn't give any time loss. Also, you get power-on oversteer. I've used this as an advantage also to get around corners faster. You'll enter the corner fast and then turn-in, but pinch the apex, and power out. The rear will step out and you can hold a drift. It's not a proper way to enter a corner but it's more like doing tarmac rally, WRC style. As for putting the power down, it's well worth it. Just think about the time saved in corner work when you can keep the throttle pegged. I used to enter a corner, lift in the apex (to initiate rotation), and power out. Now, I just progressively get on the power at turn in until I'm WOT past the apex.

The diffs is something that I'd personally recommend. Just keep in mind that the car will not feel the same. It'll feel like a RWD car. So when you do decide to get them, you'll just have to drive slower in the rain. I'm glad you're not in my autox region because an S4 with diffs would drive my doors off. I hope this helps. STaSIS products are definitely worth every penny.

-Noel
2000 A4 1.8TQ
APR Stage III
STaSIS Motorsports (800F/900R)
CPP front upper control arms / tie rods / sway bar end links
STaSIS center and rear LSD
STaSIS Tracksport BBK"

[belinko]

Jeremy,

Once again thank you for your clear and comprehensive responses. It seems like your team at Matrix has solved my problems with Audi's safety dynamic control. I will be most definately interested in a similar setup as you suggested, once I purchase my S.
I'm located in San Diego, so driving up to OR wouldn't not be an option for me. Do you have any recomendations on the installation process (who to take it too). I'm pretty sure, that AMS would be capable of doing the installation, since they have a good racing backround. But do you have any dealer networks that could do the work for me here in socal?

[jeremy@matrix]

Originally posted by 11sec_car
I am looking for nice suspension setup with some adjustability (ride height and rebound/compression). My car is 95% street driven, with occasional amateur road course events. Basically I need something that can be adjusted to be comfortable on the street, and good on the track…
Thanks
Sebastian

Hey Sebastian,

Do you have any further thoughts on susp?

[jeremy@matrix]

Originally posted by belinko
Jeremy,

Once again thank you for your clear and comprehensive responses. It seems like your team at Matrix has solved my problems with Audi's safety dynamic control. I will be most definately interested in a similar setup as you suggested, once I purchase my S.
I'm located in San Diego, so driving up to OR wouldn't not be an option for me. Do you have any recomendations on the installation process (who to take it too). I'm pretty sure, that AMS would be capable of doing the installation, since they have a good racing backround. But do you have any dealer networks that could do the work for me here in socal?


You're very welcome---anytime.

We certainly have some great associates in SoCal that can help. I'd recommend Mike at Wicked Motorsports;

Wicked Motorsports
7740 Sepulveda Blvd # A
Van Nuys, CA 91405
(818) 997-9652
www.wicked-motorsports.com

They are the B5 S4 masters in that area. Tell Mike I sent you.

[belinko]

Hey Jeremy,

Thanks for the recomendation. Did you find the F***ers that took your car?

[jeremy@matrix]

Originally posted by belinko
Hey Jeremy,

Thanks for the recomendation. Did you find the F***ers that took your car?

Anytime.

Police are still investigating.

[Jedi-Jurist]

Jeremy:

What would getting the center diff w/o the rear clutch type diff do for (or against) you? I, like everyone else, want to elimanate the understeer and induce some oversteer when desired.

[jeremy@matrix]

Originally posted by Jedi-Jurist
Jeremy:

What would getting the center diff w/o the rear clutch type diff do for (or against) you? I, like everyone else, want to elimanate the understeer and induce some oversteer when desired.

See http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=92980