Air Bag Suspension

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  #1  
Old 08-27-2009 | 06:01 PM
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Default Air Bag Suspension

Is any body running a air suspension?
I want to do this on ours so we can play with the stance. Lower it, drop it, raise the rear (stink bug) raise the front, you get the idea.
I found a couple of different types on line but i am seriously looking at this one... http://www.airbagit.com/product-p/fbs-che-23-kit3.htm
It uses A arms and a four link rear included in the kit.
 
  #2  
Old 08-27-2009 | 09:24 PM
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Usually see those on great big boats. Never seen a Camaro with air bags.
 
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Old 08-27-2009 | 09:59 PM
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Not just big boats anymore! Air ride has entered the competition suspension market.
We install air suspension at our shop and I put it in my 72 Camaro. I used the Air Ride Technologies Shockwaves on mine. Although the Shockwaves do not allow as much adjustment to height as bags, the ability to tune the handling is great. My car corners much better than it did and I am still riding on 15 inch tires. As soon as I can I will install 17 inch tires and expect even better cornering.

The FBSS system you are looking at has a few flaws. The compressor is big but with increased size comes increased sound levels. It is totally up to you if you can tolerate the noise. From 0 psi to shut off will probably be about 4 minutes. The box which houses the valves & compressor will take up some trunk space. You may want to use separate parts and hide them in unused areas. I put my tank on the driver's side behind the wheelhouse and mounted the comp on the opposite side. Get the dimensions of the tank from them to make certain it will fit in your car. The valves I hid under the rear shelf. The FBSS kit does not state the size of the valves, since the hose is 3/8", I will assume the valves are also that size. Valves that size are fine if you want a car to hop but not if you want to tune the suspension. The pressure in the bags will increase too fast to get accurate settings. In the picture it shows all bags to be double convoluted. These are designed for load carrying capacity not comfort. Although they must be used in the front they are over-kill for the rear and you will loose some ride quality. Look very carefully at the four link system they are selling. Camaros do not have much space around the axle and many cheaper setups do not work well. Also, if you are installing bags you may have to give up on tailpipes on the exhaust. With the bags you must keep the heat away from them or they may go pop!

Overall air bags are great if you want the most height adjustment. With bags set up correctly you can expect 6-7 inches of suspension travel. With Shockwaves I get about 4" of drop when I deflate the air. Cost is a factor, Shockwaves will run a lot more than bags.
 
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Old 08-28-2009 | 04:58 PM
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I totally agree with shockwaves, vs. air bags. Not the same technology, and definitely higher tech than bags!
Expect to spend around $3,000, and that's just for the 4 shock bags, and new control arms, not a 4 link rear.
 
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Old 08-28-2009 | 06:11 PM
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Actually you can get just Shockwaves for the front without buying new control arms. The rear will need to have four link installed. It isn't all bad though. Without leaf springs you have more room for tire. The Air Bar setup is pretty easy to install and if you know a few simple rules of tuning a four link you are up and running in no time. If your rear frame rails are weak or rusted you will want to replace them before putting in an Air Bar since that is where it mounts.

Also, I see you stated you wanted to play with the stance of the car with air. With a four link in the rear you may not be able to go from in-the-dirt to jacked up and be drivable at both settings. A four link is somewhat finicky as to the drive height and alignment.
 

Last edited by JRs72RS; 08-28-2009 at 06:14 PM.
  #6  
Old 08-29-2009 | 12:12 PM
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my 76 camaro has air bag suspension but just in the rear...

i like the way it looks and it is sooo easy to adjust
 
  #7  
Old 08-31-2009 | 04:47 PM
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Yea, changing the stance was the main reason really for the bags. The ride was secondary. If the stance can not be played with in a simular way as hydralics, I would rather go with a good suspension kit. I.E. lowering springs, a-arms, leaf springs, etc...
 
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Old 08-31-2009 | 07:50 PM
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Don't misunderstand, you can play with the height but there are limitations. Before you start you need to decide what stance you want to drive at. This is the height you will align the front end and set your pinion angle for and will do most of your driving at. You can drive at a lower stance or higher but the front alignment will certainly change and pinion angle may be off when you do this. It doesn't mean you cannot drive at that stance, I just would not recommend it for highway speeds or long distance. Hydraulic systems have the same limitations.
 
  #9  
Old 09-09-2009 | 10:32 PM
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Now I am really torn a good suspension with a four link and coil overs or the air bag ride and adjustability. We want to run on 18" wheels and with the widest tire that will fit without rubbing. I guess we have some time since the motor is out to be replaced with a fuel injected motor. But now would be the time to do it since the motor is out of the way. AHHHHH
 
  #10  
Old 09-11-2009 | 11:36 PM
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One thing I forgot to mention, if you go with air in front you will have to cut the spring pockets for clearance.

If you have the time to do it (and money), I highly recommend an air system. The difference in handling is great.
 
Attached Thumbnails Air Bag Suspension-shockwave.jpg  
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