Suspension travel modification?

[vince@performancecarstereo.com (Vince Royer)]

I would love to modify my suspension travel so that I can tuck all my wheels
deep into my fenders and still have stock-like handling.  mmmm...

I figure I would have to rework the front upper strut mounts, notch the
frame, and somehow modify the pickup points as mentioned below to save the
geometry from getting too screwed up.  I think that would be dope.

Vince


> -----Original Message-----
> From: scirocco-l-admin@scirocco.org
> [mailto:scirocco-l-admin@scirocco.org]On Behalf Of Neal Tovsen
> Sent: December 24, 2002 11:57 AM
> To: Drew Teague; scirocco-l@scirocco.org
> Subject: Re: Suspension travel modification?
>
>
> > Is there a
> > suspension setup that
> > would effectively increase the suspension travel for
> > off-road applications?
> > That would be worth doing, even if not to race, just
> > to off-road.  It would
> > be nice to be able to use larger tires, too. (clear
> > the wheelwells?)
> > Something tells me it might end up taking a decent
> > amount of fabrication.
>
> Well, the A1 suspension travel really isn't all that
> short. If you want to see an example of a short-travel
> suspension, take a look at a Neon sometime.
>
> However, it isn't very long either, and as we
> discussed, there are much better choices than an A1
> for rally or off-road use. The Subaru Impreza, for
> example, has HUGE suspension travel compared to the
> Scirocco (gee...maybe that has something to do with a
> certain WRC design strategy!).
>
> The Scirocco's droop suspension travel could be
> lengthened with custom extra-long struts, but I would
> guess that it would cause toe and camber problems if
> you extend the control arm too much further down than
> stock.
>
> You could theoretically also increase the bump
> suspension travel quite a ways without hitting the
> fender with the tire as long as you don't run a huge
> tire. Running a shorter body strut would give you some
> extra travel. However, you'll find that the limiting
> factor is when the driveshaft contacts the frame rail,
> especially on the longer passenger side shaft. This is
> a major headache for Street-Prepared autocross cars
> who can't lower the car like they want. The
> Prepared-class autocrossers are allowed to notch the
> frame rail and reinforce it to allow for more bump
> travel.
>
> I'm personally considering mimicing the Golf Syncro
> front driveshaft layout (without the differential)
> someday in the future for my Street Modified Scirocco.
> It actually utilizes equal-length CV joints by
> relocating the passenger side CV ouboard closer to the
> framerail (mirroring the driver's side). With the CV
> joint moved to near the frame rail, you can get more
> upward articulation before the driveshaft contacts the
> frame.
>
> In the end, it is difficult to modify a strut
> suspension for longer travel than it was designed for.
> The dynamic camber and toe changes make things
> difficult unless you plan to relocate the strut and
> control arm pickup points...
>
> Neal
>
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