Suspension Performance and How to Improve it!

[ScottM]

Seems like sway + ECS tune solves all issues. Sways for one rear end lifting in corners and ECS for hop on straight line.

Not sure about solving "all" issues of this type. But I do think you need both to get closer to solving any real or perceived suspension issues. They sort of work together as I see it.

 

[Marc Collins]

My understanding is that the after-market ECS module is by-passing the adaptive damping mode in favour of old-fashioned static settings (though speed-adaptive). Having owned several cars with adaptive suspension that all had problems keeping-up with complex road and handling situations, my assumption all along is that the hopping and side-stepping of this car is primarily caused by those dampers reacting too slowly. I do not believe KIA allows the after-market provider to manipulate the adaptive damping system, but does allow them to replace it with the features that they advertise.

Adding sways or lowering springs will help the situation. But if the use of the ECS module alone also resolves those issues (without necessarily being a total salvation), then my suspicion was correct.

If given a choice, the way the ECS module works is how I would prefer the dampers in the car to work. If KIA gave that setting in the menus, I would choose it over a computer trying to second-guess what is coming next on the road surface. The computer is never able to guess or adapt quickly enough for the most difficult situations, so a predictable setting is always better. In the olden days, you would have to choose a handling versus ride compromise, but with 5 drive modes, there is no need to choose. All settings from softest to stiffest would be better-off without the adaptive damping in my experience.

 

[xot1]

I do not believe KIA allows the after-market provider to manipulate the adaptive damping system, but does allow them to replace it with the features that they advertise.

You forgot one detail here.
Mando is the manufacturer of our stock suspension system including the ECS system. Their solution may be for the aftermarket but they are not a third party.

 

[Marc Collins]

You forgot one detail here.
Mando is the manufacturer of our stock suspension system including the ECS system. Their solution may be for the aftermarket but they are not a third party.

I didn't forget. It's precisely because of that they can do what they do and not do what they are not doing

Just semantics, but technically they are a third-party provider in terms of the consumer-focused module. If they were not the OEM of the KIA parts, I don't think the module would exist at all. In other words, no one else will be releasing anything like this. KIA is OK with it because the only other company that knows the KIA suspension secrets is the one releasing the "different" version for a few select customers who are fanatics. Those customers are happier, which ultimately helps KIA. KIA is not losing any sales. Everyone wins.

 

[Ruturaj]

Not sure about solving "all" issues of this type. But I do think you need both to get closer to solving any real or perceived suspension issues. They sort of work together as I see it.

Should have said both instead of all. But two major issues I saw were those two.

 

[Saxy]

The car is called a Stinger GT because it's a comfortable GT. I'm so happy with my suspension. So much more comfy than my last BMW despite that one had 16in rims and this has 19in.

 

[alex_C]

If anyone is looking for better traction through the corners, speaking of GT1 Stingers! importimageracing having 15% discount on all of whiteline parts. Don't be shocked by the shipping delays thou ... mine is on order until the 25th of May.

 

[WHITEGT]

Hi Guys,
after lowering and doing an alignment, did you use factory specs for the alignment or are the alignment specs different now that the car is lowered?
Eibach springs and F&R sways

thanks

 

[narsnail]

Hi Guys,
after lowering and doing an alignment, did you use factory specs for the alignment or are the alignment specs different now that the car is lowered?
Eibach springs and F&R sways

thanks

I would also like to know this!

 

[Not Here Anymore]

Hi Guys,
after lowering and doing an alignment, did you use factory specs for the alignment or are the alignment specs different now that the car is lowered?
Eibach springs and F&R sways

thanks

After the springs on my Stinger were lowered , I had the tire shop do an alignment , and they said only on the Kia specs but I have read where some who used the Eibach spring s , like I did had 2 degree camber , but for me I was ok with a Kia spec alignment

 

[florent]

@Arnie War
Hey, when u did the Lowering, did u have to buy the Cancellation Kit? im looking to lower my Stinger eather with Eibach or H&R, but some say that i might need the Cancellation kit beacuse the car might warn.

 

[Not Here Anymore]

@Arnie War
Hey, when u did the Lowering, did u have to buy the Cancellation Kit? im looking to lower my Stinger eather with Eibach or H&R, but some say that i might need the Cancellation kit beacuse the car might warn.

I had all my Eibach springs and Eibach Sway bars put on my Stinger gt , around May of 2019 and had to get a alignment as well Just before I did the Track, I never heard about a cancellation kit

 

[Stinger Steve]

Hey everyone!

I'm new here but I was reading this thread and wanted to share my experience with my Stinger GT AWD here in Canada to support what Steve O is reporting.

I grabbed the H&Rs to lower the car but still found the back of the car did pogo through long corners making the car somewhat unpredictable.

After researching, I purchased the sway bar combo from Eibach and set the rear to the stiffest setting.

The car is totally flat and stable in all situations. The sway bar just keeps the two rear tires in sync and doesn't allow for the dipping of a single side.

It's a totally different car now. I also asked my mechanic to perform an alignment with slight toe in at the front and a couple degrees of camber but not significant since it's gotta be my daily driver as well and I don't want uneven tire wear.

100% worth the cost.

 

[Not Here Anymore]

I have had no problems with my car after I had the Eibach springs and sway bars , but I had this done before many Kms put on after reading on the thread about the back becoming a bit un stable and With the changes to both the suspension and engine mod s , everything is working great on the 4 times I have track it !

 

[alex_C]

Actually ended up going the whiteline direction with the new away bar. I got both front and rear sway bars. It was a change in how the car felt during corner entry speed, however, it was still too much body flex in the corner itself. It didn't feel confident at all especially with RWD GT1 model. To cure that issue, I went with the Ultra Racing front and rear racing braces. It was total change of how the car felt on the road. Now it feels solid through the corners. Going around cars at exit ramps with speeds of 50+ , where maximum safe is 25mph so much fun. Plus wet traction got even better, since stable rear end provides MORE grip. Sorry guys, living in FL where police doesn't stop people for going 15-20mph over the speed limit!

 

[WHITEGT]

Hey everyone!

I'm new here but I was reading this thread and wanted to share my experience with my Stinger GT AWD here in Canada to support what Steve O is reporting.

I grabbed the H&Rs to lower the car but still found the back of the car did pogo through long corners making the car somewhat unpredictable.

After researching, I purchased the sway bar combo from Eibach and set the rear to the stiffest setting.

The car is totally flat and stable in all situations. The sway bar just keeps the two rear tires in sync and doesn't allow for the dipping of a single side.

It's a totally different car now. I also asked my mechanic to perform an alignment with slight toe in at the front and a couple degrees of camber but not significant since it's gotta be my daily driver as well and I don't want uneven tire wear.

100% worth the cost.

How is it with the rear set to STIFF? i have both front and rear set to SOFT if i can call it that.

 

[Stinger GT SS]

Actually ended up going the whiteline direction with the new away bar. I got both front and rear sway bars. It was a change in how the car felt during corner entry speed, however, it was still too much body flex in the corner itself. It didn't feel confident at all especially with RWD GT1 model. To cure that issue, I went with the Ultra Racing front and rear racing braces. It was total change of how the car felt on the road. Now it feels solid through the corners. Going around cars at exit ramps with speeds of 50+ , where maximum safe is 25mph so much fun. Plus wet traction got even better, since stable rear end provides MORE grip. Sorry guys, living in FL where police doesn't stop people for going 15-20mph over the speed limit!

Did you fit the Ultra Racing braces after you had done the swaybar upgrade or at the same time.

 

[turboAWD]

Actually ended up going the whiteline direction with the new away bar. I got both front and rear sway bars. It was a change in how the car felt during corner entry speed, however, it was still too much body flex in the corner itself. It didn't feel confident at all especially with RWD GT1 model. To cure that issue, I went with the Ultra Racing front and rear racing braces. It was total change of how the car felt on the road. Now it feels solid through the corners. Going around cars at exit ramps with speeds of 50+ , where maximum safe is 25mph so much fun. Plus wet traction got even better, since stable rear end provides MORE grip. Sorry guys, living in FL where police doesn't stop people for going 15-20mph over the speed limit!

Did you also do the BMS diff brace? Or do the ultra racing braces cover similar territory? How hard are they to install?

 

[Stinger GT SS]

Did you also do the BMS diff brace? Or do the ultra racing braces cover similar territory? How hard are they to install?

I looked into the diff brace too & I this is what I wrote in a FB post 5 weeks ago & this is just my opinion.

“I was enthusiastic at first, but I now have my reservations, I looked at the install guide & now worry that the mounting of it will make it too rigid & not allow torsional flex & this will be transmitted into the actual diff housing.

My suspicions were right when I did a search on the US Stinger FB site, searched BMS diff brace & discovered a guy last year had developed an oil leak, change the seal & still leaks, IMO it appears that the rigidity caused by this bracket may have twisted/deformed the actual diff housing, now an expensive repair.

So by essentially clamping the diff housing to the chassis, torsional loading is then transferred to the weakest point, ie 4 bolts at the bottom on the diff housing so I will pass on this.

Chassis braces may be a better option IMO.”

 

[turboAWD]

Thanks, that is very helpful!

Are the Ultra racing braces reasonably easy to install?