Can Upgrading Suspension Increase RWHP?

Auto Reverse · Nov 12, 2004

I hope this doesn't come off as sounding stupid, but can upgrading a bone stock worn out suspension increase rear wheel horsepower?

If not directly in dyno numbers, what about the overall feel of the car when you have 325 RWHP on a stock suspension?

Thanks.

5spd GT · Nov 12, 2004

Auto Reverse said:
I hope this doesn't come off as sounding stupid, but can upgrading a bone stock worn out suspension increase rear wheel horsepower?

If not directly in dyno numbers, what about the overall feel of the car when you have 325 RWHP on a stock suspension?

Thanks.

No you can't gain rwhp by doing suspension work...

It allows you (if your going with a straight-line traction susp.) to get more power to the ground without traction loss...it controls your power to the ground smooter and more efficiently...

Auto Reverse · Nov 12, 2004

Thanks...that's what I figured. Basically, it should make my track times much better.

5spd GT · Nov 12, 2004

Auto Reverse said:
Thanks...that's what I figured. Basically, it should make my track times much better.

Yeah suspension work can greatly increase your times and feel of the car

www.maximummotorsports.com has some nice products for both drag/street...

N8Miller · Nov 12, 2004

yeah, with that nice motor setup, its time to do some suspension work. maximum motorsports is expensive.... cheaper brands will provide the basics, but they are the top.

Auto Reverse · Nov 12, 2004

Well, I did order some parts already for the next project.

Ford Racing 31 Spline, 5 lug Axle and Carrier
Eibach Pro Kit Springs
KYB AGX Adjustable shocks and struts (2 + 2)
MAC Rear Upper and Lower Control Arms
Ford Racing Front Control Arms
BBK Caster/Camber Plates

sjhm9102 · Nov 14, 2004

i added front and rear braces and all new suspension stock parts and now my tires will not stick i need more foot print on the rear tires now alot of power was being thrown out cause of suspension parts so yes it does improve RWHP

mackey · Nov 14, 2004

The pro-kit is going to hurt launching your car at the strip, but it will look better.

5spd GT · Nov 14, 2004

sjhm9102 said:
i added front and rear braces and all new suspension stock parts and now my tires will not stick i need more foot print on the rear tires now alot of power was being thrown out cause of suspension parts so yes it does improve RWHP

No you do not get a gain in power at the wheels...

You stiffened up your suspension which allowed for less weight transfer to the rear tires...so you spin more...plus don't judge power by how much you can spin wheels because there are different factors to "lost traction"...(pavement type, temp, weight, etc...)

RickyB · Nov 14, 2004

the only time ive ever seen a RWHP gain on a suspension change has been the replacement of stock motor and tranny mounts to poly's...this was on an LT1 fwiw

PhLoBuS · Nov 14, 2004

it will improve your 1/4 mile but not your hp

ninety15.0 · Nov 14, 2004

An aluminum DS may give you a couple hp, while your under there....I know i really need one to smooth out the ride at high speed with the 3.73's. the stocker vibrates like crazy.

5spd GT · Nov 14, 2004

RickyB said:
the only time ive ever seen a RWHP gain on a suspension change has been the replacement of stock motor and tranny mounts to poly's...this was on an LT1 fwiw

Your not going to gain any power by switching a suspension component like that...how much gain did he "see"...because the outside temp/humidity/and temp of the engine can vary your power numbers and often even on back to back runs you will see different numbers with not actual changes...

SlowGT · Nov 14, 2004

5spd GT said:
No you can't gain rwhp by doing suspension work...

I disagree. You shouldn't expect to see any increase on a chassis dyno because everythings strapped down tight to start with. However, when you launch the car, street or strip, and it goes into a twist bringing up the left front corner--->that's using up TQ that the rear wheels will never see. As you increase the stiffness in your chassis and take up the slack in your stock supsension with poly bushings/tubular parts, you stop the twist and the supsension components remain where they should...now that TQ/HP gets to the wheels instead of being sent out through the chassis. As you stiffen things up, the tires will break loose easier on launch because now you're eliminating everything that was absorbing the initial impact.

Is it a measurable difference??? I'm guessing not, but the laws of physics dictate that there is improvement. All the TQ & HP that leaves the flywheel has to go somewhere and that chassis isn't twisting free of charge.

just my $.02

SlowGT · Nov 14, 2004

RickyB said:
the only time ive ever seen a RWHP gain on a suspension change has been the replacement of stock motor and tranny mounts to poly's...this was on an LT1 fwiw

Any dyno sheets to show the differences? I'd expect some increase, but not enough to feel in the seat. I definitely wouldn't expect enough to spend the $$$ for another dyno run

5spd GT · Nov 14, 2004

You do not actually gain rwhp from suspension mods...you are able to put the power to the ground more effectively but you see no gain in rwhp #'s...

You will see E.T. gains but not mph gains if the same driving/conditions were done...

SlowGT · Nov 14, 2004

5spd GT said:
You do not actually gain rwhp from suspension mods...you are able to put the power to the ground more effectively but you see no gain in rwhp #'s...

You will see E.T. gains but not mph gains if the same driving/conditions were done...

So then after the chassis is stiffened and the suspension is upgraded, where does the TQ/HP go that had once been twisting the car? It has to go somewhere, it doesn't just disappear

EDIT: After rereading the original question, I'd tend to be closer to agreeing with you. He asked about suspension upgrades and not chassis upgrades. The two will have different effects on the car.

5spd GT · Nov 14, 2004

SlowGT said:
So then after the chassis is stiffened and the suspension is upgraded, where does the TQ/HP go that had once been twisting the car? It has to go somewhere, it doesn't just disappear

It goes to put more "pressure" on the rear tires to get more power to the ground without loosing traction, therefore gaining an elapsed time and better timeslip...

If you add drag springs your not going to add power to your car...or add any "lost" power either...

TrickStang37 · Nov 14, 2004

it takes power to twist the car. with chassis mods, instead of the energy being obsorbed into the car with twisting force, it is applied to the wheels. does your car twist and contort on a dyno?

5spd GT · Nov 14, 2004

I'll answer the original question in somewhat of an question/answer form...

"How much horsepower gain after I add subframes?"

It just don't work and that is why you don't see threads like the above...

Actually on some dynos (depending on how much their rollers "frictionize" your car) you will see the body jump and squat as it produces a force on the rollers...

Can Upgrading Suspension Increase RWHP?

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