Hmm.. This is interesting stuff..

I just looked at how it could be working.. Not sure the statement, "this device will not affect the handling of your vehicle whatsoever".. as some of the pics I've see, the spring sits inside the air cylinder and it doesn't sit flush to the perch.

Here are couple of examples I've found..
http://umbrellaautodesign.files.word...ng120001wm.jpg

http://umbrellaautodesign.files.word...dscn0889wm.jpg

looks to be pretty simple design.. The air pushes the spring downwards and hence raising the car...

"In the collapsed state(set ride height) this device will not affect the handling of your vehicle whatsoever as it acts merely as a metal spacer.

When you engage the valves air is sent to the piston and the vehicle can be raised up to 3" to help navigate steep driveways,towtruck beds, speed bumps etc."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0mkj...layer_embedded

Yes, I read that.. But if you look at the pics I found of the tein coilovers, you could see that the 'spacers' are sitting below the perch.. I'm no suspension expert, but I would think that will throw things off some. To keep original idea, I would of designed it so the spring sits very close to original design of the coilovers and not .5 to an inch down.. and putting stress on the base of the perch.. But I guess they did it this way so it could be universal and not suspension specific. Again, I'm not an expert, but I do know geometry is pretty important on suspension. I would also like to know what the distance between the top to the collapsed state is.. If you add that distance, it could be over an inch. Maybe Howard can tell us more if this will in fact not affect at all..

I've seen an active front fascia piece that raises and lowers but never the whole car like that, except south of 8 Mile

The Maserati MC12 just raises the front, but it's very similar.

How similar? Do Maserati need to sue these guys similar?

Ascari A10 does the same thing (raises the front)

I don't think Maserati is going on a warpath against anyone making something similar. Although I am curious if there is any compromise on the more 'wallet friendly' solutions as I would be interested in something like that for my car. On the MC12, for $800k+ I'm sure their solution does not compromise anything.

Here is the discussion, you might get your questions answered here http://www.nsxprime.com/forums/showt...light=umbrella

Funny how no one really asked about how it might affect the handling on NSX forum..

Better one to read would be this one..

http://www.nagtroc.org/forums/index....pic=44428&st=0

At least GTR guys are actually asking about what I was concerned with.. and no.. I didn't read this before posting what I posted earlier..

And I still think this is a pretty cool idea and I think with maybe slightly better design, it could in fact be very small change in suspension. Also, BATMAN made a good point about safety issue.. even though at 200psi, i'm not sure where I would mount this thing in the FD.. The KW hydrolic system seems bit more compact and maybe safer also... only issue is the price of KW units.

^ I can see how it will not affect the suspension geometry when it is in the lowered state. As Howard has said many times the coilovers in the FD do not affect the inscribed arc the wheel moves through as the suspension compresses and rebounds. all the VRH does is act as a spacer between the coilover and the perch when the canister has no air in it. When it is inflated it effectively raises the preload on the spring causing the coilover to exted and therefore, the car to raise up. Obviously when the canister is extended it will affect the handling of the car because it is higher and the suspension arms geometry has changed causing the alignment to change.

One thing that has not been mentioned is what happens if the piston in the shock body contacts the shock cap how much damage can be caused especially if the person keeps inflating the canisters after contact and starts to drive.


As far as saftey, I wouldnt be too concerned it is just air. IMHO much better than oil. If you have a leak with air you have no mess, hydraulic leaks.... thats a different story. I know it is pressurized, but thats why you make sure the tank is not inflated past its certified limit.


BTW. I like the e55 or e63 amg.

My concern is where this thing is acting as a spacer.. For instance, I don't think many people would place a spacer at the bottom of the perch and have something act as a perch in such smaller contact area. That's where I have issue with this system. Otherwise, I am interested in this unit... And who knows.. maybe its fine? I guess I just have to wait for one of you FD owners to give it a shot and see how well it lasts after 20+K miles.

I've always wanted an NSX...

Air suspension is pretty common now adays
My E55 has air suspension but it probably goes at the most 2 inches in the front and back.
Ironically most E55/E63 owners want to get rid of their airmatic (due to product failure) and swap it in for coilovers.

My buddies 2011 GT3 has the air suspension too.

This > All that other nonsense. Heh.

http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets...lowbastard.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...exotics/g4.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...exotics/g2.jpg

http://cache.gawkerassets.com/assets...tardgarage.jpg

This thread is turning more into a Dope Status show off thread.

What is "Dope Status" ?

To stay on topic:

If I had to replace the FD it would be with something as equally unpractical. Ultima GTR with a 3 rotor single turbo. If we are gonna dream lets dream:lol:

Off topic:

Awkwardly enough I already have a kit like that for the FD. My cups are a little different. Judging from the pictures longer stroke, self lubing, the seal is better than what they are describing in terms of durability. 2.5G tanks with bracket to bolt onto FD and compressor is a little nicer chromed etc. I was not aware of how much interest there was in this from FD owners may have to do some for other people hehe.

As an aside here is a pic of the tanks pre-anodizing and w/o bracket.

http://i1109.photobucket.com/albums/...g/P1200596.jpg

It is a thread where every one show off cars that they think are "dope".

http://www.vadriven.com/forums/showthread.php?t=375089

Then you have dook status which are the "not what to do to a car thread"

http://www.vadriven.com/forums/showthread.php?t=271561

That dope status thread is cool :icon_tup:

Another thread I like is the Super Autobacs in Japan thread over in RX8club, although that one is more JDM oriented.

Check it out:
http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=104335&page=200

Not a sports car but I know the 90's Range Rovers, and Discoverys had many problems with the air suspension. Kits are made to replace with springs.

Even my wife's 2005 Denali has had to have the rear air pump replaced and I am sure it's much less sophisticated than an MB, BMW, Porsche, etc. system.

i dont understand the chevy v8 f360. its a super expensive rear engine vette.

COOL! I'm interested.. Can you share some more info?

top secret has been making these for years with the same design.

if they make it, i would assume it still rocks out with its ...hair done.
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/...E/roberuta.jpg