Can I change the factory suspension on my performance car?
QUESTION
Hi John,
My wife and I own a 2019 Cerato GT and while we both love the car, the typical complaint about its firm ride often gets brought up.
Being oldies in our late ‘60s and early ‘70s, we're not too much into spirited driving around the countryside, so any loss of handling ability will not be too much of a concern to us. We would like to reduce the firmness of the ride especially over car park bumps.
I am toying with the idea of replacing the springs with ones from a Hyundai SR which I am led to believe will fit the Cerato and, supposedly, soften the ride somewhat. Based on your recent video interview about suspension, there could be some negative repercussions which could make the swap a bad decision. What is your opinion on this change?
Thanks and regards,
Tony
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ANSWER
Tony,
Cerato GT is firm, but it’s hardly as if you’re a resident at Guantanamo Bay being questioned about OBL’s home address…
Time to put things in perspective mate. This suspension tune is a product of the tyres, bushes, springs and dampers all working together.
If you change one thing because you’re having a random thought bubble that it might be a nice idea, guaranteed, you will be making the car worse in some respects. It will be a miracle if you don’t make it worse.
It might even ride better, but the risk is that of introducing a negative feedback-type problem - like a major discontinuity when you try to swerve around a kid one day, or something.
Graeme Gambold can give you a million reasons (AKA ‘data’) as to why you shouldn’t change out your springs…
My strong advice is to acknowledge that this is a very first-world problem you’re having, and just live with it the way it is, and the inherent risk of aimlessly dicking with something that’s actually been fairly well set up by experts with access to all the cool toys for doing this. Your best course of action is: do nothing.
Nobody ever died of a firm ride and crisp handling. Plus, you’ll shred your warranty.
I know you want to hear ‘great idea; do it’. Unfortunately, I prioritize honesty and the facts over the imperative to appease people. I’m funny that way.
Sincerely,
John Cadogan
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