STD Tuning Suspension Improving my W124's handling

Improving my W124's handling

Improving my W124's handling

 
  • 1 Vote(s) - 5 Average
 
raysorenson
Superturbo

1,162
12-10-2012, 03:44 PM #1
Goals: reduce body roll and front lower control arm bushing deflection, slightly reduce center of gravity while doing my best to not lower the front suspension roll center.

Parts:
R129 500SL springs. I'm sure the SL's suspension was tuned with a higher frequency (stiffer) than an '87 124.133. Adding the fact that the SL has about 1000# more curb weight than my 124, I think it's safe to assume that there will be a significant increase in spring rate. I can't use a slammed car for a daily driver and I don't like progressive springs, so used Mercedes springs are my favored choice.

Koni Sports (yellows). I'm not crazy about Koni yellows, but they're the only dampers I can find with adjustable rebound to keep the extra spring rate under control.

Kmac lower control arm bushings. They should keep my lower control arm bushing deflection within acceptable limits. I thought about turning some delrin or polyurethane stock on my lathe to make some bushings but Kmacs have the added advantage of allowing me to raise the lower control arm pivot point to help keep the roll center from dropping as much as it would if I had just lowered the car.

Stock sway bars. I'm keeping them for now. I'm not a fan of thick sway bars, they add spring rate to the outside wheels in corners that your dampers aren't tuned for, causing a goofy bounce in undulating corners. Hopefully the stiffer spring rate coupled with precautions to keep the front roll center higher will provide an acceptably low amount of body roll.

This is my Christmas present to myself. All the parts are being shipped to me as I write. I'll post impressions.
raysorenson
12-10-2012, 03:44 PM #1

Goals: reduce body roll and front lower control arm bushing deflection, slightly reduce center of gravity while doing my best to not lower the front suspension roll center.

Parts:
R129 500SL springs. I'm sure the SL's suspension was tuned with a higher frequency (stiffer) than an '87 124.133. Adding the fact that the SL has about 1000# more curb weight than my 124, I think it's safe to assume that there will be a significant increase in spring rate. I can't use a slammed car for a daily driver and I don't like progressive springs, so used Mercedes springs are my favored choice.

Koni Sports (yellows). I'm not crazy about Koni yellows, but they're the only dampers I can find with adjustable rebound to keep the extra spring rate under control.

Kmac lower control arm bushings. They should keep my lower control arm bushing deflection within acceptable limits. I thought about turning some delrin or polyurethane stock on my lathe to make some bushings but Kmacs have the added advantage of allowing me to raise the lower control arm pivot point to help keep the roll center from dropping as much as it would if I had just lowered the car.

Stock sway bars. I'm keeping them for now. I'm not a fan of thick sway bars, they add spring rate to the outside wheels in corners that your dampers aren't tuned for, causing a goofy bounce in undulating corners. Hopefully the stiffer spring rate coupled with precautions to keep the front roll center higher will provide an acceptably low amount of body roll.

This is my Christmas present to myself. All the parts are being shipped to me as I write. I'll post impressions.

 
  • 1 Vote(s) - 5 Average

Messages In This Thread
Improving my W124's handling - by raysorenson - 12-10-2012, 03:44 PM
RE: Improving my W124's handling - by raysorenson - 12-17-2012, 07:03 PM
RE: Improving my W124's handling - by raysorenson - 01-02-2013, 07:55 PM
RE: Improving my W124's handling - by Simpler=Better - 01-03-2013, 09:31 AM
RE: Improving my W124's handling - by raysorenson - 01-07-2013, 01:04 PM
RE: Improving my W124's handling - by Simpler=Better - 01-07-2013, 01:42 PM
RE: Improving my W124's handling - by raysorenson - 01-07-2013, 02:50 PM
RE: Improving my W124's handling - by winmutt - 01-09-2013, 07:20 PM
RE: Improving my W124's handling - by raysorenson - 01-10-2013, 12:29 PM
RE: Improving my W124's handling - by winmutt - 01-15-2013, 11:40 AM
RE: Improving my W124's handling - by Simpler=Better - 01-15-2013, 03:26 PM
RE: Improving my W124's handling - by DieselPower - 12-18-2015, 09:26 AM
RE: Improving my W124's handling - by raysorenson - 12-18-2015, 04:07 PM
RE: Improving my W124's handling - by DieselPower - 12-19-2015, 11:46 AM
RE: Improving my W124's handling - by raysorenson - 12-19-2015, 07:37 PM
RE: Improving my W124's handling - by DieselPower - 02-25-2016, 12:37 PM
RE: Improving my W124's handling - by raysorenson - 02-26-2016, 10:14 AM
RE: Improving my W124's handling - by atypicalguy - 10-26-2017, 06:09 AM
RE: Improving my W124's handling - by SurfRodder - 03-06-2018, 03:08 AM
RE: Improving my W124's handling - by atypicalguy - 07-26-2018, 02:50 PM
RE: Improving my W124's handling - by SurfRodder - 11-08-2018, 01:35 PM
RE: Improving my W124's handling - by atypicalguy - 09-22-2019, 11:42 PM
RE: Improving my W124's handling - by raysorenson - 10-26-2017, 08:20 PM
RE: Improving my W124's handling - by Simpler=Better - 10-27-2017, 11:33 AM
RE: Improving my W124's handling - by whipplem104 - 10-28-2017, 08:04 AM
RE: Improving my W124's handling - by atypicalguy - 10-28-2017, 12:19 PM
RE: Improving my W124's handling - by raysorenson - 10-28-2017, 02:05 PM
RE: Improving my W124's handling - by whipplem104 - 10-28-2017, 05:13 PM
RE: Improving my W124's handling - by raysorenson - 10-28-2017, 08:37 PM
RE: Improving my W124's handling - by atypicalguy - 10-29-2017, 03:00 AM
RE: Improving my W124's handling - by whipplem104 - 10-29-2017, 10:11 AM
RE: Improving my W124's handling - by atypicalguy - 10-29-2017, 10:49 AM
RE: Improving my W124's handling - by whipplem104 - 10-29-2017, 11:29 AM
RE: Improving my W124's handling - by atypicalguy - 10-29-2017, 09:03 PM
RE: Improving my W124's handling - by atypicalguy - 03-27-2018, 08:38 PM
RE: Improving my W124's handling - by atypicalguy - 03-29-2018, 11:28 PM
RE: Improving my W124's handling - by atypicalguy - 03-02-2019, 01:29 PM
RE: Improving my W124's handling - by atypicalguy - 09-20-2019, 09:03 PM
RE: Improving my W124's handling - by JoeB - 10-05-2019, 09:49 PM
RE: Improving my W124's handling - by atypicalguy - 11-04-2019, 09:12 AM
RE: Improving my W124's handling - by JoeB - 10-05-2019, 10:57 PM
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