Do any kind of research into aftermarket vehicle upgrades and you’ll soon come across the term Air Cup Suspension, which does require some explanation if you’ve not encountered it before. So, with this in mind, we now look at the subject in a little closer detail to help anyone who doesn’t know understand what it does. That way, more people can make better, more informed decisions.
You can pay anywhere from £300 to as much as £600 depending on the brand you choose, so it’s a decision that does need a bit of forethought before taking the plunge. However, when you know what they offer, that decision gets so much easier and by reading to the end, you’ll know too!
Air Cup Suspension Can Lift or Drop Your Vehicle
When you have air cup suspension installed, it provides you with the ability – like other kinds of air suspension and coilovers – to raise and lower your car’s ride height. The technology requires no bladder or bag, as it’s essentially a piston that lifts your car when air is pumped into it and drops it when that air is released.
The good news is that when air cups fail or become completely decompressed, you won’t break down. Your ride would simply drive as if it had no air cups installed and that’s because they’re really designed to help you ‘clear’ obstacles that you wouldn’t normally be able to with a low ride height.
The Problem With a Low or Slammed Ride Height
Many people lower their ride height because it looks uber-cool, however, it does present certain problems when driving away from the track. If you’re road driving and you come across an obstacle that you just can’t get over, air cup suspension provides a convenient solution.
Air cups help with those rubbing problems that can occur when turning with a low ride height and you will need slightly shorter springs in order to be able to fit them onto the assembly. 1.5 inches or 40 mm is the typical extra room you’ll need for installation.
Air Cup Suspension for Looks AND Convenience
So, you see, air cup suspension has a very specific purpose and it’s typically designed for those who want to look ice cool whilst driving around town, but don’t want the inconvenience of poor ground clearance. It’s an auto technology that lets you enjoy the best of both worlds and to those who need it most certainly see the cost of installation as an acceptable one.
Where you get your suspension from is another matter entirely, but the rule of thumb is always to buy new and to buy from a retailer with a good reputation for both quality and customer support. In our experience, a good choice is Springrates, who can be found at springrates. Their prices are reasonable and they have something of a reputation for great after care.
We hope reading our blog has shed some light on air cup suspension and shown you whether it’s an option you should consider.