Tag: handling
North Tuned: What is a Suspension System and How Does It Work?
One of the most important components of a vehicle is the suspension system. The primary purpose of a suspension system is to maximize the friction between the tires and the road surface, which improves ride quality and makes the vehicle easier to control. The suspension system is extremely important for the safety and comfort of the occupants inside the vehicle. Thanks to this system, the vehicle does not lose contact with the ground when passing over bumps or rough roads, and the passengers feel as if they are traveling on a smooth road.
Key Components of the Suspension System
1. Springs
Springs are one of the most important parts of the suspension system. They bear the entire weight of the vehicle, apart from the wheels. Due to their flexibility, they allow the wheels to move closer to the chassis over bumps and away from the chassis over potholes. This significantly dampens the vibrations experienced within the cabin.
Types of Automotive Springs:
Coil Springs
Leaf Springs
Torsion Bar Springs
Hydropneumatic Springs
Pneumatic Springs
2. Shock Absorbers (Dampers)
A suspension system without dampening acts like a launching mechanism. When the vehicle goes over a bump, the spring compresses and then releases, pushing the wheel back in the opposite direction. This causes the vehicle to bounce up and down, hit the ground, and rebound continuously. The component responsible for absorbing this energy and eliminating the continuous oscillation is called a shock absorber.
Today, almost all vehicles use hydraulic tube shock absorbers. These are divided into single-acting and double-acting types. Single-acting shock absorbers function in only one direction (either during compression or extension) and remain free in the other. Double-acting shock absorbers function during both extension and compression, and they are the most widely used type today.
Working Principle:
When weight is applied, the shock absorber is forced to compress, causing the piston rod to move downward inside a cylinder filled with hydraulic fluid. Since liquids cannot be compressed, the hydraulic fluid is forced through small valves in the piston. This hydraulic resistance dissipates most of the energy, effectively slowing down the movement. This process quickly dampens the vibrations and oscillations at the wheels.
3. Suspension Arms (Control Arms)
Another essential component is the suspension arm system, which connects the chassis to the wheels. The system connecting the front wheels is the front suspension, and the system connecting the rear wheels is the rear suspension. Suspension arms ensure that the tires remain flat on the road during turns and cornering. They are generally categorized into rigid and independent systems.
4. Ball Joints
Although small in size, ball joints are crucial components of the suspension system. They connect the steering knuckle to the control arms. They are categorized into upper ball joints and lower ball joints. They are sealed and pre-lubricated during manufacturing and cannot be re-lubricated later. Their main purpose is to maintain a secure connection between the wheels and the suspension while allowing freedom of movement during steering and suspension travel.
5. Sway Bars (Stabilizer Bars)
Sway bars, also known as stabilizer bars, play a critical role in handling. When a vehicle takes a corner, the centrifugal force causes the outer suspension to compress and the inner suspension to extend, causing body roll. The sway bar twists to reduce this difference between the left and right wheels, increasing steering control and preventing the vehicle from rolling excessively.
North Tuned: Optimizing Your Suspension for Peak Performance
At North Tuned, we understand that a high-performance engine requires a perfectly tuned chassis and suspension setup. Whether you are setting up your vehicle for track use or improving handling on the street, balancing power output with suspension dynamics is essential for maximum control and safety.
Coilover Systems
Modern automotive manufacturers design factory suspension and spring systems to prioritize standard driving comfort, leaving very little room for customization based on individual driving dynamics. This is exactly where high-performance coilover systems come into play.
With North Tuned coilover systems, you can dramatically improve your vehicle’s handling performance while achieving a more aggressive, lowered exterior stance.
Coilover systems allow you to adjust ride height, fine-tune shock absorber stiffness, and modify your vehicle’s camber angles to suit your driving style.
Note: While height adjustment is a standard feature, stiffness and rebound adjustability are typically found in more advanced systems, particularly those developed for track use.
How Coilover Systems Work
Stiffness / Rebound Adjustment: Advanced coilovers feature specialized valving systems located in the top mount, allowing drivers to regulate internal fluid or gas pressure to adjust damping characteristics—stiffening or softening the suspension based on road conditions.
Ride Height Adjustment: Threaded bodies equipped with an adjustable perch allow you to raise or lower the vehicle, optimizing its center of gravity and aerodynamic profile.
Camber Tuning: Coilovers allow for precise camber adjustments, ensuring maximum tire contact patch during high-speed cornering.
Transform Your Driving Dynamics with North Tuned
Upgrading to a high-quality coilover system is one of the most effective ways to bridge the gap between street driving and track-level handling. At North Tuned, we engineer performance upgrades that give you full control over your vehicle’s responsiveness and stance. Contact our engineering team today to find the perfect coilover setup for your specific vehicle and driving goals.
Unleash Your Vehicle’s Potential with North Tuned: Top Performance Upgrades for Ford, Toyota, and Mazda
Whether you want to elevate your daily driving dynamics or achieve a more aggressive performance on the track, the right modifications make a huge difference. As North Tuned, we have compiled the most reliable and high-quality performance upgrades that maximize the potential of Ford, Toyota, and Mazda vehicles.
1. Software and ECU Tuning
As the cornerstone of performance upgrades, ECU tuning is the most effective way to unlock your engine’s true potential.
Ford: Especially in EcoBoost engines (such as the Focus and Fiesta ST), custom tuning optimizes turbo boost, resulting in a 15-25% increase in horsepower.
Toyota: Even in naturally aspirated engines, custom tuning improves throttle response for a more spirited drive.
Mazda: By recalibrating air-fuel ratios in Skyactiv engine technology, both the torque curve and response times are significantly improved.
2. Cold Air Intake Systems
By increasing the volume of cold air entering the engine, these systems provide more oxygen for better combustion.
Advantages: A sportier engine note, sharper throttle response, and a small but noticeable increase in horsepower.
Recommended Brands: K&N, Injen, AEM.
3. Exhaust Systems and Downpipe
Performance exhaust systems allow the engine to breathe easier by reducing backpressure, enhancing overall efficiency.
Downpipe Upgrade: On turbocharged vehicles (especially Ford EcoBoost), it allows exhaust gases to exit the turbo faster, minimizing turbo lag.
Cat-back Exhaust: Provides a deeper, sportier exhaust tone for both Toyota and Mazda models.
4. Suspension and Handling Upgrades
Translating increased power to the road is just as critical as generating it.
Coilover Systems: Lowering the vehicle’s center of gravity ensures less body roll in corners and much sharper steering feedback.
Performance Brake Kits: To stop a more powerful engine safely, you can upgrade your braking system with high-quality pads and rotors from brands like EBC or Brembo.
Conclusion
No matter the brand of your vehicle, you can transform your car into a personalized performance machine with North Tuned engineering and high-quality parts.