Ok what exactly are airbag systems? I know they have to do with suspension, but what do they do differently than shocks? Are there any benefits? Any disadvantages? Do they affect your ability to race and you grip on the road?

Bags make your car go up and down, like hydraulics only slower. They adversly affect handling, camber and suspension geometry.

I have a few friends that have "bagged" their cars. It's mostly just for show. It allows you to lower the car basically ON the ground for looks when at car shows or whatever, then raise it up when you need to drive.

I've driven my friend's Civic with air bag suspension. It was the worst ride EVER!!

Also, I don't know about where you live, but here in Colorado you're not track legal if you have air bag suspension.

On a more technical note:


Airbags are a direct replacement for your springs, not your shocks. They are extremely thick walled rubber air cylinders which act like a spring when filled with compressed air.

The positve side to this (aside from the lowering/raising part) is they offer an extremely smooth ride when placed with the correct shock. If the shocks are left off it's like riding on marshmallows. Cadillacs use airbag systems (if that gives you any idea). The reason they offer such a smooth ride is because they don't have the harsh compression/rebound that springs do.

The negative side. Airbags are not a progressive support. Springs will resist more the more they are compressed (definition of progressive)...airbags will just flatten out more. So cornering is extremely adversly affected.

On the racing note, I'm not sure. But I will say this. To operate an air system you need a large compressor, at least one air tank, valves, switches, relays, airlines....bla bla bla. All this ads up to some considerable weight above springs. So yes, it would at least slow you down some if not be extremely dangerous.

Oh fuck that then. I thought it would help to stop scraping on the ground if i lowered my car. If it messes with performance then i wont do it.