Like the topic says, can you purchase aluminum suspension pieces for our cars? And if so, would the weight savings make a considerable difference in handling prowess? I'm assuming changing all 4 corners would make a decent improvement in cornering. Thanks.

 

Actually, there is a company developing light weight A-arms for the front end of the S2000. Nothing is available on the market yet though, it's still in the testing phase.

I don't know anything about rear replacements although there is talk of some stuff in the works as well. These would be hardcore track parts and likely not suitable for the street.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Ludedude
Actually, there is a company developing light weight A-arms for the front end of the S2000.

 

It's more a matter of the adjustability that the new pieces offer. It'll be easier than ever to screw your alignment straight to hell Potentially, aluminum structural pieces could even weigh more than comparable steel pieces depending on the stresses that need to be designed for.

As far as the Z and it's aluminum pieces go...It's still a bloated pig.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Ludedude

 

Absolutely true, I was merely pointing out that just because something is aluminum it's not necessarily the lightest available.

 

I totally disagree with your opinion that they would only be suited for track use. The suspension components are part of the unsprung weight of the car and would probably aid in the handling on the street or track. If it were sturdy enough for the track it would certainly work on the street. Most modern alloys are both stronger and lighter than their steel counterparts. Honda admits the cost savings on the steel suspension components of the S2000.

 

Since the prototypes are currently mounted and being tested on a friend's car and it's likely going to be our company that markets them, allow me the courtesy of not calling me a total moron without knowing what you're talking about

Nice light forged wheels are really nice for the track too but crumble under the impacts of potholes and other stresses seen on the street but never on the track.

 

Aluminum parts was not cost effective for Honda because they were probably trying to keep the cost down. I was reading an article that the engineer wanted to aluminum but when it went near production they had to go with iron. Iron is much better suited for the street because like Ludedude said that potholes and other misc. driving can easily damage or bend the aluminum suspensions.

 

Ludedude,

I hope you'll post a thread with pix on these forthcoming suspension components. Honda definitely took the easy/cheap way out with the suspension arms and even the brake calipers. No doubt, they could've built something more elegant, but the real question for most people (I suspect) is will Al suspension pieces improve the car's response.

Very cool, indeed. This is the first I've heard of aftermarket arms.