Hey guys,

my first time posting and here goes nothing.

My question is, did anyone install and try Amuse Hi Tech Damper yet? Reason why I am asking is that I read on Car and Driver or Road & Track-Speed magazine that by using Amuse Hi Tech Damper, they were able to cure the snap oversteering characteristics of our beloved S2000. I was curious whether anyone has tried in real life before I invest $3000. Thanks.

 

There are many ways of reducing oversteer, such sway bars, alignment, playing wit spring rates and damper settings of any adjustable coilover systems, etc.

It takes time to find the right setting for yourself.

 

holy shit . . .. $3K???

Yeah, I'm sure it can be done cheaper than that.

Good info though. In what magazine did you read that??

 

Replacement shocks and springs would have zero impact on a suspension arm's travel. There is catagorically no way these parts could effect bump steer.

Additionally, a stock S2000 does not suffer from "Snap-oversteer." Similar behavior is driver-induced. From the factory your car understeers.

 

oops. (didn't intend to post this here)

 

Hi guys,

Thanks for the info.

ACLR8,

I will get the article this weekend. My car mags are at my weekend place.

Thanks.

 

The reason the S2000 oversteers so easily is because of the lack of time the roll center has before it exceeds the center of gravity when the car rolls. In other words, the S2000's weight transfer happens very quickly, not letting the outside rear tires load and get bite. The reason for this, is too stiff of a rear suspension. Instead of cushioning that weight transfer it's an abrupt smash of weight resulting in lack of traction. The car slides instead of getting traction on that tire, this is also why the car does not let the driver know its about to slide because of how quickly the weight is transfered.

This is also why the MY04's have lower rear spring rates. Playing around with sway bars will also have an impact on this weight transfer. Good luck

Ryan B.

 

Regrettably, I must completely disagree with you.

The scenario you describe would only occur if you transfer the weight of the car forward during the transition from one side to the other. Weight on the rear of the car, stays on the rear of the car. Shifting weight from side to side does not magically transfer load to the front. Additionally, stiffer spring rates would improve the ablity of the car to complete a transition quickly. With stiffer spring rates, the suspension wouldn't have to travel as far when performing a transition. In other words, the softer springs in the '04 would make your scenario WORSE.

Please refrain from shoveling bad information out.

Sorry, roll center is not a factor in 'bump steer.' An unfavorable transition in suspension alignment is the root cause. In our case, its placing a suspension are at the limit of travel while the other arms are free to move. This causes the arms to pinch in such a way as to change toe settings (or camber) dramtically. Under compression this is a dramatic shift to toe out and on a fully unloaded suspension, additional toe in. It is very unlikely to encounter this situation unless your car is lowered more than an 1" and this is the primary reason why many of us recommend that you NEVER lower your car dramatically.

On a side note, you can purchase non-compliant rear arms that address this issue for lowered cars in the S2ki.com marketplace.

Snap oversteer with respect to the S2000 is a driver induced error plain and simple.

 

Snap oversteer? Generally only when provoked.

My car right out of the box understeered ever so slightly. If I did something stupid like lifting in a turn - yeah - it would bite back and snap the rear around - but as mentioned above - that's a driver induced problem.

An S2000 incorrectly set up with lots of toe-out can be a pretty squirrely beast though...

 

I agree with Jerry. The car understeers slightly from the factory and this can be remedied with something as simple as a good alignment and messing with tire pressures.