ACR versus GTS shocks ride quality diff

[Detlef]

I understand this is probably subjective, but for those of you that have driven both ABS equipped GTS and ACR Vipers on the street, how liveable is the ACR compared to the GTS? Is the ACR very bumpy and harsh even at it's softest setting? Comments?

 

[2002graphiteviper]

I believe the springs on the ACR are 1100pounds... So, I think more of a spring issue than shock setting...

My RT rides like a caddy compared to the ACR...

 

[BigCarrot]

Not a ton of difference if you ask me.

 

[Dave's Big Brakes]

It's the spring rates, not the shocks. Spring rate are higher on ACR's, but using earlier Koni's with 99/00.5 spring rates, the car becomes really good

 

[01sapphireGTS]

I have driven a few ACR's and a few ABS equipped GTS's. aside from my own. All of the ACR's were harsh, stiff, and bouncy compared to the stock GTS setup. My coil-over setup is a HUGE ride quality improvement over the stock ACR & GTS shock/spring options. I don't track the car so I don't have skid pad type results to relay, but from the "feel" I doubt I am giving up anything in handling at all, and with the lower center of gravity may have an advantage over stock.

 

[JonB]

I understand this is probably subjective, but for those of you that have driven both ABS equipped GTS and ACR Vipers on the street, how liveable is the ACR compared to the GTS? Is the ACR very bumpy and harsh even at it's softest setting? Comments?

THE YEAR MATTERS......

1999-2000.5 ACRs had vastly different coilovers than 2000.6 - 2002.

Most owners say the latter is 'way too harsh' and skittery a rear end. If you find yourself on washboardy roads, or bumpy downhill, you could LOSE IT due to the "Oversprung" rear. The fix is simple and cheap. The earlier ACRs sometime rattle, but ride nicer.

The end result of "SETUP" is a VERY driveable ACR.....

 

[Saleen-Explorer]

My friends 01' ACR is comfortable, untill you hit a bump, or basically anything uneven on a road. The rear springs are way to stiff, feels like the rear end is going to swap with the front on some bumps. Haven't ridden in an earlier ACR that had a different suspension setup and softer spring rates.

Jon - you can swap the springs out of the earlier ones correct?

 

[Detlef]

How swapping the rears with GTS springs?

 

[safireviper]

I have a 2002 Graphite ACR. The 1100 lbs. spring rates on the rear are way too much for the street. Those rates are for a car with a wing on it and coming out of turn three at Daytona........
The front springs are fine. If you simply change the rear springs, ( I changed mine to 800 lbs. )the ride quality is much better but still very firm. It's a simple process also.

 

[Newport Viper]

JonB what do you mean by "SETUP"??????

 

[46hemi]

Mine rides just fine. Wizard dialed me in and its very liveable in my opinion.

 

[Saleen-Explorer]

How swapping the rears with GTS springs?

No, I meant from the previous ACR's whose suspension was a lot more compliant,I remember some 01+ ACR guys swapping on previous ACR springs or softer ones. My friends 01' ACR is fine, untill you hit say a raised bump or even a small *** hole, especially if it's on say only one side, the rear springs at 1100lbs made the car bounce almost over the bump and felt like the rear end was going to come around, even over railroad tracks at lower speeds. They messed with the settings and now it's more stable on the highway, but their still looking at probably swapping in softer springs, the car gets to squirly (sp?) on the highway.