Hello,
My post isn't a super technical issue, but more or less an easy to answer question.
I drive a 98 Buick Regal and I have a 12" RE Audio xXx subwoofer (72lbs+) with a huge box in the trunk. Including the box / cap / amps / sub I'm pushing about ~250 pounds in the trunk alone.
My car drives completely different now, and I'm not too keen on it. Having a very rear-heavy car isn't much fun to drive in my opinion. (I've noticed a big fuel efficiency difference as well, but this was expected..)
Any suggestions as to what I could do to improve my driving experience? Shocks? Radical ideas?
*First post by the way -- These forums seem really cool!
My post isn't a super technical issue, but more or less an easy to answer question.
I drive a 98 Buick Regal and I have a 12" RE Audio xXx subwoofer (72lbs+) with a huge box in the trunk. Including the box / cap / amps / sub I'm pushing about ~250 pounds in the trunk alone.
My car drives completely different now, and I'm not too keen on it. Having a very rear-heavy car isn't much fun to drive in my opinion. (I've noticed a big fuel efficiency difference as well, but this was expected..)
Any suggestions as to what I could do to improve my driving experience? Shocks? Radical ideas?
*First post by the way -- These forums seem really cool!
No way around phyisics weight plus weight = more weight.Not really physics but it sounds good.Need a better compromise,ditch the XXX's and get yourself RE Audio re models 2-12's.Mount them in the spare tire well in a fiberglass/wood enclosure.Overall weight will be less if only slighty,but you gain trunk space.The change may only be slight,but better.XXX=800.00 2-12" re=250.00,pscological effect priceless,for everything else there's VISA.
I can almost guarantee that you will not be willing to scrap your current setup for new....lighter stuff.
That being said IMO the best way to get a ride back to the car would be to install air bags. These are an inexpensive way to make the car forget (for the most part) that you have the added weight in the tail.
BTW:
The decreased MPG is from accelerating. You should find almost no change in MPG for highway use.
-ALSO-
You also may want to consider a way to upgrade your front breaks as well. With the added weight you will loose a good deal of stopping power and your breaks will wear out sooner.
-JH
That being said IMO the best way to get a ride back to the car would be to install air bags. These are an inexpensive way to make the car forget (for the most part) that you have the added weight in the tail.
BTW:
The decreased MPG is from accelerating. You should find almost no change in MPG for highway use.
-ALSO-
You also may want to consider a way to upgrade your front breaks as well. With the added weight you will loose a good deal of stopping power and your breaks will wear out sooner.
-JH
I have four 12s IB into the seat so I don't have a big heavy box....but guess what those 300rms subs are heavy plus the baffle and braces so I have the same issue. My plan is to try two lighter weight 15s instead. What I did is put those rubber + shaped bumpers in my rear springs, they are coils in this car not sure what you have. If you have those jack it up until the tire just comes off ground and fit them in the spring on each side. They need to go in hard to stay use dish soap on them. You can drill a hole in the center and ziptie them to the spring if you can't get them to fit snug. If they are loose they can fly out. Anyway I like them because they only lift the car a little, they stiffen the ride a little, and do a good job of offsetting weight without changing the car or its appearance....and are real cheap too. They way I do stereo I rarely make things permanent, I can pop these bumpers out in no time. You can put more of these in, but if you want a permanent solution or the car is really sagging then bags or something may work better. Overload springs work nice too, I had a truck with them. They were not as pricey as you might think and worked great.
Thanks JH for your knowledgeable post. I see we have other Portland natives on this forum! I'll have to check my airbag situation, but thanks for the good idea. I very recently had my front break system repaired so in that aspect I'm fine.
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