For those who modified/upgraded their Allroad's Air ride.

[NYEuroTuner]

I have been researching for some time about the Air ride that comes standard on the ARs. I have been browsing at DIY threads about replacing suspension components etc etc

However aside from OEM part replacements, has anyone upgraded their AR's suspension with a better management system or stronger bags/components?


I know I can simply call a couple Air ride companies and ask general questions, but figured I'd try my luck here where I might possibly find someone who upgraded/modified their OEM system with stronger components/management system etc etc.

Any input will be appreciated.

[Racin2redline]

I have been researching for some time about the Air ride that comes standard on the ARs. I have been browsing at DIY threads about replacing suspension components etc etc

However aside from OEM part replacements, has anyone upgraded their AR's suspension with a better management system or stronger bags/components?


I know I can simply call a couple Air ride companies and ask general questions, but figured I'd try my luck here where I might possibly find someone who upgraded/modified their OEM system with stronger components/management system etc etc.

Any input will be appreciated.

This has been asked a ton of times. Most common things people do to the factory air ride is change out the bags to some arnott ones with bilstein struts, this is usually to save money on replacements and isn't really much of an upgrade over factory.

A few people have modified the valve body to accept larger air lines so the system reacts faster and added dual factory tanks. I know someone on here made a custom controller to better control the height of the car.

There isn't really much your going to want to do the factory stuff it works well enough for what it was intended for, Most likely your intrigued because you hear BAGS and assume you can modify or rig something up to slam the car.. Your asking for a headache and your best bet is to go custom, you'll be much happier.




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[NYEuroTuner]

, Most likely your intrigued because you hear BAGS and assume you can modify or rig something up to slam the car.. Your asking for a headache and your best bet is to go custom, you'll be much happier.

I appreciate your info, On the hunt for clean AR as a new project/Go fast Daddy mobile. Looking to swap in my 3L block I have been building/rebuilding or possibly pick I up where I left off with my VR6 swap.

But as the suspension, not looking to slam anything, I guess by your blind assumption most people do that nowadays? lol, this will be my power "Wagon" and mainly looking to improve the suspension to better suit spirited/aggressive driving while still retaining that Air ride convenience. Slowing down my B5 activity after over a decade of tinkering with them, looking to do something different.

I've seen Matt Farah's review on the Drive channel on Youtube for Accuairs "Sport" Air system that was featured on their B8 S4and was curious to see if anyone here has done anything similar to their ARs. System looked like it handled itself well around the corners and under acceleration.

But I am unable to find any info for someone who "beefed" up the Air ride or go completely custom for the same purpose I am aiming for.

[blkrhyno]

I plan on changing mine out completely with aftermarket management and air springs hopefully I'll have everything I need by next spring, I'll be using accuair management and Airrex or Airlift air springs and struts. This was my inspiration.
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...bagged+allroad
Here's a link to the Airrex springs and struts.
http://www.airwerksusa.com/
You can pick up the Airlift springs from Airliftperformance.com or ecstuning.com
http://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-All_Ro...sion/Air_Ride/
http://www.airliftperformance.com/ve...-a6-1997-2004/
However with the Airlift springs you will have to drill holes in your strut monts in the front or get A6 spindles and strut mounts.

[Racin2redline]

Lol sorry for the assumption. That seems to be the way things go nowadays, just makes me a little mad..

Most people are pretty happy with just a set of h sport sway bars. Supposedly that transforms these cars.
After going full stage 3 it becomes pretty apparent the floaty air suspension in stock form will not be up to blasting corners and such.

I think thats mainly due to the wide range the air suspension allows the car to raise and lower. While level 1 may be optimal height for low center of gravity, the amount of air pressure in the bellows to achieve that height isnt enough to support the car through some tight twistys. I assume thats where the huge H sport sway bars help, effectivly increasing the artifical spring rate achieved by the bag.

My experience is the car actually handles best on level 2-3. The problem is the factory air suspension ecm drops the level after a certain speed I think its like 60mph.

[NYEuroTuner]

Lol sorry for the assumption. That seems to be the way things go nowadays, just makes me a little mad..

Most people are pretty happy with just a set of h sport sway bars. Supposedly that transforms these cars.
After going full stage 3 it becomes pretty apparent the floaty air suspension in stock form will not be up to blasting corners and such.

I think thats mainly due to the wide range the air suspension allows the car to raise and lower. While level 1 may be optimal height for low center of gravity, the amount of air pressure in the bellows to achieve that height isnt enough to support the car through some tight twistys. I assume thats where the huge H sport sway bars help, effectivly increasing the artifical spring rate achieved by the bag.

My experience is the car actually handles best on level 2-3. The problem is the factory air suspension ecm drops the level after a certain speed I think its like 60mph.

No biggie

Been thinking of upgrading shocks/bags, along with lines/fittings then going with the I-level system from Accuair for management. Idk, AIR ride is very, very new to me, always had coilovers on every B5 S4 I've owned and always knocked on cars with Bagged systems, but watching how Accurair's S4 moved in the twisties has changed my mind a little bit. lol

I also have been glued to Youtube watching people drive their AllRoads into water/mud/rough terrain... Plus I am sick and tired of Navigating speed bumps and driveway entrances like I'm avoiding IED'S in IRAQ lol

[Racin2redline]

No biggie

Been thinking of upgrading shocks/bags, along with lines/fittings then going with the I-level system from Accuair for management. Idk, AIR ride is very, very new to me, always had coilovers on every B5 S4 I've owned and always knocked on cars with Bagged systems, but watching how Accurair's S4 moved in the twisties has changed my mind a little bit. lol

I also have been glued to Youtube watching people drive their AllRoads into water/mud/rough terrain... Plus I am sick and tired of Navigating speed bumps and driveway entrances like I'm avoiding IED'S in IRAQ lol

I think you should find an Allroad first drive it for a little as is then look into upgrades :) The thing holding me back from making my allroad handle like a rs6 avant is the off road ability, which is pretty damn good for a car I'd hate to loose that. I've been on quite a few off road excursions and I drive it on the beach all the time. It's pretty entertaining. The ride quality in stock form is very nice for daily driving, rough roads and smooth highways feel all the same.



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[Zamorano510]

The bigeest question I have about Air ride and Accuair is, Do we sacrifice the height that we get in the AR's 3rd and 4th level for the Accuair? In order words, If I install the Accuair system on my AR, will I not be able to reach the height similar to my Level 3 and Level 4 setting that is on the Stock system for Off roading?

This is the biggest question I have because the AR's platform is also designed to go Off-road and achieve higher ground clearance to go off roading and if Accuair's system doesn't achieve those clearance numbers, than you are somewhat sacrificing an important feature on your Allroad.

[PipeHitter808]

I think you should buy an allroad. get annoyed by the slow ass air ride and its antiquated set up that fails often and requires $$$ to buy new bags then swap out for a static ride set up enjoy the better handling it provides and from their if you desire to go up and down get a real air bag system that doesnt take 5 minutes to go up 4 inches.

[blkrhyno]

The bigeest question I have about Air ride and Accuair is, Do we sacrifice the height that we get in the AR's 3rd and 4th level for the Accuair? In order words, If I install the Accuair system on my AR, will I not be able to reach the height similar to my Level 3 and Level 4 setting that is on the Stock system for Off roading?

This is the biggest question I have because the AR's platform is also designed to go Off-road and achieve higher ground clearance to go off roading and if Accuair's system doesn't achieve those clearance numbers, than you are somewhat sacrificing an important feature on your Allroad.

I personally will probably never go off-roading with my allroad and the airrex or airlift struts are adjustable like a coilover setup with adjustable dampening that you can't get with the factory setup. When most of us purchase a car we have a goal or task in mind for that vehicle so the OP has to choose what is better for his situation.

[blkrhyno]

I think you should buy an allroad. get annoyed by the slow ass air ride and its antiquated set up that fails often and requires $$$ to buy new bags then swap out for a static ride set up enjoy the better handling it provides and from their if you desire to go up and down get a real air bag system that doesnt take 5 minutes to go up 4 inches.

^^^This.

[NYEuroTuner]

I think you should buy an allroad. get annoyed by the slow ass air ride and its antiquated set up that fails often and requires $$$ to buy new bags then swap out for a static ride set up enjoy the better handling it provides and from their if you desire to go up and down get a real air bag system that doesnt take 5 minutes to go up 4 inches.

I bought a salvaged AR with a front collision as a parts car, this way I have spare parts for the clean one I am currently hunting for. No coilovers for this project... Looking to retain the convenience of the Air ride. But improve its handling.. So far the only thing I could find is Accuairs new "Sport" system that was featured on the Drive Channel on Youtube..

I personally will probably never go off-roading with my allroad and the airrex or airlift struts are adjustable like a coilover setup with adjustable dampening that you can't get with the factory setup. When most of us purchase a car we have a goal or task in mind for that vehicle so the OP has to choose what is better for his situation.

No coils, looking to find ways to update/modify/upgrade the factory OEM setup with a Bag system designed for spirited driving.. Like Accuair's new system, but again, I made this thread to see if I could find someone who had real life experience doing that. Again looking for different setups if they exist, if they dont, thats fine, just looking to exhaust all resources.

[blkrhyno]

I'm not talking about coilovers, I'm saying the struts that the airsprings come with are threaded like coilovers with adjustable dampening.

[NYEuroTuner]

I'm not talking about coilovers, I'm saying the struts that the airsprings come with are threaded like coilovers with adjustable dampening.

Oh ok.

[craymond5]

I bought a salvaged AR with a front collision as a parts car, this way I have spare parts for the clean one I am currently hunting for. No coilovers for this project... Looking to retain the convenience of the Air ride. But improve its handling.. So far the only thing I could find is Accuairs new "Sport" system that was featured on the Drive Channel on Youtube..



No coils, looking to find ways to update/modify/upgrade the factory OEM setup with a Bag system designed for spirited driving.. Like Accuair's new system, but again, I made this thread to see if I could find someone who had real life experience doing that. Again looking for different setups if they exist, if they dont, thats fine, just looking to exhaust all resources.

Have you looked into the becausebags kit? http://becausebags.com/products/c5-a...-bracket-kit-0

[blkrhyno]

Have you looked into the becausebags kit? http://becausebags.com/products/c5-a...-bracket-kit-0

This is the kit I ended up going with, waiting for it to arrive.

[LVsleeper]

[IMG][/IMG]I purchased this kit with full AccuAir E-level management. So far so good, quite a bit firmer than before (to the point that when I hit the lane devider bumps in the road I'm worried something might shake loose) installed alongside the H-sport swaybars and now this tank rides on rails.

[blkrhyno]

[IMG][/IMG]I purchased this kit with full AccuAir E-level management. So far so good, quite a bit firmer than before (to the point that when I hit the lane devider bumps in the road I'm worried something might shake loose) installed alongside the H-sport swaybars and now this tank rides on rails.

Interested to see how your management is set up. Any pics ?

[19dabeast85]

Actually, the air pressure in the air springs at level1 vs level 4 is the same....the spring is still holding up the same amount of car weight. The difference is that at level1 there is less air to be compressed on bumps and thus it has a steeper travel distance vs. pressure increase curve....making the effective spring rate higher when on lower height levels. The reason our car are bouncy is because of the design/materials of the rubber bladder and the rebound effectiveness of stock shocks.

IMO, BecauseBags has the best quality kit available. If I ever modify my suspension it'll be their kit with stock management and larger air lines. BTW. If it takes 4 minutes to go from lvl1 to lvl4 your AR has problems, that's not normal.

[LVsleeper]

This is a quick shot of the spare tire well, everything fit in there fine. A full tank will get me from aired out to level 2 in about a second and after a quick fill (about 45 seconds) I'll hit level 3 at the push of a button (again, about a second flat) Honestly I'm looking for more air, but I'd like to keep everything hidden. After I gut some now unnecessary equipment from the side cubby I should be able to fit another 3 gallon seamless tank.
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]

[blkrhyno]

^^^Thanks for sharing, I don't want to give up my spare though. I plan on putting a 3 gallon seamless in the left cubby hole and a 5 gallon seamless up against the back seats or on the trunk lid, haven't decided yet. Did you get the lowered kit or the oem one ?

[LVsleeper]

No problem, I've had AAA for years and they'll tow me anywhere so making a call would be less of a pain than digging out the spare, and airing it up (no doubt while I'm on a road trip and the trunk full) I'm sure you could fit a 3G in there. This is the lowered kit. Which, when aired out the front sits on the control arms and the rears sit on the fender liners, the front about a full inch higher than the rear when aired out. And you will LOSE total travel, maxed out sits about where level 2 was before.

[blkrhyno]

I have both the oem and lowered kits so I can play around with it.

[SprintAutoWorks]

I have both the oem and lowered kits so I can play around with it.

Please promise not to mix the two bracket sets. Use one or the other. Playing around with brackets can lead to some damaged bags. Again feel free to call or contact us anytime with questions.

[SprintAutoWorks]

Glad you like the ride! it really does transform these boats into a proper audi.

[IMG][/IMG]I purchased this kit with full AccuAir E-level management. So far so good, quite a bit firmer than before (to the point that when I hit the lane devider bumps in the road I'm worried something might shake loose) installed alongside the H-sport swaybars and now this tank rides on rails.

[blkrhyno]

Please promise not to mix the two bracket sets. Use one or the other. Playing around with brackets can lead to some damaged bags. Again feel free to call or contact us anytime with questions.

I promise, I just wanted both options.

[SprintAutoWorks]

I promise, I just wanted both options.

we are looking forward to seeing the oem heights on aftermarket management. That is one combination we have not seen yet.

[_Adrian_]

Sorry to dig up an old thread...
Was just curious to see how it all worked out as I'm in the same boat so to speak.

bought my allroad with an A6 Sedan suspension and it rides way low and soft!
Bought a set of rear bags second hand as the rear struts are just cost prohibitive as there other issues with the car that are slowly going to be addressed as winter is coming and suspension is more and more a priority with cold and snow that about to hit us!

Either way...
Both front hoses are damaged ( pinched by the upper control arms due to bottoming out) and was thinking up pulling that 4mm( or 5/32") tubing out and replacing it with 1/4" all the way around.
This would mean I just have to find proper adapters from 1/8" BSPP to 1/4" compression to allow the use of the stock valve block and system.

Once I get this sorted I'm planning to get a second tank added on top of the original, removing the CD Changer bracket to double the air Volume.
Yes... this would mean the compressor would work twice as long to fill the tanks but would also mean less time to level with the added Volume and faster filling due to larger diameter tubing.

Has Anyone tried this ??

[PaperToast]

just remember when you go from a smaller size hose to larger, you loose pressure
the system is designed for a certain size line, would prolly be best to stay with that size
now if you were going from larger to smaller . . .

[_Adrian_]

Can't loose pressure... you loose velocity but you gain volume. With that being said the rise or lowering time will be lowered significantly.

With that being said...
A bit of math the stock 4mm line ( the 5/32 line which is identical to the stock 4mm ) works out to be 4.467605cc/m where as your standard 1/4 tubing is 13.527521cc/m. So the volume difference is 3.027 times per meter. Next to work out is the flow...

Following calculations were performed with a pressure of 100PSi and a velocity of 25m/s works out to 111.69cc/s for the 5/32" line and 366.10cc/m for the 1/4" line which makes a 3.2778 times difference. The Math seems to be almost on par from volume to flow. Also the 1/4 line is more readily available as well as the connectors.

I think next week im gonna take a stab at making my own 1/8BSP to 1/4" connectors

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[_Adrian_]

Also pressure would remain the same as the pressure required to raise the car would be the same as the car didnt get lighter. Were still lifting the same amount of mass.
The only complication i see is from the pre-programmed "deltas" or reaction time. Thia would affect the preset / pre-programmed time required to "move" between levels or from park to lvl4.

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[Bordom]

You could also drill and tap for 1/4" NPT and run the lines all around.

OR

You can do the above but eliminate the factory air system and go with aftermarket management, or do manual paddle valves with pressure gauges to set ride height.

I'll be going this exact route with dual 444cc compressors and dual factory air tanks filled to about 200psi

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[_Adrian_]

I do believe 1/4" NPT might be a bit overboard, however 1/8" NPT might be closer to the stock bore size of the BSP and would offer a more secure and way more leak proof than a single compressed o-ring. I like the factory system, but just think it needs a bit more end user engineering / hacking in order to make it perfect.

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