information/help please! (writing a paper on suspension)

[newbaa]

I am writing a paper for my english class. My topic is going to be Air Ride vs. Stock Suspension on classic cars. My "thesis statement" is going to be something along the lines of "the advantages that Air Ride suspension provide in the handling of a classic car compared to stock suspension is tremendous. It is the technology of today versus technology of 30 years ago..."

So what I could use from anyone willing is just ideas on how both the stock suspension and Air Ride are similar (such as, they are both forms of suspension, etc.), but i also need lots of points on how they are different and hopefully even stories or facts that back up my "thesis". Kinda like pros and cons of each or something like that.

If you guys could help me out that'd be great. I've got some ideas already, but since i've never ridden in a car with an air ride system, i can't really say anything from first hand experience. Yes, i will do a search also to get more info, but just thought this would be an easy way to compile everything.
If i'm not too clear on something lemme know and i'll try to explain myself.

Thanks:twothumbs

[evan]

If I were you, I would only rely on published material. Papers based on hearsay don't seem very popular with the profs at my university.

[newbaa]

i don't think it's gonna matter for this paper. i get where you're comin from, but i don't think my teacher's really gonna care. he's really just trying to make sure we get the different "style" of paper written correctly - and this one is a compare/contrast paper, so as long as i'm comparing/contrasting these suspension setups it should all be good.

[Mkelcy]

Have you searched here and at Lateral-G.net? IIRC, there have been several fairly extensive threads on just this topic including the autocross comparison/testing/competition done at the Pigeon Forge event.

By the way, I think your thesis is incorrect, if by "handling" you mean the ability to go around a curve. The difference is, if anything, marginal at best using that definition of handling.

[novanutcase]

Mkelcy is definitely correct in his statement! I think after delving deeper into it the the word "compromise" will start to jump at you fairly often!!!

John

[toxicz28]

Also, one of the mags did an article on air ride within the past year or two. you could use that as a reference.