as seen on Bulletproof's GTRR JRZ Ultimate Spec setup...

 

the cups are basically just air powered pistons

 

You guys do realize this kit is just to raise the car up for speed bumps and obstacles right? I have done a lot of research on these and air bags these are not meant to be inflated over an extended period of time like airbags. Example if there is a really bad road you can’t just keep these cups inflated as it may damage the cup and the seals on the cup. From what I've read you have to switch to a true coil over setup in the rear as they do not make a cup kit for the oem setup yet. As for price I'm doing a bag over coil setup, I will have full adjustability with analog management with nice components and am currently at $1400 without lines and fittings (about another $100ish). If you ask me $2500 is still steep if you need to purchase coils with this and then get limited movement and usability with only front adjustability. I know I’m too low in the rear that I would still scrape on stuff not sure about the rest of you. Anyways just felt like I’d throw that little bit of knowledge at you guys that are considering something along these lines.

 

problem w/bags is the adverse effect on the suspension by effectively adding unpredictable "spring" rates. yes, a cup kit is a lifter kit, not meant to driven on for extended periods of time, just meant to negotiate obstacles. it's for people that actually wanna have a lowered car, not just park it low.

 

also if bags fail, you're car is stuck. if cups fail, you just can't lift the car, you're still fine to drive.

 

Slammed cars

Honestly it boils down to $$$. people who slam the $hit out of their cars like the look and lets be honest you are ****ing up the ride quality already with the crazy camber, rubbing and all that. They hate on bags b/c they cant afford it. Bags have come a long way in the past 5 years. Right now you can go bag for around 2.5-3k, but cutting springs/coilovers and camber kits you can get away for around 1k.

 

Comment on cup kits, I have owned a set, and know atleast 3 people who have them. They are not for driving while up. You only use them to go over speed bumps and such, that is all, you can damage and they do leak and compress when full. They are not meant to be driven while filled.

go independent coilover bag setup, it is not for seriouse track use but ride quality is greater then stock.

 

So would it be safe to say that cup/lifter kits would NOT be ok to track? I honestly dont think I'd be riding with the kit at its highest setting alot but the whole "only used for obstacles" kinda makes it seem as if they are not safe to use under aggressive driving and pushes to only be used for show.

 

Completely agreed but yea you do have the issue that SDGenius brought up if a bag pops you have no way to get it up etc but if its only one bag the car can still be partially raised to get it replaced. If your not beating on your car and keeping up maintenance on the bags I dont see this ever being an issue though. As for your other point yes bags arent for track use they are a show only thing but for most people none of our cars ever see the track. I think of airing out as security for my wheels and no one is stealing my car at that point either. Not knocking on you just saying each system has its down falls. I need to be able to drive higher on certain roads since New England has blessed me with some of the best. I dont wanna have to worry about busting oil pans and I'm low enough that I would still be worried about that on a cup kit.

@Wreaked when the cups on a cup kit are deflated (which is the daily ride height you choose with your coil adjustment) they are just like having metal spacers on your coils. The cup kit is not adjustable its only up (inflated obstacle avoidance) or down (deflated driving). So to answer your question they are safe to track but deflated only.

 

no, cups are fine to track or drive aggressively on. the cups don't set the ride height, the coils do. under normal driving the cups are empty, they're not like bags. being on cups is like being on coils, because that's what you're on. older roberuta style cups have been known to leak but more modernized cups are a lot better and less expensive. cups are for people who want to retain functionality. bags will go lower and get higher BUT have pretty much opposite to ideal characteristics, when low they're soft, when high they're stiff.

 

I think cup kits are the best option for those who are able to drive low most of the time, with the exception of driveways and speedbumps.

 

this is my ride height, my main use for the cups is speed bumps and steep inclines because of my front splitter. my suspension isn't compromised at this height due to roll center adjusters, adjustable endlinks and camber arms etc...

 

nothing against bags, just think cups and bags are too different fundamentally to be cross-shopped against each other.

 

spoke to Ravi@Umbrella, he said updated pricing is $2400. if anyone is seriously interested

 

Thanks for the great explanation guys. So messing up the cups would most likely be the result of tracking/aggressive driving while on high stance aka inflated, which wouldn't even be ideal since lowering center of gravity is what you want when tracking.

Also cups do allow for partial inflation/deflation. In other words you can ride on the cups while not all the way slammed. I guess I'm referring to tracking, since obviously riding slammed wheels tucked and all your compromising handling, so in my case I would like to not be slammed on my coils but obviously lower than full inflation

 

for an ideal track setup, you'd set your ride height on the coilovers and drive w/the cups deflated. the cups are meant for negotiating obstacles ONLY, something in the road(dip, pothole, road debris, whatever), steep inclines(driveways, parking garages, whatever), speed bumps and also helpfull for getting a jack under ur car or getting on a lift. so you're driving through a rough intersection you lift and then drop back to normal ride-height when passed.

 

Very very good info in this thread.

 

hows that Rear VRH setup working............oh wait, Ravi wont bother. But there is a possible solution out there:

 

i don't need or want a rear kit

 

Thank you so much SDGenius that makes sense. I thought what cup kits did was adjust the height based on the coilovers and their height adjustment but glad to finally know whats up.

And just to clear things up what Umbrella does is retrofit cups to the owners current coilover setup and that what they charge ~$2400 correct? And is it all 4 corners for that? Or just fronts