Base GT suspension=GT2 Comfort or Sport

[Doel]

My first experience with the Stinger was with a Base GT and I loved how it rode, reminded me of my '10 535 with the M Sport package, well damped, taut feeling suspension. I wished the GT2 could have that feel. Now on the G70 3.3T, that is done quite well and rides really sporty, with the Sport mode being firmer overall. The Comfort mode is what I feel the Stinger GT is like and what I would be happy with on the Stinger GT2 as it's Sport mode. I highly recommend you go drive a G70 3.3T, that is how our GT2s should be. If only they would offer a factory tune to give us that change, I would go for it.

you could spend a grand in aftermarket suspension parts and have a superior suspension set up to the G70 and still have spent far less, considering the price difference after all the rebates and dealer discounts.

 

[Waynerm002]

I'm not much for modifying my cars but have done so with a few over the years. I prefer to leave them as is unless there are a things that I really find lacking and in my case I just upgrade to the next version for the improvements. Seeing how they can have a similar ride height on the G70 but make it ride better, I would want that on the Stinger without the need to lower it as I find it is low enough for me as is.

 

[Ty Davis]

My first experience with the Stinger was with a Base GT and I loved how it rode, reminded me of my '10 535 with the M Sport package, well damped, taut feeling suspension. I wished the GT2 could have that feel. Now on the G70 3.3T, that is done quite well and rides really sporty, with the Sport mode being firmer overall. The Comfort mode is what I feel the Stinger GT is like and what I would be happy with on the Stinger GT2 as it's Sport mode. I highly recommend you go drive a G70 3.3T, that is how our GT2s should be. If only they would offer a factory tune to give us that change, I would go for it.

I used to have a 2010 535i M Sport too. ARS was such a treat on that car. It’s was truly a special riding vehicle. I didn’t mind the runflat summer tires either. Traded it for a 2015 535i Msport with Electronic shocks + ARS and it was a mess. Nothing like previous Bimmers.

Anyway that brings me to the Stinger...
I finally got around to changing the ECS calibration a bit.
I am going to start a new thread on it this weekend after I have had a chance to explore all of the options in there, there are many. I know you’ve asked that I keep you posted before... Originally, my scanner could not access the Stinger or new Hyundai/Kias. I got tired of waiting, so I bought KW Coilovers. The week after I had them installed, my scanner received an update and I could finally communicate with the Stingers ECS module, but now my Electronic shocks had been replaced by the KW’s. The KW’s were wonderful, however they were defective and the good ride quality and handling did not last. At the end of maybe 45 days, they rode like they were blown and also made noise. So I just my Stock ECS suspension back on this week.

Here’s the part you are waiting for...
The many settings in the ECS module make both drastic and subtle changes to the ride and handling.
I am now impressed with the Electronic shocks, where before I wished Kia had just spent that money on a proper passive system. Anyway so far, the stiffest setting seems to be for the Australian RWD GT 3.3.
In Comfort mode, the front end is rock solid, while the rear has an ever so slight amount of vertical up and down float (it’s minimal, but it’s there, barely). Sport mode, locks the rear down perfectly, but the front is (I think) over damped for our soft USA model springs. This makes the front have a tendency to have a quick, slight bounce over road surfaces. It feels tight but the actual movement, I don’t like. Ride quality is fine in Comfort, but noticeably firm in Sport. Perfect would be Comfort setting on the front and Sport at the rear. Body roll is restrained to a great degree with the Aussie settings too. Aussie AWD 3.3GT setting is more like the rest of the world, not as big a improvement, the ride quality is super but body control is lacking.

I’ve tried a few Euro settings too. They seem better than USA settings most of the time, but big dips will still make the front and rear float. If I remember correctly, it was the AWD GT that had firmest body control here.

Like I said, I’ve just begun to explore. So much more detailed info will come later.
I’ll end up testing each setting and documenting how they vary from the standard US calibration in Dive, Squat, Initital bump compliance, body roll, vertical body control, steering feel, ride and handling.

There are about 7 different regions to select. USA, Euro, etc.
Then AWD/RWD
Then 3.3T/2.2D/2.0T

Right now, the main thing I’ve learned is that all of the Stingers seem to be calibrated differently, by sub model.
More variation than I expected there.

I’ll post more later, after I get some more drive/test time.
If you don’t have access to a scanner, start making friends with your local Kia tech or mechanic now, because the Australian RWD 3.3 setting is pretty darn good. A lot of Kia dealerships are gonna be hesitant to make the change. I tried to get my dealership to change my car to the Australian settings when I bought the car. They would not. Make a friend though, and they’ll usually do what you ask. Hyundai dealers regularly change Sonata steering settings without much fanfare, so don’t let them say Hyundai/Kia won’t let them do it.

Lots of non Kia independent shops have Snap-on diagnostic tools that can communicate with the new Kias.
Firestone, Pepboys, Goodyear, etc. may all be able to help.

I drove the G70 with regular shocks because all of the magazines said it was so much better than the Stinger.
I found that model too bouncy too (but much better than Stinger). Had, I liked it, I would have bought those g70 shocks for my Stinger.
The magazines say that the G70 rode more harshly than the Stinger. The one I drove on passive shocks was smoother, quieter, and more controlled than my GT2 RWD. That G70 did have more brake dive and body roll though.

ECS computers are about $350 wholesale, If I like the G70 ECS test drive, I’ll try using the G70 computer on my Stinger. The G70 computer mounts on the other side of the car, so it may not have the same harness or connector as the Stinger. If it does, I’ll be trying all of those G70 settings too.

 

[Waynerm002]

Thanks for the work and info on this! This is more good news on getting some adjustments done on the car. I'm betting KIA will probably allow this later in the car's life cycle but the dealer guys are afraid to do this at present or they could just be blowing smoke.