Thursday, October 09, 2008 - 11:51 pm, by: Nickel Quimada(Pinoy)
Will be after a set of coilovers or new spring/shock combo in the near future and are asking peoples opinions on what to look for etc. Have looked into some old post but hopefully more people have converted and can share their experiences. Just a question on specs with coilovers spring rates. Does a higher spring rate as with the one on top mean a harsher ride or softer? Basically what do the numbers mean.
Spring rate F: 14.0 kgf/mm R: 8.0 kgf/mm. Spring rate F: 10.0 kgf/mm R: 6.0 kgf/mm.
Friday, October 10, 2008 - 04:39 am, by: Matt Petersen(Mattmannz)
The higher the spring rate the stiffer the spring.
I have 10/6 in my Tein's and I wouldn't want to go any stiffer. If you track your car then possibly but for a daily driver I can't see why you would want to go harder.
If you don't want adjustability then I think it's hard to beat the Bilstein shocks with either Eibach or H&R springs.
I have adjustable Tein's but never adjust them and they are set at about the same height as lowered springs. The Bilstein shocks are one of the best out there.
Friday, October 10, 2008 - 05:52 pm, by: Matt Petersen(Mattmannz)
You can't lower the vehicle and have soft springs otherwise the suspension will bottom out too much.
Over rough broken terrain the suspension can be harsh but a good quality shock absorber and a full set of arm bushes will reduce that as much as possible.
Whilst I would possibly go slightly lower in the front, I would definitely bottom out too much.
Saturday, October 11, 2008 - 06:17 am, by: Matt Petersen(Mattmannz)
They don't stamp the rate on the springs anywhere that I could see.
The only way would be to measure the rate in a machine.
If you have adjustable shocks make sure you wind the settings to soft and then adjust upwards from there. The shock settings will make a massive difference to the ride quality.
Matt
Ben Socratous Goo Roo SA I am the fibreglass/kevlar/carbonfibre king!
Saturday, October 11, 2008 - 09:02 am, by: Ben Socratous(Socrates)
Matt Petersen wrote on Friday, October 10, 2008 - 04:39 am:
I have 10/6 in my Tein's and I wouldn't want to go any stiffer.
Pending your driving style of course! I'm putting tein slinkies (13kg & 8kg) on bilstien struts when my new motor goes in. I've got king springs in now (7kg & 4.5kg I think?) and it is sloppy as all hell though the hills.
Basically it boils down to this, you can have a comfortable ride OR you can gave great handling. I've driven a lot of cars with a lot of different springs rate, and if you really push your car, then you can't have both!
Sunday, October 12, 2008 - 08:43 pm, by: Dave Cazes(Cazman)
kings are 6.7 and 3.4. tein s techs are 13.7 & 6.7, very comfy in reallity and esxtremmely stable, but for serious track only or drift you need slighly stiffer.