Question about progressive rate springs?

[ceLL-ILL-cA]

is it true that progressiv rate springs are not good for autoxr...?im asking becuase im debatting on weather to get hotchkins springs(wich are progress rate) or H&R(which i belive are constant rate)...which of the 2 springs do you auto crossers perfer?

[autxr]

Well, I wouldn't get progressive rate springs personally. If the spring rates change mid turn, so does the limit of the handling and te line of the turn. Not such a great thing.

I wouldn't get either. I would get a coilover kit that uses some sort of industry standard spring. (Ground Control, TEIN). Both those kits use a 2.5 inch ID race spring. You can order new springs for $50. I fully anticipate wantint to change spring rates at least once...

You can get used race springs even cheaper.

Scott

[Unity112]

I think autoxr summed it all up. Progressive spring rates mean that the rate will change depending on how hard you corner. Say you do something to upset the balance of the car, the effects would probably be more ill with the progressive rate. Don't totally take my word for it though, but if it were left with those two choices, I'd pick constant.

But I'd probably opt for GC's if I was on a budget. I have the Teins and, they are simply amazing. The ride is smooth, and body roll is kept to a minimum. You should change spring rates to more aggressive ones, too if you are really serious about competing.

[ceLL-ILL-cA]

thanks guys? but do you guys know if h&r are progressive rate? i would get tiens or the sportivo, but im on a budget for now, maybe next year....i just wana drop my car a lil, and keep the cornering performance

[ceLL-ILL-cA]

where can i get used race springs? anyone selling?

[autxr]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cgi/ebayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=597978645&r=0&t=0

There is one, 6 inch free length 2.25 inch id, 500 lb rate.

Lone spring, $26

Not very helpful, but you get teh idea. This is why the GC setup and TEINn setups are nice.

Just do internet searches for used race springs and see what comes up. Check racing classifieds (SCCA, etc).

Go to SCCAforums.com and post a WTB ad in the forsale section.

Scott

[BillT]

I'm wrestling with the same issues... thought I was going to settle on Tien adjustable coilovers with Eiback sway bars and Tanabe lower braces - BUT in Montreal we have pretty rough roads - can I set these soft enough for my daily drive (most of the time)?

I guess I'm looking for anybody who has this setup, or recommendations for a good, non-track suspension setup... Eibacj sway bars and springs with Koni adjustables?

I do drive agressively. Help really appreciated. Until I stumbled on this site, thought I was on my own with this.

[renfield90]

This might break the record for oldest thread ever revived. Anyways...this section of the forum deals primarily with track-only setups. There's a suspension section populated with people who are more concerned with suspension behavior on the street.

The Tein adjustable coilovers have a set spring rate and IIRC it wasn't exactly on the low side of things. You can adjust the shock valving, but IMO if you have really rough roads it's going to be either too bouncy or too stiff. I'd recommend something like the Eibach Pro Kit paired with KYB AGXs and some Hotchkis street sway bars. Stiff sway bars are gonna be your best bet for getting semi-gokart handling without totally ruining your ride quality.

I'm personally running stock springs/shocks with a rear competition sway from Hotchkis. Not my preferred setup (insert broke college student sob story here) but I've gotten it to work surprisingly well on the track. My only complaint is that on really super rough roads the car can be a bit of a bear to drive, as the sway bar is stiff enough to reduce the independence of the left and right wheels.