I'm thinking of getting hotchkis springs. One of the things I don't get is what sort of effect would they have on handling. If you look at the spring rates they are softer then stock in the back and stiffer in the front. Would it make the car understeer more? Can some one enlighten me?

Also since the rear would be lower then the front, would it transfer some weight from the front to the rear?

 

It will be hard to get a stright answer on this. There may be a textbook answer, but it might not apply to the Zed in real life.

The Cusco coilovers have springs with harder spring rates in the front but because other areas of the coilover determine how the car will handle its hard to draw a direct conclusion. For you it will be even harder to judge because you matching springs and shocks from different companies not specifically designed to go with one another.

What you really need to do is to find someone who has driven stock, another setup and your setup and get their opinions on how your combination works.

 

My theory on this is to not mix and match...if you plan on replacing more than the springs get the kit from the same company.
At least you know that the end product has been tested.

 

Only real choice for linear springs with slight drop.

 

If you are interested in a set of springs I have my H&R's for sale.

They lower the front 15mm and 30mm rear. This setup makes the car sit flat unlike standard which tilts forward.

PM me if interested

 

Linear? Do you want linear springs nuff?

 

mchapman, yes I do, the stock ones are liner and they work well with Konis. I'm thinking about getting ones which are around 10-15% stiffer all round with very little drop, I can barely clear my driveway as it is. I think the Hotchkis springs would have been perfect, except they are softer in the back.

MR RIZK, are they liner or progressive. Also what spring rates do they have?

 

Nuff.

I believe the springs are progressive for the H&R's. I would love to tell you the spring rate but don't know. The distributer mentioned that the H&R's are usually around 30% stiffer than stock.

If they were linear I could work out the rate

Some love progressive and some like linear. Personal taste I guess.

 

Yes I know, I'm after liner rate. My only choice now is hotchkis springs, but they are not exactly what I'm looking for either. I think I'll stick with the stock springs for now.

 

Why don't you get a set of springs custom made? ie: Whiteline/king/Lovells/kmac/polymar etc

 

That's what I've been thinking, but I don't have any expirience with this companies, any recommendations?

 

I had custom made Kmac springs on my Celica and I was VERY happy with them. When I had King Springs on my Civic it would bottom out and they were generally not very good. I will never buy any King Spring product again. This is just my experience with one of their many products but it only takes one bad experience for me to never use them again.

So K-Mac is my recommendation.

 

To be honest I am a Japanese man through and through.

In that list though I would go king or whiteline as I have seen bad experiences from from friends with kmac's

 

Hi Nuff

I have the Hotchkis Springs and Sways.

For your terrain - I think you are best with the stock springs..

If roll is an issue, the Hotchkis Sway bars are the best bargain.

1/4" chrome moly Front and each have three holes for adjustment..
Hollow bars are stiffer than a solid bar.. I couldn't understand that for a long time... Guess a solid chrome moly bar is un-heard of. Heh ! Solid bars are a much softer material...

Mine are set middle hole for front and Lightest - fartest hole for rear.

This seems to be optimum.. for street and freeway. both are about 60% stiffer than stock... by "butt" feel.


The car on rails - is true -
before ( With the Stock Sways) you hit a hard right hander.. The car over corrects and you have to swing out to go straight again..

Not so with strong sway bars.. ( see disclamer - side to side )

Now - get your speed up for the turn... Don't brake - just turn..
3/4 on out of turn straighten.. done.. Video of the car making the turn looks like a Electric Model car...

Disclaimer:
There are some side to side shakes that can hurt your neck.. as the car has no lean to it. Just another thing to get used to..

Cheers Amy -

So Cal 3fivezeroZ

P.S. Nuff if you have any new input - please post to Koni's are here..

 

Amy, Whats the terrain like which you've mentioned?