Spring rate
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I'm looking to upgrade my springs to a stiffer rate. I'm currently running a 12k/5k oem style coilover setup. Any advice on what rates to try to get? I was thinking like 14/12? Thanks
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I'm running 12/10 but it really depends on a lot of things, Tires, driving style, etc... 14/12 is a little stiff IMO but I know many people that run that setup and like it.
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12/5 in the oem style? Maybe you meant 12/5 in the "true coilover style". Otherwise 5 in the rear is softer than stock. If you are refering to 5kg on the shock thats about the average spring rate for mosts setups on the rear and and may be a little soft in comparison to the front spring. I don't remember the exact ratio but I think its .67 and that would suggest a spring in the 7kg range on the shock would be a similar setup to the 12/10 I and Lightning Guy run.
What type of coilovers are you running?
What type of coilovers are you running?
Last edited by Zazz93; 08-22-2011 at 11:49 AM.
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12/5 with true rear is almost identical to 12/10 OEM style. I run 12.4 front 5k rear right now. Depending on your entire setup you may be able to get away with a stiffer spring. The biggest factor will actually be your shock, followed by alignment (that running your current tires)
BTW what size are the tires?
BTW what size are the tires?
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12/5 with true rear is almost identical to 12/10 OEM style. I run 12.4 front 5k rear right now. Depending on your entire setup you may be able to get away with a stiffer spring. The biggest factor will actually be your shock, followed by alignment (that running your current tires)
BTW what size are the tires?
BTW what size are the tires?
Last edited by Zazz93; 08-22-2011 at 05:40 PM.
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The motion rates are:
Front .688
Rear in oem location .649
Rear when on damper body .97
How the math is used to calculate wheel rates
690/690 rate setup, rear's in oem location
Front
690 x .688 = 474.72 x .688 = 326.60 rounded to 327 and you have your front wheel rate
Rear
690 x .649 = 447.81 x .649 = 290.62 rounded to 291 and you have your rear wheel rate
^ replace the .649 number with .97 for calculating the wheel rate on a truecoilover rear setup.
Front .688
Rear in oem location .649
Rear when on damper body .97
How the math is used to calculate wheel rates
690/690 rate setup, rear's in oem location
Front
690 x .688 = 474.72 x .688 = 326.60 rounded to 327 and you have your front wheel rate
Rear
690 x .649 = 447.81 x .649 = 290.62 rounded to 291 and you have your rear wheel rate
^ replace the .649 number with .97 for calculating the wheel rate on a truecoilover rear setup.
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Quick question- Is the surface fairly smooth, moderate or rough?
Things I would look at for that problem:
-Too low - This refers to you being on the bumpstops effectively increasing the spring rate
-Too much rebound dialed-in - This would cause the suspension to not hold the road's contours
-Bad shock
-Bad bushing
-Too much spring rate
So its likely more spring rate is only going to make this worse. Remember stiffer is not always better. Rule of thumb, run it as stiff as you can while keeping the suspension moving and working. When the wheel is hopping around generally you want softer settings to keep the tire in contact with the ground. The exception to this is when there is too little rebound and the wheel is boucing around with no dampening but this exception is more likely a broken shock.
Things I would look at for that problem:
-Too low - This refers to you being on the bumpstops effectively increasing the spring rate
-Too much rebound dialed-in - This would cause the suspension to not hold the road's contours
-Bad shock
-Bad bushing
-Too much spring rate
So its likely more spring rate is only going to make this worse. Remember stiffer is not always better. Rule of thumb, run it as stiff as you can while keeping the suspension moving and working. When the wheel is hopping around generally you want softer settings to keep the tire in contact with the ground. The exception to this is when there is too little rebound and the wheel is boucing around with no dampening but this exception is more likely a broken shock.
Last edited by Zazz93; 08-23-2011 at 08:50 AM.
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spring rates are generally the last thing to change unless you've got a lot of data to back up the change that you're making
the problem likely lies elsewhere
setting dampers to a stiff setting in the first place could be part of the issue, as can ride height as mentioned, as can a poorly valved (or blown) damper.
the problem likely lies elsewhere
setting dampers to a stiff setting in the first place could be part of the issue, as can ride height as mentioned, as can a poorly valved (or blown) damper.
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I don't think the sways would cause rear hopping Lightning Guy. They may create more roll resistance than needed with an 11k spring, but unlikely to create wheel hop/chatter. I run a 12/10k set-up with Hotchkis bars and think its a little aggressive if I'm aggressive with my inputs otherwise its pretty docile.
+1 on the pics for ride height.
+1 on the pics for ride height.
Last edited by Zazz93; 08-23-2011 at 06:42 PM.