stock springs + adjustable shock????
02-14-2008, 09:05 PM
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stock springs + adjustable shock????
Planning on entering some showroom stock classes with my soon to be 91 civic dx hatch and was wondering if A: this is a legal modification B: is it of any benefit?? planning on getting some illuminas or koni yellows.
02-15-2008, 12:11 AM
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Re: stock springs + adjustable shock???? (rextec)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rextec »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Planning on entering some showroom stock classes with my soon to be 91 civic dx hatch and was wondering if A: this is a legal modification B: is it of any benefit?? planning on getting some illuminas or koni yellows. </TD></TR></TABLE>
No idea as to the legality within the rules for your class, but I'd suggest Koni yellows set on full stiff. This would be subject to testing of course, but I bet that's where they'll work best on the track with stock springs. The damper stiffness would act to some degree as a substitute for stiffer rate springs, even if this isn't really ideal, i.e it would probably be better with stiffer springs and maybe less damper rate, but if the rules stipulate stock springs then it's probably the best you can do.
To the best of my knowledge the Konis have more rebound adjustment (range of actual stiffness from soft to stiff) in the low shaft speed input range, which is where you get the most handling benefits, and is significantly stiffer in this range at the stiffer end of settings than the Illumina is. The Illumina has bump adjustment as well, but it's quite minimal, i.e. full stiff isn't that much different to full soft (I've seen damper dyno graphs showing the Illumina bump adjustment range is hardly anything), so I'd suggest you aren't worse off not having bump adjustment with the Konis (which are rebound only adjustable, but this is the most important adjustment for handling).
Keep in mind that the Konis can be revalved to different rates (in both bump and rebound, i.e. the rebound range can be moved to make it stiffer or softer at the softest setting and at the stiffest setting), and rebuilt when they wear out (but are likely to have better longevity than other dampers due to their inherant quality, Konis are OE on Ferrari and Asron Martin, for a reason). The Konis also have a more 'digressive' force curve than the Illumina, which is a good thing, especially if you also intend the car to be a road car.
If you really need to the Koni bump rate can be made adjustable as well (retro fitting an adjustable valve), which would probably give more bump adjustment than other dampers with adjustable bump.
No idea as to the legality within the rules for your class, but I'd suggest Koni yellows set on full stiff. This would be subject to testing of course, but I bet that's where they'll work best on the track with stock springs. The damper stiffness would act to some degree as a substitute for stiffer rate springs, even if this isn't really ideal, i.e it would probably be better with stiffer springs and maybe less damper rate, but if the rules stipulate stock springs then it's probably the best you can do.
To the best of my knowledge the Konis have more rebound adjustment (range of actual stiffness from soft to stiff) in the low shaft speed input range, which is where you get the most handling benefits, and is significantly stiffer in this range at the stiffer end of settings than the Illumina is. The Illumina has bump adjustment as well, but it's quite minimal, i.e. full stiff isn't that much different to full soft (I've seen damper dyno graphs showing the Illumina bump adjustment range is hardly anything), so I'd suggest you aren't worse off not having bump adjustment with the Konis (which are rebound only adjustable, but this is the most important adjustment for handling).
Keep in mind that the Konis can be revalved to different rates (in both bump and rebound, i.e. the rebound range can be moved to make it stiffer or softer at the softest setting and at the stiffest setting), and rebuilt when they wear out (but are likely to have better longevity than other dampers due to their inherant quality, Konis are OE on Ferrari and Asron Martin, for a reason). The Konis also have a more 'digressive' force curve than the Illumina, which is a good thing, especially if you also intend the car to be a road car.
If you really need to the Koni bump rate can be made adjustable as well (retro fitting an adjustable valve), which would probably give more bump adjustment than other dampers with adjustable bump.
02-15-2008, 05:58 AM
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Re: stock springs + adjustable shock???? (johnlear)
Check the responses to your same post in the Roadrace/Autocross forum. The answer is quite easy so there is no need to have three identical threads going.
Some real performance parts are better than no performance parts but more performance parts are going to make your car perform better.
Some real performance parts are better than no performance parts but more performance parts are going to make your car perform better.
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rextec
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02-15-2008 05:22 PM
