So I have been researching coilover setups for some time now and I keep getting pointed back to koni/GC setup. Spring rate wise I thinking of running 600 or 650 lbs/in front and 700lbs/in in the rear but my question comes in when I started learning about tender springs. Would it be wroth running some with a rate around the 250-300 area or would it just ruin any gain from the stiffer springs? My research is on going and Ill post what I find here.

 

Why would you need tender or helper springs?

 

Helper springs would keep the springs from coming unseated in a "severe droop" situation... typically this is more of a concern in the rear but only when there's no rear sway bar or a small, stock sized one.

Tender springs... I'm sure you could make them work but run the calcs on where your effective spring rate would land. Off the cuff, I'd say that you'd end up with too low a rate.

 

I have helpers on the front and rear of my crx. I need to remove them from the front as they are fully compressed when the car is on stands. They do help center the spring in the rear.

 

Your question doesn't make sense. Probably because you don't understand what helper springs do, and what adding 250 lb springs to 700 lb springs does to the overall spring rate.

Helper or tender springs are nearly zero spring rate to just keep the springs in tension at max stroke, and are effectively spacers in normal use.

Adding two springs together makes the spring rate lower than the lowest spring rate. So add 200 + 700 = 150. Its inverse math. I imagine this is not what you're after.

You don't need 700 lb springs in the rear.

 

I have 600/700# springs on my R2 coilovers with helper springs. Helper springs are a good idea.

Tyson is correct about adding the tender and main springs together. But everyone will have their own personal preference when it comes to actual rates and bias. My rates work very well for me and I see nothing wrong with 700# rears.

 

^^I agree, im running much the same setup. Eibach springs of course.

 

 

lol...JRZ's tho

 

Jrz specs the helper you should use with their rs model shock. When you have a shock with good travel, you will need the helper.

 

you're right about the math but, helper spring = no rate and keeps the main spring aligned. tender springs = lighter rates relative to main and it's a dual rate setup.

it seems that no one on rr/ax really experimented with dual rate setup (search doesn't turn up any personal experience/results)... i'm a bit intrigued about it as of late...

 

Here is a handy guide for anyone looking to run a stacked spring setup.

 

I eliminated any possibility of springs unseating by using extended top hats. At least in the front they are ever so slightly preloaded into the coil spring isolator. The rear still has the possibility unless you made like 3" extended top hats but like mentioned a swaybar fixes that issue.