I have Tein HA coilovers, just wondering if you guys can give me a suggestion on how to set my suspension for high and low speed corners. For example, how should I set it up so I can have the rear rotate easier and less understeer etc. I'm new at the Autox scene but after my first experience I'm hooked. Thanks for the help guys.

 

first off what is your car ?
what modifications u have on the chassis ?

and what kind of tires u running on ?


i'd say you should start with a middle setting ( alignment is really important too )
and do lots of tests
there is only 1 optimal shock setting for the springs/suspension leverage so try to get the shocks to work good with the springs ( cehck out http://www.tein.com in the manuals section for the setting thye recommend on ur car with the HA using the stock spring rates )

then do not try to brake the rear loose, ua re actually going slower with this
what u need to do is reduce understeer, and you won't do that by making the rear come out..

wider tires in front, spacers, better adjustments, camber, pression, toe out
that's what u need in front
start with trying ot bring the front to the max..then work on the rear of the car

there is no point in reducing grip in the rear if the front can't exceed a certain handling pwoer ( taht is always lower than the rear can )
..

 

If you're running a higher spring rate in the front vs. rear, swap them. That will definitely help the car rotate.

 

maybe it'll help it rotate..not necessairly go faster..

please don't mix up driver feeling and car performance..

 

What Rainman said.
I have the same setup as you with 550 front 750 rear.You want the back end loose so it will come around quicker and allow you to get on the throtal quicker in a straight line.How you set up a car by concentrating on the front end and ignoring the rear makes no scence.But i could be wrong depending on application.Ever notice how there is 101 ways to do one thing right.
When it all boils down it comes to what works for you.The whole set up scenario can be debated forever with no final outcome.Try em all and have fun learning.Try this for youre next auto x.Full soft front -full hard rear.Then on youre next run swap the settings and see what happens.Then try every thing in between.This may take 3 or 4 years but you will eventualy know what you and youre car likes.
I think.

 

You sure as hell can't go faster if the car won't steer in the direction you point it due to understeer. By swapping the springs, you can achieve a more neutral handling car, and by playing with the shock settings, perhaps help induce a little oversteer.

The spring rates that Tein suggests are for the lowest common denominator driver that needs to drive a car with understeer to avoid getting into serious trouble. Seems like most FWD manufacturers design their suspensions leaning towards understeer

Anyway, try swapping them back to front with a little tweeking of your shock settings, and after a few runs you'll be able to find that magical setting F/R that will work best for you on that course with your driving style.

Good luck!


[Modified by rainman, 11:26 AM 9/6/2002]

 

thanx for all the great input guys.

Oh yes, and I drive a 99 civic ex with I/H/E.


[Modified by SuperRice, 6:05 AM 9/8/2002]