Hello, I searched (promise) and found some really good articles on suspension. Learning tons and, as always, on the verge of understanding or being overwhelmed. Learning how to tune seems to always be a mix of too much information or not enough

My goal is to purchase new shocks/ springs to increase handling via lower center of gravity and stiffer springs. It is a daily driver and am not planning on any hardcore driving (such as autox or something) so comfort does play a role.

I've read that Omni streets are still very stiff and can be uncompromising for daily use. But I'm running 195 tires on 14" HX wheels, which seems to be a lot of profile to help make the ride less harsh, so would that compensate for stiffer springs in terms of comfort?

**The following info I'll probably be able to find with more searching so you don't have to address them if you don't want to but since I'm posting I figured I'd throw them in too **

People will often say that the joy of coilovers is that you can ensure equal drop in all 4 corners. If I got springs how likely is that they won't sag the same ammount? I don't necessarily have to have coilovers as I want handling (not wheel tuck, 2" drop at most) and probably won't adjust all the time. And if you adjusted the coilover's differently for each corner so that the car height was the same, wouldn't that somehow affect the spring loading/weight at each corner and thus creating some problem?


I see some people refer to spring rates by different numbers. Omni lists their Street rates as 10k/8k but sometimes people use numbers in the hundreds... is it really that there is that much of a difference or are they using a different measuring system? Is there an easy conversion so that I can do an apples to apples understanding?

What are the stock spring rates on a civic eh3 dx? I really enjoyed the handling of my last car which was a 98 323is bmw... while I know there is much more to that suspension than just spring rates which made it superior I still do wonder what its spring rate was...

I guess that is all for now...

if you read all the way to here!!!!

Thanks for any/all info including if I was moronic in missing the above in a search.

 

Your first question is a toughie. I really doubt anyone would buy Omni powers to use with their stock wheels, so it would be hard to find someone to comment on that. But, with your stock wheels, you probably have a huge sidewall, something like 60 or so. That sidewall does a pretty good job of absorbing some of the impact of the road. Smaller sidewalls, on the other hand, do not offer as much "cushioning." In my friend's car, going from 40 series sidewall to a 50 series made a HUGE difference. The ride became MUCH more comfortable, nearly similar to stock, whereas before it was bone jarring and very harsh.

So, i'm guessing that it will definitely soften up the high spring rates, but as for how much, i have no idea

 

From what I've been reading, Omni uses 12k/10k which means 12 kg/mm and 10 kg/mm. This of course is in metric, but other companies uses standard (?) so they go by 540 lbs/inch. It basically means that it takes 540 lbs of pressure to compress spring one inch.

As for conversion-wise, I believe if you multiply metric # by 45, that equals lbs (12 x 45 = 540). Don't take my word on that but i'm positive that I'm 75% correct Good luck on your project

 

if i were you and in your position, id look into something from H&R or maybe the edelbrock setup.

Both setup are good, and you can ever get something from H&R that is non height adjustable, maybe even a progressive rate. (were the springs gets stiffer as its compressed more)

You could also go with the old faith full, AGX/ground control's very nice for daily driving duties.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RzHybrid510 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">From what I've been reading, Omni uses 12k/10k which means 12 kg/mm and 10 kg/mm. This of course is in metric, but other companies uses standard (?) so they go by 540 lbs/inch. It basically means that it takes 540 lbs of pressure to compress spring one inch.

As for conversion-wise, I believe if you multiply metric # by 45, that equals lbs (12 x 45 = 540). Don't take my word on that but i'm positive that I'm 75% correct Good luck on your project</TD></TR></TABLE>

nah it's 2.2lbs = 1kg & 1in. = 25.4mm so....

12kg/mm = 670.56lbs/in. & 10kg/mm = 558.8lbs/in.

 

I was like you, I've tried quite a few different rates in my car to get a feel of what different spring rates feel like.

I know what you mean....seeing 10K vs 6K means nothing to me....I wanted to know how 10K felt vs. 6K.

Honestly, 10K would be "a little" on the stiffer side on a little Civic. I'm guessing 10K on a civic would be equivelant to about 12K on my integra.

My first setup was Neuspeed race springs on KYBs. ( i don't know what the rates of Neuspeed race springs are) I thought this setup wasn't stiff enough.

Then I went to Tein SS, which are approx f8k/r6K, again, I thought this setup wasn't stuff enough for track.

Now I'm running H&R Road race coilovers for ITR which came with F16K/R14K. I think the stiffness was about right for track, but I wanted a bit more rotation, so...

i recently switched my rear sprngs to to 16K.
I haven't had a chance to try this new setup at the track because of the weather, but I'm scheduled to hit the track in March.

I think you get the idea....
i kept getting stiffer and stiffer every setup.

I'll admit that 16K is pretty stiff for the street, but luckily the roads here are pretty smooth.

PS: I have a crazy friend running 18K in a EK


Here is what my conclusion was (try to look at the rates, opposed to the brand):
Neuspeed race setup was just too soft for my liking

the tein SS was a good setup for street and a few quick turns. Ride was nice and comfy with a solid feel. I think if they bumped the Tein SS to about 10K for an integra, that would be the best setup for track and street.

For a civic, i'm guessing 8K would be ideal for a street/track setup.

My current setup would be for track only. No kidding, i got a headache from driving my car for the first couple of days.

 

The streets in your town must be awesome. Lucky bastard

 

Thanks for the explanation on the different numbers, that will help me out a lot!!

I noticed from other posts that the stock spring rates are somewhere around 200f 100r ... I say somewhere because I didn't see one that mentioned the EH2 spring rates at all but the accords, integras, etc are around there.

So that would be around 3.5k front and 1.75k rear if I did the calculation right.

Thanks for all of the information people have provided that is really good. Based on Eclypz's post maybe 10k, 8k wouldn't be that bad, especially with my not-so-low profile tires (But they aren't stock! on my car anyway, don't take any mods away from me )


Thanks again

 

don't have the time to read this whole thread, but multiplying the metric numbers by 55 gives a good estimate of the value in pounds.