I'm finally nearing completion on my suspension project. At least, what I'm willing to throw at it for the moment. Got the Koni shocks and upper front strutbar 'n lower rear strutbar from Neuspeed. So it's down to the coilovers now, and the most common one seems to be Ground Control..

But I'm actually a bit confused about this (surprise!). GC've got coilovers that'll fit the 88-91 CRX and coilovers that'll fit the Koni shocks. Seperately. So which one is the right one? I'm guessin' the Koni.. Anyway..

The real question is - spring rates? I know nothing about that, and I've searched 'n haven't found much.. It's for a daily driver. Hope someone has some good suggestions and/or explanations. Thanks in advance.

 

Bump.

 

ground control makes koni specific coilovers that will fit on the circlip on the koni shock... the other ground controls are for any other set-up.

if you already have the koni shocks, get the g/c for the koni shocks.

as for spring rates, it really depends on what you want out of the car..

 

As mentioned, it's for a daily driver. I don't drag much, only buying Koni/GC 'cause I think the stock suspension is a bit loose/wobbly.
Basically, I just want better handling when cornering, etc. I just don't get the concept "spring rates".
I'm guessing it goes from 0 - 1000, with 0 being sloppy like a polish prostitute 'n 1000 being firm like a Hollywood showdancer?

 

i think you may get some great answers in the Suspension Forum here on HT.

 

Brilliant idea. I only ever read the CRX / EF Civic forum, I tend to forget the other sub-forums. Cheers.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Bastion &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">But I'm actually a bit confused about this (surprise!). GC've got coilovers that'll fit the 88-91 CRX and coilovers that'll fit the Koni shocks. Seperately. So which one is the right one? I'm guessin' the Koni.. Anyway..</TD></TR></TABLE>
Just call up GC and tell them you want to buy a set of coilovers to be used with Koni dampers on your '88-91 CRX. You need sleeves made specifically to capture the snap ring on a Koni.

Non-Koni-specific sleeves will require special adapters from GC to work with the Konis.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I just don't get the concept "spring rates".
I'm guessing it goes from 0 - 1000, with 0 being sloppy like a polish prostitute 'n 1000 being firm like a Hollywood showdancer?</TD></TR></TABLE>
No, it's not a scale.

The rate of a spring is a measurement of the stiffness. The unit is weight per distance compressed (i.e. pounds per inch lbs/in, or kilograms per millimeter kg/mm). For example, if you have a spring rate of 100 lbs/in, it will take 100 lbs to compress that spring 1 inch. Edit: This only applies to linear-rate springs. Progressive-rate springs are a little more complicated; they can have different rates in the same spring.

To convert from standard to metric, divide the standard spring rate by 56. For example, 560 lbs/in ~= 10 kg/mm.

Ground Control's default spring rates for Civic/CRX (if you do not specify custom rates) are 350f/250r.


Modified by Targa250R at 2:34 PM 3/22/2005

 

so what's the next available upper spring rate combo from GC after the 350f/250r?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ef92b &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">so what's the next available upper spring rate combo from GC after the 350f/250r?</TD></TR></TABLE>
GC uses Eibach ERS springs, which are available in 25 lbs/in increments.

 

Thanks for the info, Targa, made it all a bit more clear to someone who doesn't dabble much in cars. I've placed my order for Koni specific coilovers, 'n then we'll see what they toss me in terms of spring rate. Can you adjust it later on or is it set for life?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Bastion &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Can you adjust it later on or is it set for life?</TD></TR></TABLE>
The rate of a spring is pretty much permanent (unless it is a poor quality spring that "loses" its rate, but that's another story ).

However, if you are unsatisfied with the rates you get, you can buy Eibach ERS springs with different rates and swap them out (in pairs, front/rear). This is one of the advantages of running the Koni/GC combo; GC coilovers will accept most/any 2.5" inner-diameter springs. You can find used race springs for sale in the Road Race/Autocross forum's race spring FS/WTB/WTT thread, or you could buy them new from any Eibach dealer. Hyperco race springs are also very good.

Koni Sport dampers can handle springs up to about 600 lbs/in with off-the-shelf valving. If you go much stiffer than that, they'll have a hard time controlling the spring and will feel under-damped; most drivers running rates higher than this will have their Konis re-valved.

Of course, since this is a daily driven-street car, you won't be running springs anywhere near that stiff unless you are masochistic.

 

many thanks Targa250R

what about the spring height itself? w/c one you guys are using? 2 heights are available, right? either 7" or 8" ?

anyone with B16 swap on their EF hatchies? w/c one is ideal, the 7 or 8? right now i have the 7" height and it's kinda compress the springs lower though i still have the D in there. i'm speculating that once i have my B swap, it'll drop the car more.