Why do some people feel that using sleeve coil-overs (with a good adjustable shock i.e. Koni Yellows), are better than using a good spring/shock combo (example: Pro-kits w/Koni Yellows) ?

I know a few people that have the Skunk2 / Koni yellow combo that auto-x and they think their great. Whereas, people with the normal spring/shock combo that their set up is great. Mind you, i'm asking about auto-x. Not the local HIN/HID poo poo shows that go on, and the "bling-bling" Levits Furniture parking lots, Crenshaw Blvd shows.

 

I cant speak for everyone but I just prefer the adjustability of coil-overs to springs. Before someone says how often do you actually mess with them I have adjusted the height 2 in the last 3 months.

I plan to order some custom spring rates along with a set of koni yellows for this season's autocrossing. For now my street setup GC springs and tokico blues will have to do...

tell...

 

You can change spring rates, ride height(adjust for travel) and do corner weighting with those sleeves. With just the spring/shock combo well...I'm sure you can do somthing.


[Modified by 89civicdx, 9:43 PM 1/27/2002]

 

It depends on what your goals are. If you have a limited budget, and aren't looking for racetrack-perfect performance, a sensible aftermarket spring and shock combo can be the best choice for your application. The advantages of threaded-sleeve coilovers have already been mentioned, so I won't regurgitate.

 

It matters much on budget and what the car is going to be used for. Not many ricers will buy a good combo cause all they are going to use it for is for "that lowered look"

 

That's a good question, and one I've wondered about myself. I've got Comptech sport springs paired with Koni yellows on my car now. I'm very pleased with the drop/ride height -- just about perfect IMHO (~1.25" drop) -- but after ~1/2 year of autocrossing now wish I had different spring rates (i.e., stiffer all around, especially in the rear). If I could get custom springs made at the length and spring rate I want without spending a small forture, then I would. But it looks like I'll need to get some custom GC coilovers to get what I want...

That's funny stuff. God, I miss So Cal...


[Modified by Neo, 8:58 AM 1/28/2002]

 

If you look at the majority of top street prepared/touring/modified autocrossers, you'll see they run coilovers for the reasons 89Civic said.

1) Since all of GC springs are dimensionally the same, you can easily swap springs with different rates to perfectly tune to suspension to what YOU want, not what H&R or Comptech or Supension Techniques thinks you wants.

2) GC springs are linear rate, not progressive rate like lowering springs. IMO, linear is better for motorsports, progresive is better for street driving.

3) You can corner weight your car by raising/lowering the height at each corner to achieve the best possible weight balance.

Edit: removed smart *** sarcastic remark. Sorry.


[Modified by MaddMatt, 8:08 AM 1/28/2002]

 

How about this. How can a spring half the size deal with weight transfers compared to a spring twice it's size? Spring rate?!

GC coil vs Pro-Kit.

or am i missing something?

 

I'm missing what you're trying to ask..

are you asking how a spring half the height can have an appropriate spring rate? Spring rate is determined by thickness and the way they're wound (and material properties but I don't believe that's often a factor..).. the length of the spring is a factor too (a longer spring with everything else being the same will be softer), but it not the only factor..

 

No, I think we are. What are you asking here?

 

I think he's asking how the little, bitty coilover spring can do as good a job as the big, long drop spring.

The answer is: the short spring is thicker and wound tigter, giving it a higher rate. Yes, lowering the car reduces suspension travel, but this is not an issue for track use, as there aren't many bumps to hit.

 

I prefer to use a really stiff spring with an adjustable shock. If I have a really stiff spring,I will offset the nasty ride of stiff springs with a softer dapmening. Makes the car ride/corner like a dream.

As where ALOT of people will go with double stiff as if they were road racing,even then it can still be bone jarring.

 

Have too stiff of a spring on a too underdamped shock and you'll bounce around and generally look like a tool. Get much above 400 lbs/in and a standard Koni is close to it's limits in controling the oscillations.

 

thank you. That's what I was trying to ask.

you guys are great!

 

Matt, Are you talking about Koni reds or yellows? I've always heard that off-the-shelf Koni yellows can handle up to about 600#s. Am I wrong or can you clarify for me, please? Thanks, Casey

 

They'll work. Just don't expect them to last very long.