Spring for Competition use, How do you pick a starting spring rate??
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From: Morgantown, wv, usa
Springs for Competition use, How do you pick a starting spring rate??
Because I see people asking: "What spring rates should I get??" all the time, I wrote up a spring rate finder java-script on my web sight. This is just to get a good starting point, ballpark figure, and it's sort of fun to play with 
McKinney Raceworks, Tech section
Click the link above to try it out.
McKinney Raceworks, Tech section
Click the link above to try it out.
Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,448
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From: Morgantown, wv, usa
Re: (EK4civichatch)
The motion ratios that are default are for my car (5th gen prelude), however they should not be too far off for any FWD Honda.
The best way to measure your motion ratios is to:
(1) jack the car up, and removed the springs and shocks as one unit, from 1 side of the car. I know on my car you only need to remove 4 bolts and the spring/shock assembly will drop right out.
(2) now measure the height from the ground to the lowest point of your brake rotor (Dr1), then measure the distance from the shock mounting point on the LCA to the upper shock mounting point on the frame of the car (Ds1). basically place the tape measure were the shocks/springs used to be.
(3) now place a jack under the LCA and push the LCA up about 6 inches. Repeat the measurements you took in step 2 and write them down. (Dr2) and (Ds2).
Motion Ratio = (Dr2-Dr1)/(Ds1-Ds2)
The best way to measure your motion ratios is to:
(1) jack the car up, and removed the springs and shocks as one unit, from 1 side of the car. I know on my car you only need to remove 4 bolts and the spring/shock assembly will drop right out.
(2) now measure the height from the ground to the lowest point of your brake rotor (Dr1), then measure the distance from the shock mounting point on the LCA to the upper shock mounting point on the frame of the car (Ds1). basically place the tape measure were the shocks/springs used to be.
(3) now place a jack under the LCA and push the LCA up about 6 inches. Repeat the measurements you took in step 2 and write them down. (Dr2) and (Ds2).
Motion Ratio = (Dr2-Dr1)/(Ds1-Ds2)
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Santa Barbara, CA
Re: Springs for Competition use, How do you pick a starting spring rate?? (577HondaPrelude)
Your estimation skills are pretty damn good, IMHO. Using the information for my Celica, I came up with numbers that weren't too far off from what I'm running now on my only mode of transportation.
My only recommendation would be to give more options other than street and non-street.
Maybe have rear-bias, trailered race car, etc,
For example, your smooth track recommendation for my Celica comes to about 380f/420r. I'm currently running 440f/400r and find the neutral handling quite nice. The ride quality is at the extreme upper end of tolerable for a street driven car (I firmly believe the KONI’s assist in improving the ride quality as my wheel rate is higher than my friend's JIC equipped Del Sol but the ride is better.
)
My only recommendation would be to give more options other than street and non-street.
Maybe have rear-bias, trailered race car, etc,
For example, your smooth track recommendation for my Celica comes to about 380f/420r. I'm currently running 440f/400r and find the neutral handling quite nice. The ride quality is at the extreme upper end of tolerable for a street driven car (I firmly believe the KONI’s assist in improving the ride quality as my wheel rate is higher than my friend's JIC equipped Del Sol but the ride is better.
)
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Morgantown, wv, usa
Re: Springs for Competition use, How do you pick a starting spring rate?? (CelicaGTV6)
I agree KONI's are the only way to go.. Unless you can spend 2K or more on shocks.
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