When performing a search, I found that many people with this setup have chosen a lower rate for the front then the rear. But others have chosen a higher rate in the front and a lower rate in the rear. I would think that you would want a higher rate in the front due to the extra weight in the front and it seems like most full coilover systems have higher rates in the front, but more GC users use higher rates in the rear.

Basically what I'm trying to get at is why does one run lower rates in the front than in the rear with this setup?

Any technical info would be appreciated.

-Larkin who has Bilsteins and GC's waiting to be installed.



Modified by Larkin W. at 11:32 AM 3/3/2006

 

It's a matter of preference. In my experience it's easier to get a car to rotate with a higher rear spring rate compared to the front spring rate. Some people like to run higher in front, and then use different width tires with different alignments, etc.

I don't want to bother with any of that.

 

Just as Dave said, its personal preference. All other things being equal (and they hardly ever are) but a car with stiffer rates in the rear will tend to rotate better than one with heavier in the front.

The larger the difference between F<R the greater this tendancy to do so. I think most "streetable" cars only have about 50-100lb difference.

 

Thanks guys. I'm gonna start out with 350F/400R (Since thats what I bought for a steal of a deal) and probably eventually upgrade to higher rates (400/500) if I ever get a beater and get to use the Type R as the track/auto-x beast.

Even 350/400 are considerably higher than the OEM rates Should be great for what I use the car for now. DD/Auto-X/Occassional HPDE