the suggested regular rates for the Ground Controls on the 5th Gen Preludes were at 380 front / 250 rear.

So i thought it would be perfect to keep the fronts at 380 (for comfort and performance) BUT, up the rear rate to 380 aswell instead of leaving it at 250. I wanted this to counter underster as much as possible, without going into extremely harsh ride characteristics for street driving.

My car never sees the track, i just like to have fun and carve some corners and canyons whenever i go on sunday drives.

So what do you guys think? im going to be running this Ground Control Setup (380/380) with bilstein sport shocks.

Did i make the best logical choice for comfort / performance while dialing away understeer?

 

equal spring rates does not =a balanced car. Simple logic will tell you that your car is heavier in front. So you should get spring rates accordingly. On my Accord I have 400 in the front and 350 in the rear.I also have a thicker rear sway bar but stock front bar The weight bias is much like the 5th gen. with this set up I'm as neutral as I can get with a slight bias towards oversteer.

 

ya you could have gotten the stock configuration and just switched them rears for fronts.. but just get used to your new setup and then order a new set of springs(~100 i believe)

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by cb7-R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">equal spring rates does not =a balanced car. Simple logic will tell you that your car is heavier in front. So you should get spring rates accordingly. On my Accord I have 400 in the front and 350 in the rear.I also have a thicker rear sway bar but stock front bar The weight bias is much like the 5th gen. with this set up I'm as neutral as I can get with a slight bias towards oversteer.</TD></TR></TABLE>

i see your point, but there is also hundereds of people in this very forums that actually have a HIGHER spring rate in the rear as opposed to me just having it equal with the front, any their saying that they like the rear spring stiffer, and in some cases would even like more rear spring. btw i know equal spring rates front and back dont = a balanced car, the rear springs are obviously much stiffer then what stock or ground control are suggesting, thats a no brainer. I just figured that id at least keep it at 380, and not jack it up waaay higher then the front spring rates to keep it more comforable, yet alot more aggresive during turn in as opposed to the recommened rates.

 

I am running the 380f/400 combo with KONI yellows. They are pretty stiff in my ~2650lb 4th gen. Track handling is crazy though and I also run a 28mm RSB.
I like being able to soften up the Konis for street driving.

 

Yes you do want higher than stock spring rates in the back if you're trying to dial out some understeer. A lot of autox or racing guys that also use it for daily driving go with 400f/450r or thereabouts. I've seen track only ludes with 700f/1000r or higher!

Masterbobo - the problem is that you can't mess with your damping rates, correct? (I think bilsteins are non-adjustable). What you really want is some adjustable shocks that you can make soft in front and stiff in the back so that you lose some grip in the back. That's the ideal situation.

 

who makes a 28mm sway bar, i thought progress was as thick as you can go at 27? is it custom?

 

I think 380F/R will be fine for you, especially if you aren't going to do any events.

The billsteins will be what makes your ride stiff. An adjustable shock might be a better option for you if you're worried about ride comfort.

 

those rates are prolly good for daily driving
but the stiffer rears might make it a little less comfortable on bump roads

i run 560/450 for the autox car


and the 28mm is most likely the progress bar they made a long time ago..
i think the newer ones are 26mm?

or it could be a whiteline bar

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 95PreludeSi &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I think 380F/R will be fine for you, especially if you aren't going to do any events.

The billsteins will be what makes your ride stiff. An adjustable shock might be a better option for you if you're worried about ride comfort.</TD></TR></TABLE>

you think ill be fine, thats good to hear. becuase my car will never see the track or events like you said.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Yield &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Yes you do want higher than stock spring rates in the back if you're trying to dial out some understeer. A lot of autox or racing guys that also use it for daily driving go with 400f/450r or thereabouts. I've seen track only ludes with 700f/1000r or higher!

Masterbobo - the problem is that you can't mess with your damping rates, correct? (I think bilsteins are non-adjustable). What you really want is some adjustable shocks that you can make soft in front and stiff in the back so that you lose some grip in the back. That's the ideal situation.</TD></TR></TABLE>


some konis definitley wouldnt hurt, but im so attatched to my bilstein sports right now that i cant let them go, at least untill they retire, but i have a feeling i have a looooong time to go on these bulletproof babies.


<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by :=:NirVTEC:=: &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I am running the 380f/400 combo with KONI yellows. They are pretty stiff in my ~2650lb 4th gen. Track handling is crazy though and I also run a 28mm RSB.
I like being able to soften up the Konis for street driving.
</TD></TR></TABLE>


hmm, the 5th gen Prelude is about 300 pounds heavier then your ride in this case, and your running 380/400,... i hope my 380/380 isnt too stiff

 

on a side note...


Im running 225/45/17's in the front, and 215/45/17's in the rear. that allready helps my correct understeer a whooole lot just for starters.

Also, dont get me wrong, ive been running on H&R Race Springs / Bilstein Sport Shocks for a while now, and i absolutley love it, when some might say its too stiff. My point is im no panzy lol, ive been riding race suspensions on the streets ever since day one 10 years ago, i just want it to be road compliant enough for me not to hate it.

so 380/380 on the ground controls with bilstein sport shocks, any other comments on what i should be expecting? cuase its litterally being shipped as we speak..

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SnlpeR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">those rates are prolly good for daily driving
but the stiffer rears might make it a little less comfortable on bump roads

i run 560/450 for the autox car


and the 28mm is most likely the progress bar they made a long time ago..
i think the newer ones are 26mm?

or it could be a whiteline bar</TD></TR></TABLE>

I have had my Progress for about 4yrs.....It may be smaller than 28, never took a caliper to it. I know its crazy stiff and thats on the middle setting.
I think a heavier car will work better with the stiffer rates.....I know running the 400/400 combo in my Hatch just wasn't an option@2000lbs.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Masterbobo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">on a side note...


Im running 225/45/17's in the front, and 215/45/17's in the rear. that allready helps my correct understeer a whooole lot just for starters.

..</TD></TR></TABLE>

The 45's are slowing you down a bit with longer gearing. This is why I run 225/50/15's.

 

i have h&r race springs, the only complaints i get from other people is that my car vibrates when i accelerate. Other then that I love it.

 

bump for more opinions

 

I really think you'll be fine, especially if you are already used to running springs.

I DD mine on stiffer springs and don't have any complaints.

Billsteins are good shocks, probably better than the Koni's. You just can't adjust them is all.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 95PreludeSi &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I really think you'll be fine, especially if you are already used to running springs.

I DD mine on stiffer springs and don't have any complaints.

Billsteins are good shocks, probably better than the Koni's. You just can't adjust them is all.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thats a BIG "IS ALL".......Adjustment is key.....From soft to stiff it converts the car from road worthy to something that will shread turns and get you sea-sick on the road.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SnlpeR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">those rates are prolly good for daily driving
but the stiffer rears might make it a little less comfortable on bump roads

i run 560/450 for the autox car


and the 28mm is most likely the progress bar they made a long time ago..
i think the newer ones are 26mm?

or it could be a whiteline bar</TD></TR></TABLE>

crap i meant neuspeed bar

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by :=:NirVTEC:=: &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Thats a BIG "IS ALL".......Adjustment is key.....From soft to stiff it converts the car from road worthy to something that will shread turns and get you sea-sick on the road.
</TD></TR></TABLE>


the adjustment is sweet. but my guess is that the bilstien sports would do an amazing job when paired with the ground controls aswell. i really have good faith in the bilsteins, i hope they dont dissapoint me ( never have dissapointed me, and thats on dozens and dozens of bilstein equiped cars) they are on the top of my list.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 95PreludeSi &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I really think you'll be fine, especially if you are already used to running springs.

I DD mine on stiffer springs and don't have any complaints.

Billsteins are good shocks, probably better than the Koni's. You just can't adjust them is all.</TD></TR></TABLE>


thats exactly along the lines of what i was thinkin, lol thanks dude!

and yea ive been running race suspensions on dd for a decade know, lol so think ill be fine too.

its just the anticipation lol

 

i cant remember exactly but my gc is 500/400 or 400/500 DD and i like the feel just wanted to add my 2 cents lol

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by M2B4 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i cant remember exactly but my gc is 500/400 or 400/500 DD and i like the feel just wanted to add my 2 cents lol</TD></TR></TABLE>

thats a very important 2 cents lol

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Masterbobo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">


the adjustment is sweet. but my guess is that the bilstien sports would do an amazing job when paired with the ground controls aswell. i really have good faith in the bilsteins, i hope they dont dissapoint me ( never have dissapointed me, and thats on dozens and dozens of bilstein equiped cars) they are on the top of my list.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I don't have anything against the Bilsteins but when you look at the Honda Challenge cars most of them run Konis. Adjustment during the day is sometimes required to keep the car neutral. Being able to adjust tire pressure/dampening will just give you more control. I really like to be able to Dr Jekyl and Mr Hyde from Street Car to Track Beast and the Konis make that very possible.
I just always think of Bilsteins on German cars...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by :=:NirVTEC:=: &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I don't have anything against the Bilsteins but when you look at the Honda Challenge cars most of them run Konis. Adjustment during the day is sometimes required to keep the car neutral. Being able to adjust tire pressure/dampening will just give you more control. I really like to be able to Dr Jekyl and Mr Hyde from Street Car to Track Beast and the Konis make that very possible.
I just always think of Bilsteins on German cars...</TD></TR></TABLE>

oh yea, i dont doubt that their sic, the adjustablility is just awesome. i wouldnt mind a set for sure, but since i had the bilsteins matched with the H&R race springs prior, the shocks are still in great condition, plus im a huge fan of them, .. but if i had to buy a new set, i would definitley go for the konis this time around.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Yield &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Yes you do want higher than stock spring rates in the back if you're trying to dial out some understeer. A lot of autox or racing guys that also use it for daily driving go with 400f/450r or thereabouts. I've seen track only ludes with 700f/1000r or higher!</TD></TR></TABLE>

400f/450r is what I have now, I love it! I used to have the 450s in front, but with the stiffer springs in back the car has much crisper turn in and feels more balanced and neutral in corners. With the konis I really don't think its too stiff at all on the street, passangers haven't complained either. I'm sure you'll enjoy the 380 all around regardless, just make sure your tires are quality and get good pads to match.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by piotrush &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

400f/450r is what I have now, I love it! I used to have the 450s in front, but with the stiffer springs in back the car has much crisper turn in and feels more balanced and neutral in corners. With the konis I really don't think its too stiff at all on the street, passangers haven't complained either. I'm sure you'll enjoy the 380 all around regardless, just make sure your tires are quality and get good pads to match.</TD></TR></TABLE>[QUOTE=piotrush]

That is so nice to hear piotrush your giving me a good feeling that i made a good decision with the suspension for my needs.

I cant wait for the GC's to arrive either tommorow or the next day, because im going to give feedback on my setup to see if our speculations were correct. Ill get back to you guys