I have a 91 CRX SI with a GSR motor and am getting the KY/GC setup. The car will not be used as a daily driver, but will occasionally be driven on the street. Ride comfort is NOT a big issue. This car will be auto crossing, and circuit racing. After doing some research, it seems due to the lightness of the CRX spring rates over 500 are not recommended. Also should the rear coilovers have more, less, or the same spring rate as the front coilovers. TIA.

 

also....would I need top hats? From what I understand, top hats improve the shock/spring travel when the shock goes upward.

 

Asking for exact springs rates is kind of like asking how much pepper is best on scrambled eggs- it is all a matter of preference. I have race many CRXs for many years on 400f/600r and know that it is brutal on the street, mostly from impacts through the rear. I have my street CRX Si-ZC on 400f/350r for an aggressive but livable ride (my preference) on the local Cincinnati area roads. As you increase the rear spring rate, the short wheelbase of the CRX is going to get stiffer for the passengers and can also maake the car more nervous. I would not sugest going higher on the fronts unless you live on billiard table smooth roads. Some people will throw higher spring rates at these cars but in 15+ years of working with CRX suspension, I don't think these cars benefit from more than that and still maintain good tire grip.

 

If you don't have short body shocks and plan to run your car more than on inch or inch and a half below stock, the GC upper mounts are a pretty good idea. I have them on the front of my car with a set of normal KONI Sports and the 400f/350r rates and a Neuspeed rear sway bar.