I saw Jeff`s setup and it caugh my eye he drives JDM-like springrate:
http://www.itrca.com/gallery/budman/index.php

Shocks/Springs - JIC Magic FLT-A2 15-way adj Coilovers (12k front / 14k rear)

This is unusual for US and Europe as far as I know. I bet some of the oldschool member have talked this out in the past, but it`s interesting. I`m not asking such a dull question like "pro/contra" because this is basic knowledge.
I want to know if some more of you guys prefer a stiffer rear and what are your reasons ? We know, you can be fast or slow with stiffer or softer rear.. it`s up to the driver and how he gets used to it. Where do you learn to setup your car ? Is it the instructors influence ?

I could have sent an IM to Jeff but maybe it`s of public interest..

 

I like a stiff rear cause when ya need to slide it left or right it reacts better

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ITR5874 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Shocks/Springs - JIC Magic FLT-A2 15-way adj Coilovers (12k front / 14k rear)

This is unusual for US and Europe as far as I know.

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afaik, lower front/higher rear spring rates are the norm in the US...

but of course your setup should depend on your preferences and comfort level

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ITR5874 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I saw Jeff`s setup and it caugh my eye he drives JDM-like springrate:
http://www.itrca.com/gallery/budman/index.php

Shocks/Springs - JIC Magic FLT-A2 15-way adj Coilovers (12k front / 14k rear)
</TD></TR></TABLE>

You actually got it backwards. He's running the US favored set-up with a stiffer rear. Typical JDM setup would be 12k Front, 8k Rear.

 

stiffer rear rides like ***...all depends on how you want the car to handle...I would recomend 12kf and 10k rear with a bigger sway bar in the rear to correct the sloppiness of the softer rear and you will also have a cmfier ride

 

Oh, really ??? uhm..

Sorry, my fault. 12/8 is exactly my setup, so I`m running a JDM setup... okay.

So Budmans numbers are normal. I have never driven a stiffer rear. How does it feel ? I mean there`s a famous track in my country. The GP-Nürburgring. You hit 5500rpm in 5th downwards heading for a tight curve (Castrol-S)
Look:


The *** gets loose even with a softer spring in the rear when you brake into that right curve..

Can you describe how it feels with a stiffer rear ? How can you handle that ?

 

Actually, I just like it stiffer

The real reason is I'm more comfortable with the back sliding out during trail-braking or 'off-throttle' oversteer. That's my preference. With most front wheel drives having a tendency to understeer, you have to wait for the back end to come around...with the Mugen 26mm rear sway + stiffer rear shocks + my damper settings higher in the rear it's all about swinging the tail & getting back on the throttle quicker.

That's my .02 & I'm sticking to it. If you've seen my videos (http://www.itrca.com/gallery/b...x.php) you can catch T10 & the rear opening up, because the screen 'slides' faster than my steering input.

Feel free to ask any questions - obviously, I posted all of my modifications to help anyone else who wants to know one of the many ways to get the car to run well & still be a 'daily driver' when necessary.


Modified by BudMan at 7:00 AM 8/22/2004

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ITR5874 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> We know, you can be fast or slow with stiffer or softer rear.. it`s up to the driver and how he gets used to it. Where do you learn to setup your car ? Is it the instructors influence ?

I could have sent an IM to Jeff but maybe it`s of public interest..

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

Sometimes, I even soften it up a bit - at the Expo, I had to soften the rear, because the settings I ran at Heartland Park in Topeka caused a 'dangerous' oversteer coming over the blind T7. I like it loose, but I wasn't comfortable...even I learn lessons eventually

 

Okay - I'm really jealous...when I was in Germany a few years ago, the ring wasn't an option for me financially. I WOULD LOVE TO DRIVE THAT!!!!!

Anyway, yes from the standpoint of going high-speed into a low-speed corner, you have the g's on the front-end with good brakes to make an R light in the back-end. That's the feeling I want in lower speed corners and slaloms. Also, the thicker rear sway helps with sweeping corners where a slight throttle modification can alter your line.

You do have to be more careful on the kind of corner you mentioned, but not enough to outway the benefit of the rest of the track in my opinion.

Thanks for your interest in my beater

 

I am impressed by your onboard videos... I remember you had been the guy who once really apexed to soon and got in the grass, right ? lol! Priceless !

It`s just I try to learn from people who do things different for some reasons. I want to do better on my own and I am ready to study, but before I go out and try, I want to understand the why? and the how?. I`m interested in "how to setup and how to drive". To bad we probably will never hit the same track the same time...

 

I just noticed you work for a B/D, Budman! I work at one too!! Which one do you work for?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ITR5874 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I am impressed by your onboard videos... I remember you had been the guy who once really apexed to soon and got in the grass, right ? lol! Priceless !
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You remembering that video is priceless Can you tell I don't mind making fun of myself? That's also why I post things like Edwin passing me or last year going off-track. If you never make mistakes, you aren't pushing hard enough (that's my excuse for making mistakes ) Anyone who hasn't seen it - look here for 2003 expo video (http://www.itrca.com/gallery/b...x.php)


<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EKology &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I just noticed you work for a B/D, Budman! I work at one too!! Which one do you work for? </TD></TR></TABLE>

EK - I work for VSR Financial in Kansas City. We are a very small independent (~230 reps). I take care of the RIA marketing and Rep transition. There are only ~45 people at the home office - nicey nice. I have the best job in the world!!!

email me if you want anymore info...and let me know where you are working