Linear vs Progressive
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 0
From: Kaneohe, Hawaii
Linear vs Progressive There was a thread here about some using LT1 springs in their LS1 Camaro because for his driving purposes it was better? I forget, got me thinking though, pros/cons of Linear or Progressive springs?
Thoughts?
Thoughts?
I think the pro for linear is, a single spring rate can be tuned
by a single shock damping setting while progressive has more
rate at high compression than low and a constant shock damping
cannot match all regions. Now, having an underdamped high-
compression region might not be so bad, maybe replant the
tire a bit faster, I dunno.
The pro for progressives is that, at small travel from normal
they can have a near-stock spring rate for ride comfort but
still not bottom out. But, there's perhaps a fallacy in that.
The progressives work by progressive coil bind and that
means the spring has a lot more coils, at least this is how
my Hotchkiss appear. So for large travel you may actually
bind earlier than stock, especially if you put more coils in
a dropped-spring span. Heavier too I have little doubt.
On the other hand if you're dropped you will probably start
scraping other stuff by the time coil bind happens, so it
may not really matter.
My Hotchkiss are tolerable but I kind of think I would have
been happier with SLP Eibachs or 1LE springs, a 3/4" drop
and a little better rough-road ride perhaps.
by a single shock damping setting while progressive has more
rate at high compression than low and a constant shock damping
cannot match all regions. Now, having an underdamped high-
compression region might not be so bad, maybe replant the
tire a bit faster, I dunno.
The pro for progressives is that, at small travel from normal
they can have a near-stock spring rate for ride comfort but
still not bottom out. But, there's perhaps a fallacy in that.
The progressives work by progressive coil bind and that
means the spring has a lot more coils, at least this is how
my Hotchkiss appear. So for large travel you may actually
bind earlier than stock, especially if you put more coils in
a dropped-spring span. Heavier too I have little doubt.
On the other hand if you're dropped you will probably start
scraping other stuff by the time coil bind happens, so it
may not really matter.
My Hotchkiss are tolerable but I kind of think I would have
been happier with SLP Eibachs or 1LE springs, a 3/4" drop
and a little better rough-road ride perhaps.
Last edited by jimmyblue; Mar 5, 2005 at 10:00 AM.
Linear pros- much easier to match to a shock. Cons- you have to pick, stiffer ride or better handling.
Progressive pros- more comfortable ride than linear of the same final spring rate. Cons is that it's going to be pretty had to find a shocked valved correctly.
My previous set-up consisted of LT1 Eiback Pro Kit springs and SLP Bilstiens. I was happy with it only went to GC coil overs in the front when I bought some Koni DAs for cheap. Warning, if you plan on matching the LT1s with Koni DAs likeI did, the progressive spring winding gets tighter at the top,,,, right where the adjuster is. I could not easily adjust my shocks while they were on the car. That is the reason I went with the coil overs.
Progressive pros- more comfortable ride than linear of the same final spring rate. Cons is that it's going to be pretty had to find a shocked valved correctly.
My previous set-up consisted of LT1 Eiback Pro Kit springs and SLP Bilstiens. I was happy with it only went to GC coil overs in the front when I bought some Koni DAs for cheap. Warning, if you plan on matching the LT1s with Koni DAs likeI did, the progressive spring winding gets tighter at the top,,,, right where the adjuster is. I could not easily adjust my shocks while they were on the car. That is the reason I went with the coil overs.
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 0
From: Kaneohe, Hawaii
Ok, I think I understand. Still comes down to a preference, not really one better than the other. Like most mods, depends on what you're gonna do with it. More stuff to consider
