Proper Spring Rate????
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From: Bremerton, WA
Proper Spring Rate???? Just last night I installed my front and rear coilover kit (double adjustable QA1s) from Autofab Race Cars, and I haven't fully adjusted them correctly for the proper ride height (no spanner wrench with kit, so I am waiting for the one I just ordered). They sent 175lb/in for the rear and 325lb/in for the front, the rear seems to hold the weight well, but the front coils have about an 1/4inch gap between the individual wraps (which seems small). I know the weight distribution of the Fbods isn't much over 60/40 (if even over), so why the small gaps up front or are the heavier springs just supposed to compress that much?
So I guess my question is does anyone think that the front is too soft and could possibly bottom out at full compression, or is the coil supposed to be that way?
Thanks
So I guess my question is does anyone think that the front is too soft and could possibly bottom out at full compression, or is the coil supposed to be that way?
Thanks
The hot setup from the "experts" a few months ago was about 400/125. I never liked it. The car was always on the bumpstops. I distinctly recall being told that was OK and even desireable to get the car to rotate. 
It seems the setup now, from the same "experts" is closer to 650/175 ...
I run LGM Super Springs on my street car, which are about 550/160 IIRC. On my CMC Firebird, I currently run 700/200 and am thinking 800/225 might be even better.
It seems the setup now, from the same "experts" is closer to 650/175 ...
I run LGM Super Springs on my street car, which are about 550/160 IIRC. On my CMC Firebird, I currently run 700/200 and am thinking 800/225 might be even better.
Last edited by mitchntx; Sep 28, 2005 at 06:22 PM.
Again with the taking stuff out of context... I guess it'll never end. I'll just point out the facts.
First fact is 325/175 is too soft in the front if you are running under stock ride height, 175 is way too stiff in the rear for anything less than at least 600 in the front.
Second fact is Mitch's street springs are not 550/160, the LG's are indeed 550 front, but the rears are 170-220 progressives, and never are 160 let alone are that rate when he's driving around.
Third fact is that the 400/125 rate were never claimed to be the outright best track setup, but a good street setup that can work on a track, so you might want to try keeping things in context. And frankly would work best for this gentleman because of poor damping the QA1 shocks have.
First fact is 325/175 is too soft in the front if you are running under stock ride height, 175 is way too stiff in the rear for anything less than at least 600 in the front.
Second fact is Mitch's street springs are not 550/160, the LG's are indeed 550 front, but the rears are 170-220 progressives, and never are 160 let alone are that rate when he's driving around.
Third fact is that the 400/125 rate were never claimed to be the outright best track setup, but a good street setup that can work on a track, so you might want to try keeping things in context. And frankly would work best for this gentleman because of poor damping the QA1 shocks have.
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www.stranoparts.com --814-849-3450
Results matter. Talk is cheap. We are miles beyond the success anyone else has had with the 4th gens, and C5, C6, C7 Corvettes,
10 SCCA Solo National Championships, 2008 Driver of they Year, 2012 Driver of Eminence
13 SCCA Pro Solo Nationals Championships
2023 UMI King of the Mountain Champion
