Coilover spring rates

[abaum565]

I am looking to get a set of k-sport coilovers for my 98 gs-t. They come with 13/7 f/r spring rates. My question is, are these rates going to be to stiff for my use? Daily driver, roads in Wisconsin aren't exactly "smooth". From your experience what works best for rates for an application like this? I can order them with custom spring rates but only +/-2 so I could go 11/5. Thanks

 

[snowborder714]

The 13/7 kgf/mm (728/392 lbs/in) combination is going to be a very stiff spring. I have the Tein Flex coilovers and they have a 10/6 kgf/mm (560/340 lbs/in) combination and on the hardest setting, are very stiff. If you were into autox, road racing, etc. then I would say to go with them. But that is going to be a very stiff spring just for daily driving, especially on not-so-good roads. They are adjustable but I'm not sure how soft of a setup you're looking for.

Which specific model are you looking into getting?

 

[abaum565]

Here is the specific link to the model:

eBay Motors: Ksport Coilovers 95-99 Eclipse 96-97-98 FREE SHIPPING (item 260200451110 end time Jan-12-08 20:33:26 PST)

It says that the spring rates are 9/6 but I called to confirm and they are acctually 13/7.

So do you think 11/5 would be more comfortable? Thanks

 

[bane3d]

Did you do a search in the forums about k-sport coilovers? I read a lot of issues with the shock blowing out in cold weather. It would be a shame for you to blow $750 + s/h only to have it last for one year.

d

 

[snowborder714]

Is your car only a daily driver, mainly a dd with some track use, just a weekend car, etc.?

The 11/5 combo would be more comfortable than the 13/7 on the hardest settings obviously. Now, whether you run with them on the hardest setting is a different story. Since they're 36 way adjustable dampening, you can always turn it down. Then if/when you go to a track, just turn it back up.

 

[abaum565]

We don't have many tracks around here. I try to get the drap strip once a year. So it's more or less a weekend car that I drive sometimes during the week. I am not looking for some really stiff coilovers for track use, I want to be able to control the dampening and hieght and make the car a little tighter.

I did search quite a bit on what coilovers to get. Everything from Tein, D2, Megan, K-sport, and so on...I heard of them blowing out in cold weather. I do not drive my car in winter up here, it stays in a heated garage. And so many people like them. Like I said before I want a nice ride and nice set of coilovers, not the "best" or most expensive. And I also know "you get what you pay for". But thanks for all your help so far. It would be nice for me to know and maybe others in my situation, what springs rates are good for my application, as they vary so much and can be somewhat confusing. Thanks

 

[snowborder714]

Well, considering your uses for the car, I'd say those spring rates are too stiff. You don't really need stiff springs for drag either.

Why not look into the Tein Basic coilovers? They're on the cheaper side (not sure how much compared to other brands though) and the spring rate would be a good one for your use. As for other brands, other people will have to help you out as I only have experience with the Tein Flex system.

Another thing I would highly suggest if you're looking to tighten up your ride is sway bars. I have the RM sway bars and they do an amazing job. Highly recommended.

 

[architechnik]

+1 on different sway bars.

I've been researching the effects of suspension mods while I plan on upgrading my slow-reacting current setup. The consensus from the wise men states that as you increase the spring rate, depending on the front and rear balance, you will have increased oversteer or understeer.

Swapping the sway bars to match your new setup will compensate for the changes. Under 600 on the front and most people really enjoy swapping the front and rear, while over 700 on the front lets the stock front perform quite well with new bushings.

 

[abaum565]

I was thinking of going 11/6 with megan sway bars front upper, rear upper, and rear lower. Do you think that setup might be okay for my use, cost effective but practical and drivable. Thanks

 

[turbosax2]

I was thinking of going 11/6 with megan sway bars front upper, rear upper, and rear lower. Do you think that setup might be okay for my use, cost effective but practical and drivable. Thanks

You're referring to "strut bars", not "sway bars".

These are sway bars.

 

[abaum565]

Correct "strut bars" is what I meant. Thanks.

RM sway bars would be nice, but I am not sure if i need them?

 

[turbosax2]

I would rather buy sway bars than strut bars - they make more of a difference. Sway bars are about $300 and the Megan bars are about $130 for all 3 bars. If you can afford the sway bars instead of the strut bars, I say go for it.

 

[abaum565]

A pair of RM's and K-sports (11/5) is what I think I am going to go for.

I am still looking for some info like: "hey, that going to be too stiff" or "that is going to be too soft" etc. Like snowborder714 said, I could go with Tein basic's but i don't get nearly the adjustability with them.

 

[snowborder714]

A pair of RM's and K-sports (11/5) is what I think I am going to go for.

I am still looking for some info like: "hey, that going to be too stiff" or "that is going to be too soft" etc. Like snowborder714 said, I could go with Tein basic's but i don't get nearly the adjustability with them.

That sounds like a good plan.

If you think that you're going to get the RM's and the 11/5 coilovers, then do it. It sounds like you're waiting for someone to tell you what to get (no offense). Also, everyone's perception of hard suspension and soft suspension is different. When I first installed my coilovers and set them on the hardest setting, I thought it was way too hard for me. But after driving it, I got used to it and now love riding with them set at that. I still keep it on the softest though when highway driving since PA roads suck.