FWD vs. AWD lowering springs

[DarkstarTsi]

I don't know if this has been asked before but I would like to know if a set of FWD lowering springs will work on a AWD car(91 talon awd). Most places sell diferent springs for AWD and FWD cars. I assume that front springs will work fine since both AWD and FWD setups are the same but what about the rear springs??
Thanx

 

[Templisk]

After a few quick searches here's a few key things I saw:

AWD is heavier, the AWD springs are made for the extra weight from the AWD components. FWD springs *most likely* will not be able to handle the extra weight (will induce sagging)

FWD/AWD rear springs are NOT interchangable (AWD springs are for AWD cars, FWD for FWD cars)

 

[DarkstarTsi]

So what you are saying is that "phisically" FWD springs would fit in an AWD car but the load that they will support is different.
Thanx

 

[mdctalon]

You could most likely make them fit somehow, but why? Like he said the FWD won't be able to handle the weight as well. You probaly won't be happy with them in the end. I would say do it right, get the AWD springs and that way you will never have to worry about it.

 

[Black95TSIawd]

i kno 2g's, the suspension is the same, even spring rates. I have FWD RS*R springs on my car and they fit fine and also dropped the car the same.

 

[arash15]

So what you are saying is that "phisically" FWD springs would fit in an AWD car but the load that they will support is different.
Thanx

yeah they will fit but since the awd is heavier, then the fwd would actually be lifted because it doesnt have the extra weight of an awd and wouldnt be able to handle the stiffness difference between springs.

 

[Templisk]

Like I said I just did a search, and FWD vs AWD - AWD is heavier so let's look at it this way:

Let's say the AWD weighs 3,000 pounds and the FWD weighs 2500 pounds. There's a 500 pound difference between the 2, and the DSM has a 60/40 front/rear weight distribution.

This means in an AWD (fictional numbers btw) that the front wheels are subject to 1800 pounds of weight (or 900 pounds on each wheel) and the rear wheels are subject to 1200 pounds (or 600 pounds on each wheel)

Respectively FWD will be slightly lighter, at 1500 pounds in the front (750 pounds on each wheel) and 1000 pounds in the rear (500 pounds in the rear)

So, if a spring used for FWD is made to support 750 pounds of load on each corner, but is subjected to 900 pounds of weight it will sag, regardless of how much is visible, or you can feel. This will result in lower ride quality.

So it may seem just fine, but you'd do better with a spring made for that application specifically. Something to look into might be coilovers, with the adjustable spring rates it may not matter. Anyone know about that?

 

[jtmcinder]

Before you guys go too much further, please read this: http://dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=145792&highlight=FWD+AWD+theories

Yes, that thread is about 2Gs, but it's worth a look.

- Jtoby

 

[Templisk]

For those too lazy to check the other forum here's the main stuff:

Spring Rates:

95-96 OEM Stock 2G AWD
Front: 265
Rear: 162 (+/- 8)

97-99 OEM Stock 2G AWD
Front: 246
Rear: 151

95-96 OEM Stock 2G FWD
Front: 246
Rear: 173

97-99 OEM Stock 2G FWD
Front: 246
Rear: 151

Explanation of spring rate differences

Here we go again.

First off, for the years that 2G FWDs and 2G AWDs had different rates, the AWDs had lower rear rates than the FWDs. If the reason for the difference was a difference in sprung weights, as claimed above, then it would have been the other way around, since the added weight of AWD is almost all in the rear.

Second, for these years, the front rates for FWDs were lower those for AWDs, even though the front ends of FWDs and AWDs weigh about the same.

So much for the theories, guesses, what-ever of UCSLugRacerX.

The real reason for the difference in rates was to reduce lateral weight transfer in the front end of the FWDs to reduce the chances of spinning the inside front at corner exit. (Remember: these cars have an open front diff.) By softening the fronts and stiffening the rears (in the FWDs), more weight transfers at the rear and the fronts have a bit more grip.

Note: the difference in rates was only for the first two years of the 2G. After that Mitsu gave up and just went with the same rates for all DSMs. With that said, one of the best really cheap ways to get a 97+ to handle better is to get the rear springs off a 95-96 FWD. The increase in rear rate will help quite a bit. This is actually a pretty well known cheater mod for those running 97+s in SCCA Stock class ... extremely hard to detect ... but it is still cheating and you would be slime for doing it.

- Jtoby

 

[Talon2z]

Which would be the better choice for the Spyder, AWD or FWD springs?

 

[DarkstarTsi]

Ok then, does any 1G owner use the Tein S-tech lowering springs on their AWD cars??? If so, how good are they??? I like the drop they have 1.2 front and 1.6 rear. Plus the spring rates are 213 lbs front and 179 lbs. rear. Any feedback will be appreciated.
Thanx.