Spring rates with coilovers and new rear dampers

[EddySpaghetti]

Hi,

I read the caliper refurb thread with jealousy! - can't get my ffronts off at he moment and think they may need drilling cos I can't get heat on them in the communal garage at my flat!

Nice off topic start there...

Once i've got them off I want to fit new dampers when i stick all back together again. I've decided to go with Gaz gear, and I'd like to go coilovers at front and damper only at back, preferably adjusing rear ride height to match the new front height without reindexing. Does any one have experience of doing that using the eccentric adjuster on the trailing arm blade?

I know there isn't much movement there, so think I need to be careful on spring rates at front to give a long enough spring that also won't bind coils on compression.

I've had recommendations of 250, 300, and 'no less than 350' ! Just thought I'd ask if anyone has experience using springs at the softer end? I don't really want a racing setup as will use the car on road with occasional track days- I have thought about using soft (250) springs keeping ride height drop to about 15mm (adjustable limit on the eccentric adjuster at back?) then maybe fitting 968cs rollbars at either end to control body roll.

Would be interested in your thoughts, I'd like to go ahead and order so I can fit everyting back up in 2-3 weeks time.

Cheers!

Eddy

 

[scam75]

Hi Eddy

I fitted that same Gaz set-up with 300lb springs. They seem just about right for fast road use and occasional track day. There is plenty adjustment in the struts themselves to give a softer or harder feel.

My car was already re-indexed at the back when I bought it, so can't help you there i'm afraid.

Make sure you treat the shocks with something to keep the rust at bay before fitting or else don't go out in the wet/snow/salt etc. like i did![]

Stuart

 

[CarreraRSR]

Go to EMC for your GAZ needs. They will offer road to race options and Kev's advice is spot on.

Just had my 931 done with 944 coilovers front and rear. It is harder than expected with 400lb springs up front, not sure of the rear helper spring. They reindexed the torsion bar to suit. Having a rear helper spring gives you more options in the set up. My car was set up for fast road and track days. It will work well on track but is a little harsh for everyday road use. Good job its not my only car. However the beauty of these is the ride height can be lifted an I have plently of bump/rebound adjustment to soften off.

 

[Neil Haughey]

You need rear helper springs or harder torsion bars if fitting front springs stiffer then about 200 lb/inch if one wants to maintain anything like the original balance of the car.

 

[sawood12]

No point in doing it unless you are stiffening up springs. These aftermarket kits are better than stock because of the stiffer spring rates - and you don't want to increase spring rates up front without doing the same at the rear. It seems alot of poeple who have installed rear coilovers recently seem to have got away with having to re-index, so that makes things more affordable.