TobyCat;1280485 said:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but pre-loading your springs is only an issue with non-linear spring rates. Since most (if not all?) coilovers I have used and read about have all had linear springs, then preloading them shouldn't make a difference. The only issue arises when you lower your car too low and reach the maximum compression range of the springs themselves...yikes that is hard on the car. If you insist on having your car that low, make sure whatever coil over you are using have quality bump stops.
I have used a combination of:
Intrax springs + Tokico blues
Cusco somethings (from Japan)
Tein SS with Tein pillow mounts
Tein HAs
I'm running the HAs on my car now, and for every day driving I do find them a bit on the rough side. I like the stance of my car and for the most part it isn't too low that I need to inch over speed bumps. With a low supra + large exhaust you will find going in/out of some parking lots can be a pain.
As far as build quality goes, I'd say that Cusco makes the best product of those I have experience with. They don't rust - unlike Tein - and are quite a bit lighter. I didn't like them because the spring rates were much too high for my liking.
A matching set of quality sway bars will improve the handling (and especially body roll) of your car by a good margin as well. I have suspension techniques, and they are pretty good. I can't compare them to anything other than stock though.
tErbo_b00st: You might want to reread your posts before coming across as a suspension expert...I have never seen you here on SM and your opinions would be better backed with some proof. You say X set of suspension is crap? Well provide some results.
thanks for the very informative post :nono:
i don't have time to go through and find a bunch of data to support my theories, than explain how to read/understand shock dyno plots...as well as go into suspension theory. this is part of the reason i havn't posted here much. I know it sounds like a cop out, but i really don't have the time. If I find myself some time I will make a new post with some very informative information (I will try to do so in the near future).
preloading springs is not just bad on a progressive springs. A linear spring is rated in lbs/inch (or kg/mm) which means for a given force (lbs) the spring will deflect a certain distance. If you have 500 lbs/inch springs that means the spring will deflect 1 inch with a force (weight) of 500 lbs exerted against it. BUT if you deflect the spring 1 inch with preload...now it takes 500 lbs of extra force before it will deflect any more. Hence why I say it is difficult for your suspension to now absorb bumps in the road. When used properly, and on a well paved track, preload can be advantageous, but as a general rule of thumb, little to no preload is desirable.
"The only issue arises when you lower your car too low and reach the maximum compression range of the springs themselves"
- a good set of coilovers will either A) be properly matched to your desired ride height so you can be "slammed" and still be 100% in the useable range of the damper. or B) height adjustable without "drooping" of the springs, ie the damper will adjust up/down on the lower mounting point as opposed to the the spring moving up/down the shock body.
"A matching set of quality sway bars will improve the handling (and especially body roll) of your car by a good margin as well. I have suspension techniques, and they are pretty good. I can't compare them to anything other than stock though."
- do you even understand how sway bars work? You also, have nothing to compare your results with so thanks for your "opinion". They work by transfering the load laterally from one side of the car to the other. what this means is the natural tendency for the suspension to do it's job his hindered by forcing more load on a tire that is already loaded up. What does this mean? less overal lateral traction. Sway bars are good in controlling roll and weight transfer, which is good for overall handling, however too thick of a bar and you loose overall grip. Have you heard how a bigger bar on the rear will increase oversteer, or a bigger bar in the front will increase understeer? Well imagine when you put a bigger bar on both ends...decreased grip all around. The thing about suspension tuning is there is a lot of theory, a lot of driver preference, and many ways to achieve one final goal. IN MY OPINION (and wisass as well) sway bars are best used as a tool to fine tune the balance of a car...let your springs control roll. And using a smaller sway bar than a larger one is the goal. for reference I'm using stock sways, and have no plan on changing.
god dammit, now i spent way too much time on this post...fuck you tobycat :icon_razz
