Higher spring rates vs. adjusting coilovers stiffer

[magnido45]

Please educate me as I am still learning.
I am running 7K front (392lb/in) / 5K rear (280lb/in).
What is the difference in performance and ride quality if I ran stiffer springs up front...just an example... say 8K (448lb/in) vs. adjusting my front coilovers to a stiffer setting?


Thanks.

 

[Whiskey11]

Please educate me as I am still learning.
I am running 7K front (392lb/in) / 5K rear (280lb/in).
What is the difference in performance and ride quality if I ran stiffer springs up front...just an example... say 8K (448lb/in) vs. adjusting my front coilovers to a stiffer setting?


Thanks.

Transient behavior...

More specifically, your dampers are designed to tune transient behavior (quick transitions) and weight transfer.

Stiffer springs are intended to minimize the displacement of the suspension.

Using the dampers and "dialing" them up to achieve less body roll (something not possible on most sanely valved dampers) is using the dampers as a spring which outside of stock class autocross, should be avoided.

To expound even further, stiffening your dampers will effect handling during varying stages of the corner. For instance, stiffer rear rebound will cause the car to turn in quicker but can effect corner exit traction too.

Stiffer springs effect every stage of the corner in essentially the same way. That generalization is too familiar (if not always true): Stiffening springs up front = understeer, stiffening springs out back = oversteer.

Not always true, but a decent rule of thumb for properly sprung cars.

 

[magnido45]

Transient behavior...

More specifically, your dampers are designed to tune transient behavior (quick transitions) and weight transfer.

Stiffer springs are intended to minimize the displacement of the suspension.

Using the dampers and "dialing" them up to achieve less body roll (something not possible on most sanely valved dampers) is using the dampers as a spring which outside of stock class autocross, should be avoided.

To expound even further, stiffening your dampers will effect handling during varying stages of the corner. For instance, stiffer rear rebound will cause the car to turn in quicker but can effect corner exit traction too.

Stiffer springs effect every stage of the corner in essentially the same way. That generalization is too familiar (if not always true): Stiffening springs up front = understeer, stiffening springs out back = oversteer.

Not always true, but a decent rule of thumb for properly sprung cars.

Thanks, Whiskey11!!!
I'm assuming stiffer springs (even w/ properly valved coilovers) will also contribute to a harsher ride as the spring rate goes up?

 

[Vorshlag-Fair]

Yes, increasing spring rate can negatively affect ride quality. At a certain point it will suffer with any damper, of course. Due to the rear suspension being a solid axle the rear springs are additive in bump, so they will act like a 560 pound spring when the entire axle hits the same impact.

I am running 7K front (392lb/in) / 5K rear (280lb/in).

To me.... the rates you are running seem a tad soft up front and yet too firm out back. They don't seem to "go together" well, for this chassis. Is this is an eBay/Chinese coilover kit? If not, what is the coilover brand and model?

edit: Whiskey answered the shock vs spring questions well, nothing to add there.

 

[Whiskey11]

Yes, increasing spring rate can negatively affect ride quality. At a certain point it will suffer with any damper, of course. Due to the rear suspension being a solid axle the rear springs are additive in bump, so they will act like a 560 pound spring when the entire axle hits the same impact.

To me.... the rates you are running seem a tad soft up front and yet too firm out back. They don't seem to "go together" well, for this chassis. Is this is an eBay/Chinese coilover kit? If not, what is the coilover brand and model?

edit: Whiskey answered the shock vs spring questions well, nothing to add there.

My guess is BC Racing. At which point, I question the quality of the valving to handle more spring rate anywhere, let alone up front.

 

[magnido45]

Yes...BC Racing...