Progress Sport Springs

[Stang613]

Hey guys,

I tried searching and I couldn't find anything on Progress Lowering Springs. (part number 40.0807).

The spring rates (as listed on their site) is
240 lbs/in - Front
210 lbs/in - Rear

Which isn't bad, albeit a little firm. That being said, does anyone have this model spring on their car? I had Progress springs on my last car, and they were excellent.

 

[ren274u]

I actually just put them on last week with koni sports, and j&m camber plates. On my 06 I had steeda sports, and tokico dspecs. Although the progress have a higher rate, the koni shocks do an amazing job controlling the ride and I haven't even messed with the settings much. It feels much better then the sports, but that can be up to the konis. Overall im happier with this setup then on my old stang. The drop they say isnt as much as advertised, which im happy about. I didnt want it too low but I liked the rates on the progress springs. Heres a few pics...

The wheels are 18x9.5 with 275/40r18 all around, tires soon the be replaced.

 

[Stang613]

Thanks for the quick response. I was considering this and the Tokico's with a couple Progress Sways too. It looks around the same as the website though.. Give it a week to settle more?

Hows the ride? A lot stiffer than stock or?

 

[Sam Strano]

Progress is yet another brand I've got (though they are admittedly not on the website... not enough time in the day I'm afraid). The rates aren't bad, but I really prefer one particular version of the Steeda Sports which are linear. There is another set that's not and I don't sell those. The car doesn't need a ton of rate, and these springs are the best riding lowering springs I've used. I won't lie to you, mostly because I have all the brands you'd likely consider, but I know you can't go wrong on the Steeda Sport linear version which is why I keep them here in the store and they are a bit softer which is no bad thing for ride (but not so soft to make your bumpstops the default springs.

Yes, the dampers matter--a lot. I can recommend one of 4. Koni STR.T, Koni Sport, D-spec or Bilstein (again I carry all).

Bars. There you want to use mine, that much I can promise. Again, I have Progress bars too, but mine are hollow (like your stock front) which saves a lot of weight--around 20 pounds in total here) and BOTH mine are adjustable, not just the front. And I feel a 24mm rear bar is just too large, in fact I just took mine off my '11 GT (that's the stock size) for my adjustable 22mm rear.

I can do a Steeda Sport/D-spec/Strano Bar package for you for under $1200. Not as cheap as Progress stuff, but I believe better. If you want the Progress stuff, I can help you there too.

 

[Stang613]

Sam - I'm glad you chimed in. STR.T's wouldn't be efficient enough with the Progress right? Progress seem a bit too firm for the struts, are they not?

 

[ren274u]

No matter what springs you decide on, I would highly recommend spending the extra money for the koni sports.

 

[Vapour Trails]

The rates aren't bad, but I really prefer one particular version of the Steeda Sports which are linear.

How would someone know what verison of the steeda sports they have?

 

[Rubrignitz]

Do a google image search and you'll see two different types of spring listed as steeda sport. These are eibach rebranded progressive type sports:








These are the hyperco rebranded linear sports:

 

[Sam Strano]

Sam - I'm glad you chimed in. STR.T's wouldn't be efficient enough with the Progress right? Progress seem a bit too firm for the struts, are they not?

They'll control the springs in terms of critical damping well enough. But I like, as do most folks who like really good handling, damping that's a bit firmer than that. That's where most European cars excel.

If you want the best possible control and the ability to tweak it, then I'd also recommend Koni Sports, but if you just want nice street shocks and don't desire the adjustment, etc. than STR.T's are ok for most moderate lowering springs. Now, with the rates of the Progress that means the damping in the STR.T's is made to work harder--also it'll ride a little stiffer. And if you don't think that the seemingly small difference in rate matters, you can ask Rubrignitz.. he just saw the difference between springs that are of rates similar to the Progress and the linear Steeda Sports I like.

As for how to tell, simply the rear springs of the Steeda Sports I like are linear, the others are dual-rate/progressively wound.

FWIW, even the picture that Rubrignitz posted aren't 100% accurate for the Sports I sell.... the front springs are different, they use fewer coils, but that's the general idea.

 

[Rubrignitz]

Agreed. I've run just about every spring manufactured for the S197 (H&R Race, H&R Sport, steeda competition, steeda ultralite and steeda sports) and the small differences in rates of the steedas are very noticable. Also, IMO a progressive rate spring doesn't ride as smoothly as a linear rate spring. Even the steeda competitions, a higher rate spring @ 225/185 rode smoother than any of the H&R offerings or the ultralites, a lighter spring set. I liked the steeda comps a lot and if I tracked my car that's the set I would have settled on. Sleeper_08 runs them with seemingly great success.

How someone can live with a 375/250 rate spring (H&R Race) or some of the coilover offerings @ 500/350 (or more! approx) is beyond me. While great on a smooth track they don't soak up road irregularites effectively and handling suffers on bumpy roads. I'm now seriously looking at the steeda coilover setup with 200/175 springs. Even the steeda comps at 225# front springs were a bit too stiff for my liking. When I'm taking a curve and bumps throw me off my line on the street what's the use of having super stiff springs?

 

[Sleeper_08]

One benefit of the Steeda Comps is that the stiffer fronts handle the extra weight of the SC & associated plumbing without dropping the front too low.

 

[Rubrignitz]

One benefit of the Steeda Comps is that the stiffer fronts handle the extra weight of the SC & associated plumbing without dropping the front too low.

The comps are probably perfect with an extra 50lbs over the wheels. I've been trying to find a balance of street comfort and handling with this car which I think I've found with steeda sports (hyperco 200/175s). The weight of the car dictates a heavier spring(?) but comfort suffers. I'm itching to try some different things with steeda coilovers and hyperco's assortment of coils. The front of my car rides ~1/4'' high with any of the hyperco fixed length coils (steeda comp/sport). Still haven't figured that one out...maybe my front upper spring seat is out of whack but it won't be an issue with a coilover.

 

[Vapour Trails]

Phew, I think I got the linear sports.

My ride quality is on the harsh side, and I noticed the biggest reduction in comfort from the front bar, not the springs. There are times I have thought about going back to stock springs or stock bars. Unfortunately the roads in my area are in 3rd world condition. Goddamn freeze-thaw-freeze

 

[shikwann]

I have eibach pro kit springs and I'm tired of the ride quality in bumpy rodes, at times if the rut is big enough it'll buck me off my seat. I think that my car is just too low and there isn't enough suspension travel for my koni yellows. : /

 

[Sam Strano]

Phew, I think I got the linear sports.

My ride quality is on the harsh side, and I noticed the biggest reduction in comfort from the front bar, not the springs. There are times I have thought about going back to stock springs or stock bars. Unfortunately the roads in my area are in 3rd world condition. Goddamn freeze-thaw-freeze

Front bar should've had less change to the ride quality unless it's somehow binding a little bit in rotation. In fact when folks are looking for the best ride quality with upgraded handling we'll upgrade the bars and not the springs.....

 

[Sam Strano]

I have eibach pro kit springs and I'm tired of the ride quality in bumpy rodes, at times if the rut is big enough it'll buck me off my seat. I think that my car is just too low and there isn't enough suspension travel for my koni yellows. : /

Well, you certainly have plenty of rebound damping. And I assume you've messed with the settings trying to dial it in. There comes a time when the simply facts must faced--the shorter and stiffer the springs, the more harm to ride quality will result due to less compliance and less working travel.

These are EXACTLY why I recommend the springs I do.

 

[foolio2k4]

Front bar should've had less change to the ride quality unless it's somehow binding a little bit in rotation. In fact when folks are looking for the best ride quality with upgraded handling we'll upgrade the bars and not the springs.....

yes. bars felt like a world of difference without affecting ride quality too much.