Choosing coilover spring rates for your EVO

[GTWORX.com]

Originally Posted by 425EVO

I've been researching coilovers lately and im having trouble picking a set out. can i have some input on what you guys think please? ill be using my car as my daily driver, and will be used at the track rarely, but every once n awhile. my budget is around 2k or under, i searched for a thread like this but couldnt find one

the ones that ive been looking at are KW, H&R, Helix, and Hein.
thank you for the help

that would be best for a different thread. this thread is so you can look at coilover specs and know what you're seeing.

here's a list of things that DON'T matter:

1. number of clicks of adjustment
2. pretty colors
3. popularity in magazines, or the show car circuit.
4. what your friend's cousin uses on his 240sx
5. amount of advertising

In fact, if a coilover is good at any of the above 5 things, it's probably a good one to avoid. Weird how that works.

- Andrew

[wrcRS]

Originally Posted by DaWorstPlaya

Ohlins NC won't do it. You'll have to do it at PSI. I've been around that block.

http://www.performanceshocks.com/

These are the only guys in the US that will do JDM spec Ohlins (Sportlines and DFVs fall under that). The guys there are very good. Flags are a completely different beast internally, more eurospec and can be done at most other Ohlins service centers.

If making the jump to R-comps from STU, might I suggest the following spring rates.
Fronts: 12K or 650lb/in
Rears: 14K or 750lb/in

That jump will definately require a revalve. Its slightly on the "softer" side (relatively speaking ofcourse) but you can always either add sway bars or the valving will allow +/- 2K change in spring rates if you decide to go stiffer. You'll need coilover springs with the following dimensions for the DFVs, 8" length 2.5" ID.

Interesting, what are some of the main differences? I am considering going up in spring rate and possibly getting my DFV's revalved. I didn't know that most Ohlins service centers won't rebuild/revalve the DFV's.

[GTWORX.com]

Give them a call to be sure....things are changing a little bit at Ohlins USA. Better quality...

- andrew

[Jeff_Jeske]

Originally Posted by GTWORX.com

Here's a list of things that DON'T matter:

1. number of clicks of adjustment
2. pretty colors
3. popularity in magazines, or the show car circuit.
4. what your friend's cousin uses on his 240sx
5. amount of advertising

In fact, if a coilover is good at any of the above 5 things, it's probably a good one to avoid. Weird how that works.

- Andrew

Excellent post!

[Evo Girlie]

Pmed the OP =)

Would 8k front and 10k rear be a bad ride for a daily driven evo??? I'm debating changing the 10k 14k set up before installing them and hating the ride.

Any suggestions on spring rate for a daily evo that sees track maybe 10% of the time.


Thanks

[delongedoug]

I run 8k/10k daily and it's fine. You'll feel bridge knuckles and such, but I don't think the ride's uncomfortable.

[Evo Girlie]

Originally Posted by delongedoug

I run 8k/10k daily and it's fine. You'll feel bridge knuckles and such, but I don't think the ride's uncomfortable.

how does it compare to stock suspension??? I know it's kind of hard to compare sometimes but i've never had coilovers and i'm on swift springs which I love. So I don't want to regret installing my coilovers lol.

[delongedoug]

I went from Tanabe springs to this and was very surprised at how similar it felt. If someone changed my suspension on me, I probably wouldn't have really noticed. I was expecting it to be real harsh and unbearable like I've read, but these rates are very tolerable but are great for autoX. I do a few track days, but just for fun. My car's not set up for the track. It's set up for autoX. Despite being a non-issue on the street, these absolutely blew my mind when I went through my first slalom with them and I've been extremely happy with them and enjoyed them all season.

What coilovers are you looking at? That makes a difference, but the 8k/10k should be perfectly fine day in, day out, at the track and between the cones.

[Evo Girlie]

Originally Posted by delongedoug

I went from Tanabe springs to this and was very surprised at how similar it felt. If someone changed my suspension on me, I probably wouldn't have really noticed. I was expecting it to be real harsh and unbearable like I've read, but these rates are very tolerable but are great for autoX. I do a few track days, but just for fun. My car's not set up for the track. It's set up for autoX. Despite being a non-issue on the street, these absolutely blew my mind when I went through my first slalom with them and I've been extremely happy with them and enjoyed them all season.

What coilovers are you looking at? That makes a difference, but the 8k/10k should be perfectly fine day in, day out, at the track and between the cones.

jic flt tar came with 10k F 14k R, but i'm going to switch the 10k to the rear and probably purchase just 8k for the front unless a different combo is better for my use.

thanks for the help

[GTWORX.com]

Remember he has Ohlins which have very very good valving. That makes a huge difference.

How do I put this....

I hope your JIC's have custom valving?


- Andrew

[Ludikraut]

Also remember that the springs on the JIC's probably aren't going to be progressive. So you will feel small bumps/irregularities noticably more than with the Swift spring. For comparison's sake, the Swift spec-r springs are approximately 6.4K front and 6.8K rear.

l8r)

[mrubino83]

Looking at getting the KW V3 coilovers for my X. The info I have found says that the spring rates are:

KW Variant 3 ....................... 8.0 kg* ........... 7.0 kg*

Are these springs rate well suited for a DD with occasional track days?

I read earlier in this thread that you dont want a softer spring rate in the rear. So would the V3s benefit from a stiffer rear spring?

[GTWORX.com]

Originally Posted by mrubino83

Looking at getting the KW V3 coilovers for my X. The info I have found says that the spring rates are:

KW Variant 3 ....................... 8.0 kg* ........... 7.0 kg*

Are these springs rate well suited for a DD with occasional track days?

I read earlier in this thread that you dont want a softer spring rate in the rear. So would the V3s benefit from a stiffer rear spring?

I'm not sure if those are the correct spring rates. I believe they are 8k/10k, which is pretty good. A little aggressive for DD and occasional track day, but the fairly good valving means you have acceptable ride quality on most roads.

For EVO 8 and 9 they are 9k/6k, which sucks. We ONLY sell them with custom rates.

EDIT: for EVO X it's 455 lbs/in (8.1k) front and 515 lbs/in (about 9.2k) rear. Some idiots install them backwards though. They are good rates when installed correctly.

- Andrew