79cord
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,608
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Mar 20, 2008 16:42:14 GMT
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I'd really like to drop the front of my car an inch or two to even up its wheelarch gaps, but don't want to have to stop for speed-bumps.
Struts & Coils all round & I have been given some spares, so trying spring chopping seems obvious. If I remember right the spring seats are even shaped to match the coils so spring reshaping may not even be needed. It's probably overdue for shock absorbers anyway too.
I'm just a little worried only chopping, & thus stiffening the front will tend to make it understeer more (it is Japanese FWD), or should I also be seeking out stiffer rear coils & or a rear sway-bar given that I'm happy with the rear height even though it is probably quite soft (though I think they're progressive rate).
Thoughts anyone ?
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Last Edit: Mar 20, 2008 16:44:29 GMT by 79cord
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markbognor
South East
 
Posts: 9,969
Club RR Member Number: 56
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Adding Rakemarkbognor
@markbognor
Club Retro Rides Member 56
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Mar 20, 2008 16:56:30 GMT
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I thought that this was a "What tat shall i put on my roof rack?" thread.  You have the parts to swap back in if it all goes pear shaped so why not give it a go. |
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Mar 20, 2008 17:26:45 GMT
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With a lower CG at the front along with the stiffer springs you'll hopefully get less understeer as the back will tend to push a bit wider on corners and counteract it in most cases.
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Volvo back as my main squeeze, more boost and some interior goodies on the way.
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Seth
South East
MorrisOxford TriumphMirald HillmanMinx BorgwardIsabellaCombi
Posts: 15,515
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Mar 20, 2008 20:48:06 GMT
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If your that bothered about a little more understeer if the front end is stiffer then also be aware that a bit of rake will reduce/lose altogether you caster angle meaning the car will probably wander a little more when going in a straight line.
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Follow your dreams or you might as well be a vegetable. |
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Mar 20, 2008 21:20:28 GMT
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Personally, I'd chop the springs as you mentioned and try it. Chopping the springs without doing anything else will not stiffen the front end at all. The stiffness of any given spring depends on the diameter of the coils, the thickness of the material and the distance between coils. None of these change if you hack a few off.
From my experience, you want the rear to be stiffer than the front to kill understeer. But because all the weight is at the front you still need stiffer springs at the front than the rear.
I know what I mean but thats the best way I can think to describe it!
I would concentrate on getting the springs and shock absorbers right before playing about with the anti roll bars as they are more about spreading loads between wheels. If you overdo the rear anti roll bar for example without sorting the springs the thing will still handle sh1te but give you tons of lift off oversteer.
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Mar 20, 2008 22:19:52 GMT
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Chopping the springs without doing anything else will not stiffen the front end at all. The stiffness of any given spring depends on the diameter of the coils, the thickness of the material and the distance between coils. not true, a coil spring is a wound up torsion bar and absorbs bumps by twisting, a shorter bar is harder to twist so the spring rate goes up. |
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Volvo back as my main squeeze, more boost and some interior goodies on the way.
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Mar 20, 2008 22:42:15 GMT
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I'm with him ^
The spring rate is determined by the bar it is wound from and the number of coils. When you lose a coil the same weight is spread across fewer coils making it stiffer.
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Mar 20, 2008 23:13:40 GMT
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Ok ok! don't all gang up on me! ;D
I can see what you both mean about it stiffening up. What I should have said is chopping one or two coils off would not make that much difference.
I was thinking more about Minis, although you can shorten the suspension trumpets it does not alter the spring rate but I suppose the rubber donut does all the sprining.
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