Like other posts on this topic, I am confused. But I think I have found that people are putting coilovers on for road use without first selecting an appropriate spring rate. Is that possible.

I asked the GAZ guy who advised that stock RS Cosworth 3door kit comes with 325lb front spring and 180 lb rear spring.
I mentioned to him that people say they are too hard.... for road use and that they skip on potholes which we have a lot of in Australia.

He said that a 275 lb spring rate on front should help, but they would still be a little harsh but much better.

As he said the shock cannot be too soft as coil overs by nature have a narrower spring and thicker.... giving less travel before coil bind...

So can anyone advise on appropriate spring rates for AVO, GAZ etc for a predominantly Road use RS cosworth 3 door. Being in Australia we have average quality roads... lots of patch ups on roads... and unfortunately only a few track days... you guys are sooo lucky

Also I am interested in your experiences with coil overs on road use, I would like to get them for this purpose with occasional track days if they arise.... and for show days where people do look under your car

 

220/120 roughly the old gravel spec

Your lucky living in Auz, you have kangaroos to compare bounce against

 

Thanks for the feedback

Are those settings for a normal shock strut set up or coil over ?

That is a lot softer than indicated by GAZ, I wonder if they were concerned at getting coil bind on coil overs with a softer setting.

PS: I have sent an email to AVO asking them what they recommend.

 

Coil over.

I personally wouldnt worry what the others think - as the 'others' wont be driving your car.

Some like it soft comparing it to how they remember the old set-up and some like a hard race set up so your never going to win.

Here in the UK a spring costs between around Ł12 and Ł25 so its hardly going to breaak the bank if you have to try a softer or harder set is it ?

 

I agree totally, it is up to me.
I am going for a col over set up, either AVO or GAZ at this stage.

And I agree that the springs are not that much of a cost.

I am now down to working out what springs will be reasonable on a road three door cosworth.

What brand are you running the softer springs on, are they ok on the open road, (I take it you are using them on a sierra) where are you driving ?

Thanks for you help...

 

Settings were on Bilstein coilovers on a gravel spec Escort Cosworth. Using gravel spec makes a fine compramise for road use as its not too harsh.

More important to think about bump/rebound rates of the inserts rather than external coil rates if you ask me. Also ask your suppliers that question