FROMFIFE

Hi All
I'm in the process of changing my suspension set up to coilovers. Can anyone that has fitted these please tell me what spring rates you use. The car will be for road use only but I'm looking for the best handling possible.
Any experiences of too hard or to soft would be appreciated, I expect to have to change the spring rates a couple of times till I'm happy but need a good starting point.

CheeRS

STAN

Kelv

iTrader: (4)

i was running 325 fronts and 225 rears but found it a bit to harsh for a stripped car.
changed rears to 190 after shaking my teeth out.

new set up when i eventually get up to Chris's with my top mounts etc will be 300F/150R.


HTH.

Mike Rainbird

iTrader: (3)

Stan,
Spring rates and damping rates go together, so depends what dampers .

Kelv,
I think you have gone too soft on the front if you are sticking with GAZ .

Kelv

iTrader: (4)

Hmmm, maybe ive got the fronts wrong - i cant remember the convo that clearly i had with Chris now, ill have to check!

tabetha

If it is any help, my 2wd sapphy has 300lb" front 9" long
200lb" rear 12" long, on AVO coilovers.
tabetha

Mike Rainbird

iTrader: (3)

And your rears are WAY too hard .

cossymad

I won't even tell you what is on the front of my orange one.....makes a touring car look like a sponge

tabetha

Way too hard!!, having gone from a mondeo ghia auto to the cos, the cos is without doubt the most comfy car I have ever had.
tabetha

Mike Rainbird

iTrader: (3)

When I had 200lb springs on the back of my Sapphire, it was constanly trying to spit me side-ways off country roads, because instead of riding the bumps, it would skip over them (constantly breaking traction if you kept your foot in). The most IMPORTANT thing for good handling, is for the wheels actually to stay in contact with the road. I can assure you with these springs, you will get your arse HANDED to you by a well driven Mondeo (or another Sierra with softer rear springs ) on bumpy back roads .

MATCOS

iTrader: (1)

What are the options for coil overs if you don't want GAZ, are Leda any better? what is generally considered to be the next step up from koni's?
sorry to hijack the thread

NEIL A

iTrader: (6)

Im running GAZ coilovers bought and speced from Chris (cozzymad) and wouldn't say there much more of a harsh ride than my old konis.

Mike Rainbird

iTrader: (3)

Matt,
My Nurburgring spec set up is now available for £1,150 and is made by some of the peeps that left LEDA to my spec .

That's because I got together with Chris and advised him on the best spring rates to opt for considering the limited range of adjustment that is available with these dampers .

MATCOS

iTrader: (1)

Saw that Mike and I am tempted, I was thinking of an Ahmed beam first though, which will be better and give the most noticeable improvement, the Leda's or the beam?
Currently running Koni's
Also how hard are the coliovers to fit, do they need setting up and how much does that add to the price?

Mike Rainbird

iTrader: (3)

Matt,
The geomtery needs setting up whenever the ride height is altered .

But in answer to your question, a 6° rear beam would be the my first choice before coil-overs. In fact, this is the order I did it to my car .

There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with Konis. People change them before they actually think about adjusting them (because the rears have to come off to do so) . If you feel they are too soft, just turn them up before you consider changing them . Only then should you consider changing to coil-overs, IF the Konis are at their maximum adjustment, and the car is still too soft for your driving style .

cossymad

AS if you got together with me....in your dreams maybe.

BTW any news on outing in 6 weeks

MATCOS

iTrader: (1)

Cheers Mike very interesting - I think I will go for a beam first and then consider coilovers at a later date, I always thought that decent coliovers were much, much better than Konis and as mine have only done a few K that makes me happier

Mike Rainbird

iTrader: (3)

Chris,
We've booked hotel etc, just not Ferry .


They are, but only on a track based car. On road, the Konis are a perfect compromise .

cossymad

Car? Me not yet....