Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community - FT86CLUB
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Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community - FT86CLUB (https://www.ft86club.com/forums/index.php)
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-   -   Coilover spring rates for comfort (https://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=53264)

Barbecue 12-10-2013 08:44 PM
Coilover spring rates for comfort
 
I am having my coilovers built and can choose any spring rate I want. Is 5k/6k good for comfort or too soft? I care more about comfort than track performance.

I have 17x9 +35 TC105N and will be using 245 or 255 Michelin Pilot Super Sports

I have the following installed.

Whiteline front lower control arm bushings
WL front caster bushings

WL rear upper adjustable camber bushings
WL rear subframe bushings
WL rear trailing arm bushings

mav1178 12-10-2013 08:51 PM
Valving would make a bigger difference than spring rate, but 6k or under would be best.

-alex

Captain Snooze 12-10-2013 10:38 PM
I thought the standard springs/dampers were quite comfortable @ 2.7k/3.5k f/r (BRZ)

solidONE 12-11-2013 02:12 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Captain Snooze (Post 1382232)
I thought the standard springs/dampers were quite comfortable @ 2.7k/3.5k f/r (BRZ)
Funny thing is that with my 3.8/4.5K Swift springs the ride is a bit better than factory.

It has more to do with having the damping match the spring rates than just going for softer springs.

Captain Snooze 12-11-2013 02:34 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by solidONE (Post 1382661)
It has more to do with having the damping match the spring rates than just going for softer springs.
Sure sure understood. I was just suggesting to the op that the standard springs are "comfortable". What I don't understand is if the op is having the dampers built why is s/he now asking about springs.

solidONE 12-11-2013 02:36 AM
He is getting coilovers with custom rates. Which one's, he did not say. @Barbecue?

Barbecue 12-11-2013 02:47 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by solidONE (Post 1382697)
He is getting coilovers with custom rates. Which one's, he did not say. @Barbecue?
I am getting the coilovers from AMR Engineering. I am going to call them to send me a final invoice so I can pay and they can start building them. Their current lead time is only 2-3 weeks.

fatoni 12-11-2013 03:22 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by solidONE (Post 1382661)
Funny thing is that with my 3.8/4.5K Swift springs the ride is a bit better than factory.

It has more to do with having the damping match the spring rates than just going for softer springs.
I imagine it has more to do with not riding the bump stops under normal circumstances

CounterSpace Garage 12-11-2013 03:45 AM
Valving makes up 95% of the comfort. We run 10k/12k springs and it rides more comfortable than the other kits out on the market. :)

ZDan 12-11-2013 08:57 AM
Damping controls comfort as noted above. Substandard dampers with soft springs will ride like crap, excellent dampers with a good digressive curve that bleeds off at higher speeds will ride like a dream.

Spring rate should be chosen based on intended usage. Street only? Street/AutoX, Street/track? Biased for daily-driving on the street with occasional track/autoX, or for weekend street driving and heavy track/autoX?

Suberman 12-11-2013 09:50 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by fatoni (Post 1382756)
I imagine it has more to do with not riding the bump stops under normal circumstances
This thread may be illuminating:

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52061

If this is fact, and I have not tried to check the length of the bump stops myself, then steel spring rate on these cars may not be very relevant to how coilovers might change ride and handling.

The bump stops on the coilover dampers would also need to be compared to stock bump stop rates and lengths.

If bump stops are being "tuned" by the factory to add to the steel spring rate then how the coilovers are treating the same issue would be important.

For example, if the coilovers don't rely on contacting the bump stops the higher stated spring rate might not be too much different from stock.

Bear in mind that the BRZ comes from the factory with fixed height coilovers.

fatoni 12-11-2013 06:45 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Suberman (Post 1383034)
This thread may be illuminating:

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=52061

If this is fact, and I have not tried to check the length of the bump stops myself, then steel spring rate on these cars may not be very relevant to how coilovers might change ride and handling.

The bump stops on the coilover dampers would also need to be compared to stock bump stop rates and lengths.

If bump stops are being "tuned" by the factory to add to the steel spring rate then how the coilovers are treating the same issue would be important.

For example, if the coilovers don't rely on contacting the bump stops the higher stated spring rate might not be too much different from stock.

Bear in mind that the BRZ comes from the factory with fixed height coilovers.
yeah that thread is pretty much what im thinking. its a really common practice, especially on smaller cars. i dont think its a concern in the aftermarket though because companies can typically use shortened shock bodies. there are companies like fatcat motorsports who have a whole line of bumpstops for the miata for different applications. its proven how significant that kind of thing is with other models and im sure we could see the same here.

raytrix 12-11-2013 08:29 PM
All in the valving. My Stance Pro Comp 2 are 8k/9k and runs smooth like butter.

CSG Mike 12-11-2013 09:05 PM
The quality of the damper (and the valving) is what really matters. Higher spring rates WILL contribute to a harsher ride, but not as much as people think.

Going from a 5k spring to a 10k spring does not mean the ride will be twice as harsh.


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