[timurrrr]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

If the springs are rear-biased, and then neutralized with sways, the net rear wheel rate with independence would be neutral, right?

The effective spring rate for individual wheels would be neutral? — I believe so.
Although haven't done the math, that's been something I wanted to do for a long time .
Roll resistance at each axle is neutral, yes.

The benefit of "flat ride" is that on bumps that hit both sides (e.g. surface changes on a highway; crests, compression zones on a track, etc.) the chassis reacts with primarily up-down translation movement, and virtually no oscillations in pitch. That happens even when there's little to no damping, as springs themselves have an anti-resonance to such inputs to the chassis.

The theoretical benefit on the track is that both ends of the car compress/droop in sync, causing neutral reaction to such bumps; instead of oversteer/understeer balance oscillations.

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

If you're looking for more rotation, I wouldn't recommend more than 6/7 split.
Most folks consider the 10k/12k race rate setup too loose with 13-16 rear sway.
Are you seeking more rotation at turn-in, mid-corner, or corner exit?

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

I'm frankly surprised you find this too understeery/pushy for you with a 17 rear sway, as I find it pretty rotation happy, and I'm considered by most to be a very "loose" driver. I'll be the first to complain of a car doesn't rotate.

I don't think I ever said it's understeery/pushy?
In fact, the first time I went to the track after installing CSG FLAs, I almost spun out of T3 at Thunderhill driving the way I used to drive with PP suspension. I was using recommended rebound settings for track. Perhaps because of the bumps there? No other changes were made to the car since the previous track day; only coilovers and alignment.
I have since adjusted my driving and tweaked the damping for a balance that I like overall (5 clicks front, 6 clicks rear).

My primary complaints with CSG FLAs are harsh ride in the front on major bumps (has nothing to do with the rear spring rate),
and noticeable pitch oscillations (front/rear rocking) at highway speeds with street settings (8 clicks front, 12 clicks rear).
I don't feel these oscillations on the track using track settings, but there can be other explanations here, such as

• Tracks don't have those ridiculous "ridges" where surfaces change, or on bridges; so the amplitude of oscillations is smaller
• The stiffer dampers help reduce those oscillations quicker, so they are not that obvious
• I'm just too busy paying attention to other things when I'm in a corner

Even if the explanation is that extra damping helps stop those oscillations, that doesn't mean that the suspension works effectively when they do so.

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

If you want neutral spring frequency, use 8/8 clicks or 7/8 clicks. The adjustment knob is there so you can customize oscillation damping frequency to taste.

I'll try these settings. I'm skeptical that it will make spring frequencies "neutral". But if the rear was indeed more bouncy than the front, then perhaps a bit extra damping there will improve the overall situation.
Thanks for the idea!

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

Because these are high performance, high compliance street dampers, that also are trackable.

If you want a track oriented damper, I would recommend considering a JRZ Motorsport, KW Clubsport, etc., something that is specifically designed for track use, with no compromises that originate from being designed for street drivibility.

It's funny you mention that they are primarily street coilovers, given that my main complaints are about street performance.

I haven't tried 6/8 or 6/9 on the street, but my friends who have those setups street drive their cars too.
I understand that stiffer rear springs will make the rear stiffer (duh).
But given that the front is already much more harsh than rear, making the rear stiffer might not really make much of a difference to the overall comfort.
Especially given that "flat ride" is exactly all about having similar effective suspension stiffnesses at both ends of the car.

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

Factor in sway and tire grip load, and you'll have a car trying to kill you.

I guess the thing you're implying is that when designing FLAs, TEIN picked the spring rates to match the factory sway bars.
This is a good strategy to make buying these coilovers "cheaper" initially. But I wonder if CSG FLAs could provide an optional alternative spec designed to work with specific aftermarket sway bars instead.
After all, sway bars are some of the easiest to change and adjust components in the suspension; and given that CSG FLAs were so popular among 86DC participants.

Sorry for a longread, but if this helps in development of any future CSG Spec coilovers I'd be very happy!