[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by timurrrr

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.

Great theoretical exercise, but in actuality, the front wheels will always hit the element first, before the rear wheels. Even if damping frequency was identical in a theoretical situation, in reality, the front oscillation starts and ends first, unless you can magically make both axles hit the element at the same time

Originally Posted by timurrrr

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).

Typically wheel rates are considered for balance. Wanting more rear spring or sway is normally a desire for more rotation

Originally Posted by timurrrr

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.

Double check your preload, and minimize it. Raise the height a bit. It takes VERY LITTLE effort to unintentionally add too much preload, due to the mechanical torque multiplication of turning a collar.

Recommended settings are a blend of functionality and aesthetics. The As you previously mentioned, you get a lot of HBS engagement on the street.
Raising the car will reduce that.

There are quite a few adjustable settings on the dampers, and it's definitely not a 1 size fits all.

Originally Posted by timurrrr

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!

Real world trial and error is how you validate/invalidate. Even with the best suspension models, real world testing still trumps all. Doing this testing will allow you to reach the settings that are best for you!

Originally Posted by timurrrr

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.

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!

Actually the 6/6 was picked for a combination of compliance and balance. with a 13-16 rear sway, its pushier, whereas with a 17+ rear sway, the balance is closer to neutral. THis gives the end user a $75 option to adjust balance.

The damping combined with a 6/6 rate ultimately nets more performance than stock, combined with a nicer ride than stock.