Coilover spring rates for comfort - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

Barbecue · 12-10-2013, 08:44 PM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

12-10-2013, 08:44 PM	#1
Barbecue Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Drives: Slow Location: Over there Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	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

12-10-2013, 10:38 PM	#3
Captain Snooze Because compromise ® Join Date: Jan 2012 Drives: Red Herring Location: australia Posts: 7,774 Thanks: 4,025 Thanked 9,487 Times in 4,164 Posts Mentioned: 60 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I thought the standard springs/dampers were quite comfortable @ 2.7k/3.5k f/r (BRZ) __________________ My car is completely stock except for all the mods.

12-11-2013, 02:36 AM	#6
solidONE Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Drives: FR-S Whiteout Location: California Posts: 2,863 Thanks: 1,808 Thanked 790 Times in 611 Posts Mentioned: 42 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	He is getting coilovers with custom rates. Which one's, he did not say. @Barbecue? __________________ Intent > Content cowardice is the mother of cruelty.

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12-10-2013, 08:51 PM	#2
mav1178 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Drives: 2005 Toyota Camry Location: 91745 Posts: 6,562 Thanks: 493 Thanked 6,093 Times in 3,029 Posts Mentioned: 95 Post(s) Tagged: 3 Thread(s)	Valving would make a bigger difference than spring rate, but 6k or under would be best. -alex

12-11-2013, 03:45 AM	#9
CounterSpace Garage Join Date: Sep 2012 Drives: Subaru BRZ / Toyota 86 Experts Location: Santa Fe Springs, CA Posts: 1,028 Thanks: 359 Thanked 916 Times in 399 Posts Mentioned: 154 Post(s) Tagged: 3 Thread(s)	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.

12-11-2013, 08:57 AM	#10
ZDan Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Drives: '23 BRZ Location: Providence, RI Posts: 4,631 Thanks: 1,412 Thanked 3,961 Times in 2,069 Posts Mentioned: 85 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	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?

12-11-2013, 08:29 PM	#13
raytrix Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Drives: Series 10 FR-S Location: Chicago Posts: 480 Thanks: 234 Thanked 380 Times in 151 Posts Mentioned: 5 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	All in the valving. My Stance Pro Comp 2 are 8k/9k and runs smooth like butter.

12-11-2013, 09:05 PM	#14
CSG Mike Join Date: Jul 2012 Drives: S2000 CR Location: Orange County Posts: 14,544 Thanks: 8,931 Thanked 14,192 Times in 6,840 Posts Mentioned: 966 Post(s) Tagged: 14 Thread(s)	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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