Spring rates

[Sheck]

Hey guys,
I'm looking at getting a set of \"Racing Logic\" coil overs to get some stiffness back into my car and to help me out on the track (1st drift then curcuit). I currently have an old school set of Tein type HR's or HA's not exactly sure, they are still decent but just way to soft for my liking.
I'm not sure what kind of spring rates they had but i'm guessing somewhere in the 6-7 front and 4-5 rear as they look like a bottom of the range kind of coilover (ie unadjustable).

Basically the R.L. coilovers come with 8kg/mm front and 7 rear, i was thinking of getting something like high 8's or low to mid 9's for the front and high 7's or low 8's for the rear, what kind of rates are the race boys running? And how do they feel for the road?

I'm not looking for huge comfort for the road (read- way more stiff than Tein super streets), but a little would be nice. Am i better off running higher spring rates and stiffening or softening the shock for road/race or start with softer (R.L. standard) rates and go from there??

Thanks for any input!!!
Dave

[Brad]

What dampers are you putting them on? It's no point going to a high spring rate if the damper can't control it. The Tein SS are 6/5kg or 336/280lb for example, and the Flex are 7/6kg 392/336lb, and if the damper you are going to use was not as well dampened at say the SS then anything over 6/5 would be a terrible compromise. I know many of the racers use Avo shocks and King springs rated up to around 500lb, but they yse the race valving as the standard one simply cannot control the spring. You really need to know what the Racing Logic can handle first.

[Sheck]

not sure of their valving numbers, might be able to find out, but they are adjustable so it'd be a big range, supposed to be 4 turns from soft to hard. plus they have been designed with drifting and track in mind, from some place that has been racing for many years in tiwan or thai land or something. So i'd say they can get really hard, as alot of the drifter guys use them, and they all have heavier cars than ours, like 4 door heavy.

They have an extensive range of spring rates available up to 25kg/mm!!!! so i'm pretty sure their shocks can handle whatever you throw at them.
Dont think they's have different valve ranges for different cars? wouldnt make economic sense..

Cheers for the input!!!
Dave

[Matty]

I'd be conservative in choosing spring rates. CT bought some Flex for his race car with the standard 7/6kg springs, and ended up putting some custom softer springs on the rear.

Aussie tracks are bumpier than many international ones, they really don't suit having very high rates.

[The Pupat]

I drifting I would think you would be better suited to running a heavier sway and leaving the suspension at a more normal amount. Advantage could also be if you get an adjustable one you can dial it back for street/track driving.

I would think that stopping the weight transfer would do more to make it predictably break traction than bumping up the spring rates.

[Sheck]

I was thinking along those lines as well, but i need to minimise the front to rear weight transfer too, while it makes for fun driving (ie braking drift), it's time to move on up with my set up as far as thats concerned. My skills are improving so i want the car to sit nice and flat before during and after the corner. And the front to back weight transfer is causing some unneccesary understeer.

But thanks heaps for your input!
Dave

[CT]

If you get your rear rate the same or within 1kg/mm of your fronts, I'd say you'll be happilly drifting everywhere you go! But, is it controllable? Matty is right about my flex's, but they would be violent on corner exit - as soon as power was applied, it would snap. That's not ideal for drifting either.

I agree with the other posters, use a big rear bar to do it as it will be more controllable in my experience. Mind you, I've only ever thrown the NB around drift style. It's got Tein SS and whiteline bars - once it goes sideways, it very controllable and good fun too!

[Inf3ct0R]

im running 8/6 on the street, hows the ride you ask? bumpy, how's it drift? dunno, havent been out to a drift day yet, track? been out, car feels more stable around fast corners..

[monki600]

I have racing logic in my car, it handles excellent, but i dont think racing logic alone will be enough to help a NB drift. i have a kaaz 1.5 lsd, front whiteline sway bar and a roll cage by brown davies. that has helped the car stiffen up a little, but personally think i still need the rear sway bar, and someone who understand the mx-5 well enough to set-up the footprint.

one HUGE problem i noticed with racing logic with the NB's is that you cant lower the car, you can only go up, would be great if your going over rocks and stuff like that.. and want a 4WD look, but not what i expected, thought id be able to dump my car on its butt... if anyone has a solution, please let me know about it.. thanks in advance!

nich

[Alex]

I'm sure it's already been sorted, thread is 2 years old.
But better late than never

Also if you want to drift it maybe you should have left the front swaybar stock and just got a stiffer one for the rear. Also alignment could make a difference so take a look at that as well.
Sheck would be the person to ask but I think he might have moved on now

[16bit]

for track work i have read a few people run atleast 9 in the front and about 7 in the rear. valving is obviously important too. spring rates that work for both track and drift is going to be very hard to achieve. I would try and got as neutral as possible and use your bars and dampers to fine tune. just my opinion but maybe a consult with someone who drifts a 5 with those dampers might shed some light?