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Is there any science in working out what poundage and length of coilover springs?
Sent from my GT-I9505 using proboards
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3point141
Yorkshire and The Humber
Posts: 106 
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As questions go, that's fairly nebulous.. some supporting info regarding what you're going from & hopefully attempting to achieve by your alteration would be of great benefit.
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whatever the car came out of the factory with should be fine unless you are carrying heavy loads!
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"Factory spring rates are carefully caluculated to suit most driving conditions most of the time" so why not just use them  but as you're using this forum ... ask who has done it before (what car do you have & how far do you want to lower it?  ) I've seen the proper calculation somewhere* but can't find it... *try Seth in his build retrorides.proboards.com/thread/37503/1968-hillman-minx-estate-holiday  |
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Yeah, there is a proper calculation where you take the axle weight and effective force on the spring (taking into account actuation ratio) and calculate the resonant frequency of the system. This allows you to tune the vehicles "feel" regardless of weight, the higher the resonant frequency, the more sporty the ride. Here we are: blackartdynamics.com/Chassis_Articles/Springs.phpSpring Rate=M(2π⋅F)2MR2 Comfortable road car - Up to 1hz Sporty road car - 1 to 2 hz Occasional track car - 2 to 2.5 hz Full track / race car - 2.5 to 3.5hz Race car with downforce - Over 4hz |
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Simple 'Hands On ' old school way.
First drive each wheel over a weigh scale to obtain 'corner' weight .
Then subtract from that figure the weight of that wheel and tyre and hub (Called unsprung weight)
This new calculation is now the value of a spring which at 15mm (approx) deflection supports that corner.
In reality that strength of spring would give almost no movement of the suspension and be impossible to tolerate in normal road driving. But is perfect for smooth circuit racing or drifting.
Now reduce that new calculation by 40% to obtain a spring value for that corner. Remember that a coil spring gets logarithmically (spelt wrong !) stronger for each unit of deflection due to load ,so err on the light side for comfort . Simple & effective.
Mark at GAZ SHOCKS in Basildon is very helpfull and stock all lengths and weights. Don't be fooled to buy Asian imports.
Hope that helps. Give me a call if in doubt. jonny 01547 540880
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