Recommended Spring Rates for Aussie Roads

[froop]

Hey guys,

I just picked up some second hand dampers (1000km old) and I have the option of selecting swift springs in whatever rate I need. The previous owner was running F560lb/in and R800lb/in which I'm assuming may be on the stiff side and I was recommended 400/700 by Harold at HPA for acceptable daily driving whilst still being stiff enough for the track.

What are you thoughts? I basically want to go as stiff as I can without 'totally' ruining street comfort.

Is anyone running coilovers and/or custom springs and can give me a little feedback?

Cheers,

Alex

[sparoz]

May be think about go as soft as you can for it to work well on the track. There are many ways to change how the car behaves. I am not a suspension expert, just quoting one .

[flinchy]

Originally Posted by sparoz

May be think about go as soft as you can for it to work well on the track. There are many ways to change how the car behaves. I am not a suspension expert, just quoting one .

all depends on the valveing which spring rates are best for the track

i have 8kg/mm and 12kg/mm and i find it entirely tolerable

except for the worst of the worst roads (a la sunshine coast after heavy storms ) that is

> F560lb/in and R800lb/in which I'm assuming may be on the stiff side and I was recommended 400/700

400 is 7kg/mm, 700: 12.5

560/800 is 10/14

so yeah, 560/800 is pretty high, but 400/700 is pretty normal, about twice as stiff as factory.

[DMM]

It all depends on the valving, what swaybars you use and what tyres you are running?

[sparoz]

I had some deep and meaningful with "someone" and he always starts with the tyres first, then the spring rates for the tyres, then the valving to suit. He prefers control for/aft and roll with geometry and adjustable antiroll bars. Obviously, there are more than one way you can skin a cat, but that is the philosophy I will be taking simply because that way you will have car that is drivable on the street, but great on track.

[PeteA]

Could always go the KW coilovers which allow for select-able electronic dampening dates Can do whilst driving

[froop]

Thanks do all the replies guys.

However I just went with 560/800 before I saw all of this lol. I'll have to see how it goes. If I can't get used to it I can always get some softer springs later I guess.

I'm right now running on 225/40/18 front and 255/35/18 rears, Federal 595 RSRs. Hoping to increase to 245/35 and 265/35 once these wear out.

The dampers I've bought are Moton Clubsports.

Right now I have fully stock suspension however I have a full E90 M3 rear axle coming in. I'm thinking that with these spring rates I may not need the thicker sway in the rear and also may not need an upgraded one for the front either. I'll have to take it to the track once all installed and then see I guess.

[Pig Farmer]

I'm running Swift springs on TCK DA coilovers. The TCKs are allow you to run 400/800lb spring rate (which for Swift is really 392/784lb) but I opted to go with the 350/700lb (336/672lb) spring rates. I think it's a perfect compromise for street & track.

Out of curiosity, what coilovers did you buy. Just wondering what coilovers can handle the rebound of those spring rates.

[froop]

Originally Posted by Pig Farmer

I'm running Swift springs on TCK DA coilovers. The TCKs are allow you to run 400/800lb spring rate (which for Swift is really 392/784lb) but I opted to go with the 350/700lb (336/672lb) spring rates. I think it's a perfect compromise for street & track.

Out of curiosity, what coilovers did you buy. Just wondering what coilovers can handle the rebound of those spring rates.

I bought Moton Clubsports. Apparently they have quite a wide range of adjustment for compression to allow you to run up to 1000+lb springs but I can't find again where I read that and they don't really have much information on their crappy website.

I think I'm going to have to learn how to use these... They have remote nitrogen canisters that need to bled and set for nitrogen pressure etc etc. I think I may have bought a little out of my league

[Pig Farmer]

Originally Posted by froop

I bought Moton Clubsports. Apparently they have quite a wide range of adjustment for compression to allow you to run up to 1000+lb springs but I can't find again where I read that and they don't really have much information on their crappy website.

I think I'm going to have to learn how to use these... They have remote nitrogen canisters that need to bled and set for nitrogen pressure etc etc. I think I may have bought a little out of my league

You can't go wrong with Moton Clubsports. Probably the best coilovers currently made for the 1 Series. They are remarkably comfortable while remaining composed on all types of road surfaces and at a wide range of speeds. I'd probably opt for the 400/800lb Swift setup with the MCs. If you are running, or plan on running a wider tire up front (without the need for spacers) consider going to a 6" or 7" spring in the front. This will elevate the spring perch above the tire and help to avoid rubbing. Harold at HPA can definitely help you plan your setup. Good luck.

[froop]

Originally Posted by Pig Farmer

You can't go wrong with Moton Clubsports. Probably the best coilovers currently made for the 1 Series. They are remarkably comfortable while remaining composed on all types of road surfaces and at a wide range of speeds. I'd probably opt for the 400/800lb Swift setup with the MCs. If you are running, or plan on running a wider tire up front (without the need for spacers) consider going to a 6" or 7" spring in the front. This will elevate the spring perch above the tire and help to avoid rubbing. Harold at HPA can definitely help you plan your setup. Good luck.

Thanks for the assurance haha. Can't wait to get all these suspension upgrades done. It's a bit of a shame I won't be upgrading each suspension component bit by bit so I could experience the difference as I go but ah well.

I've got 7" front 560lb and 9" 800lb rears. I ended up just going 560lb front as the person I'm buying from from thought the 400's were a little soft. If it ends up being too stiff for me I can always just buy some 400's for the front. Springs aren't too expensive which is good.

What are your thoughts on sway bars with stiff springs? The M3 rear end will be coming in with the E90 rear bar but I don't have any bar on the front yet. I've read conflicting things about thicker front bars being better for softer/harder springs and also not sure if I'll be needing a rear bar. I'll have the M3 3.15 LSD though.