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coilover springs
lukefab - 30/1/05 at 05:29 PM

Hi
After riding around on Reliant Robin coilovers for the last 4 years which are ok but a bit soft I have bought a pair of adjustable Spaxes for the front and wondered if anyone can suggest a spring rate for them.
Thanks

JoelP - 30/1/05 at 06:14 PM

depends on your main use, and the engine weight. not sure of the numbers myself so i'll not comment.

lukefab - 30/1/05 at 07:20 PM

Hi
Main use is playing, engine is xflow,
Not track days or racing.

Thanks

paulf - 30/1/05 at 10:33 PM

Ive got 275lb spings on the front of mine and 160s on the back, this seems to be about the norm for crossflow cars.I think the fronts may be slightly to stiff and have considered changing to 250lb.Either would be ok .
Paul

lukefab - 30/1/05 at 10:47 PM

Thanks Paul !

Rorty - 31/1/05 at 04:15 AM

A lot would also depend on the weight of your wheels, hubs, discs etc and the lateral position of the lower shock mounts. Before you copy paulf's spring rates, it would be worth comparing your specs with his.
Otherwise you could be out by 50lb or more, and that's the difference between grinding your sump and grinding your teeth in a car as light as a Locost.

paulf - 31/1/05 at 10:03 AM

My cars a more or less standard book car, it has a 1600 crossflow, type 9 gearbox , book wishbones , mk2 axle and avo front dampers.The rears are converted mini fronts , so very similiar to a car with spax fronts and reliant rears.The front dampers are mounted on the side of the top rails, so have the effect of slightly increasing the spring rate.
Of course it does depend on individual preference also, my car is quite soft at the back but does not bottom out on rear shocks, the fronts seem a little stiff as i would prefer the front suspension to work better and think that by softening the front slightly i would reduce the slight turn in understeer it has at present.
Paul.

quote:
Originally posted by Rorty
A lot would also depend on the weight of your wheels, hubs, discs etc and the lateral position of the lower shock mounts. Before you copy paulf's spring rates, it would be worth comparing your specs with his.
Otherwise you could be out by 50lb or more, and that's the difference between grinding your sump and grinding your teeth in a car as light as a Locost.

lukefab - 31/1/05 at 06:02 PM

Thanks both of you.
The set up sounds very much like Paul f's
although I have 250 on the back springs(they used to bottom out with the standard Reliant springs).
So I think I will go for middle ground something between 180/250 .
Lets say 200/220 and take it from there.
Thanks to all who have replied.