Differences between single/double adjustable shocks

[944freak]

Im going to get all new shocks and springs when I get back in country. Looks like front Konis with 250 lb springs and rear Koni coilovers(have no idea on spring rate)? What are the differences between single and double adjustable shocks? Please explain in detail because I don't know all of the suspention terminology (ex. bound, rebound, etc.)

[nickd]

i would suggest talking to Jason at Paragon Products about shock and coilover choices. he'll be able to set you up with what you need.

what made you decide on rear coilovers? the only real advantage is quick ride height adjustments which is typically reserved for competition. if you use them you're going to have to remove the torsion bars, or, at the very least, reindex them to keep the coilover spring from raising the rear ride height. if you don't use front coilovers then you only need to set the rear height once to match the front and then leave it. a set of heavier torsion bars and shocks to control the rear is a much cheaper approach.

-nick

[944freak]

I like the adjustability of the coilovers and I really don't feel like going through the trouble of changing torsion bars.

[nickd]

you mean you like the ride height adjustability? you've already got that to some degree as a spring plate eccentric in the rear. are you planning on pulling the torsion bars out altogether? if you go that far then it's not too much more work to just replace them with bigger ones. it seems like an expensive way to get an adjustability that you'll never need on the street on wouldn't notice on the track unless you're really that good.

your other post listing 350-400# coilover springs is way too much for a street car, plus you'll need a front spring rate to match. who is recommending this rate to you? to give you a baseline, the 25.5mm torsion bars on the late m030 cars only have an effect rate of 200# or so. your early 944 only has 23.5mm bars.

i just you could spend your cash in better places to make your early car handle better. coilovers are all the rage but it's like using an accumsump on a stock street engine. expensive and it works well, but what's the point?

btw- i've never seen the racer's edge mounts you talk about in your other post. do you have link? i'm curious to see what they do to strengthen that mount.

-nick

[944freak]

None of my plans for spring rates are for sure yet as I am still learning about suspention. So you are saying that the front and rear spring rates need to be the same? This coilover setup will cost me roughly the same or less money than buying Konis and Torsion bars. Also my car isn't going to be very stock..... I am about to instal a Huntley Racing Supercharger kit. Yes I do want to be able to adjust my ride hight. Most racing shocks have a 1/2" eye for installation. The installation holes on the car are 14mm which is larger than 1/2" therefore a 1/2" bolt won't correctly fit in the shock eye. It would rattle untill the bolt broke. The adapter takes care of this problem.

[Sam Grant]

Im no expert, but if you are deleting your torsion bars and going to full coilovers your spring rates in the rear will actually be higher than in the front due to the weight that the coilover must now support versus the factory rear system. I know of two people from rennlist that run their coilovers on the street. One is a Leda setup, the other is a Huntley setup.
One is #450 Front, #550 Rear, the other is #250 Front, #350 Rear.
(This is just a heads up w/o me looking things up and getting specific.)

[Sam Grant]

One more thing, another mans harsh ride (ie #400 springs) is another mans heaven. Best to talk to Jason @ Paragon and try and take a few rides in peoples cars. Good Luck in your decision.

[944freak]

Thanks for your help. Anyone else have any suggestions? From most of what I've saw/heard at Pelican I believe that I would like 250# front springs. Now I need to know what I need to balance the rear. The same as front or maybe a little more? Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Somebody please convince me...lol

[nickd]

yeah new torsion bars are definately not cheap! but you can find used 25.5mm bars for not too much. i picked up a pair for $180 or so a while ago.

Sam's right, it's largely a matter of taste. i think the 200# fronts and 25.5mm rear springs on my light 924 are about the limit i'd want on the street. i still think 350-400 is pretty extreme. i'm sure the roads down south stay in nicer shape than those up here. this is also a factor.

seems the factory kept the front and rear spring rates somewhat even, but usually a little stiffer in the back i think. so you might want to use that as a starting point. actually scratch that, call Jason he knows more than any of us! i don't think you'll hurt his feelings if you tell him about your cheaper coilover plan either. maybe there is a reason that his setup doesn't use it.

-nick

[944freak]

Thanks for your help. I talked to Paragon and they are researching it and talking about selling the kit at Paragon. It would be around half price of the coilover kit they already have and be double adjustable. So lets all cross our fingers. Looking good so far.