Rear spring suggestions???

[sasquatch]

Does anyone have suggestions for a set of rear springs for my 74 1.8. I am tired of bottoming out the stock springs (original, probably shot). I purchased a set of KYB shocks. Yeah, I know not as good as Koni, but I can buy them at wholesale and they are decent. I am leaning to a set advertised in Excellence, I believe that are 100lb springs, stock ride height, for $80. This is a street driven car with maybe 2-3 auto-x a year.

[Bleyseng]

Go for the 140's as they do help the car ride better. The 100's are tooo soft especially if you autox it at all.

[J P Stein]

I just happen to have a set od 140 lbers F/S 60 bucks.

[Kenny Powell]

Sasquatch, I've been happy with the KYB's as far as the street goe's, same set-up you mentioned in your post. never bottomed out!

[Bleyseng]

Yeah, get them from JP as he has too much stuff laying around in the garage these days.
Geoff

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

With the 100 lb rear springs, I suggest a stock front swaybar.

With the 140s, I suggest a 19mm front swaybar. Adjustable is nice so you can fine-tune the balance of the car.

Note that some/all of these mods may not be legal in some autoX classes, you may need to read the rulebook about that.

--DD

[bernbomb914]

Dave I have 140# spgs with1 " cut off with a free length of 11" I have a stock front and rear bar and new Kybs but it rides very hard. it is used only on the street. What would you suggest to get a better ride?

[sasquatch]

JP, contact me off list, I'll take those 140# springs. jobesfzr@yahoo.com

Thanks for all the great replies guys!

[Bleyseng]

Yeah, I agree with DD about the front 19mm sway bar. It will not affect the ride quality but it will better the handling. The car will be more sure footed going down the freeway, lane changes, and corning. A good addtition.
Geoff

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Dave I have 140# spgs with1 " cut off with a free length of 11" I have a stock front and rear bar and new Kybs but it rides very hard. it is used only on the street. What would you suggest to get a better ride?

1) Ditch the Kill Your Backs, go to Bilstien or Boge.
2) Cutting a spring increases its spring rate. (Don't believe me? Get a spring tester and see!) Get some softer rear springs; either 140s or 100s.

In general, increasing just the rear spring rate will tend to make the car more tail-happy. You can dial the car back to more neutral behavior by increasing the front spring rate (thicker torsion bars), or by increasing the front roll resistance (bigger sway bar).

--DD

[Loan Dog]

Sasquatch: I would echo the 140# springs, but with a 19mm front sway bar. I installed the 100#ers with KYB's (budget limits) before I had any intention of running autoX or DE events. Once took the car to a DE event I was addicted and the first autoX made the habit even worse. The 100# springs are OK for the street, but just don't cut it on the track.

JP: I tried to contact you three times by PM a month or so ago when you first mentioned those springs in a post. I was ready to pay $75.00 for them. Did I have bad breath or somethin'?
Don

[J P Stein]

Dog Breath:-)
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