Rear Coilover Spring Rate Help

Eman · 05-27-2021, 12:00 AM

There are good technical pages on the Chris Alston chassis site. Info on choosing spring rates and setting up coilovers.

Lenny5160 · 05-27-2021, 02:22 PM

Isn't the theory that you want the lightest spring that will hold the car up? That will most easily allow your ladder bar and shock adjustments to do their thing without unnecessary resistance from the springs.

SGSST109E · 05-27-2021, 09:18 PM

correct

MROD7007 · 05-27-2021, 10:12 PM

So your saying as long as the spring doesn’t coil bind and has enough room for compression for bumps that’s the best spring?

Adger Smith · 05-28-2021, 08:05 PM

What Lenny said ^^^^
Use the shock adjustment/valving for bumps..

CMcAllister · 05-28-2021, 10:16 PM

For any situation, there will be 3 or more spring rates which will support the car at the desired ride height with the shock at the the desired center to center (which should be maintained). This will have the different rate springs compressed to different heights. Compressing a spring stores energy which makes the suspension more "lively".

Heavy springs compressed a little will react differently than light springs compressed more. Which you use depends on many things in your combination and personal preference. Lighter springs will usually require better shocks to control the housing, especially with ladder bars, certain 4 link settings and/or higher power levels, allowing you to tune it accordingly.

Marty's recommendation of 125# on that 14" spring (I assume) and the Santhuffs is likely spot on.

Mike Rietow · 05-30-2021, 03:10 AM

I bought a set of D/A Koni's Bickle valved in the late 90's. He suggested a 175 on this all steel Nova.

If you look at his spring recommendations in one of his catalogs, 1500-1800 rear weight he suggests a 175.

I did put a 125 spring on this to run some local 370 Pro Tree races. It did work for the fast tree, however it acted more so than previously, like it needed a ARB. Ladder bar sbc 10x28 bias, 3200 lbs.

Eibach or PAC coilover springs are the good ones, if you can find PAC, they've stopped producing , coil springs.

I just bolted a set of PAC 165 on this, i bought and made one hit on in 2017, went 1.28 60ft last car down on a Thursday night test n Tune prep n/a sbc. 1550 lbs on back tires.

Not criticizing anyone's suggestions here, just stating my experience, light vs heavy spring.

05-27-2021, 12:00 AM	#1
Eman Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: E TN Posts: 473 Likes: 16 Liked 133 Times in 76 Posts	Re: Rear Coilover Spring Rate Help There are good technical pages on the Chris Alston chassis site. Info on choosing spring rates and setting up coilovers.

05-27-2021, 02:22 PM	#2
Lenny5160 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Inver Grove Heights, MN Posts: 898 Likes: 604 Liked 431 Times in 224 Posts	Re: Rear Coilover Spring Rate Help Isn't the theory that you want the lightest spring that will hold the car up? That will most easily allow your ladder bar and shock adjustments to do their thing without unnecessary resistance from the springs. __________________ S/ST 51 S/C 53

05-27-2021, 09:18 PM	#3
SGSST109E Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NJ Posts: 351 Likes: 62 Liked 126 Times in 61 Posts	Re: Rear Coilover Spring Rate Help correct

05-27-2021, 10:12 PM	#4
MROD7007 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Posts: 9 Likes: 1 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Rear Coilover Spring Rate Help So your saying as long as the spring doesn’t coil bind and has enough room for compression for bumps that’s the best spring?

05-28-2021, 08:05 PM	#5
Adger Smith VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Texarkana Ark/TX Posts: 2,446 Likes: 575 Liked 880 Times in 311 Posts	Re: Rear Coilover Spring Rate Help What Lenny said ^^^^ Use the shock adjustment/valving for bumps.. __________________ Adger Smith (Former SS) Last edited by Adger Smith; 05-28-2021 at 08:06 PM. Reason: add

05-28-2021, 10:16 PM	#6
CMcAllister Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Fulton County, PA Posts: 614 Likes: 16 Liked 920 Times in 259 Posts	Re: Rear Coilover Spring Rate Help For any situation, there will be 3 or more spring rates which will support the car at the desired ride height with the shock at the the desired center to center (which should be maintained). This will have the different rate springs compressed to different heights. Compressing a spring stores energy which makes the suspension more "lively". Heavy springs compressed a little will react differently than light springs compressed more. Which you use depends on many things in your combination and personal preference. Lighter springs will usually require better shocks to control the housing, especially with ladder bars, certain 4 link settings and/or higher power levels, allowing you to tune it accordingly. Marty's recommendation of 125# on that 14" spring (I assume) and the Santhuffs is likely spot on.

05-30-2021, 03:10 AM	#7
Mike Rietow Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 93 Likes: 19 Liked 30 Times in 16 Posts	Re: Rear Coilover Spring Rate Help I bought a set of D/A Koni's Bickle valved in the late 90's. He suggested a 175 on this all steel Nova. If you look at his spring recommendations in one of his catalogs, 1500-1800 rear weight he suggests a 175. I did put a 125 spring on this to run some local 370 Pro Tree races. It did work for the fast tree, however it acted more so than previously, like it needed a ARB. Ladder bar sbc 10x28 bias, 3200 lbs. Eibach or PAC coilover springs are the good ones, if you can find PAC, they've stopped producing , coil springs. I just bolted a set of PAC 165 on this, i bought and made one hit on in 2017, went 1.28 60ft last car down on a Thursday night test n Tune prep n/a sbc. 1550 lbs on back tires. Not criticizing anyone's suggestions here, just stating my experience, light vs heavy spring. __________________ 7x S/Pro 'Sunshine" http://ottm.store https://youtu.be/I8QWEaqeFRw