Jims5543

The springs I am taking iff the car were what Mazdatrix called "starter springs" they said that they were a good all around spring setup.



I drove my dads FD and drove a stock 90GTU RX-7 and found that they turned as good as my car. I then drove a stock S2000 and found it handled every bit as good if not better than my FC. Stiffer is not better. Thats what I am starting to realize.



I am experimenting here hopefully everyone on this board can benifit from my time and expense. The new set of springs cost me $240. I am not sure I am done buying springs yet either.

Travis R

You didn't really answer my questions.

I agree that stiffer is not always better.

Robbomaz

A car hard in the rear will not turn in as well as a stocker generally. (Once the direction change starts its another matter) A tight LSD or locker slows turn in too.



As for the moderns, don't forget 10-15 years of chassis engineering improvement Jim! I had a humbling moment recently driving a mates nicely prepared Rx4 on the track, playing with a WRX....on the straight it was no contest but in corners I was wound up hard getting that jelly cheek sensation from the lateral G's and Mr WRX was not getting left too far behind...the thing had awesome exit speed too!

I console myself with the fact that coil-overs and all the tricks do not improve a modern chassis nearly as much as the old cars, as they are starting from a better point.



Oh, and Mr Rex used up all 4 tyres in our 90 minute session.

Jims5543

I think your asking about the percentage difference on the springs fron to back. My answer is I did not plan on the setup on the car. The springs I got with my coil over kit were what Mazdatrix decided to be good springs for all around driving.



We based my spring selection off of what ITS cars use and what my corner weights were. I will not profess to know exactly how to interpret what springs to use from corner weights. Thats why I ask my mechanic to help me. He is trying to teach me.



Robbomaz explained it great if the rear is a little soft it will follow around better. I have problems with my rear wanting to snap around in transitions.



Like I said I am experimenting.



Quote from Mazdatrix website on the spring rates of the springs they send.

I love the last line "Welcome to racing"

Jims5543

BTW - The ride height "should" stay the same. I will tell you for sure after I swap in the new springs.

Travis R

Ah if this is the case then I would think you're heading in the right direction. At the beginning of the thread it sounded like the car wasn't rotating enough for you.

We just put some softer spring into the back of our open wheeled car in hopes of solving the same problem.

Good luck! Let us know how it goes.

Robbomaz

You haven't got one of those cute little purpose built specials have you?

Travis R

I've already attached a couple pics in the "Couple Of Autox Pics" thread.

Jims5543

The car pushes in turns when I finally get it to turn I am slowing too much for my taste.



When I go through sloloms or switch from a left to a hrad right the rear will just let go with no warning.



I realized after driving cars with much softer suspensions that my car is too stiff.



This is an experiment I have a really cool idea why not wait until I swap out the springs and race the car then we can second quess this to death.



I have an Autocross this sunday I might take my mini. If I can get some time tomarrow or saturday to swap in the springs I will race the RX-7 and see if its improved or if I need to order more springs.

Robbomaz

Had a look, very nice



We have a class for these other things here

One type uses a mini front end, x-member rubber suspension steering 1275 twin-carb motor & box, the other uses a 4AG & box, rest mini. Whole front is exposed!



Both run huge slicks on the front and have an aluminum sheet over tube frame chassis 'body' and a very narrow rear track. They can 180 in their own length. I pulled a neck muscle taking one for a spin (literally ) once Awesome



I'll dig out a pic