|
|
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,631
Hard-core CEG'er
|
OP
Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,631 |
Ok guys.. something I never figured out:
If I want to lower the car a BIT (not drastically) but I am NOT into races/real performance (and therefore I want to keep it COMFORTABLE) what do i do ??
the quik question is: what component is responsible for the comfort aspect: springs or struts ?? (if not both)
I saw the GB for Intrax springs but I am not sure if they are hardcore PEERFORMANCE springs, or if they are nice-soft ride springs, or IF THE SPRINGS HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH the softness of the ride.
Can someone explain that to me ???
Anything is POSSIBLE... sowing the seeds of love"
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,616
Hard-core CEG'er
|
|
Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,616 |
Both springs and struts have an impact on ride quality.
Basically..the less agressively valved a strut is...the quicker it will react to a road imperfection.
The higher the spring rate...the more the spring will resist compression, and therefore resist allowing the wheel to react to a road imperfection. The lower the spring rate, the more the spring will yield to compression, and therefore allow the wheel to react to the road imperfection. But with that "allowance" you have a pay off in motion effecting the car...as in making the car as a whole react (as in up and down movement).
A modest drop with soft springs and a mildly valved strut will give you a smooth ride, but then you risk bottoming out and scraping bits.
As in most things..you have to find a compromise you can live with.
Also..next time you see a lowered Civic/Accord...just follow him. And watch as his cheap suspension pieces has'em bouncing all over the road..watch the car pitch around...and watch them come to dead stop over rail-road crossings. Then think about those Intrax springs...
Last edited by mcgainer; 09/30/03 03:33 PM.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 21,197
I have no life
|
|
I have no life
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 21,197 |
Originally posted by mcgainer:
Also..next time you see a lowered Civic/Accord...just follow him. And watch as his cheap suspension pieces has'em bouncing all over the road..watch the car pitch around...and watch them come to dead stop over rail-road crossings. Then think about those Intrax springs...
It's like you travel Chicago Dr. or something. 
-'96 SE MTX 3L
-'98 SVT 1,173 of 6,535
-'05 Mazda 6s, loaded, g/f's ride
-Need a 96-00 manual on CD? PM or email me
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,616
Hard-core CEG'er
|
|
Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,616 |
Originally posted by todras:
Originally posted by mcgainer:
Also..next time you see a lowered Civic/Accord...just follow him. And watch as his cheap suspension pieces has'em bouncing all over the road..watch the car pitch around...and watch them come to dead stop over rail-road crossings. Then think about those Intrax springs...
It's like you travel Chicago Dr. or something.
You know...this is going to be interesting...your TH modded full 3L vs my TH modded full 3L... 
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 21,197
I have no life
|
|
I have no life
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 21,197 |
LOL! You can count the number of 3L's in the country on 2 hands and 2 of them pass each other everyday. 
-'96 SE MTX 3L
-'98 SVT 1,173 of 6,535
-'05 Mazda 6s, loaded, g/f's ride
-Need a 96-00 manual on CD? PM or email me
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,631
Hard-core CEG'er
|
|
OP
Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,631 |
Originally posted by mcgainer:
Both springs and struts have an impact on ride quality.
Of course it had to be that complicated, otherwise it wouldn't be fun.
Originally posted by mcgainer:
Then think about those Intrax springs...
Are you saying that Honda has the Intrax springs ??? 
Are they good springs ??? Or not ??? Too much "racing springs" ??
If I get these springs, what would be a nice strut to work with them, trying to balance comfort + performance like you said ???
Anything is POSSIBLE... sowing the seeds of love"
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,867
Hard-core CEG'er
|
|
Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,867 |
You will not be happy with the Intrax. They are linear with a pretty aggressive drop. With the drop, they have to be hard so you don't bottom out, and since they are linear, they are hard from the very first moment of deflection.
You are really looking for mild progressive rate springs with nice, firm control from the struts. IMHO, you would be happiest with the BAT Euro handling kit, or with the BAT Euro struts paired with Eibach springs. You'll be comfortable, but the car won't be a slouch, either.
There are a lot of things that can ruin the "comfort" of a car. The obvious things like too-stiff springs is only one of them. Too soft struts (with stiffer springs) is another. Big heavy wheels is another.
Function before fashion.
'96 Contour SE
"Toss the Contour into a corner, and it's as easy to catch as a softball thrown by a preschooler." -Edmunds, 1998
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,631
Hard-core CEG'er
|
|
OP
Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,631 |
Originally posted by RogerB:
You are really looking for mild progressive rate springs with nice, firm control from the struts. IMHO, you would be happiest with the BAT Euro handling kit, or with the BAT Euro struts paired with Eibach springs. You'll be comfortable, but the car won't be a slouch, either.
Thanks Roger.
I'll keep that in mind: BAT Euro Kit / BAT Struts + Eibach
Are any of these a common setup used by most CEGers ???
Either way I get almost the same results ??
Or if NOT, which is lower + harsh OR higher + softer ??
Anything is POSSIBLE... sowing the seeds of love"
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,867
Hard-core CEG'er
|
|
Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,867 |
Quite a few people running the BAT kit. Eibach's are also popular with a number of different strut choices.
I'm not sure which one would feel softer, or if they are about the same in terms of spring rate.
The BAT springs give a pretty even, 1" drop all around, whereas the Eibach's drop just a bit more in front (supposedly.) Hopefully some folks who are running these will chime in, or you might try searching to get a range of opinions.
Todras and Rkneeshaw are two people I can think of, off hand, that have the BAT kit installed.
Function before fashion.
'96 Contour SE
"Toss the Contour into a corner, and it's as easy to catch as a softball thrown by a preschooler." -Edmunds, 1998
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,631
Hard-core CEG'er
|
|
OP
Hard-core CEG'er
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,631 |
Thanks again Roger,
That was great info.
(I am not doing my suspension right now, I am waiting for next spring, thing was, I saw the GB for Intrax springs and i thought about getting them and waiting for next year. But that won't happen anymore.)
Anything is POSSIBLE... sowing the seeds of love"
|
|
|
|
|
