Hi Guys,

I'm looking to AutoX my FD this Spring. Ultimately, I would like to get a set of Coilovers, but don't have the $ to spend right now.

Having said that, I'm looking to replace the springs with something more suited for AutoX'ing. Any thoughts or stories to share? I've heard that only replacing the springs and keeping old shocks will give the car a bouncing feel... My car has roughly 70K miles but I'm not sure how the shocks are doing.

Anyway, any help would be greatly appreicated! ~George

Oh yeah, I would say 70% street use and 30% Autocross

 

Yep. That is an excellent approach. The stock shocks are actually quite good and long lasting and the valving pairs well with H&R, Eibach, RSR, Tein springs.

Might want to search on posts by Howard Coleman on this topic as he has plenty - including the first thread stickied in this forum.

 

If your shocks are blown, then yes the springs will be doing the damping which give that "bouncing feel".

I will say that you should look for a mild spring rate increase when keeping the OEM shocks. Usually, you want the shock to be valved for the spring being used. With that, I think some of the springs like Tein S-Tech are too highly sprung for OEM shocks. Stock springs are 280F/200R. Some of the more sporty springs like RSR Race and Tein S-Tech are in the 400+ range which IMO is too much for the OEM shocks. Eibach (which are discontinued) are 365F/275F which is about as far as you probably want to go using OEM shocks. H&R are well suited for OEM shocks and are not discontinued. Those would be a good choice today.

 

Exactly. the springs are valved for the rate of spring. They may cover that rate in a broad swoop, but not zeroed in on that range.

Take the plunge. I found some great deals on Craig's List. If you take the effort to replace the springs look at everything you are going to take off for possible replacement. If you did the springs, put it all back together, and then found the shocks weak, you'd kick yourself for not doing it when you had them off.

GD

 

Great Feedback Guys! Thanks a bunch!