Mazdatrix has a littel chart on their site that I'm sure many of you have seen already. It states that stock FC spring rate is about 95F and 90R. But the Eibach ProKit is 70/185F and 90/165R.

Two Questions: What are the implications of having a softer initial rate up front with the Eibach. Ands econd, the 95F, 90R stock rates suggest that stock springs are linear? Is that right?

Here is the info from the Mazdatrix chart:

FRONT
Manufacturer Rate
Stock 95
Racing Beat 130
Suspension Techniques 120
Eibach 70/185
REAR
Manufacturer Rate
Stock 90
Racing Beat 80
Suspension Techniques 120
Eibach (non-Turbo) 85/165
Eibach (Turbo) 90/165

 

Bump...I know you ppl know this.

 

I THINK, but not sure, that a softer initial spring rate up front makes the front end more stable on bumpy city roads.

Yes stock rates are linear as I think all factory cars are.

 

Softer initial spring rates make for a more comfortable ride, but allow for more aggressive handling characteristics when push harder. They sound like the perfect spring, right? Well, yes and no. It all depends on what you want out of your car. If you want ***** out performance, then linear rate springs are for you. Whether you go easy or hard around a corner they react the same. Progressive springs are always changing rates. Do you want a nice ride around town if you have to deal with passengers that don't care for cars too much (of the female variety especially)? Do you want better than stock handling but nothing too wild? Then progressive is for you.

I might have simplified this subject too much, but these are the basics.


BTW - I just wrote in another thread what my spring rates are. 390 front and 280 rear. They are a bit stiff but are so bad that I've lost any fillings (yet). The springs you listed down below will not be uncomfortable at all no matter which one you decide upon. Be sure to get some new shocks to go with the new springs. Adjustable ones are good with stiffer springs. This way you can dial them in for the spring rates properly.

 

So....If I'm understanding this correctly...I CAN choose what spring rates I get. So I can call up Racing Beat or Eibach and say that I want to buy springs for an FC with front rate of X and rear rate of Y, and they will have that for me. (I realize they will not have every rate combination, but do they offer many options)?

I just thought that they only had one rate specificly to the car and there was no choice. So when you order, you only get the one set of rates (F/R).

And what about the stock linear rate?

What brand are your springs (That you have such high rates)?

 

I'm not sure that you'll be able to call them and ask for certain rates. But if you want 120# (for example) springs in the front, then get the Suspension Techniques only. If you want 80# in the rear, then get the Racing Beat springs for the rear. You can do it this way if you want to mix/match springs a la carte. I would try to stay with springs, like the ones you listed at first, of the same manufacturer. They probably went through a lot of testing to make a good matching set. It just depends on what you want.

My springs came with my JIC FLT-A2's. I'm not sure who they were made by. THat is to say I'm not sure if they are made in house at JIC or are made to their specifications by another manufacturer.