Alright... now that I've narrowed down just about everything else... I know I can order ground-control coil-overs with different spring rates.. Suggestions?

once again, the car will be 99% autocross with Tokico Illuminas, 225/45-13 wheels, with coil-overs in the front and XXX springs in the rear.

Suggestions on rates? I think most people run teh rears either 175 or 200lbs, doe sthis sound right, or too low?

And what for teh fronts? I can run anything from 175 to 700... What works for others?

 

The numbers you got on the rear are pretty low. Granted I'm not sure about 2nd gens, but on 3rd gens a good, street survivable, setup would be 650lbs front and about 400-500 rear. I'm 80% sure that 2nd gens should follow the same guideline - most cars do. I'm running 560lbs front 420lbs rear and I know someone who used to run 800lbs front and 650 rear but that was too extreme. If you want to run a softer spring rate for ride quality look into a set of stiff swaybars. They somewhat offset the effect of soft springs.

Edit - I'm looking into getting some stiffer springs because I'm not quite satisfied with the rates I'm currently running.

 

dam, 2nd gens run around 350 front, 225 rear.

13" rims? you must have tiny brakes! the smallest wheel you can fit on a 2nd gen with the 5 lug brakes is 15"

 

I imagine that 2nd and 3rd gens run higher spring rates than first gens, mostyly because of weight, not real sure though. And yes, 13" wheels will fit over the -SE brakes, with a slightmodification to the dust shield.. They have about 2mm of clearance is all though, but the change of gearing from a 60 series 14, to a 45 series 13 is quite significant. Makes up for not having to change out the rear for a different rate, and small tires are cheaper. (and teehse are strictly for the track)


Again, 85 is still 1st gens. Thanks for the suggestions, keep them coming!

 

I currently am running 375fr, 325rear. Its a pretty good setup. Little too much oversteer, but I've learned to live with it(and have a lot of fun with it actually ) Thats on a 90GTU.

 

what spring rates would you recommend for best overall performance? maybe go down to 300s in the rear?

 

With 375 up front, actually, I'd go lower than 300, probably about 250lbs. In fact I have a set of 250lbs. springs, I'm going to drop in and see how they feel. I'd like to get stiffer fronts, like 525lbs., and then use the 375lbs. in the rear.

 

i was talking to a guy the other day who has had a lot to do with setting up 1st gens for different circuts etc he has also played with a couple of 2nd gens, I have 500lb springs in the front and he reccomended i go for 300lb rears as most of the tracks i am on are shortish tracks and the 300's will give me better bite outta the corners than harder springs would, on a longer more open track in which longer sweeping corners would be encountered he said go to 350 or 375lb rears.

my set up for gravel/grass will be the 300lb rear springs in the front and i'll get a pair of 200lbs or there abouts to put in the rear, that way the rear should squat nicely and get some good bite.

3rd gens do tend to run a lot harder spring rates than 1st and 2nd gens do, 550/450 or 600/500 seems a common set up for them for circuts

FWIW - i have multi adjustable koni shocks with height adjustable platforms, front camber plates, racing beat sway bars and links front and rear, rear toe eliminator bushings and rear camber adjuster

 

I run 325lbs. in the front and 250lbs. in the rear on my second gen. Tires are stock rims and 225/50/16 Kumhos for autocross. This seems to be the best of all worlds. they are a little soft for the road course and a little stiff for the street. They work well for autocross. Any more spring and I would have to use more dampening to control bounce. This would make everything stiffer. I think I would loose some traction on larger bumps. The above springs seem slightly stiffer than stock. Still a little too much understeer for autocross. I also have adjustable Tokikos and adjustable spring perches/camber/caster plates form Ground Control. BTW, the spring rates were recommended by GC.

 

so if i were to go with the shocks that are 4 in the front and 8 in the back ( adjustment that is) then about a 350/250 would be best for street? in a second gen that willhave 17x7-8 and more than likley kumhos. thanx

 

Should work well. Having adjustable camber will help even more. It really helps the push these cars tend to have. The camber plates along with adjustable front roll bar, would maximize your tunability. Of course, this will put you in the street prepared class. You'll need all the help you an get in this class. Good luck!

 

For the highest grip, get the softest springs you can run without bottoming out. I have had 550/450 springs on my FD and recently softened them. Softer springs give better grip and make the car easier to drive hard.

I don't know specific rates to use on the GSL-SE, but don't equate stiff springs with high grip.

-Max