Spring Rate Choices

gomer_110 · 05-22-2018, 10:41 AM

Sounds like you have only on adjustment on you dampers meaning you have single adjustable dampers. On most all single adjust dampers, that one adjustment is almost always rebound.

A few things you need to keep in mind.

1. Your spring rate is what determines the force it takes to compress the damper a given amount. The damper adjustment has no affect on this.

2. On linear spring rate springs the force to compress the spring from 0-1 inch and 1-2 inches is the same force.

3. Most spring manufactures have a optimal spring operating range that provides the listed spring rate most accurately. I.E. between 1-2.5 inches of compression, a 1000 lb/in spring is +/-10 lb/in while outside that range it may be +/-50 lb/in.

4. The rebound (and compression that yours don't have) control the speed at which the damper moves in compression and expansion based on the spring forces being applied.

Also if you think your 14k springs are stiff you should feel what my car is like with 24k springs in the front.

scope22 · 05-22-2018, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gomer_110

Sounds like you have only on adjustment on you dampers meaning you have single adjustable dampers. On most all single adjust dampers, that one adjustment is almost always rebound.

A few things you need to keep in mind.

1. Your spring rate is what determines the force it takes to compress the damper a given amount. The damper adjustment has no affect on this.

2. On linear spring rate springs the force to compress the spring from 0-1 inch and 1-2 inches is the same force.

3. Most spring manufactures have a optimal spring operating range that provides the listed spring rate most accurately. I.E. between 1-2.5 inches of compression, a 1000 lb/in spring is +/-10 lb/in while outside that range it may be +/-50 lb/in.

4. The rebound (and compression that yours don't have) control the speed at which the damper moves in compression and expansion based on the spring forces being applied.

Also if you think your 14k springs are stiff you should feel what my car is like with 24k springs in the front.

Thats why i'm thinking something is not right...worst case i'll get new springs or assist springs

Steeles350 · 05-22-2018, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hotrodz

I am running Fortune Auto 500's 13k front and 10k rear. The ride is a little on the stiff side but no where near harsh. I love the setup!

How did you like it on the Dragon and around Fontana?

Hotrodz · 05-22-2018, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steeles350

How did you like it on the Dragon and around Fontana?

It was a blast and a great time. Met a bunch of forum brothers and sisters. Took a few for a ride up Hell Bender and the Dragon. I love them both with Hell Bender being my favorite. I drove my car from Nashville to Fontana Village with the setup I stated earlier and the cars ride was very compliant. On the Dragon she was even more settled so at speed. I'm not sure why some Zs seem to be unruly on coil overs.

Spooler · 05-22-2018, 11:34 PM

I am on 12k/10k swift springs with Aragosta coilovers. 12k fronts are OK. I have wished they were 13k's fronts and 11k rear. I am a little more than half way on the dampers to get the bounce/rebound out of the car at speed. If I do any aero improvements an upgrade will be mandatory. Another thing I have noticed is when it is hot outside, I had to increase the damper rebound a click or two front and rear.

Steeles350 · 05-23-2018, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hotrodz

It was a blast and a great time. Met a bunch of forum brothers and sisters. Took a few for a ride up Hell Bender and the Dragon. I love them both with Hell Bender being my favorite. I drove my car from Nashville to Fontana Village with the setup I stated earlier and the cars ride was very compliant. On the Dragon she was even more settled so at speed. I'm not sure why some Zs seem to be unruly on coil overs.

my friend grew up in Knoxville and came up to zdayz while we were there and we were talking we both tend to like hellbender a bit better. it feels more like a track where the dragon feels more like an autocross.

Hotrodz · 05-23-2018, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steeles350

my friend grew up in Knoxville and came up to zdayz while we were there and we were talking we both tend to like hellbender a bit better. it feels more like a track where the dragon feels more like an autocross.

Steeles350 · 05-23-2018, 03:03 PM

I may or may not have scared a Yokohama engineer on the drive up HB and the dragon... lol

05-22-2018, 10:41 AM	#16 (permalink)
gomer_110 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Perrysburg, OH Posts: 17,992 Drives: '11 Nismo #528 GM Rep Power: 36941	Sounds like you have only on adjustment on you dampers meaning you have single adjustable dampers. On most all single adjust dampers, that one adjustment is almost always rebound. A few things you need to keep in mind. 1. Your spring rate is what determines the force it takes to compress the damper a given amount. The damper adjustment has no affect on this. 2. On linear spring rate springs the force to compress the spring from 0-1 inch and 1-2 inches is the same force. 3. Most spring manufactures have a optimal spring operating range that provides the listed spring rate most accurately. I.E. between 1-2.5 inches of compression, a 1000 lb/in spring is +/-10 lb/in while outside that range it may be +/-50 lb/in. 4. The rebound (and compression that yours don't have) control the speed at which the damper moves in compression and expansion based on the spring forces being applied. Also if you think your 14k springs are stiff you should feel what my car is like with 24k springs in the front. Hotrodz likes this. __________________ '11 370Z Nismo #528 Fast Intentions \| Stillen \| Motordyne \| Uprev \| CSF \| Zspeed \| Z1 Motorsports \| AST \| Swift \| SPC \| SPL \| Whiteline \| Hotchkis \| Bride \| Schroth \| Robispec \| Cusco \| Nismo \| Volk \| Forgestar \| Hoosier \| RJM '17 Titan Bone Stock

05-23-2018, 03:03 PM	#23 (permalink)
Steeles350 Base Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: NC Posts: 55 Drives: 2009 370z touring Rep Power: 24	I may or may not have scared a Yokohama engineer on the drive up HB and the dragon... lol Rusty, Hotrodz, Spooler and 1 others like this.

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05-22-2018, 11:34 PM	#20 (permalink)
Spooler A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Ga Posts: 13,918 Drives: 2013 Nismo 370z Rep Power: 2684392	I am on 12k/10k swift springs with Aragosta coilovers. 12k fronts are OK. I have wished they were 13k's fronts and 11k rear. I am a little more than half way on the dampers to get the bounce/rebound out of the car at speed. If I do any aero improvements an upgrade will be mandatory. Another thing I have noticed is when it is hot outside, I had to increase the damper rebound a click or two front and rear.