RS*R RSR race spring questions

[QuickShift]

Why is the rear spring rate so much lower than the front for the S14? Front is 279 and rear is 194 according to RS*R's site. I'm not into drifting, I'm trying to find the best spring for road coursing. Anybody use the RS*R race springs for the S14? What do you think?

[Irukandji]

They vary the front and rear spring rates to have maximum performance. Its VERY rare for performance springs to have the same spring rates for the front and rear and because they both carry different loads during driving, cornering etc.

Don't expect too much of a performance gain with stock struts + RSR springs. Spend a little more and get some shocks as well.

[DJPimpFlex]

agx's and RSR race spring are a kick ass set up. My personal favorite street set up. Coilovers for road course (ie track).

[KA24DESOneThree]

Why is it that everyone assumes stiff spring rates are NOT for road courses? You guys have a ton to learn if you think spring/strut combos are the best for maximum cornering speed on a track.

[smily_vigor]

Stiff springs are good for raod courses but the ideal setup is a full coil over suspension that has adjustable rebound or dampening and ride height. If you look at various companies for example HKS or Tein. Their specific "track" suspensions usually have multiple levels of adjustment due mainly to the fact that no two courses are the same, to get the ideal setup you'll have to adjust them to the course. Obviously if you are limited by budjet a good spring/shocks combo will get you by, but you can sometimes look into used full coil-over kits bacause they normally run in the price range that you'll pay for brand new shocks and springs. Even if they are shot just about ever one of them can be easily revalved for cheap. For example the replacement dampers for the JIC magic suspension is like $120 each. After changing them your suspension is practically brand new. My motto is do it right the first time or you'll spend endless time and money getting it right later.

[QuickShift]

Originally Posted by KA24DESOneThree

Why is it that everyone assumes stiff spring rates are NOT for road courses? You guys have a ton to learn if you think spring/strut combos are the best for maximum cornering speed on a track.

I think, depending on the track of course, a good stiff spring is better as long as you have the shocks/struts to handle them. Right now I'm looking at the RSR race springs and Tokico HP shocks just for durability as well as decent control. I also think that I need to learn how to drive before I can learn how to adjust anything. Also, this isn't going to be strictly a race car, this is also my main driver.

The main reason why I asked about the rear spring rate was to see if these springs were made for road course racing specifically or if they were made for drifting, because I know RSR is into drifting.

I'm also considering going with Ground Control coilovers. I've had them before on my CRX and LOVED them.

[KA24DESOneThree]

Originally Posted by QuickShift

I think, depending on the track of course, a good stiff spring is better as long as you have the shocks/struts to handle them.

The main reason why I asked about the rear spring rate was to see if these springs were made for road course racing specifically or if they were made for drifting, because I know RSR is into drifting.

All competitive race teams, bar none, run coilover suspension. Springs with dampers are good, but they certainly are never better. Why? Because there isn't a damper out there today that is matched to the spring rate offered by an aftermarket company. Sure, you can adjust some dampers and get some semblance of matching but truth be told the dampers are made to work with the wide variety of springs available. If you want true matching, then you have to get the dampers revalved. True coilovers, on the other hand, match the damper to the springs. (Or at least the higher-end ones do, others just go with a "well, we'll give them adjustability to mimic proper damping" approach)

There is no such thing as drifting springs or dampers or coilovers. Even the Tein Super Drifts are not "made" for drifting; the name is a marketing gimmick. The spring rate difference seems to be about the norm for the S-chassis, although I'd actually like to experiment with spring rates to find out if the general ratio used by most aftermarket companies is really optimal. I'll probably get to that next year after I can take chassis flex out of the equation.

[North240]

Its funny you mention the different spring rates for coilovers i have always wanted to experiment with a number of different combinations, but untill iget a lot for cash flow i guess i'll be taking the companys word for it.

I would really like to try a 7/5 before i buy 8/6s or even 9/7s