[reid-o]

I put in my Variant 1s the other day and I have a few questions about spring preload and handling.

I have the ride height set between KW's recommendations, as they give a high and a low.
However, I'm sort of grappling with notion of spring preload and its effect on handling.

Right now, at maximum height in the front (KW's specs), the car feels much more comfortable than any other position. The more I raise the perch, the more the car raises--what a concept.
However, the rear is a different story. As I raise the rear perch, the car doesn't rise 1:1--I'm assuming that the springs are not stiff enough.

The car's not yet at the maximum height in the rear suggested by KW, but there isn't much thread left on the coilover. Is it possible for teh coils to bind or limit suspension travel in any way if I keep raising them?


I have the fronts at 14.25ish
and the rears are at 13.75 ish
I want to raise it a tad more, but I've never had to adjust ride height in this way.




And by the way, the ride quality is awesome. Going from Prodrives with stock struts to these are amazing. I'm convinced that my stock shocks were dead, or the stock strut valving on the 04 is worse than people make it out to be.

I dont have another 04 to compare to, but my ride is stellar right now as far as Im concerned, and the money was well spent in my opinion.

[Andy STI]

Great review. I am glad you like them. Sound like a good alternative for those not wanting or needing to spend the money on V3s.

[tazer]

WOW! Nice new additions to your already sweet 04!
nice to see you still around Reid.

Maybe someday I can get a ride? Would love to compare your new suspension to my current setup

-tazer

Originally Posted by reid-o

I put in my Variant 1s the other day and I have a few questions about spring preload and handling.

I have the ride height set between KW's recommendations, as they give a high and a low.
However, I'm sort of grappling with notion of spring preload and its effect on handling.

Right now, at maximum height in the front (KW's specs), the car feels much more comfortable than any other position. The more I raise the perch, the more the car raises--what a concept.
However, the rear is a different story. As I raise the rear perch, the car doesn't rise 1:1--I'm assuming that the springs are not stiff enough.

The car's not yet at the maximum height in the rear suggested by KW, but there isn't much thread left on the coilover. Is it possible for teh coils to bind or limit suspension travel in any way if I keep raising them?


I have the fronts at 14.25ish
and the rears are at 13.75 ish
I want to raise it a tad more, but I've never had to adjust ride height in this way.




And by the way, the ride quality is awesome. Going from Prodrives with stock struts to these are amazing. I'm convinced that my stock shocks were dead, or the stock strut valving on the 04 is worse than people make it out to be.

I dont have another 04 to compare to, but my ride is stellar right now as far as Im concerned, and the money was well spent in my opinion.

[reid-o]

Originally Posted by tazer

WOW! Nice new additions to your already sweet 04!
nice to see you still around Reid.

Maybe someday I can get a ride? Would love to compare your new suspension to my current setup

-tazer

Hey Tazer, long time no see.


It looks like we pretty much have a similar suspension setup as far as sway bars and Group Ns are concerned. I've slowly TIC'ed my car as well.

Even our performance mods are similar, although I'm running a stealthback (I still drive home late at night from nefarious places).


I'm glad that I went European over the Japanese stiff spring setup, like I had in the 1g Eclipse.
In my opinion, the car rides as though it should have come from the factory. It thuds and is still and performance oriented, but I'm not embaressed to bring older colleagues with me to lunch engagements.
Watching their look as they bounce in their seats driving through town was a tad embaressing.

Let me know when you're available, and we can compare wish lists.