Oh, no question about the effectiveness. The SPAX will make a HUGE
difference. And by getting the adjustable ones you made a world of
difference.
Getting spring rate right is tough. I've been trying to get the rate
right in the back of my FV for a few years and have a stack of springs
to show for it...And it still isn't quite right.
Best of luck!
Bob
Joe Curry wrote:
>
> Bob,
> I can't disagree with anything you have said. However (and there is always a
>however), I wanted to change the spring rate. This is because as stock
> springs (even though they were stiffer stock GT6 springs) cutting a couple of
>coils out of them will hopefully make them stiff enough to qualify as
> competition springs. They certainly are stiffer and with the adjustable SPAX
>shocks, I think that by the amount feel of the reflex when I bounce on
> the front end, I think I have accomplished my objective. But only the next
>event will determine whether this is indeed the case.
>
> Cutting the springs was a very cheap and quick alternative to buying
>competition springs and if I end up with the equivalent spring rate, it will be
> money well spent.
>
> Regards,
> Joe (C)
>
> Bob Bownes wrote:
> >
> > I need to quote the immortal Andy Banta on this.
> >
> > "Repeat After Me. 'It is a system. Everything is related. It is a
> > System'"
> >
> > Any time you touch *any* tunable parameter in a suspension setup, go
> > back and look at all the others. You've changed something else. Yes,
> > even toe.
> >
> > Lowering the frame by shortening the spring puts the hub higher relative
> > to the frame than before. Doing so puts your hub in a different position
> > as far as bump steer goes. If it is the same on both sides, you've
> > changed the toe. Same argument goes for the camber.
> >
> > The problem with cutting the springs is, as mjb pointed out yesterday,
> > you are going to have the wrong spring rate. Racing requires a much
> > higher spring rate than driving on the street, and autox, even higher
> > still. (IMHO)
> >
> > "Its a System."
> >
> > Took me alot of years to get it through my head, despite the best
> > efforts of folks like Andy, Scott Fisher, and Chris K.
> >
> > iii
> >
> > Joe Curry wrote:
> > >
> > > I want to thank everyone who weighed in with options on lowering my
>Spit's front end. Today, I went ahead and shortened my springs by another 1.5"
> > > and it indeed had the desired effect. The frame at the front outrigger
>is now 4" from the pavement.
> > >
> > > However, this was not without other complications.
> > >
> > > My muffler is now even closer to the pavement and I await with baited
>breath to see if I drag it off at the next event.
> > >
> > > A couple of other observations that I made afterwards are:
> > >
> > > 1. The front now has additional negative camber, which I think I'll
>leave for now to see if it helps. It is not excessive for a race car and I
>think
> > > it will help.
> > >
> > > 2. It appears that lowering the car also added a bit of additional
>toe-out. I adjusted this a bit to bring it in some, but I would like to ask
>what
> > > the consensus of the list is on front in toe adjustment.
> > >
> > > Thanks again for all the suggestions and comments. I probably am not
>finished tinkering (are we ever??) In fact, I may yet buy a set of competition
> > > springs.
> > >
> > > Regards,
> > > Joe (C)
> > >
> > > P.S. I was surprised that the springs are still long enough that they
>don't flop around inside the spring perches when the suspension is unloaded!
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