Best way to test a new suspension setup?

[DelSolBurrow]

So I have an entirely new set of coil-overs with different springs rates than I had before. My old spring rates were 12k front 6k rear, I was told by a few that this was a little to stiff. Although in having Ken drive my car he thought it felt pretty good. I noticed on some of the really tight round about corners I get some hopping (something I m doing wrong my guess lol)... but anyways my new setup is 10k front 7k rear. I wondering what would be the best way to go about testing a new setup? do I setup dampening on these how I had my old ones? Do I run the dampening dead middle front and rear and correct from there? any advice would be great.

PS this is on a Honda del sol for those who don't know me

[Cullen]

I don't know what 'k' means (I know it means 'thousand,' but not in this context, as I know John isn't dumb enough to install 12,000lb spring rates), but from the figures alone, it looks like it'll oversteer more than it did before, which is good I guess, because when I drove it, I couldn't rotate it for s**t. :rotflmao:

BTW, I think going for softer spring rates isn't a bad thing. It could ride the bumps better (which it sounds like the 'sol could be better at), and it'll equate to a higher average throttle percentage per run. ....I think

:rock2:

[A12]

and it'll equate to a higher average throttle percentage per run. ....I think

:rock2:

In simple terms: faster? :huh:

-Andrew = )

[Cullen]

In simple terms: faster? :huh:

-Andrew = )

Yeah, I totally plagiarized that from that website I gave to Mike. :shift:

[D Rex]

It's metric JDM BS. 10kmm = roughly 570 lb 12k = 684lb.

To set the shocks it would help if we knew what they were and how many adjustments. If it were mine I would swap front and rear if the car pushes like most FWD Hondas.

[DelSolBurrow]

haha, Chris and Andrew you guys are to much lol

and I wanted to go softer so nope it is not a bad thing.

The new Coil overs are Tein Flex. They are 16(or 32) way dampening adjustable. Compression and rebound are adjusted together not separately. My old ones were the same way Buddy Club N+ specs.

I wasn't really asking so much for help with what the setup should be, but just the best way to start since I m so used to my old setup? Like if you were to run a new spring rate how would you do your first run on them? I m just trying to figure out the fastest way to get these new ones where I want them.

[D Rex]

Then you got it right. Start in the middle get a baseline and work from there.

[Cullen]

I would set the shocks at the middle of their 'range.' Since the dampers are also of a different manufacturer, they will likely not dampen in the same way as the Super Best Friend's (Buddy Clubs) did.

I would also try and drive exactly as you did before.

:eyecrazy:

[DelSolBurrow]

I would also try and drive exactly as you did before.

:eyecrazy:

I'll keep up the amazing driving then :shift: ahhhh, coone! lol

ok cool thanks, may have been kinda a simple question but I was just torn on what to do.

[itrbruce]

Partly just to be contrary, but based on the facts too...
Since your old springs were stiffer than the new ones, you might hedge a bit towards the stiff side on the shocks to "try" to make the new setup a bit more like the last. But as others pointed out, since the shocks are from different manufacturers and are differently "aged", it will end up mostly a crap shoot anyway.

Good luck,
Bruce

[ceosurfer]

go find a speed bump and run over it 20 or 30 times making adjustments till it feels right.

[DelSolBurrow]

Thanks for the idea Bruce.

CeoSurfer: not sure if I can do that cause I have to come to a stop before going over speed bumps...to low.

[MX5bob]

Go to Koni's site and find their directions on setting racing shocks. It doesn't apply exactly because those are separate rebound and compression damping, but it'll give you starting point. :shift:

[DelSolBurrow]

oh sweet i'll take a look at that, thanks!