spring rates

[hofficergrover]

Ok i have done alot of reading of others suspension and see that most of every one has to stiff or are using them for the auto x racing. So i was just curious on what rate of spring would be best for a every day driver and usually with two people in(around 275 lbs total) it with a bp swap and will have aspire swap as well. What rate spring would be a best bet?

[skeeters_keeper]

"Best" is relative. I have 200 front, 150 rear and I think thats about just right for a 'sporty' feel and still being a daily driver. Not too rough etc, and still close enough to being the right rates for the GR2s. And it handles great!

[pumbaplus]

what would be 'just right' for the 323 gr2??? and what gr2 are you refering to for the rear?

[hofficergrover]

Ok.....Can't i just use new stock aspire struts? The gr2's are a little to much for me. I work at a parts store so i going to get stock aspire struts and are like almost half that price with my discount.

[MONSOON]

Yes you can. But remember that the spring perch on the Aspire struts is about 3/4" higher than Festivas.

[hofficergrover]

Ok....now do i have to cut the perch on the struts.

[FestYboy]

NO! order the proper length spring and rate to achieve the ride hight and quality you want. aspire springs with 1/2 to 1 full coil removed in the rear does the trick for most ppl.

[hofficergrover]

Ok...I want to be a little lower, but not a whole lot to where i rub all the time or when i hit big bumps but want to be lower. Also my dad said not to cut the springs because of how it weakens them. So what height of spring would be recommended that i should use? I was thinking of a set of lowering springs from a civic.
like these

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270480470745&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT

[Gforcefd]

^Those things are pieces of crap. Unless your only using the car for autox on perfectly smooth pavement they are way to high of a spring rate. Something like 500lb+/- I believe. I have two sets, not worth it.

[skeeters_keeper]

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16513&highlight=update+thread

If you haven't yet read the part of that thread on coil-overs. I miss typed earlier, i have 150/125 springs in 10" length. If your going to use aspire struts you will want shorter springs for at least the rear (8" or so should be good if you don't want to lower too much, 6" if you want to be able to lower more).

The civic coilovers will be like riding on rocks, gotta replace the springs with decent ones of the right rate.

[hofficergrover]

Really ok. In your thread you said you will have to remove the perch on the rears. I was to get stock ones and springs like you did should i cut the perch off?
What car where yours for?(springs)

[hofficergrover]

Well did some pricing on struts going to stay with festiva struts they are cheaper. Will be Monroe struts.

[skeeters_keeper]

Springs are not for a specific car... you buy them by what rate/length you want.

I didn't cut the perches off for a while, you only have to do that if a) you want to run a wider tire that is rubbing them or b) you have 10" springs and want to lower it more.

[hofficergrover]

Ok cool thanks
What diameter of spring would i need?
I really appreciate it.

[perucho]

Also my dad said not to cut the springs because of how it weakens them.

Cutting coils from a spring does not weaken the spring. You may want to ask your dad why he thinks that happens.