[200q20v] h&rs for v8 or s4/s6 on 200q20v

[Linus Toy]

At 02:38 PM 6/12/2001 -0400, Chris Covington wrote:
>Is this doable?  I'm trying to think of a way to get stiffer springs
>without lowering the 200q20v at all, and I was wondering if this would
>accomplish my goal.

Yes, this is doable.  I've been running this combination for over 2 years 
over Bilsteins.  You will get significantly stiffer springs.  I have not 
measured them, but supposedly, H&R V8 spring (#29921) rates are 300#/in 
front, 330#/in rear at installed height (progressive springs, so rates at 
other heights will vary).  I have gotten conflicting reports on stock 
rates, about in the 150-170 front, 190-210 rear.  Using Bilstein strut 
inserts/shocks, my car rides approximately 5/8" to 3/4" lower ride 
height--using other shocks, the car may ride 1/4" to 1/2" lower yet.

My impressions:  I like the handling of my car, my wife hates the ride.  I 
believe the shocks are to blame--the front feels like there is too much 
compression damping (harsh on sharp inputs), while the rear feels like too 
little rebound damping (can get floaty in low-impact, long-length dips).

One warning:  If you do this, do not try this on stock 15" wheels and 
tires--the spring is too strong, the car too heavy for that much tire 
sidewall.  The springs simply overpower the tires, and make the tires act 
more like springs/shocks relative to the strong springs.  I find both 16" 
and 17" wheels and tires work well, though with my 17's (BBS RX 17x8 w/ 
235/45-17 Dunlop SP8000), the car feels a bit sluggish in acceleration an 
initial turn in compared to my 16's (urS4 5-spoke 16x8 w/ 225/50-16 Dunlop 
SP2000).

--Linus
*--------------------------------------------------------------------*
*  Linus Toy                      Insanity is doing the same thing   *
*  Mercer Island, WA              you've always done and expecting   *
*  linust at mindspring.com          different results                  *
*                                      - Roger Milliken              *
*--------------------------------------------------------------------*