90q coil-over kits, spring rates

[Rave Racer]

    Rave (being me) reviews...:

        Ok, IMO in the saggy rear 4000 I would use something with a heavier
spring rate.  Not just for keeping my butt up, but also for handling
purposes.  A stiffer rear means a looser rear which I find personally more
fun.  I'd say min 350 for my personal taste but 450 is ideal.  Fronts I'd
put around 350, maybe 300 min.  As long as your car is low enough and your
shocks supple enough this should be great for track setup, but maybe a tad
harsh for street.  It really is dependant on taste.
        Just a reminder if you're mounting coilovers, the spin cuff goes on
the bottom, the set screws go into the shock, not out to the cuff, and you
have to remember to cut off the bottom spring rest on the shocks.  Many
mechanics don't know this and have had bad experiences (saw a Sunfire with a
3 inch rear lift, SO funny) so they just plain refuse to put them on for
you.  Otherwise if you're doing them yourself it's pretty straight forward.
Have fun.

       Rave Racer
'89 Jetta 1.8L 16V GTX  gone but not forgotten
 http://www.vwot.org/members/Pete.html
'87 Audi 4000 Quattro Sedan    another victim of time
 http://www.audifans.com/registry/view.php?action=viewCar&carid=110
'72 Triumph GT6
 http://www.triumphowners.com/uploaded/34/50-50-111014_20raveracer-gt6-1.jpg
'83 Toyota Tercel (yoda)    ...is no more

> --__--__--
>
> Message: 12
> Date: Mon, 5 May 2003 15:12:40 -0700 (PDT)
> From: Jim Green <jeg1976 at yahoo.com>
> Subject: Re: 90q coil-over kits, spring rates
> To: Brady Moffatt <bradym at sympatico.ca>,
> Quattro list <quattro at audifans.com>
>
>
> --- Brady Moffatt <bradym at sympatico.ca> wrote:
> > Hi Jim/All,
> >
> > I'm no suspension engineer, but doesn't it seem
> > strange that a correct
> > Eibach Prokit bottoms out on the _street_? Hell,
> > _stock_ springs shouldn't
> > bottom on the street!
> >
> > It is the spring that controls the amount of
> > suspension travel due to an
> > input (bump, cornering). The shock only damps the
> > motion afterwards. Right?
> >
> > So, bottoming  is due to the spring exclusively.
> > Wallowing would be due to
> > the shock.
> >
> > All of this means that your springs are too short or
> > too weak. You're
> > addressing the "too-weak" option. What about the
> > other one? Is it possible
> > that you have the now NLA 4kq Eibachs by mistake?
> > (which I understand are
> > shorter than 90q springs) I suppose a shock with too
> > short travel could do
> > it too, but that would be another case of possible
> > incorrect parts.
> >
> > Has anyone else had trouble with Eibachs bottoming
> > out? Boge TurboGas get
> > rave reviews on this list when paired with H&R
> > springs, so it's probably not
> > their fault...
>
> Good thoughts, here is my take on it, most of my
> problem is due to the shocks.  I don't think they have
> enough dampening to get the job done when your
> suspension travel is reduced.  I had KYB's in there
> and the BOGE's were a small improvemnet, but still not
> enough.  You could be right about the 4kq springs, but
> I thought I had verified them at one point.  The fact
> is I really need some adjustability in the system.
> Another 1/4" of height would keep my cat happy on our
> lovely speed bump at work, or I could loose 50 lbs,
> but I think I'll go for the coil-overs:)