Looking for CGT Coilover Spring Rate Advice

[SuffolkD at aol.com]

In a message dated 2/27/2004 5:26:34 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
wcj21 at cam.ac.uk writes:


> Subj: Re: Looking for CGT Coilover Spring Rate Advice 
> Date: 2/27/2004 5:26:34 PM Eastern Standard Time
> From:    wcj21 at cam.ac.uk (W.C. Johnson)
> To:    SuffolkD at aol.com
> CC:    quattro at audifans.com, ackramer at hotmail.com
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On Feb 27 2004, SuffolkD at aol.com wrote:
> 
> Scott, if you could forward this on to the list if it doesn't go through, 
> I'd appriciate it.
> 
> Alan, you're going about this the wrong way. Scott is exactly right - my 
> coupe GT has 380-410 lb progressive front coilovers with Konis, and 300lb 
> linear rears also with Konis. Shocks are set all stiff in rear, most of way 
> stiff in front (ext. adjustable the way to go, I think they're only 20$ 
> more!). I have a Jamex stress bar, a partial cage (4 point), and huge sway 
> bars. I can honestly say that the more stiff you make the front, the more 
> it's going to wash out. I have almost no body roll at all (there is a pic 
> of me at full speed in a right hand corner at Javad's site - 
> www.80tq.com/images under GTLRP02A.jpg), and I can't imagine how you can 
> term 400lb coilovers as a reasonable street setup. Yes, the car reacts 
> lightning fast, but the ride is nothing short of punishing. This has caused 
> me to all but stop driving it on the street (that, and I get pulled over 
> every time I DO drive it.)
> 
> With my motor tuned up a bit, running a hot cam and exhaust, I figure I'm 
> in the area of 140 hp. The problem then becomes the outside front tire, not 
> the inside front tire. The more you stiffen the front, the less it will 
> roll, yes, but then the more it will understeer, which is the problem with 
> FWD cars inherently. My car has just about no understeer - if you push it 
> hard, though, it plows. Lift off, and you get a nice drift going. My guess 
> is that your problem stems more from tire choice than from spring rates. 
> You didn't indicate what tires your using for this track work. For example, 
> I had a set of Pirelli P700Z's that I could spin tire from first through 
> third gears. With Hoosier track tires, as Scott said, the car is an 
> enclosed go-kart. With a good track tire and (more importantly) a good 
> driving style, you shouldn't have any traction problems unless you're well 
> over 200hp.
> 
> That said, you're best bet is to look into a Quaife limited slip - around 
> 1,000$ from Autotech last time I checked. As I don't need it now, though, 
> it's been put off. Honestly, this is the reason I haven't swaped in a turbo 
> - if I want a fast turbo car, for the same money I'll buy a 944 Turbo. As 
> it stands right now, I haven't encountered a Turbo Quattro Coupe that can 
> stick with my GT around a track, despite massive power differences. If 
> you're convinced, though, that spring rates are the issue, then I suggest 
> you leave the front as is, and throw 700lb springs in the rear. You'll get 
> the ride of your life, and stop worrying about exit speed and traction in 
> the front. I think you'll find that nearly all of the fast Honda tuners who 
> race run wicked spring rates in the rear, with substancially softer fronts, 
> to get the cars to rotate off-throttle. It works, but it's freaky and hard 
> to control. I'd like to think that my setup is the ultimate compromise - 
> the car is easy to drive, but wickedly fast around corners. Just ask Brett 
> - I think I turned him white a few times at Limerock :-)
> 
> Good luck, any further questions please feel free.  
> Carter Johnson
> 1986 Coupe GT (The Beast)
>