[s-cars] Spring rates for coil overs

[Neil Swanson]

Hey all

600/400 lb springs for an S4/6?   Better do some
homework on which dampers you'll use with springs that
stiff.

I've had H&R V8 and now Eibachs in my S4.  I've used
standard off the shelf Bilstein Sports and re-valved
Sports.  Even the re-valved Sports couldn't control
600 or 400 lb springs and weren't quite right with the
H&Rs.

I had the rebound increased 30% and the comprssion
10%.  Very nice improvemnt over stock valving.  

At those increases I still felt it wasn't quite enough
rebound for the H&R V8 springs especially the front
springs.  By going to the softer Eibachs I've
effectively made a better spring to damper match.

You'll know you need rebound when the car is nervous,
never feels settled and is always overreacting to
bumps.

I've had Konis in other Audis and they wouldn't be
enough for 600/400s either.

FWIW a few years ago I installed a Stasis kit in an
S4TT.  That had 600/400 springs but very trick
double-digressive Konis.  It tookk all my 200lbs
pulling as hard as I could over several tries to get
them extended for installation.  I thought this is
going to be soooo BAD the owner will hate it.

End result was the best S4 I've ever driven.  Stiff
springs CAN work with the right dampers.  Unless it is
a custom built/valved damper forget 600/400 rates for 
urS4.

What would ideal with my re-valved Bilsteins would
actually be a slightly softer front spring than the
Eibach is now.  either that or revalve the dampers
again.

Neil