[V8] Lowering thought

[J123fs at aol.com]

I agree on some points, and have cad software for suspension design I have  
played with to back up a lot of what I have said, and confirm what you  
state.
I also have been racing here in NE for 20 years ( NER SCCA 2009 FSP  
champ), I have set up many a car, and the one thing I can open my mouth up about  
and not make a fool of my self is suspension design and function.
A lot of SCCA rallycrossers are swapping stock springs between similar  
chassis as I type this- 200 rear springs into a lighter 5000 is one of note I  
know of....to help raise or lower spring rate of raise ride height- change 
CG or  roll centers- pretty basic stuff, and plenty cost effective vs, 
cutting and  welding.
500 lbs extra weight on a V8 is not an issue onto 5000 or 100/ 200 10v  
springs IMHO- that's 250 or so per side (not even getting into F/R dis), and as 
 the stock springs run around 230 lbs, so you are talking ONE inch of 
compression  at static. Stock 5000/100/200 10V springs are not that much less 
rate as  you might think vs a V8.
Lowering springs from H&R raise the rate a little, but are not that  much 
stiffer than stock, they have extra coils and are slightly thicker. More  
coils = less rate, more dia = more rate with same # of coils, they want them to 
 fit tight in the perches and raise the rate just a bit.
We have had some pretty in-depth discussions regarding the whole front end  
of Type 44's here and on the Q-List many times over, so I don't want to get 
 into anymore about bumpsteer, ect....You are right regarding that, - if  - 
excessively lowered. 
But CG, roll center, weight distribution also factor pretty heavy in the  
real world.
I stick by what I stated- some slightly lessor rate Type 44 springs will  
work just fine, as will lopping off a 1/2 or whole coil as long as it still 
fits  tight at full droop.
 
Not to mention slightly softer front springs will help the car rotate  
better- something a nose heavy V8 needs.
Cut a coil off a stock V8 spring and you raise the rate. 

The end result with a lessor rate spring will soften up the front end a  
little bit ( = less underster), cutting a coil will stiffen it, and without  
doing something to the rear the car WILL understeer more.
Cheers,
Jack