AutoX -n- H&R Coilovers

277 Views 12 Replies 7 Participants Last post by jinstall, Oct 30, 2003

CCC

Discussion Starter · Oct 26, 2003

A pretty experienced AutoXer friend of mine bought it to my attention that with H&R's spring rates in their coilovers that the rear rate should be alittle stiffer to get the car alittle more tail happy for tighter AutoX courses. So my question is two fold...any of you AutoX H&R guys, is my friend right...and can you order stiffer rates from H&R, and how much would those springs cost?

CCC

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Euro Ford Fan

· #2 · Oct 26, 2003

If they are the standard 2.5" spring size then custom rate springs come in 25lb increments, cost of mine were $60 for some Hypercoils. I can't tell you what the H&R's are like but I'm very happy with my Leda's.

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ZXmurph

· #3 · Oct 27, 2003

So my question is two fold...any of you AutoX H&R guys, is my friend right...and can you order stiffer rates from H&R, and how much would those springs cost?
CCC

I am aware that you can order stiffer rears from H&R, but am unsure of the cost.

You're friend is right in that more rear roll stiffness will tend to make the car rotate easier and quicker, but it's noteworthy that with the H&Rs the front end works so well that the car is very neutral and pointable as is. One of the benefits of the H&Rs moderate rear spring rate beyond decent ride quality, is the fact that the rear is very settled and predictable- something difficult to keep as spring rates climb.
A very effective tunable option for even more rotation is changing rear roll stiffness with rear swaybar size instead of spring rate. The H&R's with the 24mm rearbar is a great, responsive set-up for auto-x, while still being very streetable and not the least bit twitchy.
H&R swaybars

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CCC

Discussion Starter · #4 · Oct 27, 2003

So my question is two fold...any of you AutoX H&R guys, is my friend right...and can you order stiffer rates from H&R, and how much would those springs cost?
CCC

Click to expand...

I am aware that you can order stiffer rears from H&R, but am unsure of the cost.

You're friend is right in that more rear roll stiffness will tend to make the car rotate easier and quicker, but it's noteworthy that with the H&Rs the front end works so well that the car is very neutral and pointable as is. One of the benefits of the H&Rs moderate rear spring rate beyond decent ride quality, is the fact that the rear is very settled and predictable- something difficult to keep as spring rates climb.
A very effective tunable option for even more rotation is changing rear roll stiffness with rear swaybar size instead of spring rate. The H&R's with the 24mm rearbar is a great, responsive set-up for auto-x, while still being very streetable and not the least bit twitchy.
H&R swaybars

I didn't know it was so neutral. I was planning on the H&R rear sway regardless of suspension setup. Thanks for the info...it makes sense and I think I'll head in that direction if I can.

CCC

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sts-zx3

· #5 · Oct 28, 2003

I don't know about changing the spring rates. I use the H&R Coilovers with a Progress 22mm rear bar and an agressive alignment. I find the car to be very managable. The car will rotate easily under braking. With left foot braking, the car will tuck in nicely while letting me stay in the throttle longer. If the car was much more active in the rear, longer slaloms would be a problem. A larger rear bar might allow (or require) a more conservative alignment. Also, the car does well on bumpy lots where more rear spring may cause issues.

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CCC

Discussion Starter · #6 · Oct 28, 2003

I had no idea that the spring rates from H&R worked so well. I'm glad everyone chimed in. I'm hoping I can still get my hands on a set.

CCC

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jinstall

· #7 · Oct 28, 2003

I run custom valved and lower rear H&R. The problem that I had was that the rear was too tall compared to the front. Now it is more level. I am not sure as the prices in the uS as I purchased mine while in Germany. The car rear steps out on the street but nothing that has sent me out of control. As for the track I have spun it once with the old springs.

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CharlesWA

· #8 · Oct 28, 2003

I run custom valved and lower rear H&R. The problem that I had was that the rear was too tall compared to the front. ...

Isn't that the European style? I remember when the H&Rs first came out in the US, they were full Euro-spec and had taller rear springs. Then they started coming with shorter rear springs so that the adjustment range was more in line with what us wacky US people wanted. I got the taller rear springs initially, but later got the shorter ones as well. I'm pretty sure they're the same rates, but I'm not 100% sure. If anybody local had a "spring dyno" type thing I could find out.

I don't know if H&R ever changed the rear shocks. I don't recall ever hearing of anyone getting new rear shocks in addition to their shorter springs.

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Chris F

· #9 · Oct 28, 2003

I will echo the reccomendation to stick a big rear bar on it. The 25mm Eibach bar I have in the back works perfect in conjunction with the setup. I try to loosen it up a little more by going with more tire pressure in the rear then in the front. For road course where I will be doing 70-90mph corners I go about even on the pressure front/back. I have found this works quite well.

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CCC

Discussion Starter · #10 · Oct 29, 2003

Really...YOU HAVE A PM!!! How do you guys like the coilovers for autoX...hows the handling vs stock? Turn in? Neutrality? Oversteer?

CCC

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ZXmurph

· #11 · Oct 29, 2003

How do you guys like the coilovers for autoX...hows the handling vs stock? Turn in? Neutrality? Oversteer?

CCC

Read my auto-x thoughts in the H&R Swaybars thread in FocusSport's forum.

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CCC

Discussion Starter · #12 · Oct 29, 2003

How do you guys like the coilovers for autoX...hows the handling vs stock? Turn in? Neutrality? Oversteer?

CCC

Click to expand...

Read my auto-x thoughts in the H&R Swaybars thread in FocusSport's forum.

Thanks...

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jinstall

· #13 · Oct 30, 2003

I run custom valved and lower rear H&R. The problem that I had was that the rear was too tall compared to the front. ...

Click to expand...

Isn't that the European style? I remember when the H&Rs first came out in the US, they were full Euro-spec and had taller rear springs. Then they started coming with shorter rear springs so that the adjustment range was more in line with what us wacky US people wanted. I got the taller rear springs initially, but later got the shorter ones as well. I'm pretty sure they're the same rates, but I'm not 100% sure. If anybody local had a "spring dyno" type thing I could find out.

I don't know if H&R ever changed the rear shocks. I don't recall ever hearing of anyone getting new rear shocks in addition to their shorter springs.

It was too much rake. Now the rake is less and the car looks more balance and "tucked" the way it should. Before it looked like a 77 Camaro with rear leaf shackles. The rear Shocks are ok for the new springs but If I went lower in the rear the shocks would have to replaced. As for the valving they are set up for the Nurburgring 24 hours DTM. I might be changing them for another setup, MIGHT BE.

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