- Joined
- Aug 18, 2008
- Messages
- 4,081
No doubt many of you will have heard me bitch about the ride quality in my EK4, well I have a theory on how it could be sorted...
At the moment, my setup is Tanabe GF210 progressive springs, 4.1kF/2.8kR (229lb/inF, 156lb/inR) and Koni Yellows all round. The primary ride quality on this setup is ****, however the secondary ride is actually quite supple, and is quite soft for track/autotest work as the car rolls quite a bit.
The primary/secondary ride conditions lead me to believe that the springs are actually a little too soft for the stock bump valving on the Konis, which is non adjustable. This means that the progressive section of the spring is easily overwhelmed by small low speed bumps, so the job of primary ride is being taken up largely by the dampers, which have a lot less give in them than the springs. As the speed increases and secondary ride takes over, elimating the job of the soft, progressive part of the spring, the ride becomes dictated by the spring and the damper simply reduces bounce as it was designed, leading to the better ride. In this equation the adjustable rebound on the Konis is of little concern, rebound is more about cornering balance than ride and bump is visa versa.
While this setup gives me an excuse to hoon it everwhere because the 'ride is better going balls out' (the missus doesn't buy in to that theory unsuprisingly), it is undesireable because I am getting the worst of both worlds, **** ride and roll on the limit.
My thinking is that by purchasing some higher rate, (say 275lb/in front and rear) linear springs, I will infact improve both aspects of the suspension, as the primary ride may be improved slightly and on the limit handling response will be much improved.
I also understand that upping the rear rate is a big factor in ride quality, but it will offer better balance and is a comprimise I am willing to make.
Anyone got any thoughts on the matter? I am not looking for recommendations on suspension makes/setups as such, just some ideas on this theory. If the theory is sound then I can specify springs based on the Koni's bump valving (if I can find this out)
At the moment, my setup is Tanabe GF210 progressive springs, 4.1kF/2.8kR (229lb/inF, 156lb/inR) and Koni Yellows all round. The primary ride quality on this setup is ****, however the secondary ride is actually quite supple, and is quite soft for track/autotest work as the car rolls quite a bit.
The primary/secondary ride conditions lead me to believe that the springs are actually a little too soft for the stock bump valving on the Konis, which is non adjustable. This means that the progressive section of the spring is easily overwhelmed by small low speed bumps, so the job of primary ride is being taken up largely by the dampers, which have a lot less give in them than the springs. As the speed increases and secondary ride takes over, elimating the job of the soft, progressive part of the spring, the ride becomes dictated by the spring and the damper simply reduces bounce as it was designed, leading to the better ride. In this equation the adjustable rebound on the Konis is of little concern, rebound is more about cornering balance than ride and bump is visa versa.
While this setup gives me an excuse to hoon it everwhere because the 'ride is better going balls out' (the missus doesn't buy in to that theory unsuprisingly), it is undesireable because I am getting the worst of both worlds, **** ride and roll on the limit.
My thinking is that by purchasing some higher rate, (say 275lb/in front and rear) linear springs, I will infact improve both aspects of the suspension, as the primary ride may be improved slightly and on the limit handling response will be much improved.
I also understand that upping the rear rate is a big factor in ride quality, but it will offer better balance and is a comprimise I am willing to make.
Anyone got any thoughts on the matter? I am not looking for recommendations on suspension makes/setups as such, just some ideas on this theory. If the theory is sound then I can specify springs based on the Koni's bump valving (if I can find this out)