Winter Project

[srwilson]

Well this winter's project is almost complete.

1. Complete rebuild of rear braking system, including parking break cable.
2. New 15" Wheels!! Hyper Black Competizone Sport Tuning Monza Wheels. Thank you Mark!
3. New Big Meats all around. Yokohama 205/50 R15 S-Drives
4. Lowered 1.5". Progressive rate lowering springs also from Mark.

I must say, I love the new look! Here are a few pictures.

[focodave]

That looks bad-ass (I mean that in a VERY good way!).
Your camera angles make the car look like it could take on all potential contenders.
Very nice-looking car.

[srwilson]

Yeah! Bad-assness was what I was shooting for! (in a good way)

It's super hard to capture, in a picture, the overall look you get in person. Getting just the right camera angle can help.

Thanks for your comments!

[So Cal Mark]

the car does look fantastic and now with the 15" wheels you can go to a big brake kit at the next brake job!

[Eejii]

Steve, have you installed your spring upside down? Progressive spring should be installed so that the "tighter" coils are on the top. Then the wheel will follow the bumps smoothly. The stiffness is same either way you put them.

[srwilson]

Steve, have you installed your spring upside down? Progressive spring should be installed so that the "tighter" coils are on the top. Then the wheel will follow the bumps smoothly. The stiffness is same either way you put them.

Well, you know, I guess I should have asked someone. But I can't see how it would matter.

The spring should compress at the same progressive rate in either direction. The "Looser" coils should always compress first wither they're on top or bottom, Right? Why would they need to be closer to the wheel? The energy is transferred through the spring and compression will start at the weakest point, first. Right?

Am I missing something?

I'm trying to convince myself it doesn't matter. But if they need to be turned over I guess I can certainly do it.

[srwilson]

the car does look fantastic and now with the 15" wheels you can go to a big brake kit at the next brake job!

Thanks Mark!

Yeah, Big Brakes!!! HAHAHa I gotta quit spending money!!

[Eejii]

I'm trying to convince myself it doesn't matter. But if they need to be turned over I guess I can certainly do it.

You are right about compressing. It doesn't matter which way it is. But when the spring is decompressing, for example recovering from a bump (outbounce), the wheel is following the road more smoothly. This is it in theory. Honestly, I don't know how big the difference is. It may depend a lot of the cars suspension structure. Anyway all instructions tell you to install them with tighter coils up.

[RoyBatty]

Sorry Eejii,
Not to be argumentative, but I just installed a set of those springs to a friends car using that logic and it didn't work out so well.
The springs functioned properly, but the car had a rattle coming from up inside the upper spring pocket that we could not get rid of.
There were no instructions as to how we were to install them so we just tried it in the manner you mentioned as this placed the company logo upright.
Yes we installed the spring to properly seat in the perch at top and bottom.
What we determined was that the closely wound coils, when fully compressed, did not have adequate clearance to prevent side contact up inside the spring well. This caused the rattling that was driving the cars owner nuts.
By reversing them and putting the tight coils at the bottom, there is more air gap between the bodywork up inside the top of the well and no more rattling noise.
And the car handles all road conditions just fine.

[Eejii]

As I said, suspension behavior sure depends on the car and it's suspension geometry. If you Google "installing progressive springs", all instructions tell you to install them with tighter coils up. I also installed the same set, but I haven't been able to drive a single meter yet, because it is still winter here. Can't wait to test it. Maybe next month it is possible.

[srwilson]

Eejii,

I hope you get a chance soon!

Yesterday it warmed up a bit here and the roads dried so I took the car on a short drive about. Everything seemed to go well. The ride was good.

I agree that if you search for install position the majority will say tighter coils toward the top. But from what I've been able to find they don't explain why.

In different forums that I've read where people ask the same question it's just like on here, everyone has an opinion but really no real data that supports their position other than it made noise this way or that way. And that's OK; good enough reason for me. If it fixes an issue then...

To be honest I think it might look a little better with the tight coils on top because you can see more of the pretty color over the top of the tire. The bottom of the coil is hidden by the tire. If tighter coils are at the top then people will notice them more, and then people will ask or comment on them more. You will then tell them more about the fabulous product and the coil maker sells more product.

[njoconnor]

I remembered this thread when the suspension order arrived this past week from A/R. So, to be sure, I emailed Csaba and Ramzi, and asked if I should install the springs with their "Autoricambi" decal )and tighter coils) right side up . Csaba replied that the rear springs are installed tight coils down (as Roy described); front springs either way. Like others, I was wondering about whether it made a difference, but "Dammit, Jim, I'm a social worker, not a mechanical engineer" (I lasted exactly one semester in MechE at Marquette back in the days of McGuire and Chones...). Two votes sez tight goes low. Good enough for me... .

Just waiting on one last piece to get here, and then it's wrenchin' time. Pat's joked about me of buying new springs "just because they match the car". But....she likes the idea of a better ride. Springs, Koni's, control arms, bushings, new starter, new front calipers, new EBC pads, new H4 Cibie headlights, and a Greg Smith kit. Easter Bunny came early this year......

Neil

[Eejii]

My test drive is finally done. I didn't notice any noise or rattle from back. In my case they are working just fine with tighter coils up. The handling got much better with these springs compared to my old cut springs. I am happy with these.