Spring Rates!

[Kit Vexed]

hey guys, i've got a conundrum here... i have a T5-R with Bilstein HD's and H&R springs (also iPd sways, HD links and spring seats, etc etc.). my wheels are 18X8 on 225 35 18 tires.. i NEVER rub in the front over bumps or full clock and although i'd like it lower, i'm also saving 'face' by having the H&R's height what it is.. i DO rub in the rear though. i have a set of H&R 15mm wheel spacers on the back to make the rear a bit more flush to the fender like the fronts... when i rub, im only rubbing the very EDGE of the tire and it's only over deep dips or high bumps. so here's the issue: i want the back stiffer so it wont rub! i looked into a set of Kaplhenke's adj rear springs, but im not sure what spring rate to get since i have H&R's on the front. i spoke with lucky and he said the iPd springs are 10% stiffer than the H&R's and that his are 180lb springs in the front, and 105lb springs in the rear.. if they're 10% stiffer than the H&R's, that makes H&R rears like 95lb springs?! are they really so soft? anybody have the TRUE spring rates of the H&Rs so i'd know how much stiffer to go on the Kaplhenke setup? Kaplhenke says his rear setup comes with a 350lb spring IF you're going with his front and rear together as a kit. he'd sell just the rear setup, but suggested a 250lb spring since i'd keep the H&R front set up.. are 250lb rear springs TOO much for the front H&R springs? i just dont want to oversteer off the road or wheel hop in the rear over bumps and have the rear bouncing all over the place! what do you guys suggest? ideally, i just want a stiffer rear for better steering, the adjustability to have the rear height i want, AND never to rub again.. is that too much to ask? hehe, thanks fellas

[don kalmar union]

I have been selling a UK made fully adjustable suspension package for some 12 years now and have settled for suggested spring rates of 325lbs front and 285 at the rear which gives a good balance between pin sharp handling, steering response and generally acceptable ride comfort.

Generally I would suggest experimenting with damper settings to achieve finer response, in particular steering response and turn in, otherwise the addition of just a rear IPD bar to improve turn in and further reduce understeer.

I would suggest that if you fit heavier duty springs you will need to fit adjustable dampers to effectively control them, maybe also remove the front IPD bar....depending on what you can achieve otherwise.

Best regards, Don.

www.kalmar-union.com

[Kit Vexed]

Don, thank you for your reply. ok, so, there's noo way im going to remove the front iPd bar as it wasn't easy getting it on there! as far as the rear goes, i already contacted lucky to upgrade the rear bar to a 1" The other question i had was, why would you do a softer spring in the rear if you wanted sharp steering up front? i always thought a tighter rear (get your minds outta the gutter, lol) meant for sharper steering?? so why go softer in the back?? remember, this is a daily driver with 35 profile tires, so wouldnt you think 325lb is a tad hard? i'd read threads about really stiff springs damaging the body mounts in the front and rear as well.. i was thinking a 250lb rear may be a tad stiff since the front H&R's are only like 160-170lbs? i understand an adjustable suspension as a 'kit' (front and back) with those spring rates, but that's not my situation.. as stated, Kaplhenke is doing a 350lb spring in the rear on his kits, so i dont even know what he's got on the fronts! i need a rate in the rear that will go alright with the Bilstein HD's and not bounce my fillings out of my mouth nor rub.. thanks again Don for the imput though