There's a bit of talk going on about the Tein group buy, we've been offered the option of upgrading to the next model of shock (type flex), there are two main differences between this and the original super street. One is the spring rate, the SS had a rate of 5kg F, 4kg R whereas the type flex have a rate of 8kg F, 6kg R The second is the SS have a combined height/preload adjustment whereas the type flex have separate height and preload adjustments. So now we're wondering if it's worth the upgrade !? Does anyone know if these higher spring rates will be ok for street use ? I had this comment from a mate of mine when I first talked to him about spring rates... "Be aware that the specs on the web link you gave me are pretty wild !! 448 lb (8kg) springs are bone crunchers !! You will rattle your car to pieces !! My race only springs are rock hard in my Rx7 and they are no where near that stiff !! The backs I think are 336 lbs (6kg) !!! Again, wow that is stiff. You might want to check this, you will NOT like driving your car on the road with these....." Although thinking about it the weight of the car will make a difference to how stiff it feels, and our cars aren't all that light, especially compared to a race car !! Has anyone got springs this stiff on their car ? Also with regard to the separate height/preload adjustments from what I understand this will become an issue if you corner balance the car as with a system where you adjust ride height and preload together (as in the SS) the balancing of the car will affect the ride height on each corner, i.e they will all be different heights. The thing I don't know though is by how much !? is it just a few mm or more ? Also how much of an effect will a separate preload will have on the situation... will they still have different heights even with a separate preload ? Anyone know any more about this, it's confusing me a little ! :wacko: Cheers, Matt :thumbsup:
scotty (zweet) has coilovers this stiff in his car (HKS hypermax) the rx7 is much lighter than our car, dont compare the two so 6kg springs on the rear of a rx is not the same as 6kgs on the rear of a Z all that said and done.. yes flex are very stiff, you will feel it on a long trip when you get out if your looking for OE feel but slightly stiffer and better corner speeds, go super street if your the sort of person that will go big turbos and a 6-puck clutch, then flex is for you i'm going for flex now, as i have a work car to drive everyday, i also dont have resonators in my exhaust, the noise would drive me nuts if i had to drive it everyday flex are the next model up, leaning more towards race use than street use.. if your never going to have your car at a track (drags dont count as SS will be better there anyway) then go for super steets sorry for the confusion at such a late stage guys, but the option was presented to me this morn.. so i just want everyone else to have the option too
Im looking at getting the flex. The flex will be better for the track while still Ok for the road. The SS will definately be nicer for a mostly street driven car. As a comparison though both the D2 and G4 coilovers use 12KG front and 8KG rear which im told is very firm on the street.
compare Wheel Rate not Spring Rate It's the effective spring rate at the wheel which is relevant when comparing different cars, not the actual spring rates. With a double wishbone or multilink suspension, there is a leverage ratio involved which effectively reduces the rate at the wheel. Unless its coincidential the wheel rate between the two types of suspension will be different using the same springs.
