Stock suspension spring rates

[Bandit3]

Can anyone supply me with the stock suspension spring rates for a 1995? What rate's have some of you changed to and your pros and cons. Thanks

 

[Tom F&L GoR]

Stock spring (not wheel) rates are said to be 250 front, 450 rear. I have 450 front, 650 rear on my '94, which I like a lot, but am a little surprised that it doesn't feel as stiff as I expected. Still well balanced and not skittish.

 

[Tom F&L GoR]

I have some spring height adjusters I am putting on the stock Konis and will try 550 front, 800 rear springs in a week or so. With the 450/650, fronts were at full stiff, rear at full soft- fronts were fine, rears a little too soft. With the new springs, I will go to full stiff at front, 3 of 5 in rear.

 

[WCKDVPR]

Bandit 3,

On the GTS's without wings and splitters, the hot track set-up with Penske shocks is 550 front and 900 rear. 1/4" - 1/2" of rake front to rear on the ride height (approx 4 1/8" front, 4 5/8" rear) measured from the frame rail at the centerline between the wheels to the ground.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

 

[Bandit3]

Thanks Tom and Mike. As soon as the weather gets worse here- Im changing them.

 

[FrankBarba]

spring height adjustors? please explain. still running stock koni's with stock spring rate.

 

[jrkermode]

Doesn't the pre-96 RT have different suspension geometry than the GTS and later RT's? I presume that would mean a different "hot set-up". I ask because Bandit lists a 95 RT in his sig.

 

[Bandit3]

Thanks Tom. Would you then agree that more spring would be acceptable? I assume you're using the stock Konis? I have changed to Carrera's, and the shock valving is only 50-50. I'm also changing to a stiffer compression- maybe 90 percent. Any comments/suggestions on doing this to an otherwise stock suspension 95? With the stock suspension- rears were bottoming out so I'm hoping this will cure it. Thanks

 

[Tom F&L GoR]

Spring height adjuster instructions or How to ACR-ize your Gen I (sorry, doesn't apply to Gen 2 cars.

)

Gen 1 Konis have rubber bushings top and bottom; Gen 2 Konis have the forked lower foot in the rear.

1. Remove upper rubber bushing (they are really tightly pressed in!)
2. Drill 1/4" hole in very top and very bottom of shock eye
3. Tap hole in upper for 5/16-18 bolt
4. Screw bolt into threaded hole.
5. Collapse shock and put on lathe; bolt head into chuck and bottom hole into live center
6. Turn down upper bushing and spring cap to 2" O.D.
7. Purchase coil over kit (or equivalent of your choice) for $48 each; includes
upper spring seat
threaded body
lower spring seat
8. Slip threaded body over top bushing (it will now fit because the threaded sleeve is 2"ID) and it will seat on old lower spring seat weld
9. install spring and new upper spring seat - done.

I'm really at about step 8, so don't rush out and do this yet. I have cut some Gen 2 junk shocks to practice the lathe procedure, and it works. I got my small parts separately from here and there while figuring out how to do this and so still need to get the correct upper spring seats, maybe cut them to fit the reduced Koni spring seat (or cut the Koni some more to fit the new upper spring seat.)

In any case, for about $200 for the coilover parts, $250 for whatever springs you want, and about an hour of machining work, you'll end up with a ride-height adjustable, stiffer spring Gen 1. Gen 2 cars would have to figure out some way to get the rear shocks in a lathe; I suppose you could sacrifice a shock fork (cut the feet off, drill the hole for the live center - I'll donate my two Gen 2 shock forks for this to anyone.)

I'll post pictures when done. It's one of those projects that is turning out easier than planned.