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Spring lenght effect
Posted: Sat Nov 02, 2013 9:31 pm
by BOOT
Ok so if I want to compare two coilover springs, say for example a 10"-175 and 12"-175 same diameters and say the use was designed for a 10" coilover with adjustablilty. What's gonna happen, less travel, coildbind?
What about a stiffer rate 12" spring?
Re: Spring lenght effect
Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2013 11:03 am
by Confused
Hieght has no effect on rate. If the coilover was designed for a 10" spring, using a 12" will move the adjuster nut down 2". That may put it at the bottom or of the threaded section of the shock.
Re: Spring lenght effect
Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2013 11:24 am
by BOOT
Ok I was thinking it wouldn't, but does a taller/longer spring have more stored energy?
Re: Spring lenght effect
Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2013 12:09 pm
by Confused
I don't believe it does.
Re: Spring lenght effect
Posted: Sun Nov 03, 2013 1:01 pm
by BOOT
Ah nm I see it travels longer
Re: Spring lenght effect
Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2013 4:40 am
by Bubstr
Spring rate should be as advertised on both. The longer one will have more travel. Both can only store the energy put in them and give it up at the advertised rate. 175lb will store 175 lb for every inch they are compressed and they give up 175lb for every inch of separation. Note, where the shock is located on the lower control arm or rear axle in relationship to the contact patch will change effective wheel rate.
Re: Spring lenght effect
Posted: Thu Jan 02, 2014 10:13 pm
by rdkonkel
What about a lower rate 12" spring with some preload put into it? So the rate at 1" of travel equaled the 175# spring. Then there should be more useable travel. Haven't tried this yet but I was thinking about it on my dirt modified.
Re: Spring lenght effect
Posted: Fri Jan 03, 2014 6:30 pm
by Confused
The spring has "pre load" when the car is sitting on them. If I understand your question correctly, with 1" "preload", the second inch of travel would be at 175? This would make the spring rate 85~pounds/inch. At that rate, on an IMCA type Modified, you would need a 16" spring or longer.Whichever spring is in the car, is only going to compress enough to hold the weight. The softer the spring rate, the more compression required.
Re: Spring lenght effect
Posted: Wed Jan 08, 2014 1:03 pm
by flyingwedge
BOOT wrote:Ok so if I want to compare two coilover springs, say for example a 10"-175 and 12"-175 same diameters and say the use was designed for a 10" coilover with adjustablilty. What's gonna happen, less travel, coildbind?
What about a stiffer rate 12" spring?
>> That 12" x 175lb. spring can effectively support 350lbs. more load, than the 10",(2" x 175lbs). Set your spring preload for initial rate,(static ride height), and make sure it doesn't coilbind, at full compression. As a side note, the 12" spring will have more "resilliance", something to consider in a street vehicle. Good Luck, flyingwedge.