Spring Comparision

[dank24]

I need pictures for my ADD

[HEMI-Fit]

Originally Posted by Evil XT

Did anyone find the OEM spring rates?
I cant find them anywhere..

Well, I got a set of stock springs (and struts/shocks) in the other day, and today I finally had a few minutes to take some notes and measurements. Here's a breakdown of what I found, along with the results of my spring rate calculator:

Front Springs

Outside DIA = 5.5"
Wire DIA = 0.455"
# Free Coils = 5.5
Calculated Spring Rate = 111 lb/in

Rear Springs

Outside DIA = 4.25"
Wire DIA = 0.415"
# Free Coils = 5.0
Calculated Spring Rate = 158 lb/in


I still have to do a reality check on these calculated rates by putting them in my press and seeing what they say on a scale. The formula, for those interested, is:

Rate = [(G)x(d^4)] / [8x(n)x(D^3)]

where

G = 12,000,000
d = wire DIA (inches)
n = number of free coils (use total coils - 1.5 if in doubt)
D = coil DIA (coil outside DIA - wire DIA)

Gotta separate a strut from it's coil before I can do the reality check, so I'll get those numbers as soon as I get some more free time.

HF

[tkinsel5]

without a doubt this is the best spring thread i've ever read! please anyone refer to my new post on the matter. thanks...

[HEMI-Fit]

I finally got around to putting my spare springs on an analog/mechanical scale to do a physical rate check. The fronts compare well to my calculated rates above, and the overall average is 108 lb/in. Tossing the lowest rate, the average goes up to 114.5 lb/in.

The rears don't compare so well - the overall average rate was 115.5 lb/in, and tossing the lowest gave 119.7 lb/in.

HF

[tkinsel5]

so ivan, are you still running your eibach pros? with or without stock dampers? if stock, how ya holding up?

wish i could have been at the meet! looked fantastic...

[ciburri]

Originally Posted by tkinsel5

so ivan, are you still running your eibach pros? with or without stock dampers? if stock, how ya holding up?

wish i could have been at the meet! looked fantastic...

Yep,
still on Eibach Pro's and OEM dampers. No ill effects to dampers so far.
It is a bit harsh up front since fronts are not progressive. I plan on going to some sticky 205's when I wear tires down by the fall. I do not mind fat tire look especially with black wheels. That will soften things up a bit and make it possible to fly over ever worsening California FWY's and local roads much better than now. Road construction zones are the worst! It is easier to climb sidewalks than "crash" over some "transitions" of work in progress.
At first my wife preferred OEM Civic softer suspension being 9 months pregnant, but now she prefers to ride in the Fit in the back. It is a lot easier to get in and out with taller roof line of the Fit!
Looks like Fit will be a weapon of choice when her water breaks! Red stroller and red car seat with a base are in it already as well as a hospital bag!

[ezekiel_771]

great info in this thread. much appreciated to have access to all the numbers, and opinions all in one place. I currently have an eibach pro kit on order and should be arriving tomorrow. One thing i have had questions on is the true benefit of the progress rear sway bar. every review i have read has been thumbs up, but since the suspension out back is torsion beam, would it be better to put on a font sway bar instead? and leave the back as is. after going though the thread it seems like i might want to add the rear bar to increase the rear stiffness, but just was curious on what other opinion were. if it helps for reference, my fit will be daily driven, as well as a weekend auto x toy.

Thanks much,
brad

[EXWRX]

I'd check the rules in AutoX. I think MrFrogge uses the front bar, because it doesn't move him up a class. I think for a pure street driven car the rear bar will be more enjoyable, but I haven't driven one with a front bar.

[ezekiel_771]

alright, thanks ill check into the different restrictions among classes. i guess the biggest thing i am afraid of is if i eventually put on a front and rear sway bar, the car will handle more like the factory setup with a neutral or understeer effect. since the rear swaybar is pretty tried and true, i suppose its a good starting place, and then decide from there.

[lhcbc]

I have an '07 Sport. I'm forgetfull. I put my front spring on before rembering to measure stock height. I did determine the best place to measure is ground up to the top of the wheel opening and centered on the wheel center.

Thanks, ahead of time.

[jazzista]

Hi all,
I'd like to give a "firmer" feeling to SWMBO's small 1.2 fit/jazz.

Do you think that adding progress ARB aand just swapping standard springs with progress ones would help? May I retain standard dampers?
TIA,

Ste

[Skierdood]

Hey guys, bear with me here, I am very new to the suspension game and tuning in general. I am looking to increase the handling characteristics of my 08 fit and figured that with all the knowledge in this thread someone would be able to help.

First off I have a set of 15" rota circuit 8's with a 38mm offset. I should have done more research about such a low offset I know, but I got the wheels dirt cheap new. I have noticed that if I have the car fully loaded with passengers if I hit a big bump in the road I will get a small amount of tire rub on the rear wheels. This only happens under these circumstances.

I was looking into buying the swift springs and Tokico HP series shocks. However I am not sure with the added drop if this will cause the rubbing to become more severe or with the firmer suspension setup will it help the situation. If the news is not good and it will make the situation worse I'll have to look into other alternatives, such as something a bit stiffer (if that will even work) or worst comes to worst new wheels with a more appropriate offset.

Anywho if anyone has any light they could shine on this situation it would be greatly appreciated. Again bear with me as I am very new to the car modifying game.

-Eric

[Type 100]

Originally Posted by HEMI-Fit

Well, I got a set of stock springs (and struts/shocks) in the other day, and today I finally had a few minutes to take some notes and measurements. Here's a breakdown of what I found, along with the results of my spring rate calculator:

Front Springs

Outside DIA = 5.5"
Wire DIA = 0.455"
# Free Coils = 5.5
Calculated Spring Rate = 111 lb/in

Rear Springs

Outside DIA = 4.25"
Wire DIA = 0.415"
# Free Coils = 5.0
Calculated Spring Rate = 158 lb/in


I still have to do a reality check on these calculated rates by putting them in my press and seeing what they say on a scale. The formula, for those interested, is:

Rate = [(G)x(d^4)] / [8x(n)x(D^3)]

where

G = 12,000,000
d = wire DIA (inches)
n = number of free coils (use total coils - 1.5 if in doubt)
D = coil DIA (coil outside DIA - wire DIA)

Gotta separate a strut from it's coil before I can do the reality check, so I'll get those numbers as soon as I get some more free time.

HF

I'm not sure these figures are correct, they're probably way too low. Converted to kgF/mm, your calculated front spring rate is 1.98 kgF/mm and rear rate is 2.82 kgF/mm.

I was told by a friend that the stock Fit/Jazz spring rates are actually much higher: Front at 2.5 kgF/mm and rear at 5.2 kgF/mm. Considering how subtly the Tein H-Tech and S-Tech springs and Endura-Tech have raised/lowered their spring rates from stock, I would think the 2.5 front/5.2 rear would be more logical.

Here are a few aftermarket options and their spring rates. Note that these springs and coilovers are pitched by their makers/sellers as daily-driver-friendly options. All have linear springs.

Tein H-Tech/S-Tech: Front 2.9 kgF/mm, rear 6.0 kgF/mm (only differences are spring color and drop height)
Endura-Tech coilovers: Front 5 kgF/mm, rear 3 kgF/mm (?) - correct me if I'm wrong
Tein Super Compact coilovers: Front 4 kgF/mm, rear 5.5 kgF/mm

[HEMI-Fit]

Originally Posted by HEMI-Fit

I finally got around to putting my spare springs on an analog/mechanical scale to do a physical rate check. The fronts compare well to my calculated rates above, and the overall average is 108 lb/in. Tossing the lowest rate, the average goes up to 114.5 lb/in.

The rears don't compare so well - the overall average rate was 115.5 lb/in, and tossing the lowest gave 119.7 lb/in.

HF

Quoting myself, the numbers I found when I physically measured the springs are shown above. There is certainly some room for error in how you measure springs, but I feel like I did a pretty good job. Now if your friend has some real info, I'd be interested to see it. There's going to be some slight variable rate to the springs due to the coil DIA changing somewhat at the seats, and my scale didn't have enough range to stretch the number of data points out past 300-lb. That might clean things up a little bit.

IMHO, the springs in the 08 Fit are OK, but the shocks just plain suck. The rears in particular have so little rebound control that the car is bouncy and can be dangerous in a hard corner with a rough surface. Putting a really good shock on this car would really wake up the handling.

HF

[DroppedFit23]

I bought some Dropzone springs from RacinX.com and love them! They lowered my ride 1.8" in the front and dropped me 1.5" in the rear. The best part was they were only $79 for all four springs!!! A buddy of mine told me about them and I gave it a shot, the ride is good too. Can't beat it for $79!!!

[porkchop]

whats the best for road racing

[Skytraveler]

Originally Posted by DroppedFit23

I bought some Dropzone springs from RacinX.com and love them! They lowered my ride 1.8" in the front and dropped me 1.5" in the rear. The best part was they were only $79 for all four springs!!! A buddy of mine told me about them and I gave it a shot, the ride is good too. Can't beat it for $79!!!

I did not think DropZone made springs for the FIT. It's good to know they do.

I'd like to see some photos of your Fit on the DropZone springs.

My friend has a Scion TC and dropped it on DropZone Springs and his ride is nice as well. He just got a Strut bar so now the ride's just a bit stiffer.

peace,

[OCKC]

Just wanted to add my setup here so that those who are interested in the Spoon fix damper kit can have something to refer to. I had Gimme install these for me. He had to drill out the holes from 17mm to 19mm for the GD3s USDM bolts which took about an extra 10 minutes. But other than that they are Perfect for DD. The ride is just as good if not better than stock but with a 100% better response to turns and braking. I'd say that it gave a 1.25 drop which is exactly what I was looking for. Here are some pictures:


Spoon suspension setup....

Before:



After:





Thanks Dan!!!

[HEMI-Fit]

Great info! Where did you source the Spoon kit, and do you know if they have specs on the shocks/struts like length & such?

Thanks, and +1!

HF

[OCKC]

Originally Posted by HEMI-Fit

Great info! Where did you source the Spoon kit, and do you know if they have specs on the shocks/struts like length & such?

Thanks, and +1!

HF

If you click on the link in my signature there is a whole thread that I made with links to a few site that carry it....