Keith Tanner said:
Justjim75 said:
Is it possible to increase load carrying capacity (by a couple hundred pounds) temporarily without using air bags/shocks for things like a hitch rack with track day wheels and tires or would I have to just put springs on with a higher rate and deal with it when there is no extra weight?
You'd be better served with a small tire trailer, I think. A hitch rack with a set of tires is a fairly significant weight cantilevered out over the back. A properly set up trailer will only have about 10-15% as much weight on the back of the car. Plus then it's easier to bring a jack and tools to change the tires!
A friend of mine bent his NB with tires on a hitch rack. Went over a dip in the road and the swinging-hammer effect bent the floor, pushing the hitch into the differential.
Thing is, he also has a tire trailer, but didn't feel like using it.
Keith Tanner said: lot of people equate a high level of damping with performance, but in reality it often means a busier ride that feels harsher.
Depending on the damping characteristics, it also hurts grip. One of the things I don't like about my Konis (note: meant for a heavier car) is that they have too much initial damping for my tastes, which feels "sporty" to the casual driver who might make a quick left-right flick and note the car barely rolling. But when driving seriously, everybody everywhere will tell you to drive with smooth inputs. It's impossible to drive smoothly when the suspension isn't reacting smoothly.
You can also see this on some autocross videos people have posted here.... in a corner, you can see the car kind of hopping under lateral load. That is unsmooth and ultimately is leaving speed on the table.
I was never talking about damping for increased weight, I was under the assumption that by tightening the preload (I think?) On the springs, it would reduce the sag from additional weight. I'm glad to hear about the car getting bent, not that he bent his car, but I never would have guessed that would happen. With the info I've gleaned from this thread, I will start with the RB front sway bar and aftermarket bump stops at all 4 corners, then save for either VMAXX's or Xidas. Maybe the Spring/Koni set up once I find out prices for everything.
Oh, and Harbor Freight folding trailer
Another nice thing about the Konis is that they have a lifetime warranty. They should be less maintenance intensive than coilovers too.
The folding trailer won't fold anymore after you convert it to tire trailer status, will it?
Justjim75 said:
I was never talking about damping for increased weight, I was under the assumption that by tightening the preload (I think?) On the springs, it would reduce the sag from additional weight. I'm glad to hear about the car getting bent, not that he bent his car, but I never would have guessed that would happen. With the info I've gleaned from this thread, I will start with the RB front sway bar and aftermarket bump stops at all 4 corners, then save for either VMAXX's or Xidas. Maybe the Spring/Koni set up once I find out prices for everything.
Oh, and Harbor Freight folding trailer
Ah, then you did understand. Coilovers will let you raise the rear of the car to compensate for sag. No change in spring rate, just a car that’s starting high so it ends up where you want it. It’s not a limitless option, if you go to far you’ll end up with coil bind and that’s painful. It also means you’d have to readjust when you got to your track day/autox otherwise you’d look like a trailer park Camero with handling to match.
If you’re looking at the Xida price range, don’t neglect the Fox option. Better street manners IMO, and more overall travel.
The more people say "Koni's and springs" the more attention I've paid, and looked elsewhere for opinions as well (mx5atlanta.com) and it's down to that or the VMAXX's
There's more than a passing chance that Keith would have a good idea about which springs pair well with Koni's and why. A bunch of us also have opinions about that, so......ask away!
I did the traditional Flyin Miata spring/Koni package and couldn't be any happier. I even installed them lower than Keith recommends doing and it is a perfect daily driver car.
