My Challenge Corolla is a long way from final tweaking, but when that time comes, what's the best method/site/SWAG to get to spring rates that will work? I understand about trying to hit a particular ride frequency and I think I'm seeing numbers around 1.8-2.2 for "race" cars, which I'm ASSuming is the right range for an autocross car. Anyone have a recommended spreadsheet calculator where I can plug in measurement and weights, etc.?
I made my own spreadsheet, and follow the calculations in Don Alexander's book "High Performance Handling" (the first one, not the second)
1.8-2.2 is fine. It will be firm, yet not punishing, but ride quality is subjective.
If you give me a bunch of specific measurements and estimated weights, I'd be more than happy to crunch numbers for you.
Some others shoot for a "wheel rate" about half the "corner weight." This could get you somewhere in the ball park.
In reply to DeadSkunk (Warren) :
Do you know the motion ratios? I know you're using Miata suspension bits, but I don't remember if you retained the stock geometry?
In reply to Pete Gossett (Forum Supporter) :
Front is stock Miata. Rear is a 4-link live axle with the coilovers behind the axle.
In reply to SkinnyG (Forum Supporter) :
What are the estimated weights you would need? Corner weights? Weights of unsprung stuff?
You can measure frequency easily if you have the car together.
https://www.autospeed.com/cms/article.html@&title=measuring-wheel-suspension-rates&a=113057
In reply to Keith Tanner :
What won't our phones do?
Keith Tanner said:You can measure frequency easily if you have the car together.
https://www.autospeed.com/cms/article.html@&title=measuring-wheel-suspension-rates&a=113057
Well I'll be damned. I wish I had known about this when I was trying to sort out spring rates for my ASP Solstice GXP...
Autospeed is criminally low profile. Excellent stuff on there.
Never mind, I made springs for about 9 years, had to adjust spring rate by adjusting coil count. Measured spring rate with math and a load cell. This is not what you are looking for.
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