Originally Posted by x838nwy

imho, there is nothing magic about having the same rates front and rear. And really i don't see the need; the loads are different and the damping values are different (in the stock setup). What _is_ more important is that your springs match your damping and to a certain extent ride height.

Taking Ralliart as an example, they do 3 suspension kits for the evo8.
1)Height adjustable made by Bilstein: 12f/9r - helper springs up front
2)Height adjustable sports kti: 6f/6r
3)Non adjustable, for domestic Gr.N: 5f/5.5r

(1) has a recommended ride height of about 30mm lower than (2) at the front and 35mm lower at the rear. The way it is shown is not clear how this relates to stock numbers.
(3) is 5mm taller at the front and 10mm taller at the rear compared to stock.

Some from Tein
4)Type HT for Gymkhana: 16f/12r - standard, can be purchased with other springs.
5)Super Street: 6f/6r
6)Type RA: 12f/9r

(4) is just crazy. I don't know how much it lowers the car, but what I've seen of it is LOW. And really, 16 up front is just asking for a hernia. (6) to me is strikingly similar to (2) including in appearance and fits with stock upper mounts, but lower the car by 35mm and 10mm respectively. Type RA is their 'racing' type but it's unclear as to what kind of racing this is, but it is part of their premium line. {their Gravel spec, Type HG comes with 6f/6r also, but fits 15" wheels.}

Carrozeria Japan (pretty much Ohlins Japan)
7)Flag-L: 12f/10r
8)'Standard' kit: 10f/8r
(7) is probably the best coilovers in the world, save proflex. Lowers 45mm front and 35 read. (8) is their cheaper kit, lowers 40 and 30mm.

GAB
9) Prosso Zero for VIII and MR: 10f/10r
10) Prosso Zero for VII: 12f/12r
(9) lowers by 35mm at the front and 30 at the rear. (10) lowers the rear by 35 but the front by a stunning 50mm.

I believe that most suspension kits out there have relatively stiff springs up front because of the agressive lowering, specially the Japanese kits. Having soft springs will just bottom out.

Tein S-Techs lower something like 35mm and are relatively soft. However I think they recommend you cut the bump stop rubber by around 30mm or so on both ends.

Also, the stock softer front end is probably there for comfort and to reduce the tendency for the front to push, while the rear can be stiffer since there's nobody sitting there (who expects any kind of comfort anyway) and a more slidy rear will help the understeer. This would agree with your observations about ff and awd cars since they both tend to understeer. However, I could be totally wrong.

It would be very interesting to try out a bunch of spring rates, but that means getting your hands on a bunch of springs and a lot of time on a track. What you'll most likely find is that what you prefer might not be what somebody else prefers. If you're not sure, I'd either seek to drive one with a similar setup to what you're thinking of or not go to extremes with you rates.

Originally Posted by Silencer

FYI: Top ESP/BSP/SM Autocross Evo's run 800-1100 lb springs (14.2k-19.6k), of course with R-tires. Speed World Challenge Touring cars run 1000-1200 lb springs (17.8k-21.3k) which are a bit lighter in terms of car weight, than the Evo. But then again, their not running Buddy Clubs.

Dave

Originally Posted by ODUB

if i can get my EVO to handle like the accord, i'll be happy.

Originally Posted by wingless

Thats just so wrong.

Originally Posted by silverEVO8

+1....

Working hard to make and EVO handle like an Accord is just criminal.... Hey the Accord is a good car if you can't step up to a Buick. If you hate your EVO so much, please just sell it and get another Accord

Originally Posted by ODUB

lol you say that because you don't know my accord. you do realize that a STOCK EVO is not the end all, beat all, pinnacle of greatness in handling and cornering right? yeah, stock to stock, the car is a monster and can handle just about anything out there. but with suspension upgrades and tuning, other cars will out handle stock EVO's. for anyone to say otherwise is just blind arrogance. i wouldn't expect a stock car to handle better than one with 4k of suspension work done to it.

what i meant by my first statement is, predictible, controllable grip, and flatter cornering. right now the thing feels top heavy, and not as planted in turns. it also suffers from bump steer, and hopping on mid corner bumps. problems i've never had in the accord. once i drop it and stiffen it up it'll be at a higher level with the EVO than the accord obviously, but as of right now the accord corners as good or better in some situations than the EVO does. it just lacks power. if the TSX (the real accord, and dominator in speed world challenge) had more power, i'd be driving one right now. if honda ever decides to get serious and make an SH-AWD turbo'ed TSX, or at least the SH-AWD (i can turbo it myself) i'll be trading that MR with quickness. i'd have more power, a more advanced AWD system, and an better quality.

Anyway, i'm getting ready to order the coilovers. i just got back from the bodyshop to check on my EVO. they cf hood and trunk are on, they just need to do the paint work now. i should have it back by friday. can't freakin wait.

Originally Posted by ODUB

I may still do it just to show people like you, who don't know jack **** about the car exactly what the car can do.

Originally Posted by silverEVO8

Congrats on your great driving and your great Accord. BTW, your sig says it all

Originally Posted by ODUB

i need to modify it to "i hate people that don't know jack **** about ****, but pretend they do instead of just shutting the **** up"

Originally Posted by wingless

I just gotta bump a sweet post like this...