To all suspension gurus: I need some info

[tcardio]

So I have H&R street perf coilovers. I am tired of the progressive rate characteristics. I'm wondering if anyone has fitted linear springs to their coilover setup. I am calling H&R to ask about their 2.5 I.D. springs. I suppose I should just buy a linear coilover setup and skip the hybrid method. Wonder how this thread will turn out LOL

[RedLineRob]

So I have H&R street perf coilovers. I am tired of the progressive rate characteristics. I'm wondering if anyone has fitted linear springs to their coilover setup. I am calling H&R to ask about their 2.5 I.D. springs. I suppose I should just buy a linear coilover setup and skip the hybrid method. Wonder how this thread will turn out LOL

Im going with some bilstein PSS10's that way i can easily adjust the dampening

[tcardio]

Im going with some bilstein PSS10's that way i can easily adjust the dampening

I guess that helps me

[Willie Gee]

I don't have the H&R set up, but I am able to swap springs at will on my KW V3s on my other car. I see no reason why you wouldn't be able to do the same on your set up.

[JRutter]

I'm wondering the same thing. There is some data in a suspension spec thread in the Mk5 R32 forum, but not much...

[Maitre Absolut]

so whats the bad side to progessive springs?

[RedLineRob]

I guess that helps me

When i had my KWV1's I called KW because i too wanted to pair the coils up with different springs and they told me the coils are designed for one type of spring only, and that they dont recommend changing them out, and they didn't make any other types of spring for that particular coil-over. So im guessing H&R's are the same way your best bet would to call H&R

[Willie Gee]

As the owner of KW V3s I can tell you that swapping out spring rates is common practice and yet another way to tune a car for optimal handling. There are many springs available for the KW set ups. What comes with it are optimal for aggressive street usage/ occaisonal track usage.

The reason for linear springs is so that the spring rate remains consistent throughout compression, and is therefore more predictable. Progressive springs on the other hand increase stiffness as they compress and can often lead to "unpredictable" handling behavior. (the car can suddenly understeer or oversteer based on compression) These springs also go from soft to hard in a hurry on a bump, whereas the linear springs will have consistent hardness throughout the "bump."

YMMV.

[Willie Gee]

...that said, some drivers prefer the progressive springs because the more body roll in a turn, the more "push" the spring gives back. So progressive springs can be very useful for drivers who are expecting the extra resistance. But they are not as comfortable on the street.