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veilside180sx · 05-13-2008, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawn B

"Little"? Define "little". Would this be very noticable to your average dude (me) during daily-driving?

Compared back-to-back with the GC equipped vehicle, that has spring rates 140 pounds stronger in the front and 200 pounds stronger in the rear.

How about compared to stock? Or any other conventional aftermarket spring for our cars? A back to back with the RM's would be ideal.

"Night and day" for what exact purpose? Running around town, autocross, road racing?

"Hardly any more harsh"? From what I can gather, the CSK/Hyperco set-up is very, very, comfortable. Near stock levels of comfort. How much comfort is given up in the pursuit of absolute precision with the CSK/GC set-up? Would an old-fart (with creaky bones) notice the increase in harshness when upgrading (yes, upgrading.....$$$) to the GC set-up?

Besides the obvious differences in the spring rates GC 440/400 vs Hyperco300/200.....

How do those Koni's affect the performance of the two suspensions?

How stiff is the ST sways vs. Progress sways, and would that factor affect ride quality or harshness?

Would GC in a 300/200 rate also feel more precise, less "mushy and unresponsive" with "better initial turn-in" than the Hypercos? Do you think that the RM's, which are a linear rate (300/200) would be more akin to the GC set-up or the Hyperco springs? Ie...is the progressive rate spring inherently a more....vague feeling spring than a linear rate spring?

Does "mushy" also mean less jarring over road imperfections?

Were there any differences in the bracing, bushings, or strut mounts between the two vehicles? Was either vehicle ever in an accident?

What is the financial difference between the CSK/Hyperco set-up and the CSK/GC set-up if someone built the CSK's themselves? What is the difference in price if someone (like me, mechanically inept) paid someone like you (or Steve) to build me a set of CSK's in either configuration, for the GC's, or Hyperco/RM conventional springs?

Now...once Veilside answers all my questions, then and only then, can someone make an honest evaluation of whether or not it is worth the extra money to them, in order to upgrade ($$$) from the Hyperco's to the GC sleeves. All other things being equal.

And Veilside, you KNOW that I am not picking on you or your highly-valued opinion on our suspensions. I want the answers, because of your expertise and ability to translate "suspension feel" to dollars and sense (spelled just the way I spelled it, on purpose.)

I don't perform the work on a typical Koni OTS setup, because it's not worth my time. I'll help locals take care of it or weld the perches on after they've done the dirty work. It's easy enough for someone to do themselves that I try not to get involved with that end. Not to mention Steve does excellent work and has the patience for it.(I pretty much just do 8611/8610 setups)

Financially I think it's within $100 for the RM/Hyperco vs. GC setup. So I think that's a negligible difference imo. (plus the additonal work to weld perches onto the housings)

The Hyperco's are softer over broken pavement/railroad tracks and things like that, but the GC even with the 440/400 are never harsh. After coming back from out drives, the other person commented that if he hadn't known they were 400+ lb springs he would've assumed they were 300.

As far as which avenues would benefit most from the change...road race, autox, and street in that order. I think anyone could easily feel the difference between them, yes Shawn...that includes you Mr. Brittle Bones.

Chassis differences:

My chassis has NEVER been in ANY acccident whatsoever and is therefore perfect.

Bryan's chassis has been rearended at one time, but was fixed and comes out true on a chassis rack. (Beam was replaced even)

I think the sway bars play the smallest role in changes between the two mostly because it's definately a spring difference you are feeling between them in transitions. I feel that a progressive spring is a little more vague by nature, and prefer linear springs for everything. (at least that I've come acrossed so far) I have yet to drive a set of Road Magnet's but will have to drive Ben's (Benito Malito) car before he swaps them back out for the Hyperco.

Hyperco/Road Magnets are still going to be the best springs for the money when it comes to a stock based strut that retains the factory perch. If you are going to go that route, then you are short changing yourself anyway.