RPS13_GZ32

I will begin this post by saying I'm ignorant to suspension...and I'm still learning here, so keep the flaming down ppl, thx

I just picked up some used (500 miles) KYB GS2 shocks, that already had some Megan Racing springs on them (Link to see what they are: Linky) and the guy I bought them from said he chose those because they had a greater spring rate.

I'll be honest, I don't know much about springs besides drop rates, but I did some research:

Megan Racing springs -
drop - 2" front 1.7 Rear
spring rate - 300F & 350R
MSRP - $110.00

Eibach Pro springs kit -
drop - 0.8" front 0.8" rear
spring rate -
MSRP - $225.00

Tein S-Tech springs -
drop - 1.38" front 0.83 Rear
Spring Rate - 200F & 190R
MSRP - $170.00

Tein H-Tech springs -
drop - 0.79" front 0.24" rear
Spring Rate - 180F & 180R
MSRP - $175.00

HKS Super Form Springs -
drop - 0.51" Front 1.06" Rear
spring rate -
MSRP - $351.00

Tanabe SUSTEC GF210 Springs -
drop - 1.8" Front 1.2" Rear
Spring Rate - 3.4 (kg/mm)F & 3.8 (kg/mm)R
MSRP - $200.00

RS*R Springs -
drop - 0.8" Front 0.6" Rear
spring rate - 193F & 180R
MSRP - $220.00

GREX (Greddy) Springs -
drop - 1" Front 1" Rear
spring rate -
MSRP - $300.00

Sprint Racing springs -
drop - 1.80" front 1.80 Rear
spring rate -
MSRP - $200.00

Can someone enlighten me on what makes one spring rate better than another, and what effect the drop rate may have along with the spring rate?

I guess what I'm looking for, is an answer whether or not to change out these ebayish springs for some better springs....and why.....or if in fact these Megan springs ARE a good set to have based on thier rates.
(I'm not asking which spring set is the best....I know there are a lot of threads on this subject already. I just found it hard to find good info on this)

Thanks guys for any and all help.

EDIT: I'm also missing the spring rates for the HKS, GREX, Sprint and the Eibachs....if anyone knows those I would like to add them to the list. Thanks.

nismaniac

i believe alot of people dislike megan products, but i think that could be a cross between theyre cheap price and the name is still fairly new. just my opinion though

RPS13_GZ32

Agreed, and that was my 1st impression as well, but for the price I got for the setup it is worth changing them to something better....I just don't know what.

entropy31

i'm still pretty ignorant in the suspension department myself. what does a staggered drop do? like the tein h-specs.

nismaniac

i'm not too good with suspension myself, but i always thought it was to make the height of the front and back equal. like say if your car is .25 higher in the front stock. than the back springs would lower .50 and the front would lower .75 to make the ride height equal. but i really have never asked or read anything about this. can someone please clear this up for us.

RPS13_GZ32

hrm...If the front end is higher stock, it would probably be to counter the weight of the motor. So really, how would lowering the car, say 2" (megan) in the front affect the steering? Turning radius? (since it's already a pain to make U turns...)

Edit: Guess those are sort of broad questions since it is determined by other factors as well...

nismaniac

im am going to find all this out. i will have all the answers in a day or two, unless someone else clears it up first. its time for us to learn all about suspension.

91zxtt

A 2" drop on a Z32 is ridiculous. You won't be able to drive over a turd in the road without hitting it with the bumper.

RPS13_GZ32

that's what I was thinking.

nismaniac

but i thought the idea is to get as low as possible even if it sacrifices your oil pan or bumper or whatever....... oh wait thats for honda owners. oh and i cant find anything on suspension facts, and this concerns me because i think there is alot of people out there that dont know theyre suspension 101 including me, fixing or replacing is easy, but what is spring rate for, and why does spring drop vary from front to back ........... i need to know haha

nka04a

Agreed.....I just installed eibachs on my Z and I'm very happy with the set up. Only draw back is im not used to the progressive rate (the springs get stiffer the harder you turn). The prgressive rate makes it alittle unpredictable when you take hard fast turns. A liner rate means the rate of spring compression stays the same all the time. Which leads to the "po-go stick" effect for daily driving and makes your car ride like a go-cart but is good for the track. The progressive rate gives you a comfortable ride for daily driving and is also good for the track. As far as ride hight the lower you go your going to need to be able to make some serious camber adjustments.

Note: With the Eibachs I'v already cracked the bottom of my bumper
IMO you don't need to go any lower.
Also if the springs dont have a listing for the rate it might mean they have a progressive rate because it changes (could be wrong)

nismaniac

ahhhh some answers