Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 20 of 54

Thread: Front Springs for Autox

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Fairfax Station, VA, USA.
    Posts
    166

    Thumbs up Front Springs for Autox

    Just ran my first autocross of the season with the Cobra this past weekend after upping my front springs to 550lbs, and the results were excellent. A big improvement over my 450s. The car was much flatter in the turns and much less inclined to nosedive under threshold braking. And the ride on the street is really not that much different then it was with springs in the 375lb range.

    I've also got a C6 Vette that I autocross, and it's hard to tell which car is quicker against my benchmark competition. The course this weekend was extremely fast (close to 80 in one segment), which probably favored the Cobra. But if they ever come out with a good R compound tire to fit the 19" rears on the Vette, it would likely be the better of the two. In any event, they're both great cars to drive at the limit - albeit very, very different from one another.

    For any of you in the Mid-Atlantic area that are interested in an autocross venue that caters to high performance cars (Cobras, Vetts, Porsches, etc), make the trip up to Cumberland MD. Great bunch of people and fast courses. Here's a link: http://www.nationalroadrally.com/index.html There are usually 5-10 Cobras/Daytona Coupes that show up.
    Gary
    Unique FIA 351W

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Prince Frederick, Maryland, USA.
    Posts
    1,561
    Thanks for the info Gary.
    I want to Autocross my Cobra just to see what it will do. Was trying to find a group closer to me in Southern Maryland but have not had much luck.
    Looks like I will have to take a trip to Cumberland after all.

    Have you ever tried spring wedges in your springs?
    Every time you stop the movement of an active coil you increase your spring rate. I am going to do this as a way to have an option of playing with spring rates at the track without having to change the springs.
    Tony
    Unique 427 #4279480 Precision Engine Machine Company 427 s/o 483.47 stroker close ratio toploader 3.31 jag rear

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Fairfax Station, VA, USA.
    Posts
    166
    Tony,

    Hope you make it up to Cumberland this year. And if you try the wedges, let me know how they work.
    Gary
    Unique FIA 351W

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Cincy, OH, USA.
    Posts
    376
    Tony,

    That sounds like a great idea, I am heading to Mid Ohio the 20th of this month and I think I will try the wedges. Is it best if the wedges are placed in the middle of the spring or does it matter?
    Scott
    4279454
    SA 428
    3:54

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Prince Frederick, Maryland, USA.
    Posts
    1,561
    Gary,
    Time permitting I hope to make it to at least one autocross this year.

    Scott,

    I don't know if it makes a difference where the wedges are placed but I saw a guy at Carlisle with a S7 and all his wedges started at the bottom of the spring.
    I have to find wedges first. I know they use them in NASCAR.
    Haven't had time to look for them. I am swamped at work. I should of asked the guy where he got his.
    Tony
    Unique 427 #4279480 Precision Engine Machine Company 427 s/o 483.47 stroker close ratio toploader 3.31 jag rear

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Shepherdsville, KY, USA.
    Posts
    1,725
    Try looking at spring spacers and not wedges.
    Rick
    427 S/C , 427 Side-oiler, 4 Speed Close Ratio Top Loader, 3:73 Gear
    #4279405

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Mesa, Arizona , USA.
    Posts
    57

    Progressive rate springs

    Anyone tried progressive rate springs and if so which?

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Prince Frederick, Maryland, USA.
    Posts
    1,561
    Thanks Rick,

    My local speed shop has them. I called them earlier today.
    And you are correct, they are called spring spacers.
    Tony
    Unique 427 #4279480 Precision Engine Machine Company 427 s/o 483.47 stroker close ratio toploader 3.31 jag rear

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Mississippi Gulf Coast and Central Florida
    Posts
    2,153
    Do spring spacers actually change the spring rate (and if so how)... or do they merely limit suspension travel? Do they cause the individual coils to flex as well as compress? This is interesting.
    Paul

    289 USRRC
    1964 289 5-bolt block
    Toploader and 3.31 rear

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Apr 2003
    Location
    , Indiana, USA.
    Posts
    1,316

    Lightbulb

    My friend at AFCO sent me this link. Should answer all of your questions.

    http://www.stockcarproducts.com/spgtech.htm


    Have fun!!
    Brent
    "Build em' light and wind em' tight!"
    www.cardomain.com/ride/2660122
    www.cardomain.com/ride/2659961

    Sold Unique 427SC
    #4279401

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Cincy, OH, USA.
    Posts
    376
    I just purchased these for my track day. "trying to save the oil pan"

    http://www.speedwaymotors.com/xq/asp...qx/Product.htm
    Scott
    4279454
    SA 428
    3:54

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Shepherdsville, KY, USA.
    Posts
    1,725

    Question Spring Length

    Gary,

    What length spring did you go with on the front, 8"???
    Rick
    427 S/C , 427 Side-oiler, 4 Speed Close Ratio Top Loader, 3:73 Gear
    #4279405

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Fairfax Station, VA, USA.
    Posts
    166
    Rick,

    I used 10" Eibachs. Wish someone made a 9", 'cause that would be just about perfect. I was worried about coil bind with the 8s, but at some point I may try 'em. The 10s are adjusted all the way down, and the ride height is ok. But for autox I'd like to be able to crank it down another 1/2 to 3/4".
    Gary
    Unique FIA 351W

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Shepherdsville, KY, USA.
    Posts
    1,725

    Spring Length

    The 9" is the correct spring in my opinion for the Unique 427 cars. Maurice has recently told me he can get a 9" spring from Pro Shock that is powder coated. I tried the 8 inch springs and they are a little short for the front and the 10" springs leave the car too high. Rule of thumb I am told that you double the shock travel for the ideal spring length. 4 inches of travel, 8 inch spring, 5 inches of travel 10 inch spring, so on. That is pretty close as we are around 4 to 4 1/2 inches of travel, there is no way a Unique Car can acheive 5 inches of travel without looking like a 4X4.
    Rick
    427 S/C , 427 Side-oiler, 4 Speed Close Ratio Top Loader, 3:73 Gear
    #4279405

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Fairfax Station, VA, USA.
    Posts
    166
    Quote Originally Posted by eliminator
    Maurice has recently told me he can get a 9" spring from Pro Shock that is powder coated.
    I'd definitely be interested in this - perhaps we can get Pro Shock to make up a batch of them if there's enough interest. One problem is that I suspect people may want different spring rates, which may make a group purchase impractical.
    Gary
    Unique FIA 351W

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Shepherdsville, KY, USA.
    Posts
    1,725
    It is my understanding that they can be purchase by pair and spring weight.
    I am going to find out real soon.
    Rick
    427 S/C , 427 Side-oiler, 4 Speed Close Ratio Top Loader, 3:73 Gear
    #4279405

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Fairfax Station, VA, USA.
    Posts
    166
    Sounds good, Rick. Let me know.
    Gary
    Unique FIA 351W

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Prince Frederick, Maryland, USA.
    Posts
    1,561
    I will be interested also.
    I have installed the wedges( Spring spacers cut to fit) and took out a spring and a half. It is a noticable improvement.
    Car does not nose dive or dip out.
    It doesn't roll as bad in turns.
    I am running the 10" 300# springs.
    Tony
    Unique 427 #4279480 Precision Engine Machine Company 427 s/o 483.47 stroker close ratio toploader 3.31 jag rear

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Location
    Shepherdsville, KY, USA.
    Posts
    1,725

    Front & Rear Springs

    I just ordered a set of 375# front springs, 9 inch. I am going from 325# in the rear to 350#, they will stay the same length 8". My front spings , 2 sets, are 10" 325# and 8" 350#, so I may have several sets to unload once I find the right combination.
    Rick
    427 S/C , 427 Side-oiler, 4 Speed Close Ratio Top Loader, 3:73 Gear
    #4279405

  20. #20
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Cincy, OH, USA.
    Posts
    376
    Rick, keep us posted on how your new set-up works. I am interested in changing mine as well. My oil pan scar's are growing.
    Scott
    4279454
    SA 428
    3:54

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •