what would be a good spring choice for both autocross and open track use? Not all that concerned w/ ride quality.

 

Pretty much any progressive rate spring will work fine.
We had Intrax 2" drop springs in our C-Prepared '87 IROC racecar, worked like a charm. And I have Suspension Techniques 1 1/2" drop springs in my '87 Firebird, which I autocrossed for years before we built the CP car, and they worked fine too

 

I have Eibach Pro Kit springs in my car. They lower the car about 1".

I ran ESP then C prepared. Now I run open track only.

 

check out Global West

 

i alwasy thought that autocrossers prefered straight rate springs over progressive....?

 

Mr Dude is right. I would recommend a linear rate spring set. Eibach makes them for the front (5 1/2 O.D.) and Suspension Spring Specialists makes them for the back. As for what rate to choose, its up to you. You'll want stiffer than stock, but not too stiff. Also depends on your local track and how you want the car to feel. Not sure of exact numbers but stock upper model 3rd gen Fbodies were somewhere around 500# front and 100# rear. Honestly, to get the spring rate right you might have to try a few different combinations. Thats how I'm doing it. I'm currently running 700# front and 150# rear 1/2 height springs, but I also have other rates (600#, 800#, 900# front, 200#, 250#, and 300# rear). This is still a learning experience for me and its going slow because my car is down. My only advice is not to make radical changes because this will make it harder to troubleshoot problems when you are trying to tune the suspension.

 

CrazyHawaiian,

Have you had a chance to run a 900/200 combo yet? I'm running 850/175 right now but wont have any track testing with it till the 26th. Messing around on the street has made me feel like this is a pretty safe rate but I'm thinking the 900/200 combo might be even better yet. Hard to say... Oh, I'm also running poly bushings and the the smallest swaybars(32/21?). Any input?

I also agree to go with linear springs. For max performance, feel and predicability there's no other choice altho I have hard for autox that a softer setup can sometimes benefit so a progressive rate might work good. You'll just never really be able to setup a car to its max capability when dealing with variable rate springs.

 

great, thanks for all the info..looks like ill just get a set of eibachs for now and get the rest of the suspension dialed in..then once i get used to the car, start experimenting w/ some linear rate springs.

thanks again.