Ideal coilover settings?

[miketheman2k]

I have a set of Gaz coilovers installed on my 182, and I'd like to know what settings people are running (Gaz or otherwise):

Also, the springs on the rear are harder than the front, does this mean that the dampers are designed in the same way (i.e. on the hardest setting all-round, the rear dampers will be harder because the springs are)?

I have wheels that are 4kg lighter per corner than standard....should this allow me to run the dampers slighty softer than a standard car (because the wheel will have less intertia when tackling a bump)?

On trackdays, is it wise to make the suspension as hard as possible, or is there an ideal setting for the spring / damper combo that shouldn't be messed with (like a few 'clicks' either way)?

Is it usual for the suspension to be slightly noiser with coilovers installed?

Any other useful bits of info would be welcome too!

Cheers,
Mike

 

[Gary G]

I have a set of Gaz coilovers installed on my 182, and I'd like to know what settings people are running (Gaz or otherwise):

Also, the springs on the rear are harder than the front, does this mean that the dampers are designed in the same way (i.e. on the hardest setting all-round, the rear dampers will be harder because the springs are)?

The dampers will have the same characteristics, the rear springs are a higher rate due to the motion ratio...they have to be proportionally relational to the fronts in terms of wheel rate

I have wheels that are 4kg lighter per corner than standard....should this allow me to run the dampers slighty softer than a standard car (because the wheel will have less intertia when tackling a bump)?

Makes sense to me lol

On trackdays, is it wise to make the suspension as hard as possible, or is there an ideal setting for the spring / damper combo that shouldn't be messed with (like a few 'clicks' either way)?

Depends what tyres and track really mate....generally its better to have them fairly hard to reduce body roll

Is it usual for the suspension to be slightly noiser with coilovers installed?

yup especially with the GAZ setup as they bin the OE rubber insulation on the rear

Any other useful bits of info would be welcome too!

Cheers,
Mike

Hope that helps mate

Gary

 

[miketheman2k]

Cheers Gary, very useful

In the same way that hard springs and soft dampers allow too much spring movement and rubbish handling, is the opposite a problem too; having the dampers too hard?

What's the wheel rate?

 

[miketheman2k]

bump

 

[miketheman2k]

haroo?

 

[y0z2a]

Rather than speculating, pay someone to set them up properly.

Corner Weight / Camber / Toe

Cost about £150-£350 depending on where done, but... you will find the difference is as big again from the shift to coilovers, as the shift from coilovers to properly set up coilovers.

If you are up north we have a company who we use. Northampton Motorsport do it, Mark Fish does it along with most other motorsport centres.

/y0z

/y0z

 

[miketheman2k]

Hmmm, I see your point - but I don't fancy paying more for the setup than I did for the coilovers!

 

[Gaz_]

Is it usual for the suspension to be slightly noiser with coilovers installed?

Any other useful bits of info would be welcome too!

Cheers,
Mike

only with the gaz set up, they rattle and clunk.... i got rid of mine for some H&R's, difference was like night and day

 

[miketheman2k]

only with the gaz set up, they rattle and clunk.... i got rid of mine for some H&R's, difference was like night and day

Do you think that was because of the top mounts? Perhaps I should use the old 182 top mounts instead.

 

[Gaz_]

no, its deffo NOT the top mounts... is it from the rear?