Can anyone recommend lowering springs that are not quite as severe as the Eibachs? They're a little too firm for the roads I travel most days

Why dont ya look at larger tyre profile? See if it smooths it out that way?

Ross

I found the 16vt Eibach springs slightly softer than the 20vt version, they are made of a smaller gauge wire on the front and are wound differently but if the roads near you are that bad your still going to suffer.
Are you using Bilstien dampers ?

I used a Gmax progressive wound spring on mine...Very comfortable on the straights as they only work when you tilt the car.
You loose a little cornering speed but you get predictable slide.
And they also help on launches.
SO a little more roll than the usual springs but more drivable.

Think I'm on the 16VT Eibachs already (with Billies).I might look into the Gmax - the roads around me are truly awful, so I could probably live with a little more roll.

Re Ross' suggestion, would going to a higer profile make much difference?

Definately.

Im running 215/35/18 and its very hard on the bumps. Whereas with the stnd wheels its noticeably softer. I reckon an increase again would produce more of the same.

Maybe someone else can agree?

Ross

looked at Gmax a while ago they didn`t list a spring for the 20vt..... or any coupe turbo, afaicr

i ran a 205 40 17 tyre and the roads round me are shyte...But i noticed a difference with the gmax springs..I also used powerflex silicone bushes on the front arms as well and it really helped.No tyre wear,very little road noise and very precise handling.
And gmax are a budget spring.But i tried the eibachs before as there supposed to be the bollox....but i found the ride very harsh.great for tracks but how often do you race the car.

Does anyone know the spring rate for Eibach?

Eibach dont give out that sort of information.

johhny` do you know which gmax spring you used

agree with changing tyre size, a bigger sidewall would allow more flex over the bumps, and therefore a softer ride. this is documented on tyre sites all over the web.

however, 4 new tyres may cost considerably more than a new set of springs

if you want to put on bigger wheels you have no option but go lower profile tyres.....unless you don`t mind screwing the speedo/gearing up

below is the Gmax fiat model spring list

http://www.gmaxsuspension.co.uk/c1473_1589_1590_1598.htm

Gmax, Apex, Chassis Dynamics all base their spring on the Eibach spring, I looked into that when I was looking for a better spring

Larger side walls will make it a nicer ride but the handling wont be as sharp, the tyres will roll more on the rims so you'll lose traction sooner and get more heat in the tryes.

Are you on 205/50/16 or 225/45/16 tyres at the moment ?

I'm on 205/50/16, so I've a big enough sidewall already! Maybe I got a super-stiff set of Eibachs or something

I posted on the bumpstop thread about cutting the front ones in half or your front dampers will have limited travel, did you do cut your fronts when you fitted the springs and dampers ?

I keep meaning to check this (I didn't fit them myself) ... though I suspect not

I found them all superstiff

Push the car down at the front corners and see if there is any give in the suspension, it should have at least an inch of travel on the Eibachs, if it feels rock solid with no movement then its more than likely sat on the bumpstops.

Cutting the bump stops down just means the damper is going to be more susceptible to damage; they are designed to progressively limit suspension movement before the damper bottoms out. Cutting them down may buy you a little more suspension travel before they take effect (though probably no more in total), but when you do hit them it's going to really unsettle the car. Just like cutting down a spring, cutting a bump stop raises it's spring rate.

If you lower a car using springs, you have to accept that you have reduced the suspension travel in bump.

Not really, the bumpstop is there to prevent the spring going coil-bound and the damper from bottoming out, it is no way part of the suspension. They are designed to be progressive on a factory car for comfort and nothing else, you could run a solid rubber 1cm bumpstop that would do the job of protecting the suspension components.

If your on the bumpstops then cutting them down by 1" gives you 1" of travel you didn't have, Im not sure on the science behind your argument there ?

If your riding around on your bumpstops your suspension isn't working, your using a polyurathane foam block to act as a spring and damper, accepting that as the norm because your car is lowered is crazy.