[DeTomaso] Spring rates

JDeRyke at aol.com JDeRyke at aol.com
Mon Jan 21 16:15:03 EST 2013


A few notes-
A)- 17" wheels are aluminum thus are heavier than stock magnesium, as are 
17" tires, so you'll need heavier than stock springs to compensate & give at 
least a stock quality ride. 

B)- you didn't say what shocks you have. Gas pressurized shocks such as 
Konis have the equivalent of 45 lbs of 'spring' from the 300+ lbs of internal 
gas pressure, so add that into your figures. There are low-pressure and high 
pressure gas shocks too, and I don't know all the pressures.

C)- Old non-gas Konis use 4-1/2" OD springs while most newer shocks use 
3-1/2" OD springs.   Dirt track shock-springs can be 2-1/2". Lots of 
opportunity to get the wrong diameter.

D)- the 'correct' spring   for street cars will not quite allow a front air 
dam to touch the ground during a panic stop on dry pavement. If no air dam, 
the same applies to hitting the front bump-stop rubbers. To check, tighten 
a tie-wrap onto the shock rod and either drive rapidly over a bumpy road, or 
do a not-quite-locked-up panic stop. Then look to see where the tie-wrap 
was pushed up to. If its against the bump-rubber, you need more spring (or a 
longer shock). If its an inch or so below, a little less spring. Damping 
adjustments don't usually do more than delay the ultimate position of the 
tie-wrap. Good luck- JDeryke



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