did the spring-spacer-remove mod

[PewterBird]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by PewterBird:
I don't think it is dumb. I just would like to see it more evidence of it being safe, maybe this post will get the attention of redbird00 and andrew N. for a year and six month update.<hr></blockquote>

Well, its good to hear from someone that has tested it for a year, now that this mod works well. Nice job

[hou-tex-six]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Pewter2K1:
[QB]He shouldnt see any more wheel hop than before... HE didnt cut his springs... So, he still has the same spring rate, the spring is the same length, just sits closer to the car.
QB]<hr></blockquote>


Actually im pretty sure the springs are not variable rate, so they would still be the same spring rate even if cut. What does make a difference is the fact that the axle now sits closer to the wheelwell, therefore bringing the control arms up with it, changing the angle at which these lie in relation to the frame, this can cause more wheelhop. this is the geometry i mentioned earlier, but didnt elaborate upon. Either way, reloc brackets seem to be a good fix.

Cp

[ March 25, 2003: Message edited by: hou-tex-six ]</p>

[V6Bob]

"Actually im pretty sure the springs are not variable rate, so they would still be the same spring rate even if cut."

Nope. A spring is basically a long torsion bar wrapped in a spiral. Make it shorter and it becomes stiffer, in proportion to how much you cut. Get a spring from the hardware store that's a little hard to squeeze and cut it in half. It will be twice as stiff.

[Darknight]

It will seem twice as stiff because it will travel half as far, but the flexibility remains the same. Spring rates don't suddenly get higher just because you cut them, but their range of flexibility decreases.

DK

[wickedfirebird]

i did this mod over a year ago no problems about an .75" drop

[Pewter2K1]

So they become less flexible, then they become stiffer... You just said it your self.

Well theres no difference in traction so hes alright.

[V6Bob]

"Spring rates don't suddenly get higher just because you cut them, but their range of flexibility decreases."

I don't understand that. Spring rates (measured in lbs/inch) do get suddenly higher if you cut the spring, decreasing the number of coils. Check out:

http://faq.f650.com/FAQs/SpringRateFAQ.html

If you have a 200lbs/inch spring with 5 coils and you cut one off, it will become a 250 lbs/inch spring.

"Well theres no difference in traction so hes alright."

Again I don't understand. Softer springs give better traction. It's why some V8 drag race guys like to use V6 rear springs.

[ March 26, 2003: Message edited by: V6Bob ]</p>

[Darknight]

Ok, if you have a spring that's, say, a foot long, and it is wound from a solid piece of steel, it has a certain amount of flexibility, but the spring wire has the same strength all the way through. It has a certain flex range because each winding can flex a certain distance. Cut the spring in half, and you'll notice the range of flexibility fall by 50%. That doesn't mean that the spring got twice as stiff, or twice as strong. The material remains the same, and retains the same properties. Since, however, the number of windings are half, and since each winding only has a finite flexibility range, then the cut spring can only flex half as far.

Look at it this way. You add up all the flex ranges of each winding to get a range for a full spring. If you divide the number of windings by 2, you also divide the total range of flex by 2.

What people commonly refer to as spring rates has nothing to do with the stiffness, or strength, of the spring. Increasing spring rate by cutting a spring only means that you've decreased its range. It will not hold a heavier load.

DK

[V6Bob]

OK, I give up. :D

If anyone is in doubt about whether cutting a spring changes the spring rate, check out the website I mentioned above, look at the equation for spring rate, and decide for yourself.

[ March 27, 2003: Message edited by: V6Bob ]</p>