Linear vs. Progressive Springs -- Which is better?

[drew4392]

I'm doing an aftermarket shock/spring setup, and cannot decide on type of spring.

It'll either be H&R (linear) or Eibach (progressive).

If I understand it correctly, the progressive spring has a softer spring rate up top, and progressively gets stiffer further down into the travel. Linear, the spring rate is consistent throughout the whole travel of the spring.

My concern with a progressive spring is it being too soft and loosey goosey during normal driving, and because of the changing spring rate, difficult to negotiate throughout turns.

These worries bogus? Any experience with both?


Thanks!

[QuattroRocket]

Daily driving you wont see much of a difference at all, if you track the car thats when you will notice the weakness of progressive setups.

[wwhan]

The progressive spring are used to provide a more compliant street ride & still provide enough rate to not bottom out on large bumps. The linear springs are used for track cars or performance street cars where a soft ride is not required. The choice depends on on your personal preference, needs and planned use.

[nate.the.great]

Which shocks are you going with? Koni? Bilstein?

[drew4392]

Which shocks are you going with? Koni? Bilstein?

Bilstein B8

[drew4392]

I may track the car once a year. Regularly, I will enjoy some spirited driving and get into some twisties. In those instances, I want less roll and couchy type of damping at the deepest point in the turn.

A scenario you guys may relate to... take a long sweeper for instance... with some mild unevenness in the pavement... not so hard where you're approaching apex, but very deep into the turn you feel the weakness of the springs and dampers. It gets bouncy, leans, and doesn't feel terribly confident.

That is what I am trying to improve. Seems like a linear spring is best. OE Sport seems to retain comfort and a little added performance, too.

[MrFunk]

I prefer a tight/stiffer set up but compliant enough to soak up bumps etc. I hated the soft float of the OEM set up.
HR OE springs are a perfect rate IMO for a road car... once you go lower than the OE spring into HR Sport or Super Sport then I think things really get more stiff where you might want to think twice. But the OE's are by no means too stiff...
A progressive spring seems like a compromise to me...

[rs4dreams]

Are the stock springs linear?

[MrFunk]

Are the stock springs linear?

I believe so... correct me if I'm wrong...

[nate.the.great]

Bilstein B8

If you're going with the Bilsteins, it seems like most folks like them mated with the Eibachs.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...rey-B8-5-Build

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...After-Feedback

[UnstableOS]

If you're going with the Bilsteins, it seems like most folks like them mated with the Eibachs.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...rey-B8-5-Build

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...After-Feedback

+1

B8/Eibach combo is outstanding. If I were to go with H&R the Konis are a better match from my experience. I've run both setups and what most are saying here is accurate, stiffer ride on be H&R.

If I wanted a stiffer ride compared to B8/Eibach.. I'd just go with H&R street coils over Koni/H&R combo.. If the added price is not an issue.

[Maxim]

The progressive spring are used to provide a more compliant street ride & still provide enough rate to not bottom out on large bumps. The linear springs are used for track cars or performance street cars where a soft ride is not required. The choice depends on on your personal preference, needs and planned use.

What he said! Lol I prefer the progressives with even lower initial rates if possible and compenasate with higher rate roll bars. Primary for
Street only as the roads are not going to get any better. If you track allot, high rate linear springs will provide the predictability you want.
All solutions are compromises IMO......