Spring Rates

I know that some of this information has been posted already, But I thought I'd save everyone some time and post it all together. And even tho it's been posted before, I verified all the information again just to be safe. All info posted here is in regards to the...........

1979 to 83 280ZX (Turbo and N/A)
1984 to 89 300ZX (Turbo and N/A)
1984 to 88 200SX (All models)

And just in case, it is formatted in this fashion.......
Vehicle, Part Number, Spring Rate, and Ride Height Drop

Tokico
280 Front PT# HZ3038 S.R.# 175Lbs/in. 1"drop
280 Rear PT# HU2286 S.R.# 200Lbs/in. 1"drop
300 Front PT# HZ3100 S.R.# 150Lbs/in. 1"drop
300 Rear PT# HE2740 S.R.# 170Lbs/in. 1"drop
200 Frt&Rr PT# HPS5025 S.R.# 175Lbs/in. 1"drop (Discontinued)

Suspension Techniques (Belltech)
280 Front PT# 60150 S.R.# 173Lbs/in. 1"drop
280 Rear PT# Kit Pt# S.R.# 202Lbs/in. 1"drop
300 Front PT# 60185 S.R.# 200Lbs/in. 1"drop
300 Rear PT# Kit Pt# S.R.# 226Lbs/in. 1"drop

Eibach
280 Front PT# 6302.140 S.R.# 140Lbs/in. to 205Lbs/in. 1"drop
280 Rear PT# Kit Part # S.R.# 182Lbs/in. 1"drop
300 Front PT# 6301.140 S.R.# 145Lbs/in. to 242Lbs/in. 0.75"drop
300 Rear PT# Kit Part # S.R.# 185Lbs/in. to 257Lbs/in. 0.75"drop

I hope this helps everyone out, or at least helps them decide what to do. As you can see, Everyone went Linear except for Eibach who engineered a Progressive Rate Spring, and King Springs which someone still has to verify. You guys are on your own to get that info tho, I've done my part. But please post it here if anyone gets it.
_________________
Ernest (Just call me "E")
'87 200SX SEV6
in search of a VG30DET
and Tokico Springs

If they post the info here in a similar, I will move the info to your first post and keep the color/order scheme and sticky the post. Good work, Ernest. 2thumbs.gif
_________________
-Jason Arro -- Long Live the UNDERDOG
Club-S12 Moderator
'85 Nissan 200SX Turbo Hatch -- DEAD CA20ET icon_sad.gif
http://www.cardomain.com/id/arro200sx
'89 Dodge Daytona Shelby Turbo II
http://www.cardomain.com/id/arro89shelby

Thanks Jason, Just thought I should contribute.
_________________
Ernest (Just call me "E")
'87 200SX SEV6
in search of a VG30DET
and Tokico Springs

I just wanted to note really quick that...

Tokico
280 Front PT# HZ3038 S.R.# 175Lbs/in. 1"drop

Is more than likely the same spring that came in the S12 kit. I mean if King Springs uses the same spring for both kits than why wouldn't Tociko?
[jeff]
_________________
[jeff]

87/88 SE V6 icon_mrgreen.gif
[like me, its starting to fall apart]

"You only hurt the one you love."
That may be true, but better said:
"You only hurt the one who loves you."

can all of the above springs be used on a 200sx?
_________________
1985 200sx CA18ET project car... need truck intercooler/bigger turbo
1994 Jetta CL 1.8L - got rearended... write-off
LAC - London Auto Club

Ok, I know that they may not be the same but like you said "spring size, diameter, free lengh and shape were similar enough to manufacture an identical spring" and both kits use a 175lb/in front spring. So I think it would be very hard to come up w/ 2 diff 175lb/in springs that fit all the same dimentions. Plus most manufacturers are looking for ways to cut cost to earn a better profit. To me atleast it just makes sense. Any way, I was just saying it for guys like Keith who weren't happy w/the drop from his 1st Tokico set and were thinking about switching them out. I just didn't want them to buy the same thing twice. *shrugs*
[jeff]
_________________
[jeff]

87/88 SE V6 icon_mrgreen.gif
[like me, its starting to fall apart]

"You only hurt the one you love."
That may be true, but better said:
"You only hurt the one who loves you."

yea, i was wanting to stiffen up the suspension and drop it a little bit. what about modified springs for an old sentra?
_________________
"I didn't want to waste all of my time on a broken orb."

87 ca20e notch
http://www.cardomain.com/member_pages/view_page.pl?page_id=213290&make_type_query=make%3DNissan&model_brand_query=model%3D200SX&tree=Nissan%20200SX

Got me on that one.
_________________
Ernest (Just call me "E")
'87 200SX SEV6
in search of a VG30DET
and Tokico Springs

Technical speaking you could have two springs with the same physical dimensions yet will perform differently. Other variables that affect how a spring will "work" include the wire dia., number of free coil, the material of the spring and even the end coils design. What I meant for "work" is how well the spring will perform when the car is in motion (subjecting to dynamic load). So even after a designer did the initial "physical" design he must also check and see how well will the spring function under dynamic load and/or static load.

In our situation, I think the reason why the front 280zx spring is identical to the s12 may be because of the similar "dynamic load requirement", rather then a cost cutting measurement. After all, both car do weight about the same and having a different weight distributions (more favorable for the z), I wouldn't be surprised if the front corners have about the same loading. As for the rear, I cannot say if the 300 springs will "work" without knowing what the weight, weight distribution as well as the free length of the springs. Like Rev said, the front and rear springs are designed to complement each other so just because the springs fits in the physical sence it may not very work well.

Check out my thread under "Spring 101" and 12secondGSX's "suspension adjustment table" to understand more about this topic and the effects different spring will do to handling. icon_eek.gif
_________________
86 CA18ET....owner since 1990.
The name is Bossman, but you can call me Mr. Panda.

hey bossman are you the freind of 12secondGSX's
_________________
bart
'86 INTERCOOLED Turbo
1/4 mile: 14.964 @93.02mph
CEO of:
"Barts Parts Incorporated"
http://geocities.com/bartc_j
http://members.cardomain.com/bartc_2

No, icon_eek.gif but I read his thread.

I'm just another proud owner of a 86 turbo s12. I have my 86 s12 turbo since 1990 so you can say I had fare share of the same "mechanical set backs". Like someone else said in the club, I do wise you guys were around 10 years ago.
_________________
86 CA18ET....owner since 1990.
The name is Bossman, but you can call me Mr. Panda.

wow you're probably one of the only guys here who has owned their 200 for so long.....
_________________
bart
'86 INTERCOOLED Turbo
1/4 mile: 14.964 @93.02mph
CEO of:
"Barts Parts Incorporated"
http://geocities.com/bartc_j
http://members.cardomain.com/bartc_2

so i'm thinking that the best combination would be the tokico 280 front and the Suspension Techniques 300 rear. Or is mixing the kits a bad idea?
_________________
1985 200sx CA18ET project car... need truck intercooler/bigger turbo
1994 Jetta CL 1.8L - got rearended... write-off
LAC - London Auto Club

you could or give me about another week or 2 and i;ll have a custom adjustable setup with 250 rate springs also with an integrated front camber kit( the rear wil take alittle longer)
_________________
bart
'86 INTERCOOLED Turbo
1/4 mile: 14.964 @93.02mph
CEO of:
"Barts Parts Incorporated"
http://geocities.com/bartc_j
http://members.cardomain.com/bartc_2

Does anyone know the rates of the stock springs in the 280zx, 300zx, and S12 (vg30 specifically)? This info would be helpful for comparing mixed-and-matched upgrade sets to stock rates.

Also, IF the spring rates on the other cars are advantageous, I wonder about the theoretical benefits in swapping stock 280zx and 300zx springs into the 200sx, hopefully improving handling while avoiding the camber issues involved in lowering the car.

Thanks,
Steve

you can lower the front of the car and have no problem w/ camber its just the rear thats touchy. if you are just looking at stock springs stay w/ the SE's. The 280ZX had something like a 100-120lb/in rate on the front. the SE's have a 168lb/in. on the rear the SE's have a 178lbs/in rate. there are technically 2 option you could try from the Z31's. the turbos should have a 188lb/in and the 88SS cars should have a 224lb/in. I don't know if you'd really gain much by swapping out just the rears though. hope this helps
_________________
[jeff]

87/88 SE V6 icon_mrgreen.gif
[like me, its starting to fall apart]

"You only hurt the one you love."
That may be true, but better said:
"You only hurt the one who loves you."