All Things Mk5 > Performance Modifications
Ways of reducing the weight of our cars
Janner_Sy:
--- Quote from: RedRobin on January 14, 2013, 03:24:03 pm ---I presume that spring ratings are defined by a range rather than a fixed weight value or force.
--- End quote ---
But as ive edited above, the vRS/GTI despite identical underpinnings use different aftermarket suspension kits. The only differing point will be the extra weight that the Octavia is burdened with.
if it was fine to ignore the 100kg weight difference wouldnt they, the suspension companies, have just sold it under the same kit rather than a revised one which will of course cost extra for the company to develop and package etc
RedRobin:
--- Quote from: Janner_Sy on January 14, 2013, 03:59:23 pm ---
--- Quote from: RedRobin on January 14, 2013, 03:24:03 pm ---
I presume that spring ratings are defined by a range rather than a fixed weight value or force.
--- End quote ---
But as ive edited above, the vRS/GTI despite identical underpinnings use different aftermarket suspension kits. The only differing point will be the extra weight that the Octavia is burdened with.
if it was fine to ignore the 100kg weight difference wouldnt they, the suspension companies, have just sold it under the same kit rather than a revised one which will of course cost extra for the company to develop and package etc
--- End quote ---
....I'm not challenging your knowledge on this but am genuinely interested where the weight thresholds are.
So, in context, at what weight-reduction point does us reducing the weight of our car then require changing our springs according to their rating?
Janner_Sy:
--- Quote from: RedRobin on January 14, 2013, 04:32:33 pm ---
--- Quote from: Janner_Sy on January 14, 2013, 03:59:23 pm ---
--- Quote from: RedRobin on January 14, 2013, 03:24:03 pm ---
I presume that spring ratings are defined by a range rather than a fixed weight value or force.
--- End quote ---
But as ive edited above, the vRS/GTI despite identical underpinnings use different aftermarket suspension kits. The only differing point will be the extra weight that the Octavia is burdened with.
if it was fine to ignore the 100kg weight difference wouldnt they, the suspension companies, have just sold it under the same kit rather than a revised one which will of course cost extra for the company to develop and package etc
--- End quote ---
....I'm not challenging your knowledge on this but am genuinely interested where the weight thresholds are.
So, in context, at what weight-reduction point does us reducing the weight of our car then require changing our springs according to their rating?
--- End quote ---
Looking at the Octavia vRS there are 2 separate kits for the KW V2 stainless steel kits. One kit has front axle: 1035kg, rear axle: 1150kg, the other kit is front axle: 1036-1105kg, rear axle: 1150kg.That will be the Petrol and diesel variants of the vRS. Theres also the non vRS Octavia, still utilizing the same 55mm strut diameter that has the ratings of front axle: 1106-1160kg, rear axle 1150kg. All have different part numbers.
It looks like 60-70kg increments, although that is only what KW have broken it down to.
So if your running lighter brakes, cntrol arms, hubs, bonnet, battery etc over the front axle you are in that region i guess your in that region. I know on my fabia removing the rear seat benches, spare tyre/tool kit etc equates to 49kg. Thats nearly in that region as well.
the bruce:
--- Quote from: Janner_Sy on January 14, 2013, 03:16:28 pm ---Because the spring rates are designed from the front/rear axle weights, so if you drop 100+kg from the car for instance and are in the market for the best suspension setup for £1xxx+ surely having a set of springs bespoke to your individual car makes sense, why pend all that money for something which isnt optimized for your car?
Edit
This is why the Octavia vRS, despite having an IDENTICAL under pinning, uses a different coilover kit to the Golf GTI. its dwn to the weight of the car.
An analogy for you:
Driving a lorry that is unloaded is ALOT more uncomfortable than when it is fully loaded because the springs havent got the weight applied o them to make them work efficiently.
This is the same as say a Golf GTI with an uprated suspension kit. Remove 100kg and the springs are then over rated, thus the ride gets worse and handling "potentially" worse, or at least limiting the potential improvement of the weight loss.
--- End quote ---
When the springs are matched PERFECTLY from a view of handling you would be right.
In real world they are not.
At least with a coilover you'll screw it down after removing weight. At the same time you
increase negative wheel travel (rebound). So you'll have the same travel as before.
Yes, the spring rate to weight ratio changes. It'll become stiffer overall. If you search for
better performance (which someone removing weight surely will) you are happy with that
(very slight) stiffening. Remember removing 100 kg from a 1.4 to vehicle is just 7.X % !!
So for our purpose (fast road & occasional track use) this point isn't critical at all. In fact
it helps more than it does any harm.
Janner_Sy:
I completely agree, but if people are talking of spending £1500+ on the "ultimate" coilover kit, which is pretty expensive, then IMO you might as well try and tailor your spring rates to match the exact car.
I like doing trackdays, but ultimately unless the car was going to be a track only weapon, id be happier in the sub £1k market where i guess matching the spring rates exactly wont matter as much.
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