Need a little help figuring something out

[SSLance]

Lance, save me from re reading this thread again (it was enjoyable the first 2 times) to find this answer; would you be so kind as to say what the spring rates were when stock and what they ended up being.

Okay...but it'll just be a guess. :D Pretty sure the stock front spring rate is in the 525-550# range and the rear is 125#. When Ron and I started I had the DSE front and rear springs in which were 575# and 175# I believe.

I've had 600# front springs in the car since going with coilovers and have had anywhere between 175# to 600# rears springs in the car (600# currently).

[Ron Sutton]

Okay...but it'll just be a guess. :D Pretty sure the stock front spring rate is in the 525-550# range and the rear is 125#. When Ron and I started I had the DSE front and rear springs in which were 575# and 175# I believe.

I've had 600# front springs in the car since going with coilovers and have had anywhere between 175# to 600# rears springs in the car (600# currently).

Lance, you know there are brains melting when you say you have 600# springs in the rear.

Just to share ... why don't you outline the rear spring rate you were running before the 600# rear springs ... then explain the handling differences?

Ron

[SSLance]

Thank you for the kind words Ramey, that means a lot to me. Always fun to hang with you, Ryan, Craig, Roger and Jerry at the track...never a dull moment for sure. Here's a little clip of the video I took while Ramey was riding with me on track. Not only were we broadcasting on facebook live during the session, but after Ramey was describing a better tactic for me to use in the upcoming hairpin turn...he decided to answer an incoming phone call while we were out on track! It was freaking hilarious!!



This video was taken during the 3rd session in the rain, so we were only running 6 or 7 tenths at most...but it was still fun to stretch Barney's legs with Ramey in the car.

This video was taken during the 2nd session when I ran my best laps. The first lap is a 1:23.672, 2nd is a 1:24.875 and my high speed was 122 mph. I'm still learning the new setup under the car along with the new tires and especially when to take full advantage of them during a run session.




This video shows my best couple of laps in the 4th and final session. I ran very similar times, middle 1:23s but the car was low on fuel and fuel starving on the straights (you can see and hear it nose over about the start finish line) limiting me to about 115 mph top speed. That just shows how much faster I was getting through the turns in that session.





The next day we autocrossed... The day was cut short by weather, only 3 dry laps in. Here was my best which put me right at mid-pack something I'm pretty proud of considering the competition.



The car still needs some help, there are some big plans for the future...I just need to get some other priorities lined out and finished first before we start on Stage 6 or 7...wherever we are now. Huge thanks to Ron Sutton for helping me get it this far, can't wait to see where it goes next.

[sik87gn]

Looking forward to seeing Stage 6 or 7 and learning a few more tricks for my car!

[Norm Peterson]

I doubt that the stock front springs were anywhere near 525. The Moog replacement spring catalog lists #5606 for the front, which is 420 lb/in. Rear spring number was #6321 (118 lb/in) or could be #5379 (121 lb/in). The rates of GM's original part numbers might be a few percent different, but I doubt it'd amount to over 20 lb/in difference up front or 10 lb/in out back.


Norm

[RookieRacer]

Thanks to both of you. I was curious because one of your early autoX video showed lots of body roll and wallowing and later ones looked more "race car" and I was wondering how much spring/bar that took.

[Ron Sutton]

Thanks to both of you. I was curious because one of your early autoX video showed lots of body roll and wallowing and later ones looked more "race car" and I was wondering how much spring/bar that took.

Giving someone spring & sway bar rates can help ... but it can cloud the issue just as much. Assuming you have the exact same car with the same weight, ride height, motion ratios, etc. having the rates will work. But it's better to work out what will work for your car & application.

[Motoracer838]

Ron and lance, what an amazing thread, (started reading Saturday and finished on Sunday) I think I learned more in the last couple of days than I have in 30 years of "amateur" suspension design. (a good example, It never even occurred to me that changing caster would have an effect on bumpsteer by moving the outer tierod location.) You've given me a lot to think about in making changes to my '94 S10 Blazer. (And making me wish I was still in the Sacramento area.)

Lance, congrats on how your Monte has turned out, from your vids the car looks like a blast to drive.

Cheers Beers n Gearz, Joe

[Ron Sutton]

Ron and lance, what an amazing thread, (started reading Saturday and finished on Sunday) I think I learned more in the last couple of days than I have in 30 years of "amateur" suspension design. (a good example, It never even occurred to me that changing caster would have an effect on bumpsteer by moving the outer tierod location.) You've given me a lot to think about in making changes to my '94 S10 Blazer. (And making me wish I was still in the Sacramento area.)

Lance, congrats on how your Monte has turned out, from your vids the car looks like a blast to drive.

Cheers Beers n Gearz, Joe

Glad you enjoyed Joe.

Since then I've probably helped 200+ clients work out their cars' geometry & suspension setups where they roll out of the garage high-grip & neutral balanced.

Best wishes with your project !

[SSLance]

Norm would know better than I, I'd go with his numbers. Don't forget, I also put a massive front sway bar on it... 1.5" OD, 3/8s" wall tube, and to be honest...it needs even more sway bar. Stay tuned for later stages... :D

[Motoracer838]

Ron, for what it's worth, the Blazer's combo is detailed here, https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/...mile-high-city I don't know what it is about this truck, but I've made more than my fair share of mistakes with this project, my goal in the next round of mods is get it right this time. The truck is so much fun to drive, (handling demons aside) that it's become my 3 1/2 season driver, if the weather's decent, (it's decent here a lot.) it's the first choice.

My goals with the next phase are better street dynamics, and I'd like to try my hand at autocross and OUSCI, they are going to be here at PPIR next weekend, (I haven't raced Motocross in 5 years and I'm needing some adrenaline...) I should start a thread. Sorry for the hijack...

Joe

[SSLance]

Glad the thread helped you out Joe, that is exactly why Ron and I documented everything we've done together here.

Good luck with the next stage with your Blazer...we are getting close to starting the next stage with Barney as well which we'll share here as well.

[Motoracer838]

Lance, it's been bit since I read through your thread, did you use the stock SS steering box or have you upgraded to something like the turn one box? I just installed my new front suspension and brakes, see project Frankenstine. https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/...t-Frankenstine

The difference is night and day, it still needs an alignment but it's soo much better it's like a new truck The only problem with the front now is the stock S10 steering box... (Oh and getting the ride height back) any input would be helpful...

Joe

[SSLance]

I still run the stock SS steering box with is 12.7:1 I believe.

Others have gone to a quicker box and like them but I'm very used to this as is and have many other things I'd rather change first before the box.

[Motoracer838]

Thanks for the quick reply.

Joe