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BC coilover spring rates

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Old 08-20-13, 05:59 PM
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jdmSW20
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Question BC coilover spring rates

this isnt the typical "which coilover to get" thread. i already have BC coils but i have the standard 10k/8k spring rates. for as low as i plan to go, its a tad soft for me. i wanted to try a 12k/10k setup or maybe even 14k/10k but my question was would getting the springs and replacing the existing ones suffice? or would it be better to just sell my current ones and get the new setup with the shocks valved to the stiffer spring rates??

any one of you guys with the stiffer setups input would be more than appreciated, thanks
Old 08-21-13, 12:43 PM
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Gville350
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According to the vendor on here that sold me my BCRs, once you bump up to the 12k or greater spring rate, they recommend a re-valed shock or specific shock to match the spring. So in your case you'd be either purchasing new springs and sending your shocks out to be re-valved or the better alternative...sell the current set and get what I've recommend, 14k / 10k.

12k/10k (what I currently have) is a comfy DD setup; but for those (like me) that truly enjoy the curves, the 14k / 10k would probably be best.
Old 08-21-13, 05:50 PM
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jdmSW20
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Originally Posted by Gville350
According to the vendor on here that sold me my BCRs, once you bump up to the 12k or greater spring rate, they recommend a re-valed shock or specific shock to match the spring. So in your case you'd be either purchasing new springs and sending your shocks out to be re-valved or the better alternative...sell the current set and get what I've recommend, 14k / 10k.

12k/10k (what I currently have) is a comfy DD setup; but for those (like me) that truly enjoy the curves, the 14k / 10k would probably be best.
see thats what i was thinking as well man. some folks have recommended just swapping springs but i dont know if that will have an adverse effect on the shock itself if any at all.

i plan on going lower than i already am, and this 10k/8k standard setup was a mistake lol. how is the ride on the 14k/10k setup you have? i know the IS isnt the lightest of cars so what some might see has "too stiff" is probably just right for others
Old 08-21-13, 06:56 PM
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509IS350
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Ive got 14k/10k and i cant really compare it to anything but stock and h&r springs. For how low I am and my current offsets with dampening at 7 clicks from hard front and 10 back. They ride nice. Stiff, but not jarring. i love them.
Old 08-21-13, 07:05 PM
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jdmSW20
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Originally Posted by 509IS350
Ive got 14k/10k and i cant really compare it to anything but stock and h&r springs. For how low I am and my current offsets with dampening at 7 clicks from hard front and 10 back. They ride nice. Stiff, but not jarring. i love them.
thats the boat im in as we speak. my car is pretty low now, but depending on how it sits when i get the kit on next week, i might go lower in the near future. im still on the fence, between 14k front or 12k front
Old 08-22-13, 12:52 PM
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Gville350
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I'm at a tad less than 24" from fender to ground...so I'm "slammed" on stock 18s. My 12k/10k BCR setup is probably the most neutral setup you can get. Comfortable DD'ing and "ok" in the corners. Got my shocks set at 18 up front and 12 in the rear.
Old 08-22-13, 10:36 PM
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viprtwo
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14-10 here. On BCRs is350.

I'm coming from eibach pro kit on stock shocks. The BCR is definitely more "bouncy" it oscillates over bumps in the road but shocks are currently set at 10f 16r. Eibachs definitely felt smoother. Body roll is less, and you can push the car harder as long as the road is smooth.

I will try 16-20 and see how that works out. I have not tried 0-0, but I'm interested in giving it a shot just to see how stiff they go.

I had a 97' Honda accord on 12-10k and that was definitely much harsher than 14-10 on the IS. The weight makes a big difference. I was actually expecting a harsher ride than I have now.

I'll play some more with the stiffness, overall I would get the 14-10 again, but don't expect a BMW-like ride or anything.
Old 08-23-13, 06:59 PM
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viprtwo
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Readjusted my settings, 12f-16r from full stiff and car drives wonderfully. I'd def recommend 14-10k for the is350.
Old 08-23-13, 07:10 PM
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Originally Posted by viprtwo
Readjusted my settings, 12f-16r from full stiff and car drives wonderfully. I'd def recommend 14-10k for the is350.
i think whenever the time comes i might just sell my current ones and just go with the 14k/10k setup. at least for how low i want to be, that might help me out in the long run lol
Old 09-02-13, 07:49 PM
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Allout
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Am planning to get 14k/12k set up. After reading a few threads a few of the guys with lower spring rates that drive pretty low tend to say they rub on certain dips or when they have passengers. I feel any higher than that might be too stiff of a ride.
Old 09-05-13, 10:54 PM
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smnlive
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Originally Posted by Allout
Am planning to get 14k/12k set up. After reading a few threads a few of the guys with lower spring rates that drive pretty low tend to say they rub on certain dips or when they have passengers. I feel any higher than that might be too stiff of a ride.
Likewise. that's why I ordered 14k/12k.
Old 09-29-13, 06:07 AM
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I've got 14/12 and the rear still has too much travel. Even with the dampening maxed out. Height is sitting level with top of the tread and I'm scrubbing the rim on big bumps. Thinking of going to a 16/14 setup instead.
Old 09-30-13, 11:24 PM
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Originally Posted by replicate
I've got 14/12 and the rear still has too much travel. Even with the dampening maxed out. Height is sitting level with top of the tread and I'm scrubbing the rim on big bumps. Thinking of going to a 16/14 setup instead.
oh wow really? even with that spring rate? man i figured 14/10 would be good but now you have me thinking
Old 10-01-13, 06:40 AM
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Yeah I was surprised too. Thought they would be really stiff with very little travel. But I am running reasonably aggressive fitment on the rear 19x10+24 With less aggressive fitment you won't need to go stiffer I reckon.
I'd recommend the re-valve though even for 14/12.
Old 10-15-13, 11:16 AM
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CircuitMS
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If you currently have a 10/8 kit you can upgrade the springs to 12/10 and be fine. If you want to go higher you would want a re-valve to still have an acceptable range of damping for the heavier springs.

We can get you the springs and re-valved shocks, which can be ordered individually and used with your current mounting hardware. Or we can just get you a whole new kit.


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