BC Racing coilover spring rates?
 

Planning on putting some bc racing coilovers C-06-BR on my 5 speed 2ES, Apparently the ones for 97+ camry bolt up to the 2nd gen. But im a bit confused about the spring rates, The default rates for the camry coilovers are 7k/3k which sounds reallyyy low. I see people with is300 and other cars commonly using 12k/10k or higher. I understand the es is 2-300 lbs heavier then the camry but it still seems crazy low to me. They offer custom spring rates when ordering. Wondering if anyone has any insight. I want a firmer ride but nothing too crazy. I also have about 150lbs of stereo stuff in my trunk. I dont plan on going super low. maybe dropping an inch to an inch and a half.

https://scontent-ort2-2.xx.fbcdn.net...35&oe=5DE47EC4

Did you get any answers?

I ended up going with 8k front 5k rear. They are pretty stiff but the car handles really well, feels more stable in a corner then stock bmw e36 suspension. If you are looking to keep the car comfortable stick to 7k/3k. If you want to drop the car real low without rubbing a bit more should help. C-06-BR bolted in great other then needing to run to the hardware store to get some bolts to mount the brake line holder bracket/wear sensor wire to the strut. I want to say I needed m6 or m8 thread bolts, Maybe both, But it was a long time ago.

Thanks for the reply. I do want to lose the extra soft feeling over bumps and turns, I desire a more solid and tight ride where i can feel the road like a BMW. So the 8k front/5k rear gives you that feeling?. The Coilovers I'm selecting aren't BC's, but i'm going to ask if they can use 8k front/5k rear for the springs, because the set i'm looking at normally comes with 10k front/6k rear.

Im not entirely sure if the numbers match up between brands in the same way. Bc told me the reason the rear is so low for this model is because its a very long spring so the effective rate ends up higher. A different brand may have a shorter or longer spring then bc. I would ask the company that makes the coilover for advice. The 8k/5k bc is very stiff. Mush stiffer then stock e36 and even e46 m3 suspension. But not in a bad way its not like jarring, Just very firm. I dont have much else to compare it to.

It sounds like that's the feel I would like... So with that combo, now your car can handle? What else did you do suspensionwise? Any other performance mods?

I replaced every rubber component and ball joint, tie rods etc related to suspension and steering in the front and most of the parts in the back using mostly moog problem solver parts. The handling is impressive for an es. I think it could probably keep up with a stock 328i e36 on a track if it had bigger brakes.

I appreciate the feedback. I saw an older post, I believe you said you have 18x9.5 rims on the car too? Did you do any engine or performance mods?

When I add my coil overs I too am replacing all the suspension items. Steering rack, control arms, bushings, etc are all getting tossed for new stuff. It's cheap!

I"m looking to do a true dual exhaust using 2.25" tubing, flow master series 40 clones, and a set of walker resonators. I can have my muffler shop do it for under $300. I want to do it just to be different and expirament.

I had a 185HP V8 way back in the days, which was choked down to a Y pipe and single 2.25" exhaust, just going to true dual exhaust from the manifolds back raised the car by 25rwhp on the dyno. Fuel mileage picked up.

No performance mods on mine. Wheels are just is250/is350 wheels i had powdercoated. I think 17x7.

is250 rims would be a good look. You have pics?

Just found this deal where a guy had stock reground cams, and some other work and made 226rwhp: https://www.toyotanation.com/threads...v6-dyno.59245/

Sadly the car is wrecked now somebody ran a light but I have an old picture. Plan on fixing it because its a 5 speed. Current daily is a ls400.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...354386ca45.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.clu...d4d5e43f13.jpg

Your es300 looked clean and the LS400 looks regal.

Hi,

I found another user that is 8 front / 7 rear with the Megan coilovers. In that user's opinion the ride was perfect. A bit stiffer than stock and alot more control and feel.
I don't know about the 10/6 combo, but I'm going to install my coilovers soon and other suspension items. If I feel the front is too stiff I'm going to replace it with an 8.4k front ( 450 lb/in ) and sell the 10's.

How long are the springs in your setup? On the coilovers I have they are just short of 9" ( 8.86" or so ). The inside diameter is close to 3" but not quite perhaps 2.75".