Buyers Guide: Scion xA/xB Suspension
08-23-2005, 05:21 AM
#21
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looking at Jeff's picture of the Progress sway bar (in another thread).... here is a crop of that picture
and the reason for bringing this up here is to show that spring rates between rear coilovers V. plain springs are not directly comparable because.... the coilover type of spring has greater mechanical advantage than the stock type of spring.
what would this factor be? I'd need to measure.. but am not equipped to do that.
point: if stock xB/xA rear spring rate is x kg.per mm. .... and a coilover system were to have even that same rate, in effect that coilover is a considerably stronger spring. Yes? I think so. And, too, even if it were a so-called linear spring, in practice it will not have the linearity of a similar stock spring because it is being compressed -more- than does a stock spring. And so, it's rate effectively increases with compression because no spring, after all, is truly linear in regards to strain-per-mm.
just thinking.. correct me if I'm off base, thanks
and the reason for bringing this up here is to show that spring rates between rear coilovers V. plain springs are not directly comparable because.... the coilover type of spring has greater mechanical advantage than the stock type of spring.
what would this factor be? I'd need to measure.. but am not equipped to do that.
point: if stock xB/xA rear spring rate is x kg.per mm. .... and a coilover system were to have even that same rate, in effect that coilover is a considerably stronger spring. Yes? I think so. And, too, even if it were a so-called linear spring, in practice it will not have the linearity of a similar stock spring because it is being compressed -more- than does a stock spring. And so, it's rate effectively increases with compression because no spring, after all, is truly linear in regards to strain-per-mm.
just thinking.. correct me if I'm off base, thanks
08-30-2005, 05:34 AM
#23
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Forgive my automotive ignorance, but I read in another post that a lower spring rate meant a smoother ride. So would I be correct in saying that buying the Tein S-Techs wouldn't help smoothen out my ride? Thanks.
11-01-2005, 07:14 PM
#25
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Originally Posted by hotbox05
Originally Posted by Grime
Originally Posted by Chimmy3
is it only you or are they all like that? I just went by the color on the website (which are white... )
anyone?? I know there's tons of you on this forum... at least 68 lol
anyone?? I know there's tons of you on this forum... at least 68 lol
ptuning.com now also offers Tanabe's GF210, which I think is new...
12-01-2005, 09:59 PM
#27
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Join Date: Nov 2004
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Info from Tanabe on GF210 springs
This is an excerpt of an email reply from Tanabe-usa.
"We do not offer GF210 for the Scion xB, that online vendor may have bad data. We only offer NF210 and DF210 for the Scion xB. The amount the vehicle is lowered is dependent on the way the vehicle’s weight distribution is set up from the factory. The spring rates and lowering data on our springs is set so that the car has a more neutral balance, and also sits evenly for a more visually pleasing look.
If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact us anytime!
Best Regards,
Tanabe Racing Development, USA
www.tanabe-usa.com
"
The website I found GF210's, as well as Tanabe's other springs and a bunch of other parts at some great prices. The site is www.suprastore.com. (I have no affiliation with them.)
"We do not offer GF210 for the Scion xB, that online vendor may have bad data. We only offer NF210 and DF210 for the Scion xB. The amount the vehicle is lowered is dependent on the way the vehicle’s weight distribution is set up from the factory. The spring rates and lowering data on our springs is set so that the car has a more neutral balance, and also sits evenly for a more visually pleasing look.
If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact us anytime!
Best Regards,
Tanabe Racing Development, USA
www.tanabe-usa.com
"
The website I found GF210's, as well as Tanabe's other springs and a bunch of other parts at some great prices. The site is www.suprastore.com. (I have no affiliation with them.)
12-04-2005, 01:55 PM
#28
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I am with tazman. Now I'm a 2 on a 1-5 scale for being mechanically inclined, but what does spring/rate mean 
Originally Posted by tazman34685
I have to ask:
I installed the :Megan Racing which drop the Fr 2.0" the Rear 1.75" But what does these spring/rate mean Front = 280 Rear= 230 for a xB over the stock springs.
I installed the :Megan Racing which drop the Fr 2.0" the Rear 1.75" But what does these spring/rate mean Front = 280 Rear= 230 for a xB over the stock springs.
12-04-2005, 02:44 PM
#29
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The spring rate tells you the amount of force a spring exerts when compressed.
without getting too technical, the higher the spring rate, the stiffer the spring. Generally the stiffer the spring, the better the handling (less body roll), but also the harsher the ride (will transmit more road vibrations).
However, the spring rate doesn't always give you the whole picture of how a spring will feel, but it should give you a rough idea.
the figures I've given are measured in lb/in. In metric countries (i.e. everywhere else but here) they use kg/mm. A spring rate of 280 lbs/in (or lbf/in) means that 280 lbs of force is exerted by the spring for every inch it is compressed. Usually springs are linear, which means the rate never changes.
However some springs are progressive or "variable rate" springs. The idea is that they start with a softer rate (thus.. they absorb road imperfections more easily) and become rapidly stiffer as they compress (to perhaps assist in cornering). However, well this might be fine in theory, it doesn't mean that it works quite that well in practice (the progressive vs linear is much like the CAI vs short ram debate). It is very difficult to know what kind of ride you will be getting from progressively rated springs. IMO, its pretty much a hit or miss. In theory, if well designed, you can get the best of both worlds (the exact combination of ride comfort and handling you desire), but you can also end up with something you hate.
without getting too technical, the higher the spring rate, the stiffer the spring. Generally the stiffer the spring, the better the handling (less body roll), but also the harsher the ride (will transmit more road vibrations).
However, the spring rate doesn't always give you the whole picture of how a spring will feel, but it should give you a rough idea.
the figures I've given are measured in lb/in. In metric countries (i.e. everywhere else but here) they use kg/mm. A spring rate of 280 lbs/in (or lbf/in) means that 280 lbs of force is exerted by the spring for every inch it is compressed. Usually springs are linear, which means the rate never changes.
However some springs are progressive or "variable rate" springs. The idea is that they start with a softer rate (thus.. they absorb road imperfections more easily) and become rapidly stiffer as they compress (to perhaps assist in cornering). However, well this might be fine in theory, it doesn't mean that it works quite that well in practice (the progressive vs linear is much like the CAI vs short ram debate). It is very difficult to know what kind of ride you will be getting from progressively rated springs. IMO, its pretty much a hit or miss. In theory, if well designed, you can get the best of both worlds (the exact combination of ride comfort and handling you desire), but you can also end up with something you hate.
12-28-2005, 12:20 PM
#31
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Richmond, Virginia
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Spring Rate
I just install my TRD springs on my Xb and I got a 1.5 drop and not 1inch. If you do the math actually it is more than one inch when you convert from (mm) to inches. FYI
12-28-2005, 02:37 PM
#32
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Re: Spring Rate
Originally Posted by xbox360
I just install my TRD springs on my Xb and I got a 1.5 drop and not 1inch. If you do the math actually it is more than one inch when you convert from (mm) to inches. FYI
02-08-2006, 03:24 AM
#33
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Hello,
So is it safe to assume that the Megen springs with rates of ~280/~230...have the stiffest ride quality?
I have these installed on my xB and they do transmit alot of road noise and I do feel the roads imperfections alot more. I however did not know this when I bought them...I just thought I would try out a different company for a change.
I'm glad I did, I absolutely love the way the car acts now. The front has finally settled evenly...been about 2.5-3 weeks now.
Overall I am happy to hear that the springs have a higher spring rate, complete surprise to me, but a good one. Thanks for the info!
-Brian!
So is it safe to assume that the Megen springs with rates of ~280/~230...have the stiffest ride quality?
I have these installed on my xB and they do transmit alot of road noise and I do feel the roads imperfections alot more. I however did not know this when I bought them...I just thought I would try out a different company for a change.
I'm glad I did, I absolutely love the way the car acts now. The front has finally settled evenly...been about 2.5-3 weeks now.
Overall I am happy to hear that the springs have a higher spring rate, complete surprise to me, but a good one. Thanks for the info!
-Brian!
07-08-2006, 10:05 PM
#35
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i am about to get some Arospeed 17" Kino's for my xb. I was going to get Eibach Sportline's to drop it to inches but now i'm looking into getting the TRD springs and struts so that i don't void my warranty. How much fender to wheel gap will i have if i go with the 17's and the TRD springs and struts? I'm also going with I believe 215/45/R17 tires.
08-08-2006, 02:37 AM
#36
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I just installed the TRD springs and It looks considerably lower, they havent settled yet, so I would have to get back to ya later about how much fender to wheel gap there is. Basically your fender will be aprox. 1 1/4 inches closer to the ground. I have 15x6 wheels, getting the 17's soon..
09-22-2006, 12:12 AM
#38
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I have a question, as I am confused on something. I am looking to drop my Xb, but I want a nice ride. I want the ride to be smooth, and not bounce up and down every time I hit a piece of sand on the road(like the rice rockets usually do).
So, that leaves the question of what should I get? I like how the Stechs drop the car approx 2 inches. Will this give me the ride I am looking for, or should I be looking at a different brand?
So, that leaves the question of what should I get? I like how the Stechs drop the car approx 2 inches. Will this give me the ride I am looking for, or should I be looking at a different brand?
