812.481.4787 Login / Register Spring Rate Calculator HOME » TECH » SPRING RATE CALCULATOR The steps below will help you to find an approximate spring rate for your coil-over application. Enter your suspension measurements in the white boxes below. This calculator will only give approximations depending on the accuracy of your information. Use at your own discretion. SELECT FRONT OR REAR Vehicle Front End (and independent rear) Vehicle Rear (solid axle) Step 1 – Determine Sprung Weight Corner Weight: (1/2 the front or rear weight) Use an accurate racecar scale that will weigh each corner of your car. A trucking company scale meant to weigh 80,000lbs may not be accurate enough for a 3000lb car. Make sure the vehicle is loaded with driver, passenger, and cargo just like you will drive it or race it. Approximation of Curb Weights Body Type Avg Weight Avg Front Corner(55%) Avg Rear Corner(45%) Street Rod 2500-4000 687-1100 562-900 Coupe/Convertible 3000-4000 825-1100 675-900 Sedan 3000-5000 825-1375 675-1125 SUV 5000-8000 1375-2200 1125-1800 Street Trucks 5000-8000 1375-2200 1125-1800 See Specific Vehicle Weights for Cars and Trucks The weight balance between the front and rear of a vehicle can range widely from 50%/50% (Front/Rear) to 60%/40% (Front/Rear). If you’re guessing blindly, use a 55%/45% weight balance; however, it is much more appropriate to measure your car. Example corner weight using weight balance: To get the corner weight of your car, take an example total weight of 3800 lbs and multiply it by the front end weight bias. ex: 3,800 x 55% (front end weight balance) = 2,090. Then divide that number by 2 to get the corner weight of the front end of the car. ex: 2,090 / 2 = 1,045. Unsprung Weight: (1/2 the front or rear weight) “Unsprung weight” is vehicle weight not supported by the springs. Examples include: Tire/wheel assembly; brake rotors and calipers (or brake drums and components); wheel bearings; steering knuckle; hanging weight of the control arm (or trailing arms on rear axles); differential and axle weight; 1/2 of the spring and shock absorber weights. Front Unsprung corner weight is usually around 100-125 lbs. Rear Unsprung corner weight is usually around 150-175 lbs. Sprung Weight: Sprung weight = Corner weight – Unsprung weight. It is the weight supported by the spring and is the only weight used in calculating spring rates. Step 2 – Calculating Motion Ratio The “motion ratio” is the mechanical advantage (lever ratio) that the wheel has over the spring in compressing it. Enter Dimension A: Dimension A – Measure the distance from the control arm pivot point on the subframe (centerline of the bushing) to the point on the control arm directly under the center of the spring or the “coil-over assembly.” Enter Dimension B: Dimension B – Measure the distance from the control arm pivot point on the subframe to the centerline of the ball joint. Motion Ratio: Motion Ratio = Dimension A / Dimension B Step 3 – Coil Spring Angle Spring Angle: 90 89 88 87 86 85 84 83 82 81 80 79 78 77 76 75 74 73 72 71 70 69 68 67 66 65 Using a protractor or similar measuring device, measure the angle of the centerline of the spring or “coil-over assembly” from the horizontal of the control arm (or axle if calculating the rear). In most cases, this will be somewhere between 75 degrees and 90 degrees. Most conventional springs and many strut suspensions are very close to 90 degrees, and 90 degrees can be used for the angle. This measurement helps determine the “force angle” and resultant spring force applied to the control arm. Step 4 – Select your shock stroke and spring length 2.9″ Stroke (10.5″ Ride Height) / 8″ Spring 3.6″ Stroke (11.5″ Ride Height) / 8″ Spring 4.1″ Stroke (12.5″ Ride Height) / 10″ Spring 5.2″ Stroke (14.5″ Ride Height) / 12″ Spring 6.3″ Stroke (16″ Ride Height) / 14″ Spring 6.9″ Stroke (17.25″ Ride Height) / 14″ Spring The left drop-down box includes all popular front end coilover dimensions that RideTech offers. You will want to select the shock stroke that will fit your suspension design. Step 5 – Spring Rate Below are approximate spring rates for your coil-over application. This calculator will only give approximations depending on the accuracy of your information. Use at your own discretion. Cruiser / Daily Driver Recommended spring rate to optimize ride quality. Is best used for crusing, day to day use, and long distance driving. Performance Driving Recommended spring rate for performance driving in events like an autocross or simple road course. Racing Recommended spring rate for full-on racing with sticky tires. Spring Rate: Preload: Part Number: Spring Rate: Preload: Part Number: Preload: Part Number: Note: Preload Preload is the distance you will want to tighten the lower coil mount on the coilover to compress the spring; this will put shock compression near 50% of its stroke when the car is resting at ride height. This should be done before the coilover is installed. To do this, you will need a spanner wrench. Adding more preload will raise the car. BUY YOUR COIL-OVER COILOVERS 125 PRODUCTS AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEMS 211 PRODUCTS NEW PRODUCT AIR RIDE SUSPENSION CONTROL SYSTEM SHOP NOW Latest Videos 1962-1967 Chevy II / Nova Coil-Over / Air Suspension with Ridetech tubular control arms and 4-link We transform the little box Nova from a scary fast car to a stable and [...] 24 Nov 1959 Chevy Impala On Air Suspension and Ridetech Shocks: A Crown Sapphire Custom In the late 1950s and early 1960s, it didn’t take much to transform a new [...] 26 Jul Our Design, Your Choice – Coil-over or Air Suspension System for your GMT 900 – 2007-2013 Chevy Silverado or GMC Sierra With the release of the 2007 – 2013 Silverado and Sierra 1500 model truck suspension, [...] 3 COMMENTS 25 Mar Contact Info Phone: 812.481.4787 Fax: 812.634.6632 Hours: Mon – Fri 8:00am 6:00pm EST 350 S. St. Charles St Jasper, Indiana, 47546 sales@ridetech.com INFORMATION News About Ridetech Job Openings Dealers General Policies Warranties and Returns Privacy & Cookies Policy CA Prop 65 APPLICATIONS Muscle Cars and Classics Street Rods and Customs Trucks Corvettes Late Model Muscle Cars Load Leveling Your Account My Account Orders Wishlist Copyright 2021 © Ridetech We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of cookies. Cookie settingsACCEPT