Poll: Linear vs. Progressive Spring Rate

[Bluemustang]

This topic interests me and I thought I would take a poll on which S550 owners like best.
Linear rate springs or progressive (or dual-rate).

Leave a comment below as to what you chose and why.

I ended up with linear springs because I like the predictability they have. But, there is no right answer so I just want to see what you all like and why. Thanks!

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[morgande]

I run the Steeda Progressives. My car is not a daily driver but I treat it as such...meaning everything I do to the car I try to balance with a DD sense of practicality and ride comfort. The car comes with progressive springs from Ford:

• the stock GT car has progressives
• the Performance Package car has progressives
• Ford's offerings in the Ford Performance catalog are both progressives
• The GT350/350R vehicles are progressives

Based on my understanding of Ford's goals with S550, progressive springs were choose for a reason. And it is for that reason that I have choose to remain with progressive springs.

Shouts out to all you linear guys out there...not quite my cup of tea but I get it.

 

[BmacIL]

• the stock GT car has progressives

• the Performance Package car has progressives

Where?

 

[Nagare]

For me, I started with putting a set of Eibach Sportlines (progressive) on my car and ended up switching those out for Steeda Sport Linears which I enjoy much more. Like you said, the predictability is a major benefit.

Where?

I don't know where I read it, but I remember seeing something similar when I first got the Sportlines and that was part of the reason I thought they'd be better than they actually were.

 

[BmacIL]

For me, I started with putting a set of Eibach Sportlines (progressive) on my car and ended up switching those out for Steeda Sport Linears which I enjoy much more. Like you said, the predictability is a major benefit.



I don't know where I read it, but I remember seeing something similar when I first got the Sportlines and that was part of the reason I thought they'd be better than they actually were.

The stock springs are linear. The Sportlines have progressive rates that make them very difficult to make ride reasonably, even with adjustable dampers.

 

[morgande]

Where?

The stock springs are linear. The Sportlines have progressive rates that make them very difficult to make ride reasonably, even with adjustable dampers.

Are you sure the stock springs are linear?

 

[BmacIL]

Are you sure the stock springs are linear?

Yes. Been verified by BMR, Steeda, others.

GT350 and GT350R rear springs are dual rate. Fronts are linear.

 

[Nagare]

The stock springs are linear. The Sportlines have progressive rates that make them very difficult to make ride reasonably, even with adjustable dampers.

Not disagreeing with you, just saying I remember reading it somewhere so I'm not surprised that there are others that say the same thing. I wasn't able to find it again after that, but it doesn't help the newcomer that most articles will say progressives are the key to ride quality like stock

 

[BmacIL]

Not disagreeing with you, just saying I remember reading it somewhere so I'm not surprised that there are others that say the same thing. I wasn't able to find it again after that, but it doesn't help the newcomer that most articles will say progressives are the key to ride quality like stock

They'll certainly be cushier/similarly soft. After what I've learned on this car, good dampers and removing the main sources of bushing bind and deflection are the largest improvers of ride quality without going stiffer on springs. Let the suspension work smoothly and properly, and it's amazing what it can feel like.

Anyway, back on topic!

 

[Bluemustang]

See this is why I thought this would be a good thread to make!

 

[Mustangpursuit]

I am happy with my steeda linear springs, the base gt stock springs physically looked linear to me as well.

 

[Norm Peterson]

Not disagreeing with you, just saying I remember reading it somewhere so I'm not surprised that there are others that say the same thing. I wasn't able to find it again after that, but it doesn't help the newcomer that most articles will say progressives are the key to ride quality like stock

It's a much easier explanation and fits in much better with trying to sell lowering springs to talk only about the springs themselves.

Spring rates are much easier to quantify - you don't need very many numbers. You need only one lbs/inch spring stiffness number for linears, two for dual-rates, and two to define the range over which a true progressive operates. Much easier to get some feel for than shock/strut damping rates (which are in units of lbs per unit shock piston velocity, and aren't constant values by most measures except by horribly poor and cheap design).


I didn't vote in the poll, but linear-rate front springs at least up to 250 lb/in can be pretty decent on the street, given appropriate damping. About the same goes for rear springs even of dual rate, though I think you really want to be in the firm rate most of the time (and let the spring go into its 'soft' region once that corner of the car goes up some distance into "rebound").


Norm

 

[Cardude99]

To add on, how about for a magneride car, sport vs dual rate, what would be the better choice. I have been wondering about this topic for the last few weeks.

 

[Bluemustang]

Some great responses already, this is excellent.

 

[BmacIL]

To add on, how about for a magneride car, sport vs dual rate, what would be the better choice. I have been wondering about this topic for the last few weeks.

Theoretically it can control either quite well, and it depends on what you most want for the car.

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