In the world of Mustang performance, every last tenth can mean the difference between winning and losing.
Having the correct lowering spring
product knowledge in order to obtain your goals can give you a clear edge over the
competition. One of the biggest questions that every Mustang enthusiast has to ask themselves when getting ready to
add performance suspension is what are my goals for the car? After weeks of gathering research, looking
at multiple brands, and seeing so many variations of springs out there, it can be quite frustrating. No need to fear, Steeda is here to help! There are many different types of spring rates for various
reasons.
Linear Springs
Dual Rate
Progressive Springs
Roll Control
Which Is Best
Linear springs have a constant, or static, spring rate throughout the entire spring, from top to bottom.
These springs provide a much more direct feeling through the suspension as it is compressed, this is due
to the constant rate of feedback the spring is giving against your chassis, regardless of suspension
travel. With a linear spring, you'll be able to have a much more predictable ride in your Mustang. In this
instance, a linear spring can be used very well while on a road course or autocross. You will feel a
more constant, predictable connection through the steering wheel, on exactly what the car is doing as it
carves through the corners. Here is a scenario to think about. You're going through a sweeping corner at a high rate of speed. The
direct resistance from the springs that your Mustang is receiving through its shocks is constant,
regardless of how hard you push the car through that turn. This makes for a much more predictable ride,
but it also has its setbacks. Linear springs are a one-trick-pony. If you're looking for an all-out performance on the track or
autocross course, then you can choose a stiffer linear spring rate that fits the bill. However, with
that constant stiff spring rate, you'll be sacrificing ride quality when you're cruising down the
highway. The same thing goes if you're looking for a comfortable ride. You'll be sacrificing handling
potential since you'll need a softer spring rate for more comfort. That's where progressive springs come in! You'll get the best of both worlds. A softer spring rate that
allows you to ride in comfort until the spring starts to compress, where the rate gets stiffer and gives
more feedback to confidently handle that next corner. Progressive rate springs provide a variable spring rate from one side of the spring to another. These
springs are most ideal for those who are looking for an all-around solution to lowering their Mustang
and increasing handling capability, all without sacrificing ride quality. Progressive springs have a softer spring rate that is utilized when the car is cruising down the highway
with minimal changes in travel. However, when you take the next exit and begin pushing the car on your
favorite backroad, the spring will continue to compress and travel more. As the spring compresses
further, the spring rate will increase providing those confidence inspiring handling attributes that we
know and love from a stiff linear spring. It's truly the best of all worlds for those who street and
track their vehicle. A progressive spring can be a constantly increasing rate, meaning the spacing
between the coils has a constantly increasing rate. By using this type of progressive spring you will
allow more control over the axle during acceleration. What this allows is for the axle to not wrap under
hard cornering, launching, and acceleration. These springs are commonly known as when the rate of the springs has two different linear
variations within the spring that are connected to one another. These springs are much more
sophisticated than a typical linear spring. A dual-rate spring will provide a much better rate of
transition when the spring is under compression and hard load. It's important to note that this
type of progressive spring is more oriented towards high-performance driving. Such as
road-racing and autocross driving. Some of the variables you need to consider before you choose a dual rate spring are that they
will have less overall deflection when compared to a linear spring. The reason for this is that the
secondary rate coils are more tightly packed together at the top, creating the two springs rates of a
dual-rate spring. Most of the dual rate springs that are designed and engineered for high performance
driving as well as competition GT racing. A dual rate spring unites a relatively low initial spring rate, absorbs minor undulations,
increases grip with a precise transition point, and then transitions into a secondary higher spring rate
to
improve roll control during cornering. Your vehicle's roll control is dictated by two major suspension components: the springs and sway (or
anti-roll) bars. Roll control is defined as the ability of your vehicle's suspension to handle the
g-forces that a corner throws at your car. On the contrary, a linear, progressive or dual-rate spring
will
increase spring rate as it is compressed, fighting that inevitable body roll. Take a Steeda progressive springs, for instance, they're designed and engineered in such a way that
allows the spring itself to contribute to the roll control of your Mustang. As you would enter that same curve at the same speed, the Mustang would be rolling onto a higher
rate
spring. The higher spring rate will aid the roll control on the outside wheels of that vehicle
throughout that turn. However, the inside wheels also have that higher spring rate, thus pushing
additional inertia onto the outside wheels. As Mustang enthusiasts, we must always ask ourselves the question of what is the goal or objective for
the car? Three variables are most considered when choosing springs: Whether you decide on a linear spring, which will only provide one constant spring rate, in comparison
to a progressive
spring, which will provide the best ride quality while giving you amazing performance. And finally, a
dual-rate spring, which gives you the best of both worlds between a linear and a progressive spring.
After all
these variables are answered, then you will be able to decide which type of spring you will need to meet
you Mustang suspension goals! No matter what type of spring you end up deciding on, just know that you will be upgrading your Mustang's
ride quality, handling, and overall performance on the street or at the track!
Mustang Progressive vs Linear Springs
Form & Function
What Are Linear Springs?
What Are Progressive Springs?
What Are Dual Rate Springs?
What Is Roll Control?
Which Spring Should I Choose?
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