190E custom spring dimensions - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

kiato4 · #1 10-02-2009, 11:00 AM

Hi all:

I have tried a bunch of springs on my 16v and none have made me happy. I tried H&R, cut 400E, cut SL500, and Vogtland. I want to get a custom set I can play around with. Hypercoil has 3" ID springs that I have read will work on the front of the 16v, and 2.5" ID for the rear. What spring rates would be a good starting point and what free length? I want something like the H&R with a stiffer rear.

If anyone can measure the free length (ie uninstalled) of some 16v and sportline springs, it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

kiato4 · #2 10-05-2009, 05:22 PM

No one has uninstalled springs they can measure for me?!?

iwrock · #3 10-05-2009, 06:20 PM

Are they the same as W124 springs?

I can measure those.

kiato4 · #4 10-05-2009, 07:32 PM

Thanks, but the ride height will be different so that won't work.

Sev · #5 10-06-2009, 02:04 AM

curious as to what made you unhappy with the springs you tried? too stiff, or not stiff enough? when i met danwatt from 190rev, he had his cut 500e springs on his 190, and i pushed down on the fenders and it barely budged. majorly stiff right there. if you want even stiffer, go for cut down sl600 springs, which have to support the weight of a chassis that's already heavier than a 500e, but even heavier due to the v12 engine.

i'm pretty sure that the free length of a 16v and non-16v sportline front springs are different

kiato4 · #6 10-06-2009, 09:04 AM

The problem with cut springs is that they were never quite balanced for me. The 400E were the best, but still weren't quite there...a bit stiff in the front as compared to the rear. The SL500 ones I tried were also too stiff in the front as compared to the rear, and I'm sure the SL600 is even worse. The SL600 springs, due to the added weight of the V12 in front, are stiffer in the front and not as much in the back so the balance is even worse off with those.

I race porsches, and I'm constantly playing with springs to get the balance of the car right. It's not the stiffness I'm after, it's the balance. For me, the best balance so far have been the H&R ones but they need to still be slightly stiffer in the back. I was told the front springs on a 16v and sportline, although different part numbers, are almost identical in terms of free length and spring rate...it is the back springs that are very different.

jhodg5ck · #7 10-06-2009, 01:54 PM

If you're serious I'd chat with Joe about springs and shocks, see what he has to say:
http://web2.userinstinct.com/30830501-stimola-joe-race-preparation.htm

You Really need to get the springs rates tested/figured out, otherwise you're just Guessing and that never works w/ suspension setup!

Have you had the car on scales?

Jonathan

Sev · #8 10-07-2009, 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiato4

The problem with cut springs is that they were never quite balanced for me. The 400E were the best, but still weren't quite there...a bit stiff in the front as compared to the rear. The SL500 ones I tried were also too stiff in the front as compared to the rear, and I'm sure the SL600 is even worse. The SL600 springs, due to the added weight of the V12 in front, are stiffer in the front and not as much in the back so the balance is even worse off with those.

I race porsches, and I'm constantly playing with springs to get the balance of the car right. It's not the stiffness I'm after, it's the balance. For me, the best balance so far have been the H&R ones but they need to still be slightly stiffer in the back. I was told the front springs on a 16v and sportline, although different part numbers, are almost identical in terms of free length and spring rate...it is the back springs that are very different.

then why not keep the h&r's for the w201 in front, and buy h&r's meant for a w124 for the rear, and break them in. after they are broken in, you can remove them, put them side-by-side with the broken in ones for the w201, and then cut them to the same height. you will get a spring of the correct size and consistency you're looking for, but slightly stiffer

i also suggest you ask 'mde3' from 190revolution--he seems to also be a spring experimenter like you

kiato4 · #9 10-07-2009, 02:42 PM

Thanks all. Jonathan, do you know if Joe has a spring rate tester? Sev, thanks for the advice, I prefer not to cut springs as every time you cut you increase the effective spring rate so it wouldn't be a perfect solution. It would certainly get me close, but I don't want to go through all that trouble again without knowing exactly what spring rate I'll end up with. With custom springs, at least I'll be able to guess and get close.

jhodg5ck · #10 10-07-2009, 02:45 PM

I'm Pretty sure he does, if not, he Knows who will.

Joe knows his s*it, he's been in this Game for Years.

Jonathan