I swapped my front shocks last winter from a set of single adjustable extension steel Koni coil overs to a set of Afco double adjustable aluminum coil overs with 350 Lb. rated springs. They didn't come with instruction on how to set the preload up on the coil over springs so I ended up setting them with no preload at all due them raising the front of the car up one inch with no preload on those springs
The car has ran a new best 60 Ft. times that way this year with a 1.24 compared to a best of 1.27 ever with the Koni on it
I'm in the middle of changing the springs to a set of 300 lb. rated Afco coil over springs and I am wondering if any of you drag racers have played with different amount of preload on the col overs or not on the front coil overs and if so what your thoughts are on doing this
All comments welcomed
Yes. played with it a ton on my Duster....But you need notes from your ride height how it was previously setup. I measure the bottom lip on my fenders in the same spot every time. I have a mark on all four...So when I change spring weights, I set the ride height the same. That might mean there is no preload in the springs to a bunch of preload in the springs, I shoot for the same ride height. To get the front to weight transfer, I found having a bit of rake angle front to rear works best. As far as preloads go, well that gets interesting. The more preload, the more stored energy in the spring, and it will tend to lift the front higher on the hit. But it also has to hold the car up. So going to a lighter spring to improve weight transfer & 60ft is the right direction for you, until it goes up too high or won't hold the car up....Then going to a stiffer spring will hold it down some.
Then there is all the valving to tinker with. Eventually you find a spot that you like. I am at a 1.29 now, and just amazed how the car sticks it.
