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Re: Comp Springs?

To: Mark Sedlack <msedlack@neo.rr.com>
Subject: Re: Comp Springs?
From: "datsunmike" <datsunmike@nyc.rr.com>
Date: Thu, 21 Nov 2002 21:30:38 -0500
Well, I was giving Mark an alternative. Besides there are other types of
springs out there that can be used other than comp springs which can be had
for a Roadster and almost any other car and in whatever spring rate you
desire.

A good spring shop should be able to rebuild and customize the leaf springs.

I spoke to a few long time racers and few suggested using the rear comp
springs for a street car which I assume Mark's car will be for the most
part. Living where he does, Ohio, where the roads are typical of most
northern states, a softer spring and firmer shocks are the way to go unless
he likes to imitate rice cars going around turns.

Moreover, overly stiff springs on bumpy roads promotes metal fatigue of
everything. I have heard complaints of squeeks, rattles and parts falling
off Miatas by people who buy comp springs for use on the street and they
watch as their car self destructs and everything works its way loose. Do you
really think a 35 YO frame is the paragon of stiffness? Using comp springs
uses the frame and body as a torsion bar. Firmer shocks and sway bars are a
better way IMHO to improve handling on most cars which is one of the reasons
why the Jags and Ferraris handled so well in the 60s as compared to the
stiffly sprung and undershocked American muscle cars like Mustangs and
Camaros.

Check out this site for custom springs:
http://flex-a-form.com/

There's usually more ways than one to skin a cat.

Mike

----- Original Message -----
From: "Steve Ehlers" <stevenehlers@charter.net>
To: "datsunmike" <datsunmike@nyc.rr.com>
Cc: "Mark Sedlack" <msedlack@neo.rr.com>; "Datsun Roadster Mailing List
(E-mail)" <datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net>
Sent: Thursday, November 21, 2002 8:49 PM
Subject: Re: Comp Springs?


> Hey Mark ,
> Yes ,the comp springs are stiffer than stock ,but thats what you want !And
lets
> see you
> come up with NOS early springs .For that matter ,try to come up with any
year NOS
> stock
> springs for any of our roadsters :-) .Thats why the comp springs are the
way to
> go .Ride quality
> is determined More  by the rear springs and shocks ( How close is your
"Bum" to
> the rear wheels ?)
> This is the reason .Also solid rear axle cars ride "stiff" ie. "like a go
kart"
> ,hence the reason Datsun
> and other Mnfgs went to Independant rear suspension . As an example ,Comp
Ft
> springs and Konis on
> the tight settings and rear shocks set realatively soft ,and you have an
Auto
> Xing special :-)
> Steve Ehlers
> 68 1600
> 69  2-Liter ( with solex )
> 73 510  2 dr "Brock Buster"
> 77 280Z Fairlady  ( 610 hp ATW's )
> and 8 other Datsun / Nissan products
> www.risingsunperformance.com
>
> datsunmike wrote:
>
> > Mark,
> >
> > Just use springs from an early car - they're stiffer than the later
springs
> > but not as stiff as the comp springs which I heard are too stiff.
> >
> > Mike

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