Question for coilover gurus

[4n_eatr]

Just put the coilovers on my car yesterday. I'm having an issue with a couple things.
First off:
I have Strange 10-way struts
Strange Coilover kit
Hypercoil 10" 350lb springs
MM Caster Camber plates

In order to keep the spring from moving around when the wheel is off the ground I have to raise it almost all the way up to where it is now sitting higher than I had it before, on 10" springs!
So I raised it up to get rid of the clunk when driving it, then found I needed more spacers to keep the Bearing plate from hitting the strut tower. As of right now I have two 1/4" spacers under the CC plates, and one 1/8" spacer on top. Doesn't seem to hit the strut tower anymore and i moved the wheels back and forth with no noises. As soon as I take it on the road it starts clunking horribly. I didn't use an impact on the strut bolt because it said not to. Should I just go ahead and hit it and see if it tightens it up some more?
On corral someone was saying the MM bushing in the CC plate had a larger ID than the struts OD, causing it to move around. Anyone have any suggestions? I'd like to get it driveable, then worry about the ride height.

[4n_eatr]

Here is how it sat before the coilovers http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/03/11/94b77e5a22b318c6d4d46ffc6f89b803.jpg

And this is after
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/03/11/375052c296c1169854ddc6ab90b68eb1.jpg

And this is how high the spring is sitting in order to not move around.
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/03/11/8c017d42a3c1658b05d20e00904706d0.jpg

[draggin50]

You may need to go with a taller spring. Ive used 12 and 14 inch springs on most of mine.

[4n_eatr]

I was thinking I may have to. I just figured being a 10" spring it would be lower. I'm thinking a lower weight, 12" would sag more, but wouldn't that, in turn, give me a looser ride?

[Stangman]

Wouldnt think so if you get the same # spring....

[4n_eatr]

I think I'm going to try using helper springs to compensate for the sag. If that doesn't work I'll get the 12" springs
Hopefully by dialing in some more preload into the spring and adjusting the rebound on the struts it will quiet down the clunking.

[slow86fiveoh]

I used 12-200 springs with strange coilovers on tokico hp struts and had zero noises and the ride height was about the same as the before pic adjusted all the way down.

[4n_eatr]

I used 12-200 springs with strange coilovers on tokico hp struts and had zero noises and the ride height was about the same as the before pic adjusted all the way down.
That was the issue. I wanted to go another 1/2" lower since the tires I had before were 1" shorter than stock.

[slow86fiveoh]

Might use a 12-175 or so and let the spring settle

[4n_eatr]

Just an update after talking to Strange a couple times and Maximum Motorsports for a long time, he said the 10" 350s really shouldn't be an issue. The only roadblock is the Strange struts really aren't designed for that level and since Strange couldn't tell me WHAT levels they were made for, MM recommend either buying better struts, or going with a 12-250lb spring. I ordered Helper Springs which will take up the space between the coil and the bearing plate when I have a small amount of sag.
MM tech guy said they really should be sold with all 10" Springs but some cars don't have an issue with them and it's just an extra cost they would have to tack on to the price. I'm going to put the helper springs on when I get back just for shits and giggles to see if they help. If not I'll just order the 12-250s.

[NXcoupe]

I've never used 10" springs, always 12 and 14". I also never use something that stiff and short because the ride is too stiff for our roads, and most customers complain. I think a 14 175 would give you great ride and feel. I think that's what's on Cameron's car. You can ask him, he's got a 98 with strange front shocks and coil overs. Just a suggestion.

[4n_eatr]

According to most of the suspension guys I've talked to, 175 is essentially slightly better than stock, accounting for a full 3.5" of suspension travel. I'm a LITTLE lower than Cam (IIRC) so I need a stiffer spring. I agree that 350 is going to be too much. The MM technical engineer recommended the 250s based on the fact that I'm going to try and keep the 2.5" drop and that a rough ride really doesn't bother me that much. If it's still horrible then I'll go to an even lighter spring but I'll have to raise the suspension up to account for the softer setup. A 14" spring on my car would be completely bottomed out on the coilover sleeve with that soft of a spring.

[leroy93lx]

Drop spindles would eliminate any concerns. A 12 -250 and a 2" drop spindle would have full suspension travel and you could easily have the 2.5"+ drop. 350 lbs springs on the street will be very annoying quickly.

[4n_eatr]

Drop spindles would eliminate any concerns. A 12 -250 and a 2" drop spindle would have full suspension travel and you could easily have the 2.5"+ drop. 350 lbs springs on the street will be very annoying quickly.
I hadn't even thought of drop spindles. I may have to save up for those. I already have the bumpsteer kit and x2 balljoints but I think the spindles would be better long term.

[mustangboy]

I have always run 300lb 12" springs and the ride is fantastic. Everyone tells me they will be too stiff but have found them to work really really well

[Carl]

I run 325# 10" on my coupe and it rides great.

[NXcoupe]

I will have to get a ride in one of your cars so I can see for myself. I had 12 250 on a car and hated it.

How could it coil bind with it sitting so low? Is the strange coil over kit that much different from most others?

[4n_eatr]

I run 325# 10" on my coupe and it rides great.
What struts are you running?

I will have to get a ride in one of your cars so I can see for myself. I had 12 250 on a car and hated it.

How could it coil bind with it sitting so low? Is the strange coil over kit that much different from most others?
What do you mean? Are you talking about one of the other cars? Mine isn't binding, the coil isn't long enough to contact the top bearing plate when the ride height is set where I want it so it's loose.

[Carl]

I'm running stock replacements for now. Going to get something different down the road, but haven't decided on what yet. Waiting on these to blow out...shouldn't take too long once I get the car back on the road in a couple weeks.

[NXcoupe]

According to most of the suspension guys I've talked to, 175 is essentially slightly better than stock, accounting for a full 3.5" of suspension travel. I'm a LITTLE lower than Cam (IIRC) so I need a stiffer spring. I agree that 350 is going to be too much. The MM technical engineer recommended the 250s based on the fact that I'm going to try and keep the 2.5" drop and that a rough ride really doesn't bother me that much. If it's still horrible then I'll go to an even lighter spring but I'll have to raise the suspension up to account for the softer setup. A 14" spring on my car would be completely bottomed out on the coilover sleeve with that soft of a spring.

That's what I was replying too, must have read it too quick. Actually, a lighter, longer spring requires more compression to gain height. If you saw how compressed my race car is with it's 14-130's, you'd be surprised. It still sits really low up front.

[4n_eatr]

That's what I was replying too, must have read it too quick. Actually, a lighter, longer spring requires more compression to gain height. If you saw how compressed my race car is with it's 14-130's, you'd be surprised. It still sits really low up front.
But that's on a racecar. I don't want it to compress when I go around a corner hard. I know if I just want low I can get a really soft spring but apparently I'm trying to do the impossible and finding a spring that won't compress too much going around a tight corner, lol.