Can anybody measure some spring dimensions for me?

[Supervette64]

I have an RS hatch with the ZZP rear "sway bar" (which did help the balance of the car quite a bit), and the body roll is still just way too much for my preference.

I've looked at all the aftermarket spring choices (eibach, H&R, B&G, etc) and from the ones that specify spring rates, they're all not much more than stock. They seem to be more focused more on lowering and ride comfort than improving handling dynamics. (I've got nothing against that, its just not what I'm after).

Anyway, some spring manufacturers list all of their spring specs and I'm curious if I can find a spring that fits the sonic's geometric requirements with very little to no modification.

Here's an example from moog: http://www.moogproblemsolver.com/moog/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/MOOG_Coil_Springs_Spec.pdf

Is it as ideal as a performance spring purpose designed from a spring manufacturer for the Sonic? probably not. Can I get a stiffer spring that will fit and compress to a reasonably close ride height? I hope so...

So if anyone has replaced their springs and still have their stock ones laying around, could you let me know what the outer and inner diameter is, spring coil diameter, and free standing height?

Also, does anyone know the approximate weight distribution of the hatch? (Or even better has anyone weighed a RS manual hatch?)

 

[$ub$onic]

The reason the lowering springs are all close to stock is the shocks are only designed to handle stock ish spring rates.

You can just throw a stiffer spring in the rear but the shock will not be able to control it.

Either get coilovers and use a 300lb/in rear spring

Or

Get H&R or B&G springs

 

[Supervette64]

The reason the lowering springs are all close to stock is the shocks are only designed to handle stock ish spring rates.

You're absolutely right. However, like that spring catalog from my post there's shock catalogs as well, and/or possibly getting lucky and finding a shock that would fit from another car.

However, the front struts would be difficult as that's not a standalone damper like it is on the rear. The Chevy Trax appears to be the same type of strut as the Sonic (the Trax being the same platform as the Sonic) with the same mounts and everything, and because the Trax is heavier I wonder if it's a firmer damper, but I suspect the shock travel is different than the Sonic's. I wish we knew what the stock damper rates are.

Piecing together springs and shocks would be much cheaper than a full on coil-over kit, though probably more expensive than Eibach/B&G. I may not have a choice but to go lowering springs that are on the market, but I don't want to just give up without doing my research.

Plus, posts like this really make me question whether coil-over kits would even get me what I want: http://www.sonicownersforum.com/for...one-unhappy-spring-rates-their-coilovers.html