So I'm running Megan track coils and I was wondering if anyone knew
what the maximum preload you can run on them is before it starts to
cause premature wear on the shocks?
Or if you guys have any input on an ideal preload for a track car?
Or what you run on your car and why?
I'm trying to get a general idea what I can and can't run and such.
Thanks ahead of time guys

 

If you pick the proper spring rate, you ideally don’t want to run any pre load. But pre load can and has been used to tune the suspension in a few ways. On a progressive wound spring it will increase the spring rate the more pre load you put on the spring as well as change the initial amount energy it takes to move it. On a strait rate spring (which is typically what you find on our coilovers) it just changes the latter. It should not really effect the longevity of the damper any more or less (at least with a strait rate spring)

A few things to keep in mind. There is a point where if too much pre load is used you could get spring bind/bottom out the spring prematurely before the damper which is bad news. Also if you have your ride height set and you start experimenting with increasing the pre load on the spring, you will raise the car ride height on that corner/side.

But shouldn’t this be in the suspension/brake tuning section?

 

I thought the common practice is to set preload to have the shock in the middle of the stroke. I don't know the specs on those units but would do some searches to find the member with experience.

 

I did some research and found that the springs are progressive to the extent of +/- 2kg.
So i guess my question now that i can't seem to find would be how much do I need to compress
the springs to achieve that +2kg?

 

0 preload.

Preload tuning is done often for motorcycles, and open wheel formula cars with aero, both for very different reasons.

Don't confuse shock length adjustment for preload adjustment. I'm not familiar with the megan's but I thought they are only height adjustable via spring perch? (i.e. No damper length adjustment).

 

I do in fact have height adjustment and the bottom perch of my spring is adjustable.

 

^^^ This.

Use the height adjustment to get the height you want and avoid spring preload. It makes the suspension behave non linearly, which makes it less predictable.