This is why it is so crucial to have a spring rate tester in your shop or trailer. These tools will provide valuable information. You will be able to pull the springs out during the week and see if they have lost any of their spring rates. But more important, you will know exactly the rate of the springs before they go on the car. This is perfect if you are looking for just a very small change. Take, for instance, the two springs we mentioned earlier. If you were running the 257-pound spring and were quick but wanted to soften the right front ever so slightly, then you could take the 248-pound spring and give it a shot.
Without a spring tester, you would not know of the difference in those two springs. Intercomp Racing makes a spring rate tester for around $800. Trust me, this tool will pay for itself.
Tips For Tuning
While you are at the track you can find some speed in the spring combination, but if you do decide to change a spring at the track, just remember it will change your ride heights and most of your percentages. Teams can end up way off the pace just by fooling around with springs. Remember to double check your percentages and ride heights before venturing back on the track. Here is a cheat sheet for you asphalt racers out there.
Tight Entering The Turn
Decrease front spring rat
Loose Entering Turn
Increase right-front spring rate
Tight In The Middle Of Corner
Decrease right-front spring rateIncrease right-rear spring rate
Loose In The Middle Of The Corner
Increase left-rear spring rateDecrease right-rear spring rate
Tight Exiting The Corner
Increase right-rear spring rateDecrease left-rear spring rate
Loose Exiting The Corner
Decrease right-rear spring rateIncrease left-rear spring rate
Of course this is a small tuning guide, and a lot of times you might make these changes and not even feel a difference in the car. This is why it is important to watch lap times and tire temperatures.
Be Careful
To be successful, it is extremely important to invest your money in the right places. You can very easily get caught up spending way too much money on springs. There are some companies out there that will charge over $250 for one spring. AFCO builds a good, solid spring with a starting price of $55, and it will last a long period of time. I suggest speaking with other racers and find a good range of springs that you can run through the course of a year. And you should purchase them all at one time so you'll have a few extra springs at the track and won't have to constantly borrow springs.
If springs have caused you some headaches this year, just remember it doesn't have to be that way. If you take some time and pay close attention to them, you will greatly improve your chances of finishing near the front.