So far as I know, Honda has not specified the exact spring rates for the new '04. However, they've said that it's 6.7% stiffer in front and 10% softer in rear. So I ran the numbers. (Feel free to double check my source and calculations, I could have made an error.)

'00-'03:
Front 3.9 kgf/mm (218 lb/in)
Rear 5.2 kgf/mm (291 lb/in)


'04:
Front 4.16 kgf/mm (233 lb/in)
Rear 4.68 kgf/mm (262 lb/in)

 

I wonder who'll be the first to offer '04 lowering springs.
Spoon, Eibach, others?

Any gentleman bets?

 

I thought the 02-03 springs were stiffer than the 00-01 S2000s.

On a related note, anyone know the rebound/compression numbers for our stock shocks ?

 

A little OT on an old thread, but I did a search and didn't really find what I was looking for. Can someone please explain the spring rates to me?

I was under the impression that the '04 had softer suspension, but the spring rates are higher? So are higher number less or more stiff?

If I wanted to lower my car on springs around a one inch drop, what would my choices in spring rates be? How would they affect things? Thanks!

 

A spring rate listed as "lb / in" should be read as "pounds per inch." In other words, how much force in pounds is required to squish the spring by one inch. So a 1000 lb/in spring would take one thousand pounds to compress an inch, while a 50 lb/in spring would take only 50 pounds. The first has a higher spring rate and is stiffer than the second.

Also, since we're dealing with Japanese stuff here, you'll also see spring rates expressed as kilograms per milimeter (kg/mm).

Regarding the '04 S2000, the front springs are stiffer while the rear springs are softer.

And about dropping your car - I've never look at what products are available, sorry. I would expect that most springs would actually be stiffer than stock, but would be shorter thus achieving the dropped look. So you'd end up with a harsher riding car, and probably a not-as-well handling one too. It'd look nice, though.

 

Elistan, it looks like you've got the numbers right down below but switched the two in your intro as the front's increased almost 7% while the rears decreased about 10%.

ron

 

Thanks for the info; that's what I thought it was all about.

So...does anyone know what rates aftermarket springs are available at?

I was doing a search on aftermarket springs and read that the best way to decide on some is to figure out what drop you want and what spring rate you want, then match what's available to those numbers.

Well, I know that I want around a 1" drop. I'd like handling to stay the same, or better yet, increase. I don't mind a stiffer ride. Any ideas?

 

R11, thanks. I went back and double checked with www.hondanews.com - I've confirmed that the front was stiffened by 6.7% and the rear softened by 10%. My intro was indeed wrong.