chishifu
really? wow... everything i've been reading has been telling me that a higer (further right on the bar) spring rate makes the rear lose grip faster because the stiffness causes the wheel to patter across the ground. How would it make the car more stable at high speeds?
That's a common misconception... The tight front shocks allow the car to grip easier under heavy load (especially while countersteering)... Because the car is under a heavy load when entering and completing a drift, the front spring rates need to be stronger to be able to keep the front tires planted so they can do their job (tracing your way through the corner)... The rear spring rates, being softer, creates an easily upset situation... Think about it. The softer your springs the less amount of force the car can withstand... This makes it easy to initiate the drift, and then once you have intiated the drift, the stronger front springs allow the wheels (countersteered) to grip while the rear is sliding... Adjust speed and angle with the throttle, and control your line with countersteering... That's the essence of drifting...
As for speed drifting...
Stiffening your rear spring rates will make it easier to perform lower angle drifts, so you can achieve higher speed, hence "speed drifting"... This is because the rear isn't quite as easy to upset, so the back end doesn't go flying out at medium to full throttle... In other words, it's easier to keep the rear end at a lower angle without regaining grip, while stabilizing the car (stiffer spring rates, duh)... Also, some added stabilizers can help in speed drifting...
oh.. and one more question =P, umm.. about the shocks.. if you stiffen the front shocks, then the spring compresses more slowly on the front wheels and therefore weight transfer occurs more slowly. That in turn reduces the instant download on the front tires and reduces the amount of grip on the front tires. For the rear wheels to pivot about the front tires, wouldn't you need more grip? (this is assuming the weight transfer down pass critical download on the front tires)
thanks ^_^
If you lower the car (very much) from stock, you need to strengthen the shocks so the car doesn't bottom out (which makes the vehicle control unpredictably)... It's all relative to your spring rates as well... If you have really strong springs, you need to raise the rebound especially, so your car isn't bouncing all over the place... Your shocks just need to be set along with your springs... So if you have really tight springs in front, but soft shocks, and soft springs in the back, but hard shocks, you're going to be in trouble... You see what I'm saying?.. Your shocks just have to be balanced with the springs is all... I hope that made enough sense for you...
