BACKGROUND TERMS:

Springs: Springs are for the most part linear mechanical devices (although there are non-linear springs like variable rate springs that we will not cover here).
Linear springs: For every increment of compression or extension from the resting length, a predictable force is produced. They are manufactured in a variety of form factors like coil, leaf, mono-leaf, torsion etc.
Spring rate: The amount of force exerted by a spring as it is compressed, extended or rotated depending on the type.

EXAMPLE: A coil spring with a spring rate of 200 inch/pounds will exert 200 lbs of force for the first inch it is compressed, 400 lbs of force if compressed two inches, 600 lbs of force if compressed three inches and so on until the spring coils are touching (fully compressed).

IMPORTANT CONCEPT: This spring force is irrespective of how fast the spring is compressed. The spring force is independent of time.

Shock Absorber: A mechanical device to damp, or slow motion. It does this by absorbing energy which it converts into heat in the case of a hydraulic shock absorber found in a car.

IMPORTANT CONCEPT: A shock absorber in combination with a spring affects how quickly a spring will compress and rebound. Shock absorbers have a damping rate that is dependent on time.

CHANGING THE DAMPING RATE (LIKE STIFFER SHOCKS) WILL NOT AFFECT THE SPRING RATE.
It is very important to understand that the shock rates of a given spring are set to work with the spring rates and the weight of the car. The dampening (shock) rates are then tuned, or adjusted, to a somewhat subjective compromise between sport and casual driving for the given spring rate. This means that a major change in spring rates REQUIRES a change in the shock valving. This is the principal advantage of adjustable shocks.

EXAMPLE: Different springs will give you a stiffer or softer ride, but shock adjustment can affect that ride. If you go cruising into a long corner, the stiffer your springs are, the less body roll (leaning) you will get. The softer the springs are, the more body roll you will get. The valving of the shocks will determine how fast you get to that maximum roll point.

So now that there is an understanding of how springs and shocks work together, what are the advantages of the Shark Bite suspension kits?

• Advantage of Adjustable Shocks: The goal in “tuning” a suspension is to allow the tire to stay in contact with the road surface for maximum traction. Any given spring / shock combination has different characteristics when it is compressed (loaded) versus extended (unloaded). That is because there are other factors like gravity at work to help the spring extend and then hinder it when it compresses. Having the ability to independently adjust extension and compression friction or damping allows the suspension to be set for optimum traction.
• With the Shark Bite suspension system, adjustment is as simple as turning the knob at the base of the shock to increase or decrease damping. The single adjustables have one knob for both compression and extension, while double adjustables have two knobs, one for compression and one for extension. We recommend double adjustable shocks for optimum tuning.
• Heavy vs. Light Spring Rate: The higher the spring rate, the more force it takes to compress the spring. This means less body roll during cornering, less “squatting” under acceleration and less “diving” under braking will occur. In general stiffer springs improve handling by limiting body roll and increasing overall vehicle responsiveness to steering inputs and changes in direction. The car feels more controllable and “solid”. The down side is high spring rate is stiff ride. There are other factors like anti-roll bars affect this as well, but spring rate is significant in handling.
• Coil Over Springs (Setup Suggestion): You can set the rate for the type of driving you are planning on doing for the majority of the time, then have a set of springs for track day or auto cross events, or a softer set for a long road trip.
• With our Coil Over system springs can be changed in twenty minutes or so with a good jack and floor stands. We have provided quick release pins on the Coil Overs so you can quickly change spring rates.
• In addition to the spring rate changes, our kit allows you to set ride height on the car by using a spanner wrench to raise or lower the vehicle ride height.

So which spring rate is right for you?
Smooth Springs: For the person looking for a smooth ride and does very little spirited driving - not on the street or the track. This would be the 'Caddy' ride.
Medium Springs: For the person who likes spirited driving both on the street and at the track. This is the setup for people who cruise the car on the street regularly and take the car to the track too. This is our most popular spring rate.
Hard Springs: For the person who loves aggressive driving whether on the street or the track (and no, we don't promote aggressive driving on the street.) The ride is hard and the car is grounded all the time whether you are on the street or the track.

Regardless of which Shark Bite spring and shock package you choose to go with, you can be sure that you have the adjustability you need to dial the car into the ride you like. Shark Bite coil over suspension kits give you truly independent suspension that is not found with monoleaf spring kits. Bring Shark Bite's modern precision and control to your classic and feel the difference!

Return to the page for our Vector Series kits, Corvette front coil over kits, Corvette rear coil over kits or our complete suspension stage kits.