Sphericals/Poly-Bronze - Too Harsh for Street?
#1
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I'm about to fit Elephant Racing Monoballs & Poly-bronze bearings to my car, which will be used mainly on track.
Those of you running sphericals & poly-bronze - how have you found it on the street?
My spring rates will be 450 lb front & 350lb rear with 27mm T-bars & Tarrett bars F&R.
Tim
Those of you running sphericals & poly-bronze - how have you found it on the street?
My spring rates will be 450 lb front & 350lb rear with 27mm T-bars & Tarrett bars F&R.
Tim
#2
Drifting
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I've found they add quite a bit of harshness (I have sphericals or alum blocks everywhere), especially on sharp road irregularities such as expansion joints or chuckholes. Granted, my spring rates are also stiffer than yours.
If you're primarily on smooth roads I don't think they'll be bad at all.
If you're primarily on smooth roads I don't think they'll be bad at all.
#3
Rennlist Member
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
It's OK for street. I don't mind the harshness. I'm more worried about chassis fatigue with shock loading for the moments where you have to hit alip in a driveway, slightly clip a road irregularity etc. I run slightly heavier spring rates as well on bilstein cup coilovers.
In terms of harshness for the driver, it really depends on what your used to. It's not ever uncomfortable even on long drives. I tend to find questions like these really depend on your age. Solid suspension and high spring rates is usually fine on a daily driver if you ask anyone below the age of 35 and almost always too uncomfortable for those above the age of 35. The older we are the softer we get.
In terms of harshness for the driver, it really depends on what your used to. It's not ever uncomfortable even on long drives. I tend to find questions like these really depend on your age. Solid suspension and high spring rates is usually fine on a daily driver if you ask anyone below the age of 35 and almost always too uncomfortable for those above the age of 35. The older we are the softer we get.
#4
Rennlist Member
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
The solid bushings and bearings, control arms, castor blocks, trailing arms, carrier flange, spring plate, etc - make a big difference in ride quality/comfort. More so than high spring rates and race dampers do. Really not for daily street driving. What you can bear for occasional street use will be up to you, but it makes the car pretty rough.
#5
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I had solid bushings, 450 lb springs, and 30 mm torsion bars on my last car. Even with the Koni's on soft, the car was almost undriveable on crappy California back roads. On one section of road it was so bad that things started coming off the car. If you live where the roads are billiard tables--then that would be another story. Car was great on track though!
#6
Rennlist Member
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I didn't find nearly the harshness others here experienced. I had pretty much the RE catalogue and Elephant Poly Bronzes and spring rates of 650/700 plus ran on R spec rubber all the time. KW's really do ride more comfortably than some other suspension though.
#7
Nordschleife Master
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I didn't notice a significant increase in Harshness going to spherical bearings in the front (rear is still stock M030).
The stock M030 setup rides pretty harsh as it is, harsher than 300# + springs with good dampers.
The stock M030 setup rides pretty harsh as it is, harsher than 300# + springs with good dampers.
Trending Topics
#8
Drifting
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I didn't notice enough additional harshness to bother me. Better handling and steering response outweighed any disadvantages. I'm running KW V3 with the progressive springs that came with the setup. I don't recall the spring rates, but these are designed for maximum street performance with occasional track days. I'm also running 17" tires.
#10
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Is that still with the torsion bars? Ive decided on kw V3's. street 99%
Will remove torsion bars.
Will remove torsion bars.
I didn't notice enough additional harshness to bother me. Better handling and steering response outweighed any disadvantages. I'm running KW V3 with the progressive springs that came with the setup. I don't recall the spring rates, but these are designed for maximum street performance with occasional track days. I'm also running 17" tires.
#11
Drifting
#12
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
My car ate KW v3 in 12 track days
You could push the front shocks down with your finger
rears were fine.
Bilstein's haven't died yet
450/650 + ER and RE
Harsh yes but that's driver preference, it's tough on the car though IF your roads are bad..
For anyone curious what bad roads are https://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&s...mg.6ZtQa2xQtTE
![Smilie](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
![Big Grin](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
Bilstein's haven't died yet
![Big Grin](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
Harsh yes but that's driver preference, it's tough on the car though IF your roads are bad..
For anyone curious what bad roads are https://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&s...mg.6ZtQa2xQtTE
#13
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I also have the Racer's Edge and Elephant catalog in my car but run the Koni DA struts and shocks. With racing seats and stiff sidewalls, it is a bit harsh on the street. I always found it amusing when people in sport utility vehicles steer around imperfections in the street but that is now me. The KW's progressive and softer springs may help too but with my 550lb and 650lb springs, you feel it. I only street drive it now to get gas at the track and to my DE inspections.
#14
Racer
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Encinitas, ca PCA National DE instructor PCA San Diego chief driving instructor
Posts: 341
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
2 Posts
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
In terms of harshness for the driver, it really depends on what your used to. It's not ever uncomfortable even on long drives. I tend to find questions like these really depend on your age. Solid suspension and high spring rates is usually fine on a daily driver if you ask anyone below the age of 35 and almost always too uncomfortable for those above the age of 35. The older we are the softer we get.
Mine is almost totally un-streetable, but it's the 725/864 spring rate, no compromise track alignment and slicks more than all the mono ball/polybronze/solid trans mounts/halo seats/cage that make it that way.
But I'm 56. At 26 I drove cars like this on the street all the time and thought anyone who said it was too hard core was just too old.
#15
Drifting
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I think this is the real answer to the question.
Mine is almost totally un-streetable, but it's the 725/864 spring rate, no compromise track alignment and slicks more than all the mono ball/polybronze/solid trans mounts/halo seats/cage that make it that way.
But I'm 56. At 26 I drove cars like this on the street all the time and thought anyone who said it was too hard core was just too old.
Mine is almost totally un-streetable, but it's the 725/864 spring rate, no compromise track alignment and slicks more than all the mono ball/polybronze/solid trans mounts/halo seats/cage that make it that way.
But I'm 56. At 26 I drove cars like this on the street all the time and thought anyone who said it was too hard core was just too old.