W&D or Shankle

aeroengineerguy · #1 (**permalink**) 11-12-2003, 11:07 PM

My GTV has IAP sport springs on it and they are way too soft and high. I've heard a lot of good things about Ward and Deane and Shankle. Which is harder? If any one could tell me the spring rates that would be great.

Thanks,
Jason

**Roadtrip** · #2 (**permalink**) 11-12-2003, 11:36 PM

Jason - Check:

http://alfa.denovich.org/Alfa/SpringRates

emr5503 · #3 (**permalink**) 11-13-2003, 06:52 AM

Ward & Dean springs are: Front-1200 lbs/ ", Rear = 200 lbs/ ". Race springs are shorter with smaller wire diameter, square on both ends, same rates.

aeroengineerguy · #4 (**permalink**) 11-13-2003, 09:56 AM

Thanks John and emr5503

Just out of curiosity, what do most people use on race cars?

**italcarguy** · #5 (**permalink**) 11-13-2003, 10:14 AM

most people use ward and deane springs. i have a set on my car as well as fabrizio, they work great! a lot of people have been getting them made, i have started to make a few myself. if i were to put springs on my street car, i'd go with the shankle sport or super sport. you can get springs made with different spring rates, not just 1200 and 200, that's just the most common set up for a race car. also, not all springs are flat ended, they also come in "pig tailed". i don't know the exact spring rates on the shankle stuff, but that chart on the link above should help you.

**GTV4EVR** · #6 (**permalink**) 11-13-2003, 10:32 AM

Anthony,

Do you feel the W&D are too stiff for the road, or is there another reason?

Thanks

**italcarguy** · #7 (**permalink**) 11-13-2003, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by GTV4EVR
Anthony,

Do you feel the W&D are too stiff for the road, or is there another reason?

Thanks

**GTV4EVR** · #8 (**permalink**) 11-13-2003, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by italcarguy
to be honest, i have never heard of someone putting ward and deane springs on a street alfa. i am sure he can make them with spring rates that will be good for street. i might see him next weekend. if i do, i'll ask him.

aeroengineerguy · #9 (**permalink**) 11-13-2003, 01:35 PM

Thanks everyone

IAP says that their "performance springs" are 1300 in the front and 600 in the back. So shankles are softer unless I have harder ones made? BTW how much does a set of standard shankle and W&D springs cost?

Thanks,
Jason

**GTV4EVR** · #10 (**permalink**) 11-13-2003, 01:47 PM

So the IAP springs are stiffer than the W&D ?
Ward & Deane springs cost $390., but I can't remember if that is the race or street spring. The race are $40 more than the street.

aeroengineerguy · #11 (**permalink**) 11-13-2003, 01:56 PM

Ken

I think they are measured in different units. lb/ft and N/m etc.
I cant find anything that has all of the springs in the same units. And most of the time the sources don't even tell you the units they use. The link that Roadtrip put up has been the most helpful so far, but as for the "red" springs, both IAP and shankles are red . . .

Jason

emr5503 · #12 (**permalink**) 11-13-2003, 02:39 PM

I also purchased Alan's rear sway bar which is thicker than the std. This is for a 1750 street car which is probably why IAP's rear springs are stiffer. Alan makes this bar for IAP. I double checked the rates with him Monday, as he was leaving for his fishing trip.

**GTV4EVR** · #13 (**permalink**) 11-13-2003, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by emr5503
I also purchased Alan's rear sway bar which is thicker than the std. This is for a 1750 street car which is probably why IAP's rear springs are stiffer. Alan makes this bar for IAP. I double checked the rates with him Monday, as he was leaving for his fishing trip.

emr5503 · #14 (**permalink**) 11-14-2003, 06:43 AM

Car is at the shop waiting for a friend's GTA jr race car to get off the lift. He's also running Alan's street springs since he had them. He may change them later.
I'm going to use red Konis (since I have them), all poly bushes, 4:10 LSD & adjustable A arms. When I get around to rebuilding the engine (beginning to smoke at 34,000 mi.) it will get a GTA head with Wes' pump & cams & a GTA (14 lb.) steel fly wheel.

**GTV4EVR** · #15 (**permalink**) 11-14-2003, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by emr5503
Car is at the shop waiting for a friend's GTA jr race car to get off the lift. He's also running Alan's street springs since he had them. He may change them later.
I'm going to use red Konis (since I have them), all poly bushes, 4:10 LSD & adjustable A arms. When I get around to rebuilding the engine (beginning to smoke at 34,000 mi.) it will get a GTA head with Wes' pump & cams & a GTA (14 lb.) steel fly wheel.