Lbs/in (pounds per inch) means that the spring requires a certain amount of pounds to compress the spring by 1 inch.
Lbs (pounds) is often the abbreviated form.
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Originally Posted by Jalal
Point taken. Isn't that kinda retarded on the part of the manufacturers to use something different than everyone else? Why not everyone use a universal method to keep it consistent? Weird to me, that's all.
What kind of discrepancy is there between the different methods? How much different are the rates when calculated differently?
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Yes, it's very retarded. But as I said, I only KNOW that two of the companies use that formula. That's because I worked for a time at one of said companies and that company private labeled for one of the others. No, I will not tell you which one.
I do not know what formula the other companies use. I only know the accuracy of that formula seems the best.
When comparing spring rates, the second and third issues arise when 2) dealing with progressive rate springs and 3) bump stop engagement, respectively.
Explanation: 2) If the spring is progressive in design, you will need to find out from the manufacturer at what point the loaded height is within the progression curve. If the progression begins at a +1" extension from loaded height and completes at loaded height, then this is a progression that you will never truly feel during normal daily driving and seldom even on track days. If the progression begins AT loaded height and completes somewhere during compression, this would be the superior design.
Explanation: 3) Bump stop engagement is a tricky thing. Most folks believe that when you lower a car you need to trim the bump stops because they will stop the car from bumping. This is entirely false. The bump stop in itself is a very small supplemental spring. This is why A) they are tapered, B) they are dense foam and C) (as it relates to the 06+ civics anyway) they are also progressive in design. One company may tell you that you are required to trim the bumpstop to accommodate their spring design. Another may not.
SO, in summary, comparing the rate of the steel spring by itself will not give you all necessary information required to make your spring decision, if this is the method you choose to use.
HOWEVER, if someone were to obtain each of these springs and test them ALL in the same manner and provide the progression chart from full extension to max compression, with indication of where the loaded height was during the progression; THEN, a more accurate decision could be made.
But this will never happen, because manufacturers don't like supporting these tests. I know, I was one.