Which FMS springs should I use?

[FB71]

I'm getting ready to do the Aspire swap, KYB's and springs. I want a stiff ride, plus, I weigh 280lbs. I'm not too concerned with getting the car ultra low. Should I use the Festiva or Aspire FMS lowering springs?

[b8kedbeans]

Seems like the stock springs may be the best way to go in this case actually. There are other lowering springs available across the pond with less drop... Apex makes some with 30mm drop for the mazda 121 DA that would work nicely. The H&R springs are probably pretty good too.

[Safety Guy]

I've done cut Aspire springs twice now. Cut one coil and you get about stock ride height. My next step is to get someone to heat up the bottom cut coil and flatten it to better fit the spring perch--something that will be necessary for my new Monroe front struts for Luxstiva. Those struts have a very shallow spring perch and they need a good fit (and maybe some welding on of a "wall" for the perch sides as well).

Cut springs are definitely not a problem for the rear application, but may not be to everyone's liking up front. In Muttstiva, there was some knocking when I reversed to one side sharply from one of the struts which I attributed to the cut springs imperfect ("halfass") fitment.

Flattening the bottoms should take care of that. My cut Aspire springs really reduced the pitching on braking and acceleration, but if you're an old searfaring man, maybe you like that motion!

Karl

[quaddawg]

You can grind the flat on the bottom too, instead of trying to "blacksmith" it.

Also, my cut FMS spings on the back, I had to actually drill the perch, and wire them in place, cause they kept coming out on the autocross course... I didn't cut them, they were cut when I bought the car.

[FB71]

I tried the cut Aspire springs on Uncle fester, and wasn't happy with the results. I think I'll try Aspire FMS springs, based on everyone's observations

[25Horseplay]

Bu some Teins coilovers!

[Maxtiva]

Bu some Teins coilovers!

This is a good option but cost $$$$$$

[FB71]

out of my budget, Brian. Otherwise, I would!

[Gomez]

I have a set of Ground control coilover adjusters and Eibach springs and KYB GR-2 struts. ALL brand new. I will sell I will post pics up here in a few and also in another thread. I spent countless hours cross referencing #'s or more so weights and heights to come up with a good cross between handling, ride, ride height, durability, and money. I will post within an hour tonight.

[Silv3rBull3t]

Totally worth it...

[FB71]

should I buy Gomez's coil-over setup?

[skeeters_keeper]

My .02, from reading and researching this a bit myself:
-FMS springs (aspire or festiva) are "progressive rate", but under load the coils that are closer together compress completely and are dead leaving you with only half of the spring to do the springs job.
-FMS springs are only 15% stiffer than stock springs, they seem so much stiffer than stock because of the dead coils leaving only a few coils that can be compressed
-with the coil-over setup you will have 37% stiffer front and 40% stiffer rear, but you will have the full 8" spring and no dead coils give a nicer ride but still having stiffer springs.
-with the coil-overs you can change the ride height whenever... whats not good about that? lol
-coil-overs give you more room for wider wheel/tire combo's. you can cut the strut spring perch back gaining another .5" or so of room.

basically, I think the coil-overs are not even in the same category as a festiva springs... go for Gomez's setup while the picking is still good, its only a little more than buying KYB's and FMS springs and the benefits are great!

Disclaimer: I haven't done this yet myself, but i have spent a bit of time researching it because i want to as soon as i have the $!

[FB71]

I understand progressive rate and coilover setups, I just don't have practical experience with coilovers, and don't want to buy something that won't well for me.