Getting ready to buy some coilovers... what strut??

[quaddawg]

OK, I can't really afford the Teins this year for my Festy, and still afford the cam and head work.. SO....


I am going to use Ground control coilover conversion sleeves and 300# front and 250# rears..

remember this is for autocross only... not for street..

Now, what about struts? I need something valved a LITTLE closer to those stiff rates.. the FMS KYB's aren't close enough for my taste. What struts can I get? Do 323 struts bolt up? Does KYB or anyone make a strut for the 323 that would be valved closer?

Any other applications I could use?

I really wanted a custom valved set, matched to my springs, but that ain't gonna happen this year.

Ideas?

I can get the Ground controls with Eibachs for $300, and the Teins full set is $900, SO.... I am hoping to spend about $500-600 for everything.

[25Horseplay]

FMS has a KYB super strut that is firmer then the GR2's I have them on my geen car. They are orange in color.

[quaddawg]

I guess that would be better than the GR2.... but still, isn't there a strut for a heavier car that will fit the Festy?? I really need a stiffer rebound then the Festy KYB's offer.. if worse comes to worse, I guess I could go with a Super...


FMS has them in stock? I never have seen them on the website..

[25Horseplay]

FMS has SO much stuff not listed on the website. The also had at one time a 4 way adjustable strut. And some Bilsteins too.

[xanthinic12]

hmm i happen to have a set of ground control coil overs with 300in/lb and 200in/lb matched with kyb.......there painted red. but i don't know if you'd want to make thetrip to west chester pa.

[Pocket_Rocket]

I don't know if I'm mistaken, but didn't a member called Festarossa used '89 Mazda 323 KYB shocks (front) and Rabbit or Scirocco rears with Ebay coilover sleeves for autocross with great success?

[quaddawg]

I don't know if I'm mistaken, but didn't a member called Festarossa used '89 Mazda 323 KYB shocks (front) and Rabbit or Scirocco rears with Ebay coilover sleeves for autocross with great success?

I thought I remembered that, but wasn't sure..


X: What KYB's? are they gr2's? What do you want for the set??

[Silv3rBull3t]

No KYB has the correct valving for the Festiva and those rates. I personally have Supers (Orange) on my car now and they do not do the job. I am looking to get Koni make me a rate matched set sometime in the fall/winter of this year. -Kyle

[floydiancomplex]

I just ordered a set of KYB AGX 4 way adjustables for the REAR. They are for a 1997 mitsubishi mirage. I took some
measurements from my girlfriends car and compare a stock strut to a festiva part. They mount in the same fashion
with the eye on bottom and threaded rod up top. Overall the mitsu strut is about 2 inches shorter with the same travel.
Basically its the same strut with that extra metal tube at the bottom removed. The mitsu is probably about 500-700
pounds heavier than the festiva so it should have higher dampening rates from the start and with the adjustability
should work out quite well. They were 100 each at advance. I will update with pics.

Quaddawg: Since your car is for AutoX only you might consider swapping your front and rear rates. In talking with
alot of FWD guys at events all the fast ones are running a much higher rate on the rears. Something like 300 Fr 600 R
on a Mazda Protege. Having a super stiff rear helps the car rotate and understeer is our biggest enemy with FWD cars.
I swapped my springs Front(220) to Rear (180) and saw an immediate gain of .05-.1 G on sweepers and more rotation
on tight turns and boxes.

[quaddawg]

Kyle, I know none have the correct valving, but I just wanted to get closer than the GR2's


So, NO struts will fit the front of a Festy, other than the KYB's from FMS??? I find that hard to believe. Has anyone tried the 323's?? That is a heavier car, I think the valving would be a little better.

[Pocket_Rocket]

Found the post...I tough the member I was talking about was Festarossa, but it was festyfreak39. Here's the link:

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12614

[quaddawg]

Yeah....

Kyle, if you are still watching this thread, do you think the 323 struts would be ANY better valved for some 300 lb springs???

[Teqnyck]

I think the Tokico HPs would handle the 300# springs well. They are designed for a car that weighs 2700 lbs, so that fact will help too.

[Silv3rBull3t]

I do believe the the 323's would work better, maybe even very well just not sure of fitment. I would want some type of comparo with a junkyard set before I dished out that kinda $ for something that may not work. -Kyle

[quaddawg]

Thanks Kyle... I am trying to get in touch with festyfreak to see what he did to use the 323 strut... will report when I do.

Now, for the rear I am thinking the KYB AGX that is posted by floydiancomplex.. one thing, he is using 9" springs? You mentioned using 7" what do you think? 9" since the shock is a bit shorter??

I sure want to get all this right the first time, to avoid wasting money I don't really have to waste.