Good suspension mods with good gas milage, is it posible?

[waldoz]

I have been floating around on your board, its great to say the least. I think I am picking up a 92 with 160k and second owner with freeway miles. Is it possible to still get good gas milage with some good sup mods? Is there a special combo that some of you guys run? I tried to search but no luck. My round trip to work is pretty far but I would love to have bit better wheels and sup and still keep stock gas mileage. I was paying almost $300 a month in gas last year and I don't want to go back to that.
Thanks for any info and advice.

[GenevaDirt]

welcome to the site. When you get a chance take a moment and add your location. Comes in handy when you need help...someone may be close that is willing to lend a hand. Plus if you want to buy or sell then it will save the ...where are you located questions.
As for the suspension...I am sure you will get some good responses. We have some very knowledgeable people here and a lot of good people.

[waldoz]

Thanks I missed that. I did notice someone down south of me but I think he is like almost 2 hrs lol.

[JPT]

Suspension mods don't have much to do with gas mileage. As long as you choose lightweight rims and tires, whatever else you do won't matter.

[skeeters_keeper]

On the contrary, suspension mods can affect milege a lot.

John noticed an increase in mpg's after lowering the front of his car. then if you put a wider tire on, you will get a decrease in mpgs. lower + wider tire and you may end up somewhere around stock.
Since it sounds like you want this for a DD and not for a racer, just better handling on the road, I'd suggest getting KYB GR2 struts and putting cheap coilovers on like I did ( http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=16513 ) because their relatively cheap and you will have a better ride for DD than with lowering springs + you can adjust ride height.

As far as tires, lighter + narrower -> better gas milege. If you do and aspire swap you can use honda vx 13" wheels... their 9lb factory alloys. For a good comprimise between handling and mpgs + a cheap initial cost you could use 175-70-13's, for better mpgs 155-80-13's. better handling you can find 185/60-13s.

[JPT]

How much of a difference do you think 1 to 2" lower will make? Lowering my car is on my list of modifications.

[waldoz]

On the contrary, suspension mods can affect milege a lot.

John noticed an increase in mpg's after lowering the front of his car. then if you put a wider tire on, you will get a decrease in mpgs. lower + wider tire and you may end up somewhere around stock.
Since it sounds like you want this for a DD and not for a racer, just better handling on the road, I'd suggest getting KYB GR2 struts and putting cheap coilovers on like I did ( http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=16513 ) because their relatively cheap and you will have a better ride for DD than with lowering springs + you can adjust ride height.

As far as tires, lighter + narrower -> better gas milege. If you do and aspire swap you can use honda vx 13" wheels... their 9lb factory alloys. For a good comprimise between handling and mpgs + a cheap initial cost you could use 175-70-13's, for better mpgs 155-80-13's. better handling you can find 185/60-13s.

So how much did this all end up costing you in the end? The only thing I am worried about is the aspire parts. There are not many around this area of the woods.

[Arnie]

I recently started the aspire swap. My parts were surprisingly a bit pricey but maybe because its socal. the rear trailing arm assembly and front knuckles/calipers (no rotors/pads) came out to $213. I can get about $25 back in core charges. Probably much cheaper where you are.

I found some CRX wheels for $100. Bought new brake pads (Axxis Ulimates up front) for $60. New front rotors ($24). I have TEIN coilovers and those were I think $675? I have tires from my Festiva setup (but they can be had for about $40/each for sumitomos). New poly bushings for the front end (free).

So yeah, in the end, its not super cheap. But with the miles i do a day (220) it will pay off in gas in a few months over my WRX.

[Biglay5150]

Welcome Waldoz!!
Im a couple hours south of you. What are you looking to acheve? Just better wheels and tires? or are you looking for improved handling also. If handling is what you want then an Aspire swap is what you need. Plus with the swap you have alot more options for wheels. Its real easy and you can usually get all the parts in the junkyard. Or you can do what I did and place an add on craigslist wanting a broke down or wrecked Aspire. If you need anything Im sure I can help you I have lots of parts for Festivas and I have lots of friends with them also. If you ever come down this way we can meet up. Im always up to meeting new Festiva friends.
Bob

[waldoz]

Well I told my wife I was going to sell the race car for $500. lol and she was not happy. I have had the car for about 9yrs and lots of $.I am basically waiting till the last owner is done with the car. I really would like a good handling daily driver. That I don't have to worry about at the pump. I like good springs and shocks but not the bottoming out rides. I have been into 240 Volvo's for about 15yrs and did the same to those cars. The gas mileage is well not very good with them. I hate to say it but these remind me of minis, small and could be lots of fun and small budget which I have now with 4 kids. Good to know your down that way. Thanks for all the info thus far.
Chris

[ejp2fast]

The aspire swap will give you more options with wheels (4x100mm aspire vs 4x114.3mm stock festiva)... I got my wheels (stock 4x114.3mm) at a JY for cheap. I'd always bring a ruler and measure wheels.. 114.3mm is 4.5 inches. Thats how I found mine. Also, print off the list of vehicles that has these stock wheels (see sticky at the top of this section)I lowered my car cheap- i cut my springs. I am pleasantly surprised with my results now.
The Honda VX wheels as mentioned above are very NICE, but pricey and hard to come by.
Welcome and good luck finding your stuff!

[waldoz]

Yeah I am looking forward to all the options. Before it was like we had to pave the way for the volvo perf, cause no one had parts. You guys have done a lot of the foot work to make things easy which is really nice.

[waldoz]

Dark side..

So I found a aspire with 67k on it. My other festiva is taking to long before he sells it. Is there anything wrong with the aspires? I mean you guys are swaping the sup and everything would it not be easier to buy a aspire instead or is it the weight savings you guys are going after?
Thanks for the imput you guys have been pretty good.
Chris

[bhazard]

Aspires are a lot heavier and slower, and have a much different style to them.

Also the lower the car is the smaller its frontal area is, and thus better aero properties. Wider tires have more rolling resistance than narrow tires. Lighter wheels and tires have less unsprung weight and are also easier for the engine to turn.

[19festiva90]

On the contrary, suspension mods can affect milege a lot.

John noticed an increase in mpg's after lowering the front of his car. then if you put a wider tire on, you will get a decrease in mpgs. lower + wider tire and you may end up somewhere around stock.
Since it sounds like you want this for a DD and not for a racer, just better handling on the road, I'd suggest getting KYB GR2 struts and putting cheap coilovers on like I did ( http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=16513 ) because their relatively cheap and you will have a better ride for DD than with lowering springs + you can adjust ride height.

As far as tires, lighter + narrower -> better gas milege. If you do and aspire swap you can use honda vx 13" wheels... their 9lb factory alloys. For a good comprimise between handling and mpgs + a cheap initial cost you could use 175-70-13's, for better mpgs 155-80-13's. better handling you can find 185/60-13s.

were do you get these coilovers? i was just going to get the springs of fms but these look better. where can they be had?