coilover question

[big_ty2003]

Do you think that 8 inch 200lb springs would work in the front of a BP+T festiva with kyb-gr2's?

[Gforcefd]

I have 4 inch 400 lb coilovers on the car right now, they hurt. 200 lb would be okay, but the gr2 do not have enough dampening I believe to work properly with them I believe.... Search for a thread called something like "The last suspension question thread" I believe it states what a good setup is.

[floydiancomplex]

Yes, but the GR2s will be over sprung so it will be a bouncy ride. Try using the GR2s
for a 89 Mazda 323 that will match the strut to the spring a little better.

[big_ty2003]

i thought maybe with the bigger engine since in " The last Spring, Shock, and Ride Quality post" he said to use 175's in the front i was thinking with the added weight from the BT+T it might be ok. I was looking for for assurance from the suspension guru's

[floydiancomplex]

Its not about engine weight. Its about Compression/Rebound dampening values of the
strut itself. Adding a heavier engine might make the spring a little more tolerable but
the damper will still not be able to handle the spring and will blow out.

[big_ty2003]

Thank you Floydian, I am still learning. I think I am going to just go with the festiva kyb gr2's with 125lb springs in the back & 150lbs in the front on cheap coil over bodies. I hope this will not be under dampened.

[big_ty2003]

If I went with a KYB GR2 from a Mazda 323 cut the spring perch off & used the Ebay cheap coil over body(slid all the way down to the bump near the bottom) with a 12'' 200lb spring would this be enough height to have the car sit about 1-1/2 - 2 inches lower with a decent ride?

[floydiancomplex]

You will be the first to find out. On general theory though I will give you a cautious yes.
Yes as in more than likely it will fit and the car and give you your desired range of
adjustability. As for a decent ride I have a few thoughts as well.

Without knowing the OEM spring rate for a 323 (I searched but no luck) I can only
guesstimate. I am going to say its is probably around 150 Lbs. That is based on nothing
more than knowing the festy spring rate (~110) and that the 323 weighs a bit more.

So add ~15% to your stock damper values (GR2s are said to be about that much stiffer
than OEM) and your 323 damper should control about a 170-175 Lbs spring.

That is actually crap though. Spring/damper relationships are not linear and depend on
much more than just the spring and strut alone. On the other hand it gives you a basic
idea of what you are looking at. So ultimately your ride will be a bit under-damped but
not nearly as severely as a 200 LB spring on a Festy GR2. On smooth roads you won't
really notice but expect a little harshness when the road gets rough.

I say do it. That is my two cents anyway.

[big_ty2003]

thank you!