Suspension - $1000 budget

[jeanpierreleb]

I want a sporty ride yet, soft enough to go over bumps and dips and not get jarred. A couple inch drop with enough clearance to go into driveways and not kill my ride.

Jedi masters.. I call on you! What should I do?

[kellen302]

with $1k you can get teins if you can find them, FMS has(d)? them, they are nice, and cost like $850

[Charlie1717]

With $1000 you ought to do a whole aspire swap upgrade.

[bhazard]

A straight aspire swap wont give him what he wants...

[timmay89]

A straight aspire swap wont give him what he wants...

That is true, BUT he could do the tein swap to get the better suspension, and then do the aspire swap to get the bigger brakes and stiffer rear axle. Win win, and should be do-able for about $1000.

Also consider Kia Rio to strut bearings... if that is possible to adapt to the tein system. It will greatly help with steering.

[Charlie1717]

A straight aspire swap wont give him what he wants...

True true I should have added "as well"

[jeanpierreleb]

[/QUOTE]Also consider Kia Rio to strut bearings... if that is possible to adapt to the tein system. It will greatly help with steering.[/QUOTE]

Does anyone know if this is possible?

Thanks for all the input. I'm looking into it as we speak.

[timmay89]

Also consider Kia Rio to strut bearings... if that is possible to adapt to the tein system. It will greatly help with steering.[/QUOTE]

Does anyone know if this is possible?

Thanks for all the input. I'm looking into it as we speak.[/QUOTE]

I have it running on my Festiva, so yes it is possible. The question is, will the tein system work with the rio tops?

[TominMO]

I'm quite happy with KYB GR2s and stock Festy springs. What is better about the coilovers?

I had to swap Aspire Monroes onto the rear for a higher spring perch, due to wider tires I put on after switching to GR2s front and rear. The Monroes are not as good, just OK. The GR2 ride seems more controlled and a little stiffer.

EDIT: I also have the Aspire front swaybar and the rear threaded-bar mod.

[fastivaB6TG25MR]

is it just me or is 1k for suspension on a 800 car a bit much. dont get me wrong i love mine but it has got to be the mosy poorly engineered suspension i have seen(well maybe tied with the mark 4 spitfire rear suspension) with that kind of money i would look into custom fab work to install real lower control arms (like a 323 or maybe even tubular for that kind of cash) to get a better geometry and just replace the shocks with stock replacement kybs(i love mine) and some 1.5" drop springs.

always remember that $$$ does not equal performance... my "ghetto" suspension setup has out handled integras with $1400 function and form fully adjustable suspension...

just my $.02

[Damkid]

The suspension on my festiva cost $1800 brand new, I'm just glad it wasn't me that paid for it originally lol

[fastivaB6TG25MR]

:eeeeeek: seriously? i guess im just sticker shocked cause i have the time, patience, and mechanical ability to achieve my desired ride quality without spending enough money to buy another car...

[Damkid]

lol ya i would not have paid that much for suspenion either, but since they were already installed on my festiva when i got it, i was not complaining haha

[Grey Vw]

Aspire swap+ Racelands or Rokkors.

[blkfordsedan]

From his description, it sounds like he needs a set of FMS springs. Heck, I might even be willing to sell mine for 999.99. May even throw in free shpping...