aspire with rio strut swap

[whatle]

i swapped struts with a rio and cut off one coil on the springs but still sits higher up front by just over half an inch.. how much more do u think i should cut off to get it down to level or just a touch under?

[Bert]

This would be personal preference stuff. Stock FMS(festivamotorsport) 'sport' springs drop a Festy well beyond my liking so which way you go in that regard is entirely your business. At least you've got metal that can still be removed.
Other folks on this site seem to suggest 2 1/2 coils being cut (either Aspire or Rio) is a nice number. Good luck whatever.

[zoom zoom]

I have the SAME setup with 1 coil cut, it is a tad high, but 'lil red rocket' did it, then cut more, and took measurements, for every coil he cut he dropped an inch. I think he cut 3 total but he was intentionally lowering his aspire.

I'm fairly sure his results are in his build thread on fa.com

[Safety Guy]

Whatle, I'd try from 1/2 to one full coil extra for each front spring to see how it goes if you want to remain at stock Aspire height.

Let us know what works for you and pics are always welcome!

Karl

[lil red rocket]

two coils off the font dropped the ca about 1/2 to 1 inch so if u want stock hight or there abouts i would go for another 1/2 coil off. zoom i took 2.5 coils off the rear stock springs and about 2 off the front rio coils

[zoom zoom]

Ah hah..there it is..thx for clarification

[whatle]

When the new struts come in I'll cut another coil off and post pics

[Aspire SVT]

I am intrigued by this swap as well. I want to freshen up my front end with urethane and drop it about an inch or so. I was just on rock auto pricing 2002 kyb rio struts, not bad IMO pricing for new ones at 56-65 each.

[whatle]

you'll need rio mounts too... not sure if you can can use aspire springs or not tho

[lil red rocket]

Best bet is to go to the jy and get complete Rio setup, and if u need new shocks, then order them. I wouldn't go any more than two coils off of the Rio springs, and I probably wouldn't go any more than three off of the rear aspire springs, but that would be close, cuz I got quite a bit of rub on my tires with 2.5 cut out of the rear. Does anybody know if I put stock front aspire springs on the rear if it would firm up the ride?

[Safety Guy]

The most cost effective way to go to a Rio front end setup would be to get 2001 or 2002 Rio front strut assemblies with mounts. Rio strut tops don't quite fit Aspire strut mounts because the hole is different.

If you buy new Rio struts, springs, mounts, etc. you still won't have that stock "top hat" that goes just under the mount and holds the top of the spring. That's why you need it from the junkyard, unless someone can figure out where to buy one new. I don't think that part is sold, unless it's from a dealer.

I have a set of 2003 Rio struts and mounts. The 3 bolt mounts will NOT work on a Festiva without considerable modding (cutting and probably welding the strut tower top area), so I also bought a pair of new 2002 strut mounts. However, I have yet to confirm that the '03 struts will fit into an '02 mount. My guess is it will, but I've been lazy.

Karl

[whatle]

1 more coil cut for a total of 2 off the rio springs, rears left stock

[Safety Guy]

That looks good Whatle. What size tires are you running on those Escort rims? 185/60-14s maybe?

BTW, you asked:

"...not sure if you can can use aspire springs or not tho."

I'm using Aspire springs cut one coil for front and back on Aqua, my B6/5 speed work car. Cut Aspire springs run just fine, but for a car to haul loads or pull trailers, you should use full size Aspire springs or heavy duty springs in back or else they'll rub on bumps when you run larger tires like my 175/70-13s. I'll be putting in some HD Aspire rear springs I got from FMS a while back soon. Some folks run front springs from Festiva or Aspire, but I haven't tried that yet.

But yes, I've run two sets of cut Aspire springs now in front and they work fine. Mine are cut only one coil though. Next, I'll try cut Rio springs, probably cut 1.5 coils for the front for Aqua.

Karl

[whatle]

tires are 175/65-14 almost same dimensions as the stock 13s

[Safety Guy]

Whatle wrote:

"tires are 175/65-14 almost same dimensions as the stock 13s"

My math says those will be about 2mm taller than already tall 175/70-13s.

All of these sizes are about the same, and about as tall as I would like to run for everyday use:

155/80-13
175/70-13
185/60-14
195/50-15

They're all about 18 to 20mm taller than stock. Your 175/65-14s measure about 22mm taller than stock. However, actual measurement will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and due to wear, etc.

Karl