Advanced Suspension Mods

[vanhick]

After reading through this thread, I decided to pick up some bump stops. I finally got around to installing them this weekend and I have to say that they're the single most significant upgrade I've noticed, as far as handling goes. The car no longer feels like it's about to tip and the tires even squeal less while taking corners fast. The stops I purchased in the link below are about 6 inches, so I decided to just install the whole length in the front which covers in the entire rod. This might not be optimal because there's no longer any free travel space for the strut (the bump stops are always touching). But considering the softness of the stops, ride quality seems to have improved and not necessarily stiffened. The linked stops below also had to be sanded out to fit on the front struts.

Anyway, thanks Advanced for the tips. Dollar for dollar, bump stops are one of the best and most important upgrades.

I also should note that my festiva is aspire swapped with 175# 10in springs up front and 150# 8in in the rear. B6t swapped also so a little heavier upfront than stock.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/audi-volkswagen-vw-shock-bump-stop-beetle-golf-jetta-tt-1j0512131c?gclid=CLWGh7XrqMYCFQUGaQodIrwDlQ

[greywolf200]

Great looking car. Am looking forward to seeing it in person at Madness.

[Advancedynamix]

The stiffness Joe is describing is mostly shock valving, not spring rates. It's primarily the fronts, because I have 36mm bilstein sport dampers that are riding within 2" of the bottom of their stroke on the front. My bilstein front shocks were built for a stock ride height, not a lowered stance, but I couldn't finish my lowering struts in time for our last track test weekend, so that's what's on the car for now. They are not ideal at this ride height. The 105lb springs are only slightly stiffer than stock, but the mk1 VW rear shocks are much stiffer. This gives a firmer, more controlled ride, but doesn't transfer many bumps to the car. With the shorter shocks, and firmer compression dampening, the car will have drastically less body roll and will also concentrate more of the cars weight to the driving wheels under acceleration. This allows soft spring rates while still feeling firm and sporty.
Another thing to take note of is that this car has 175/50-13" tires mounted on 13x6" wheels with 15mm offset. This wheel package is very stiff. With narrower, taller tires the car would ride smoother than stock in the rear. I'm working on the front still. I want to lower the car another 2" on these wheels.

[red90festyonair]

Haha. .... exactly why I asked the question here in the first place. I have read just about every suspension explanation on this site and the build for Tweak definitely was the one I wanted to pirate ideas from. I have had way too many issues with the suspension on this little car so this will be the last time I should have to address this issue. ...... hopefully.

[bhearts]

I thought about 150s in the back. But if it's stiff with 105. Glad I heard that.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[shorestiva]

Yup it rides great! Its a little on the stiff side (I like that though) but its way better than my fms springs (front struts would bottom out) or my coilover setup (has 250lb springs).

[TominMO]

Cliferton made a set of deep top spring hats and they are being tested on his car. He sent me the CAD file, and either of us could have a batch made up if there is enough interest. I'm assuming between 40-50 dollars a set. Joe (Shorestiva) drove Pedro around last night, with the 150/105 combo and he seemed to like the ride too.

I'd be in for two sets.

[Advancedynamix]

Charlie, how hard would it be to fab up a 2" spacer for the top? Would you be interested in making them for people who got a specific top mount, like one from SW Speed or some other one, for the coilovers?

Cliferton made a set of deep top spring hats and they are being tested on his car. He sent me the CAD file, and either of us could have a batch made up if there is enough interest. I'm assuming between 40-50 dollars a set. Joe (Shorestiva) drove Pedro around last night, with the 150/105 combo and he seemed to like the ride too.

[TominMO]

^what Tom said. !0" rears must be used, it would be nice to get 12" long 90b springs, but southwest doesn't carry them. I don't have applicable before and after measurements because I have smaller diameter tires on the car, but when I put some bigger tires on I'll give a number to compare with stock.

Charlie, how hard would it be to fab up a 2" spacer for the top? Would you be interested in making them for people who got a specific top mount, like one from SW Speed or some other one, for the coilovers?

[Advancedynamix]

^what Tom said. !0" rears must be used, it would be nice to get 12" long 90b springs, but southwest doesn't carry them. I don't have applicable before and after measurements because I have smaller diameter tires on the car, but when I put some bigger tires on I'll give a number to compare with stock.

[TominMO]

Charlie, Or anyone else who has performed the hybrid VW/Southwest speed coilover:

First let me say I did search, and I read probably the last 200+ posts from charlie about strus/springs for the festy rears and here is what I have waiting to pull the trigger on, waiting on advice from folks who have actually driven this combo.......

In my cart at Southwest Speed I have (2) #180-000 sleeves, (2)#180-036 nuts(do I want4?) and (2)015-010 (#105) 8"L springs..... I would like to run fairly low so should I do #90?120?10"? The car has a B6t with ATX. Will not be put on a track but will get driven appropriatly for what it was built for......The car once had a full air suspension(RODE and DROVE HORRID) and I am in the process of getting the car back on the road as my DD.... I want a comfortable ride. Right now I have the cheapo 2.5 coilovers on Tokiko struts(Maxima maybe?) and they are waaay too hard...read as scary on the highway.....

As a place where others can find it I also have the 93 Cabriolet KYB strut #341007 for use within the 1 7/8 sleeves from Southwest Speed.

So my question is specifically about the springs. If I want a ride that is on the lower side and can be tossed spiritedly on the road, but still mainitain a good level of comfort which spring rate do I want to choose? Thank you for youe expertise........

You will want the 10" springs. I remember someone else posting that even with the 10", they had to have the adjuster nut all the way at the top. It will still be lower by a couple of inches than stock struts. Take some before-and-after measurements at the top of the fender arch.

[Advancedynamix]

I am running 150lb fronts and 105lb rears on Pedro right now on KYB VW cabriolet rear shocks and VW Bilstein coilovers on the front. The ride is comfortable, about 2.5" lower than stock (and can go lower if I want) and it performs well enough to put down respectable lap times on a challenging road coarse. I would run softer front springs with a B3 engine. Pedro is B6D.

[red90festyonair]

Charlie, Or anyone else who has performed the hybrid VW/Southwest speed coilover:

First let me say I did search, and I read probably the last 200+ posts from charlie about strus/springs for the festy rears and here is what I have waiting to pull the trigger on, waiting on advice from folks who have actually driven this combo.......

In my cart at Southwest Speed I have (2) #180-000 sleeves, (2)#180-036 nuts(do I want4?) and (2)015-010 (#105) 8"L springs..... I would like to run fairly low so should I do #90?120?10"? The car has a B6t with ATX. Will not be put on a track but will get driven appropriatly for what it was built for......The car once had a full air suspension(RODE and DROVE HORRID) and I am in the process of getting the car back on the road as my DD.... I want a comfortable ride. Right now I have the cheapo 2.5 coilovers on Tokiko struts(Maxima maybe?) and they are waaay too hard...read as scary on the highway.....

As a place where others can find it I also have the 93 Cabriolet KYB strut #341007 for use within the 1 7/8 sleeves from Southwest Speed.

So my question is specifically about the springs. If I want a ride that is on the lower side and can be tossed spiritedly on the road, but still mainitain a good level of comfort which spring rate do I want to choose? Thank you for youe expertise........

[Advancedynamix]

Yes sir. That allowed the strut bearings to be in an unloaded state at the ride height I chose. Gravity holds it together most of the time. The glue just kept it from falling apart unloaded. Tweak still has those mounts to this day. I now just use Kia Rio mounts though. I didn't know about those when I made my own.

[bhearts]

Here is one of the little bushings that I made to tighen up the gap between the VW strut and the mazda strut bearing. It threads on to the strut and is held in place with loctite sleeve retainer.

Here is the top spacer that I made, I was trying to use the stock capri o-ring to seal the bearing but it didn't work. This piece isn't really necessary.

Here is the strut top secured to the strut

And this is the hollowed out festiva strut top. I glued them together when I had my ride height and camber set where I wanted them. This setup raises the strut mounting point about an inch up from stock location which means more shock travel at lower ride heights.

And here it is installed. I'm now using the filler springs, but I didn't at the ride height I ran with my 15" wheels.

so you glued that rusty wallered out piece to "strut top secured to the strut"

sorry, im miserable with suspension talk.