Advanced Suspension Mods

[Gomez]

I put those Federal Formoza's on my Daisy's and the fit and look perfect. Haven't had them on the road yet but will soon. Thanks Charlie

[TominMO]

165 fits a 6" just fine, straight sidewall, crisp handling.

Thanks!

[Dragonhealer]

165 fits a 6" just fine, straight sidewall, crisp handling.

[TominMO]

Thanks Charlie! The research continues......will the 165/55 format fit well on a 6" wide rim?

the Federal Formoza FD1

[Advancedynamix]

For ultimate street performance, the Yokohama Advan A048 in a 185/60-13 on 13x7 or wider (if you can fit them) rims. Those tires are very expensive and wear out quickly. Mine lasted almost 1000 miles!
My suggestion for a great performing tire is the Federal Formoza FD1 in a 165/55-14. They are a great dry weather tire, and do okay in the rain.
I suggest a 165mm wide tire on a Festiva for street use because the contact patch is ideal for the weight of these little cars. There isn't enough weight to make use of a 185 or wider tire and they don't fit under the car well anyway. The 185mm R compound tires only work better because they are designed to heat up and get sticky, like race slicks do.I ran 165/45-15 Federals on Tweak for the street and loved them. They also last a long time.
On the track, the Federal tires will overheat if you drive the car for everything it's got. Street driving is nowhere near as hard on tires as track driving.
One thing to remember is pressure on the road is more important than wide tires when we're talking performance.

[TominMO]

Hey Charlie, I'm curious to get your recommendations for a really good 14" tire for my Festy--as in V-rated. I am willing to go directional, and summer-only. The only thing I have found in a 14 is the Yokohama s.drive in 185/55-14. What do you think of that tire as a dd tire? I am not concerned about wear, only performance/fun. I am currently driving H-rated tires in 185/60-14.

For that matter, what are the good 13" tires out there for street performance? IIRC you had 13s on Tweak.

[Advancedynamix]

Just get good with the PH of the coolant. Nothing worse than rotten coolant.

[nitrofarm]

Ahh thanks Charlie, Ive been really busy at my new job learning the ins & outs of CNC maintenance.

[Advancedynamix]

I only use the front shocks, and they come with 60mm springs, but I use 2.5" springs on them. They are a smidge loose on the hat and adjuster, but I haven't noticed a problem.

I haven't seen a post from you in awhile Thomas, good to hear from ya buddy!

[nitrofarm]

Charlie what dia are those ?

[Advancedynamix]

http://m.ebay.com/itm/151380830285?nav=SEARCH

In fact, looking at these ones leads me to believe they are identical to the RaceLands I used to make the original front shocks in the first few pages of this thread. The only difference I see is that the adjuster nuts are clear anodized rather than black. Not a big deal.

[Advancedynamix]

Yes, eBay and yes, the inserts are replaceable. The "gland nut" that holds the insert in the body is different though. I have made all the tools necessary to disassemble all these types of coilovers. I've found that the cheap ones that are silver or yellow zinc coated are actually of higher quality than the RaceLands. The brand names keep changing, but they are all made in the same factories. I've built nearly 20 sets of these now.

[gergorian]

That is one of the major reasons I choose the VW coilovers, they are dirt cheap ( now 270 bucks a set!) and come with much better valving. The cartridges in the coilovers is also replaceable ( though I've yet to see one go bad) so they can be rebuilt and upgraded with bilstein or Koni dampers.

I assume that price is on ebay. If I bought the $270 cheap set on ebay would they have the replaceable inserts like the racelands?

[Advancedynamix]

Sorry I didn't see this question earlier Tom. I like Sachs dampers, but find that anything meant for the Festiva/aspire front is to loose on the rebound dampening. This is a big reason why these cars feel cheap and a little top heavy. Stiffen up that front rebound dampening and you'd swear you just traded up to a solid German build. That is one of the major reasons I choose the VW coilovers, they are dirt cheap ( now 270 bucks a set!) and come with much better valving. The cartridges in the coilovers is also replaceable ( though I've yet to see one go bad) so they can be rebuilt and upgraded with bilstein or Koni dampers.

Back to your question though, Sachs typically makes a quality product.

[TominMO]

Charlie, what do you think of Sachs struts/shocks vs. the KYB GR-2/Excel-G? I went to Rock Auto and checked the little Euro flag to find parts for the Mazda 121 and it shows the Sachs as an upgrade strut. Fronts are $77 for left and $99 for right. For the rear, it lists a Monroe for $79 as the upgrade strut.

Left front strut: http://www.autoteiledirekt.de/sachs-1220508.html

Rear strut pic if I can find it, hold on....rats, couldn't.