Cutting my Festy's springs

[TominMO]

Hey Charlie, do you have any thoughts on which tire is better for dry and wet grip, the Achilles Economist or the Federal FD1? The FD1 is all-season and the Economist is summer only. I'm thinking this might mean the Achilles is more dedicated to doing one thing right than trying to cover all four seasons, like the FD1 does.

[TominMO]

The eBay site is for a lot of 4. They have 2 lots for sale. Summer only for Charlie. LOL My car will only be a summer car too. Ddidn't know for sure what you were doing with yours.

Oh, I misunderstood that. Anyway, The other site is cheaper, so all good. The 323 will very good four-season tires (the Generals on the Festy now) and I have actual new snow tires on Aspire steelies ready for the Aspire, so I'm set.

[Gomez]

The eBay site is for a lot of 4. They have 2 lots for sale. Summer only for Charlie. LOL My car will only be a summer car too. Ddidn't know for sure what you were doing with yours.

[TominMO]

This was another tire (same size) that Charlie recommended to me.

http://pages.ebay.com/motors/link/?n...085862&alt=web

I saw those at tires-easy.com, but was put off by the summer-only designation. I guess that means three-season actually, no snow. Might get 'em. They have them for $194 shipped. The eBay site only has two and they cost more.

Edit: ordered them.

[Gomez]

This was another tire (same size) that a Charlie recommended to me.

http://pages.ebay.com/motors/link/?nav=item.view&id=131489085862&alt=web

[TominMO]

Now online tires called me and said the Formozas are on backorder; they only have two in stock, and don't know when they will get 'em again. Dang! First the KYBs, now this. I like the General Altimax RT43s on the Festy now, but had planned on putting them on my 323 where they would be perfect. Oh well. at least I can get the suspension right. Bilsteins coming in Wednesday. I'll squirt some clearcoat on 'em, and install on Thursday.

[Advancedynamix]

I totally agree Tom. The only reason I had stiffer springs on Tweak was because the b6t/g15 is heavier than the stock drivetrain and it was mounted 2" further forward which puts even more weight on the front wheels. Also, the R compound tires and Hoosier slicks grip like no typical consumer tire could. At nearly 3 times the force of gravity in corners, unfortunately, stiffer springs were needed. Babe had 120lb rear springs and 150lb front. They were a bit stiff, but the roads out here are pretty smooth.

The stock rear kyb gr2 shocks are actually valved really well for extreme driving, but may not be the best valving for fast road. Ironic, I know. On R compound rubber I found it very easy to lift oversteer the car with 150lb rear springs. This was beneficial on tight sections of a race track, but could be torturous on the street if someone didn't expect it.

[TominMO]

Tweak has the kyb Festiva/aspire shocks that I originally built in the Advanced Suspension mods thread. I never tested the VW rear shocks on Tweak, but I ran them on Babe for almost a year and they are still on that car. The VW shocks don't need to be shortened at all, like the Festiva shocks do, and they have stiffer compression dampening. They help the car to feel more planted without the need for stiff springs.

That is hy-larious! You're keeping up with any car in the world on cheapo Festiva struts?!?! I thought for sure Tweak had the Bilsteins. I just bought them at Tire Rack, and will let everyone know how they are. UPS'll toss 'em on my porch next week.

Personally, I feel that for most people and most conditions, stock springs are fine; it's just the struts that need upgrading. My Festy is generally empty other than me and the spare tire, and the suspension was presumably engineered to carry four people (tho perhaps not all that comfortably). I've considered pulling the rear seat and moving the spare to behind the front pass. seat, for more rear spring stiffness and better weight distribution. But it's only about a 50-lb difference, and the car will be noisier. I might get Aspire rear springs and cut 'em a little if I feel it's necessary for a little more stiffness. But I'll try the stock Festys first.

[Advancedynamix]

Tweak has the kyb Festiva/aspire shocks that I originally built in the Advanced Suspension mods thread. I never tested the VW rear shocks on Tweak, but I ran them on Babe for almost a year and they are still on that car. The VW shocks don't need to be shortened at all, like the Festiva shocks do, and they have stiffer compression dampening. They help the car to feel more planted without the need for stiff springs.
The lower mount on the VW shocks needs to be narrowed for them to fit the Festiva beam. I cut an extra 1/8" off one side and use washers to space the shocks towards the center of the car. This helps with clearance. Babe has a very soft and comfortable ride with very little body roll. Compared to stock, it's like driving an expensive sports car... but cooler because it's a Festiva.

[TominMO]

Charlie, I was gonna ask you what you had on your cars. Did Tweak have the Bilsteins? I just got a call from Tire Rack because the Gas-a-justs are on a 3-4 month backorder! :-( I canceled the order. Don't really want to pay for the Bilsteins.

Edit: Screw it, ordered the Bilsteins. I know, I have a disease. But the first step in treatment is admitting it. Oh wait, I don't want to get better! :-)

[Advancedynamix]

Anyway, two of these: http://www.amazon.com/QA1-CK1955C-Co.../dp/B003TQ8NN8

And then some springs, the back of that car will be golden!

But I don't feel like spending another $200-250 right now so the 2.5" coilovers will have to do for a bit longer.

You'll save money going with southwest speed parts. You can order the parts individually from them if you call (talk to A.J.) The spring top hats in that QA1 kit won't work for a Festiva. I make my own, but I only have 1 set left. I can make some more sets if there is interest. They fit perfectly with those Gas-A-just KYB's. That's what is on the back of Babe, with the Raceland stye fronts. It works great.

CLICK HERE FOR THE SOUTHWEST SPEED SLEEVE

[TominMO]

Naturally, it infuriated me that Brad got those two KYBs and I don't have any, so I bought 'em from Tire Rack. Installing the Rio KYBs on front showed how bad the rear Aspire Monroes are by comparison. I had to do it. $122 for two, free shipping. Next--tires!

Edit: just ordered four Federal Formoza FD1 V-rated 165/55-14 tires, as Charlie recommended in another thread. www.onlinetires.com. $223 including shipping.

Hmmmm....let's see, what's next?.....oh yeah, MORE POWER!!!

[bhazard]

Anyway, two of these: http://www.amazon.com/QA1-CK1955C-Co.../dp/B003TQ8NN8

And then some springs, the back of that car will be golden!

But I don't feel like spending another $200-250 right now so the 2.5" coilovers will have to do for a bit longer.

[bhazard]

Uhhhhhhhh

[TominMO]

Yeah I just snatched up those last two lol...couldn't pass up the price. They'll go good on the bp/atx car with the Racelands I have on the front. The Festiva KYB's on the rear won't let me go low enough.

I saw this important note on that page:
This item is not for sale in Catalina Island