Building the ultimate Festiva street suspension...

[Kenkyona]

You are right that all you have to do is grind some of the bottom mount off, but the "problem" ( quoted because its not a huge issue) is that the MK3 rear strut bodies are longer. If you go with the MK1 struts they are already shorter than the Festiva struts giving you an instant drop in ride height before you factor in the adjust-ability of a coilover sleeve.

So a mk1 coilovers set is more desirable? Fronts are fine? Other then the bolt hole adjustments of course

Edit: ahh, just read that the lower mount on the front coilovers from a mk1 have a different bolt spacing then mk2/3, whether that is closer or further to our factory bolt spacing I'm unsure but I see no reason why you couldn't redrill the mount just like the mk2/3 coilovers (has been done, mk1 rabbit with mk2/3 coils), that way you could just buy a full set of coilovers, do some slight mods and be done

[gergorian]

Why not use the vw rears you got from the coilovers? I've read that they are direct fit, may need some grinding of the lower mount for rear.

Is there anything stopping someone from just bolting on vw coilovers and calling it a day? Just curious, I realize the spring rates/damping are for a car that weighs 500lb more

Purely curious, I am picking up a 92 Festiva this coming week as a daily driver and have plans of getting a hold of mk2/3 coilovers

You are right that all you have to do is grind some of the bottom mount off, but the "problem" ( quoted because its not a huge issue) is that the MK3 rear strut bodies are longer. If you go with the MK1 struts they are already shorter than the Festiva struts giving you an instant drop in ride height before you factor in the adjust-ability of a coilover sleeve.

[gergorian]

Lets say i want to go a step OR 2 above this setup! What would that look like? I will be getting a large bonus from work this year and the festiva is wanting the top of the line. I have the capri already now i need the festiva to be ready.

If you wanted to go all out, look for mk3 VW Bilstein front struts. Get some sleeves for them, 2-1/2 inch springs in your favorite flavor and since I couldn't find Bilstein's for the rear just go with what I listed. BUT the coilovers I listed are re-buildable and take inserts ( not sure on the size) either when the cheap inserts take a dump or right off the bat you could get some koni, tein etc. brand inserts valved how you want and go from there.

[Kenkyona]

Why not use the vw rears you got from the coilovers? I've read that they are direct fit, may need some grinding of the lower mount for rear.

Is there anything stopping someone from just bolting on vw coilovers and calling it a day? Just curious, I realize the spring rates/damping are for a car that weighs 500lb more

Purely curious, I am picking up a 92 Festiva this coming week as a daily driver and have plans of getting a hold of mk2/3 coilovers

[mikemounlio]

Here is exactly what I bought and I have about 1000 miles so far on mine with no issues and a firm but not too harsh ride quality.

MK3 VW coilovers- http://www.ebay.com/itm/151380830285...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT 1x needed


MK2 VW rear struts- http://www.ebay.com/itm/271597130505...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT 2x needed


2-1/2" ID 10" tall spring- http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-RACING-C...item4386304e4d 2x needed


1-7/8" ID 10" tall spring- http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-MIDGET-R...item43a0bbb547 2x needed


small body coilover sleeve for 1-7/8 springs- http://www.ebay.com/itm/Bilstein-193...-/131499818068 2x needed.

You will also need a top coil perch for the rears. You could have one made or use washers form what I heard. The only modification you will need to do is to slot the upper mounting hole on the front coilovers to allow them to be bolted up. the rear struts are a complete drop in.

Lets say i want to go a step OR 2 above this setup! What would that look like? I will be getting a large bonus from work this year and the festiva is wanting the top of the line. I have the capri already now i need the festiva to be ready.

[TominMO]

How much will this lower the car?

My VW rear shocks with the 10" springs adjusted all the way up lowers the car 2". I cut one coil on the stock Festy front springs to equalize the ride height. I think 1.25 coils would be perfect.

[bhazard]

A lug nut works for the front top hat

[14carrot]

How much will this lower the car ?


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Crazy low.

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[fasteva]

How much will this lower the car ?


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[theastronaut]

What gets used as a strut mount/bearing in the front with the VW coil overs?


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Kia Rio top mounts. I swapped my '88 L to coilovers using MK2 front Racelands and MK1 Rabbit rear GR2's. Front springs are 2.5" 150# 10" tall, and the rear are 105# 10" tall, 1 7/8" diameter.







You'll need to make a bushing to make the Kia top hat fit the strut shaft tightly, or taper the top nut to keep the hat centered on the shaft.




If you have access to a lathe you can make your own rear top hats. If not just stack washers.

[Zman86]

What gets used as a strut mount/bearing in the front with the VW coil overs?


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[bhazard]

Tom, he's looking for the "ultimate" setup. From what I understand Rio struts are too long or under dampened to be optimal for this. The VW struts are better valved I believe.

[TominMO]

Or for the fronts, just use '01 - '02 Rio struts & top hat, and Miata 140# springs. Total cost ~$200.
For the rears, go with the 1 7/8" ID, 10" long springs in prefered spring rate + the VW shocks. No rear VW is a direct drop-in, but the alteration is minor--just trim down the bottom a little bit (1/8"?), to fit into the Festiva lower rear mount cage. Washers for the top hats. Total cost ~$200 also. Springs and sleeve and adjuster nuts available at www.southwestspeed.com.

For daily driving, my Aspire has the 105# 10" rear springs with VW KYBs; feels about right with a basically empty or lightly-loaded car.

[Zman86]

Thank you for the replies guys! I've started compiling a parts list from the advanced suspension thread on building the rears, now I just need to do the same for the front.


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[bhazard]

Yup what Greg did except:

I wouldn't bother with the raceland kit. Build the fronts from scratch like the rears with KYB mk3 struts.

I'd use 10 inch springs in the rear, 100-140 lb rate depending on stiffness and ride height preferred. From what I understand a longer spring at a lower rate is overall better than a shorter spring with a higher rate.