Building the ultimate Festiva street suspension...

[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.

[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.

[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

[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.

[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.

[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]

Sorry I forgot to specify. MK3 for the front. MK1 for the rear. Unless MK1 will work for the front but I am fairly sure they don't.

[Kenkyona]

Further research shows that mk1 knuckles are thinner then mk2 by about 1/8 inch, so mk2 coils need a spacer between the knuckle and coilover

[gergorian]

Yeah then you need MK2/3 fronts and MK1 rears.

[mikemounlio]

what is your guys opinion on these? http://raceland.com/volkswagen-coilo...coilovers.html

I am talking to them to see if i can do front mk2 and rear mk1. Just no reply yet as its very early still.

[gergorian]

what is your guys opinion on these? http://raceland.com/volkswagen-coilo...coilovers.html

I am talking to them to see if i can do front mk2 and rear mk1. Just no reply yet as its very early still.

If they will do that then go for it. But, you will need to get new springs for both front and rear. The springs that come on them will be way too high of a rate for the festiva.

[mikemounlio]

I will call them in a bit and see what they can do for me.

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[mikemounlio]

well that is out of the question now. They dont have all the parts to do it at this time. They only do it if they happen to have them.

So what would my options be that would be like the raceland setup i linked from above?

I really like the thought of being able to easily adjust the ride.

[mikemounlio]

could i still use the rear from an mk2? If so that would make this way easier.

[bhazard]

Like said earlier, you can make the mk2/3 rear strut work, but its far from optimal as the strut body is too long for our car.

Your best bet is to piece everything together yourself and forget about the coilover kits. Mk2/3 struts in the front, with 2.5" coilover sleeves and springs. Mk1 struts in the back with 1 7/8 sleeves and springs. You can use 2.5" sleeves and springs in the back but then you sacrifice tire room.