Building the ultimate Festiva street suspension...

[Wimp]

I picked up the MK2 Caddy fronts as well though the ones I received are not the same as PDX-944's. Mine are threaded top to bottom and the bottom is not adjustable. If you want I could take some pictures and measurements to try and determine the differences between the Caddy and Golf coilovers, for future reference and so we know why they will/won't work.

[Advancedynamix]

I would guess that the shocks you have are different than the MK2 Golf coilovers. There are over 35 sets of shocks like this on Festivas in North America alone, and I've yet to hear a complaint about them bottoming out.

What is your front ride height with the front springs preloaded to a 9.5" Installed height (shock in a free state, not loaded)?

[pdx-944]

I recall it being 21 1/4 to 3/4. suspension pretty much bottomed out

[Advancedynamix]

My front sits at about 21 1/2" from the ground with my 165/55-14 tires which are only a little bit taller than the stock 155/80-12 tires.

Rear sits at about 21 3/8"
The body seam is at 5 7/8" in front of the door and 6 1/8" in the rear, so it's raked down in the front according to the body seam even though the fender is lower in the back. That's commonon lots of cars because the front tires need more clearance to turn.
This height is pretty much optimal on these cars with this suspension. You can go a little higher and have a bit less roll, but lower will cause traction issues (even if your shocks aren't bottomed out).

[pdx-944]

so, with minimum preload, the car is at the correct height, but is almost bottomed out. so that leaves me 3/4 inch adjustability... if I preload more it will just raise the car...

[mikemounlio]

If you set the preload adjusters so that the front springs are squished to 9.5", you'll have plenty of travel and it'll handle really well. If you have them set all the way down then it'll be on the bump stops and handle like crap.

Those shocks may also be longer than the Golf/Jetta shocks. The Caddy is the pickup truck.

9.5" I will try that out!!!

[Advancedynamix]

the bottom isn't even actually adjustable, it just rotates and locks. kind of stupid

Yeah, you can get about 3/4" lower with those if you take that lock nut out and thread those lower brackets all the way up. They go quite a bit past the threads because the threads are relieved a bit in the I.D. of the bracket. When I assembled the kits for the Festiva store, I did that because I figured people would want more travel in a lowered condition.

[Brianliska]

All I know is old yellow was an abused car when I got it. Added this suspension and left the wheels 14" and Hancook 175-65 tires on it. Slight roll of the fenders and this is my favorite car to drive. It will hammer the speed bumps and corner sharp at high speeds with no rubbing or scraping! It's like a go cart.

[Advancedynamix]

okay, ill have her measure it. so taking off that bottom nut will gain her 3/4 inch shock travel. that's something at least... I swear she has more than 6 inches of threads, seems more like 8... hm

If you set the preload adjusters so that the front springs are squished to 9.5", you'll have plenty of travel and it'll handle really well. If you have them set all the way down then it'll be on the bump stops and handle like crap.

Those shocks may also be longer than the Golf/Jetta shocks. The Caddy is the pickup truck.

[Brianliska]

Angle of the camera I would say 12" but photo always makes it look bigger! Haha

[mikemounlio]

2016-08-09 19.23.52.jpg

[mikemounlio]

18" top of spring to bottom of body with car in the air

[pdx-944]

okay, ill have her measure it. so taking off that bottom nut will gain her 3/4 inch shock travel. that's something at least... I swear she has more than 6 inches of threads, seems more like 8... hm

[mikemounlio]

Look at my thread on the suspension. You will see pictures of my unit clean

[Advancedynamix]

Brian just measured about 12 1/4" from the top of the spring to the top mounting bolt centerline on his shocks with the car sitting on the ground.