Building the ultimate Festiva street suspension...

[Cory_Thurmond]

So to hijack some more but still related whats a good offset wheel to run on this type of set up.
You played with this much? Maybe charlie?

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[shorestiva]

15x7 +15 is about the biggest/widest/highest offset you can go. You'll also need a few degrees of negative camber to fit that also.

[Cory_Thurmond]

Awesome

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[mikemounlio]

The real question is what is a sticky street tire in the 15x7 range?

I got my entire setup on order last night. I cant wait.

[TominMO]

Charlie recommends 165 width as optimal for Festivas, and no larger than 14" rims to keep the weight down. This is one of the ones he recommends. I have these exact tires and they stick like glue.

Here is another good one, in a taller size. I'm gonna get 'em for my Aspire.

[nonamekid]

Charlie recommends 165 width as optimal for Festivas, and no larger than 14" rims to keep the weight down. This is one of the ones he recommends. I have these exact tires and they stick like glue.

I agree with this tire recommendation. I also have the same tires on miata rims and they are great.

[Cory_Thurmond]

Lol 165 a tire for 14s? Ouch

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[Cory_Thurmond]

Oh nvm thats for a set thats a great deal !

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[Advancedynamix]

Yeah, 185mm tires are optimal for a street car, any wider and your compromising pressure on the contact patch and these cars don't weigh enough for the tires to perform as they were designed.
Those Polo Coilovers may be a great find. I'll have to order a set and give them a try. Hopefully the valving is the same as the mk2 setup in the front. I have tried many different valving combinations and couldn't beat the valving found in the cheap vw mk2/3 front coilovers.
The spring rates may be lighter, since the Polo is a lighter car. That would be nice, since the Mk2/3 coilovers come with useless rates (even for a MK3 vw, lol).

[mikemounlio]

What is a good rim size to use for the 14's? I have some stupid big 15's i got from a good deal ill have to try and trade or sell.

I will be switching to the aspire rear beam and i guess i will have to redrill the front capri knuckles to match the bolt pattern of the aspire.

[Zman86]

So, should I be a guinea pig and order a set of those polo coil overs instead of buying a set of MK2/3 ones and building my own rears? I'd imagine the springs will still have to be replaced.


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[TominMO]

1. What is a good rim size to use for the 14's?
2. I will be switching to the aspire rear beam and i guess i will have to redrill the front capri knuckles to match the bolt pattern of the aspire.

1. My 165s are on 14x6" rims and work fine. But 5.5" is good too.
2. My rims are American Racing Estrella 14", and come with both Festy and Aspire bolt patterns. I can just install front Aspire brakes and keep the Festy rear beam on, until/if I get an Aspire rear beam.

[TominMO]

My favorite Festy/Aspire tires. Price shown is for four tires, shipping extra.

Achilles ATR-K Economist, 165/55-14. Light weight, short 3.6" sidewall, AA traction, $162. On my Festy now.

Achilles Platinum, 175/65-14. Taller for better hwy gearing, 4.5" sidewall, AA traction, $136. Getting these for my Aspire.

General Altimax RT43, 175/65-14. Same dimension as above, 75K wear rating, good in snow, A traction, $217.

Sidewall height for a 155/80-13" (or 12") tire is 4.9" BTW. The shorter sidewalls are no ride-comfort problem if you have your suspension dialed in well.

[Advancedynamix]

Like Tom said, 14x6 is optimal. 14x7 is awesome if you can find them, but they will require fender rolling. I have 165 55 14 Achilles on 14x7 O.Z. turbines right now and I love the setup.
15x7 wheels work too, with a 165 50 (or 55 for those who don't plan to go really low with the car) 15. The 165 45 15 tires are smaller than 155 80 12 tires and allow an aggressive stance, but they ride a bit firm and are getting hard to find.
Most of these off brand sizes are common in Europe or Asia, but we only have a few companies selling them here. This means you'll most likely have to buy online and find a tire shop that will mount tires you didn't buy from them. This is easy in a big city, but some folks in rural towns have had trouble.
The tires seem to be constructed well, and they hold up great on our little cars. I've thoroughly tested both the Federal Formoza tires and the Achilles Economist in several sizes on several different cars. I am leaning more towards the Achilles tires now that I've had the chance to murder a set on the track after driving them across country. They wear quicker than the federals, but provide better all around traction and comfort.

[mikemounlio]

http://simpletire.com/Catalog/product/106167?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cse&utm_term=106167&gclid=CO_I3piqwMkCFQ2HaQodAPgIRw

My wife hates this site! Every time i get on i buy something new!