Building the ultimate Festiva street suspension...

[Zman86]

Ok, so Ive read most of the advanced suspension thread, and it is fantastic and full of information, however my head is spinning with all the info/part numbers/suppliers/etc. I recently received a one owner 1989 Festiva L as a gift from my girlfriend. The car is bone stock and in need of a proper refresh.

My ultimate goal for my build is to have a properly dialed in, fun to drive, able to hold its own on the twisties car that's capable of cruising the highway somewhat comfortably. What I'm looking for is the list of stuff to make it happen. I plan on making sure the suspension is proper as the first part of my build, and I'd like to start stockpiling parts for starting the build next summer.

Any input/part numbers/advice/etc would be greatly appreciated, as well as dimensions for parts that require machining, as I know a few machinists. I hope no one sees me as lazy, but I'm just overwhelmed by going through hundreds of pages of content trying to compile parts lists/ideas.

Thanks to everyone in advance! Pic of the car that will be going under the knife




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[mikemounlio]

I am in the same boat as you my friend. I have read a ton about this car and still have no clue as to what to really do. Im looking for a street killer/ autox build.

[monkeykiller1996]

dude thats a beautiful festiva

[gergorian]

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.

[mikemounlio]

perfect! thank you so much

[william]

Just a FYI for you guys there's a few ebay sellers out there willing to sell just the fronts of those coilovers setups I was quoted 180 for just the fronts.

[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.

[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.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[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.

[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.

[Zman86]

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


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[theastronaut]

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


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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.

[fasteva]

How much will this lower the car ?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[14carrot]

How much will this lower the car ?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Crazy low.

Sent from my ALCATEL A845L using Tapatalk

[bhazard]

A lug nut works for the front top hat