Ultimate Street suspension guide

[Advancedynamix]

I'm now using 12" 120lb springs on the front of my setup as well. I think there is a write up that fell in between my original write up and Mike's write up that details the new setup. Sorry for the confusion. I've gotta take the time to clean all this info up into 1 basic article. I haven't done that because things are still being developed and new ideas are being implemented.

[Grey Vw]

I am very appreciative and thankful for this thread, but I am a bit upset. I assumed this was parts list was copy and paste from what Charlie does.

This front spring is 12" while in Charlie's thread it is 10". I now cannot achieve the ride height I wanted. With the collar all the way down and the shock length adjustment I cannot go lower than 3" fender to tire gap. Partially my fault for not doing thorough research. Please note this in your original post.

[Advancedynamix]

^ what Arty said. They actually are desiged to lock when the load of the car is on them. That is why you don't need a retaining (Lock nut) with that style of sleeve.

[FestYboy]

Preload and hight adjustments should always be made with the suspension unloaded. Otherwise you run the chance of galling the acme threads. Plus, it's much more difficult when the springs are loaded.

[wwwdotgov]

Is there a coilovers "spanner wrench" that's needed for use with the Southwest Speed coilovers sleeve kit to adjust ride height?

Or are all height adjustments made with the rear end dropped/sagging and struts unloaded?

[mikemounlio]

I am buying a full second set of this suspension! It will go on my new bpt festiva/b6t. One set on each car. Right now my 1st set is on overkill so this set is lined up for lucifer.

[Festiver]

Like Brad said, the VW rear shocks are shorter and don't require that mod.
On the KYB Aspire shocks, yes I shorten them 3“. I cut the shafts up by the locator bushing for the bump stop. I cut 3 inches out of the shaft, then drill and tap both parts ¹/⁴-28 and use a stud to hold them together and I tig weld the shaft back together.



These are pictures of a set of Tein coilovers that I shortened, so the shaft looks different than the KYB Aspire shocks, but the procedure is the same.

The MK2 rear coilovers are not worth using unless you want to lift your Festiva. The shock bodies themselves are way too long.

Ohh ok cool cool nah I thought you shortened the mk2 fronts and the mk1 rears even more glad you didn't because I'd be worried of messing it up

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[Advancedynamix]

Like Brad said, the VW rear shocks are shorter and don't require that mod.
On the KYB Aspire shocks, yes I shorten them 3“. I cut the shafts up by the locator bushing for the bump stop. I cut 3 inches out of the shaft, then drill and tap both parts ¹/⁴-28 and use a stud to hold them together and I tig weld the shaft back together.



These are pictures of a set of Tein coilovers that I shortened, so the shaft looks different than the KYB Aspire shocks, but the procedure is the same.

The MK2 rear coilovers are not worth using unless you want to lift your Festiva. The shock bodies themselves are way too long.

[Festiver]

No that was the festiva struts he originally used. That's what's been bothering me about this thread.

Ohhh alright cool that's what I was worried about and what do you mean it's a little bit of a mess but still good info



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[bhazard]

Yes but I thought he took an additional 3" out of the mk1 kybs and the mk2 coilovers


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No that was the festiva struts he originally used. That's what's been bothering me about this thread.

[Festiver]

Most of the info in this thread is obsolete. The current technique is to use the rear struts for a mk1 VW rabbit/golf. They are already shorter.

Yes but I thought he took an additional 3" out of the mk1 kybs and the mk2 coilovers


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[bhazard]

Quick question this doesn't relate to the quote I'm using but you shortened the length of the shock what 3"? How did you shorten this the bit of info I just can't find

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Most of the info in this thread is obsolete. The current technique is to use the rear struts for a mk1 VW rabbit/golf. They are already shorter.

[Festiver]

I was only saying that comparing 2 completely different spring designs by the pressure rating confuses the issue. A bulk of the questions I get concerning peoples suspension setup is based on this confusion that spring rate numbers are the only thing to consider when choosing a spring. The only reason I can recommend the rates that I do with the Southwest speed springs, is because I've tested everything from 105-200 lb of their particular spring product on several Festivas. That doesn't mean I know what x (insert other random kind of spring) will behave like on x (insert other random shock absorber). When people use my spring rate suggestions to select other springs to put on another type of shock, they are on their own. I can only vouch for the products I have personally tested.
The Miata springs you have been using seem to work great with the stock replacement KYB aspire shocks that you have been using. They may also work with the VW mk1 kyb shocks, except you won't have enough tire clearance for the large tires that you run. I theorize that a set of 150lb Southwest speed springs on the VW KYB shocks will work as well, or better than the setup your running, but we won't know until you try it. I fear that this setup will have too low a ride height for your liking though. The 150lb 1 7/8 springs on stock replacement KYB shocks are a little bouncy. That is what is on Tweak, and you've seen the difference first hand on a track. Towing a trailer may not yeild the same results though.

Quick question this doesn't relate to the quote I'm using but you shortened the length of the shock what 3"? How did you shorten this the bit of info I just can't find

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[Dragonhealer]

I think you are right to both, will machine up a pair of tophats to compensate for the shorter spring. Anxious to see the difference with the VW shock.
The extra advantage of lowering the rear when unladen would be cool too!

[Advancedynamix]

I was only saying that comparing 2 completely different spring designs by the pressure rating confuses the issue. A bulk of the questions I get concerning peoples suspension setup is based on this confusion that spring rate numbers are the only thing to consider when choosing a spring. The only reason I can recommend the rates that I do with the Southwest speed springs, is because I've tested everything from 105-200 lb of their particular spring product on several Festivas. That doesn't mean I know what x (insert other random kind of spring) will behave like on x (insert other random shock absorber). When people use my spring rate suggestions to select other springs to put on another type of shock, they are on their own. I can only vouch for the products I have personally tested.
The Miata springs you have been using seem to work great with the stock replacement KYB aspire shocks that you have been using. They may also work with the VW mk1 kyb shocks, except you won't have enough tire clearance for the large tires that you run. I theorize that a set of 150lb Southwest speed springs on the VW KYB shocks will work as well, or better than the setup your running, but we won't know until you try it. I fear that this setup will have too low a ride height for your liking though. The 150lb 1 7/8 springs on stock replacement KYB shocks are a little bouncy. That is what is on Tweak, and you've seen the difference first hand on a track. Towing a trailer may not yeild the same results though.