Ultimate Street suspension guide

[Advancedynamix]

Play with it and see what you like. That setup should work well.

[scitzz]

It will, but your ride height will be higher. The spring rate has less effective on the stiffness of the ride, and more effective on ride height. If you want close to stock ride height and plan on carrying a heavy load than the 150lb springs should work fine for you.

So the only loss I would have would be a slightly higher center of gravity? It should improve my handling and ability to carry heavy payloads then. I think I may have just decided on my setup, FINALLY! Just go zero toe, this setup with 150# springs, and 3 degrees of neg camber all the way around?

[Advancedynamix]

It will, but your ride height will be higher. The spring rate has less effective on the stiffness of the ride, and more effective on ride height. If you want close to stock ride height and plan on carrying a heavy load than the 150lb springs should work fine for you.

[scitzz]

The reason I've settled with the 120lb 12" front springs (or 150lb for DOHC G series cars) is because the adjustment range is perfect for the VW coilovers and the spring rate rise matches the shock valving of those shocks well on a Festiva. We need to remember that a 120lb spring is only a 120lb spring when compressed 1 inch. At rest it's closer to a 100lb spring, and when compressed 6" is closer to a 200lb spring. You adjust your spring rate with preload, not by just putting a stiffer spring on the car. The reason I suggest the 150lb springs on G series equipped cars is because the engine is further forward and there is more weight on the front wheels. The 150lb springs have a faster rate rise which matches the extra load of the heavier driveline which is moved forward. Both the 120lb springs and the 150lb springs can be adjusted to 175lbs, if you need that, with the preload adjusters.

What about 150 pound springs on all four corners if you expect to have a heavier payload most of the time? Whether tools and speakers in the back, or towing with a lot of tongue weight? Would it handle OK empty?

[FestYboy]

The whole tower or just the rod mount? If just the rod mount, you'll only eliminate 2" of droop, but maintain the factory ride hight.

[bhearts]

And way too long. If you take 3" out of the stock shocks the car handles much better.

im thinking about raising my strut tower mounts in the back. that way the strut rods sit up into the car 2 more inches, thats almost like cutting them shorter. would the spring want to stay in the factory location and the rod 2 inches further into the car, or do they need to follow each other.

[Advancedynamix]

when is the kit coming??

I made a last minute change to the rear spring hat design. I had to test the design and have some pieces waterjet cut. I'm waiting for the parts from my waterjet shop. The shocks will be shipped to the festiva store as soon as I get them finished.

[mikemounlio]

when is the kit coming??

Ill pull mine off the car and send to you...

[errjam]

when is the kit coming??

[Advancedynamix]

+1
Stock Festivas are almost scary to drive.

[mikemounlio]

I have taken the suspension off of Stress Relief and put it on Lucifer. I then test drove Stress to make sure it was all working as it should. Pulling out of the drive way i was like WTF is wrong with this thing! The suspension listed in the thread is night and day from stock. The rims and tires i put on it. The rio brakes and steering rack. After just one trip around the block i cant see how i ever liked driving the stock festiva! This car stock is a NO NO. Spend a bit of cash and time on your ride and you will be much much happier!

[TominMO]

.....even if i developed a methamphetamine addiction and lived to 100.....

I think these two are pretty much mutually exclusive! ;-)

[Advancedynamix]

Thanks!

[F3BZ]

now who gonna believe DAT? even if i developed a methamphetamine addiction and lived to 100 i doubt i could get a 1/4 the tinkerin you've shown on these pages. i could blame it on the 5 months of winter hibernation each year but it's really just bein lazy. ah well, you do inspire.

[Advancedynamix]

thanks for input. can't help but space out some times thinking weird theories. easier than actually doing something and disproving weird theory.

Story of my life. Lol