Vw a2/A3 struts, HOpfully we can use these in a festy!

[Deathshead]

I got the stock VW A3 struts, they look like they would work, hell even with a cheap ebay sleeve coilover kit, but with decent rate springs.

BUT!, the big issue is the strut mounts in front, the vw strut tops are HUGE!

[Deathshead]

all this is hurting my head, hehe maybe just gr-2s and fms springs is the easiest way....I thought i might get lucky for them to be a bolt in.. ha!

[festivaWES]

that's why you should use the old festiva strut mount and festiva spring on the a3 strut without the top

[Deathshead]

Hey b6t how much did those coilovers run ya? and what brand?

Thanks..

[B6T]

^ They're retailed about $2000CAD

that's why you should use the old festiva strut mount and festiva spring on the a3 strut without the top

That won't work. You're assuming the strut rod diameters are the same.

[B6T]

all this is hurting my head, hehe maybe just gr-2s and fms springs is the easiest way....I thought i might get lucky for them to be a bolt in.. ha!

GR-2s and FMS Springs suck in comparison to coilovers. GR-2s are really just a gas charged OEM replacement with a *slightly* stiffer ride.

[ThaWeezord]

^ They're retailed about $2000CAD

umm, care to tell me which brand!?? i used to own a done up mk3 golf and my coilovers didn't cost nearly as much as that. there are only a few companies that offer coils near that price and they are wayyy too much for a festiva in terms of stiffness. my KW V2 coilovers on my mk4 jetta are not even 2G's and they are some of the best available.

[B6T]

Yeah I said they RETAIL for nearly $2000, that doesn't mean I paid that (I paid $800). They're 22-way adjustable, not just ride height adjustable like the cheaper ones. Apex Racing.

[festivaWES]

so the strut rod is a different diameter? That i did not know that for adding that

[Deathshead]

ya, the a3 vr6 strut rods are HUGE!, like the size of the hole in a cd.

[B6T]

I think the threads on the top of the VW strut are M12 vs M8 or M10 used on the Festiva struts.

[festivaWES]

how much bigger than the festiva rod hole??

Can't you just aug out the plate a little bit with a drill press?

I'm gonna get them to work in conjunction with each other watch...

-Wes

[B6T]

You can't "aug" out the hole. Don't you think I would have done that in the first place if it were possible? The Festiva uses what appears to be a graphite bearing, not a ball bearing (because those are expensive). You can't drill it out without completely removing all material from around the bearing seat, making it weak and very dangerous. I know what I have done, but I'm not telling you because I want to see if you can come up with an alternative. I'm not trying to be a dick, I just want to see if there are any other options. If my solution isn't the best, then I want to find out.

[festivaWES]

yeah i was looking in depth at the junk yard today, well actually yesterday. And i thik you are right about the bearing issues. I had no idea they were that much bigger than the festiva.

Still not totally discouraged, I still want to try it...

[Safety Guy]

Well, good luck, WES!

We're all hoping for the ultimate hot Festiva strut setup.

Karl