Matthew

[TominMO]

Went to the JY today and picked up some '01 Rio top hats and springs. $20! Springs are $10 each and he threw in the top hats. :-) Now to order some front KYBs.....Rio springs are thicker and stronger than Festy ones for sure. Gonna try 'em out. Festy fronts are going in the rear. Looks like Festy springs will fit on the Rio struts BTW.

Also snagged the console from the Kia. Tried it out on a Festy there, and it looks like it will work well. Front cupholders similar to the Aspire retractable setup, plus rear cupholders instead of the useless rear console piece. Only used the bottom of the black plastic bezel, which gives me an extra ashtray and lighter. Stock lighter space in Matthew has a boost gauge there anyway!

Also grabbed a Festy instrument cluster and a '02 Protege speedo, to try modding so I'll have a 140-mph speedo with tripmeter. I'll add an aftermarket tach later.

Total cost out the door: $54.

[kumalaba]

tom are you going to cut the front springs b4 you put them on the rear?

[getnpsi]

Great work Tom. I knew the rio is a gold mine. Our cars are running almost the same suspension now. Console really works decently? Armrest or no? somehow i think the rio seat has the armrest not the console correct? Grr my long monkey arms desire comfort!

Can you snap pics of your kia console when you get a chance even if its just lying there?

[TominMO]

@ kumalaba: not cutting the Festy front springs.

@ getnpsi: this came out of an '01 or '02 Rio. Had to cut black plastic bezel, but the cut should be hidden after install. Otherwise I might smooth it out, and maybe I'll repaint it flat black to match the Festy bezel above it.

[kumalaba]

oh ok i didnt know if it would ride higher or lower with those, definitely haul more weight back there though.

[TominMO]

BTW I suspect the Rio seatback would bolt onto the Festy pan, and give us a fold-down right armrest on the driver's seatback, plus newer fabric and patterns.

[TominMO]

Update on the Rio console: the dimensions just weren't right to get the front half to fit. The rear half might still be useful, for example with the Escort front half.

[getnpsi]

Bummer. Interior is a cool informative detour but i still wanna see this thing dropped and eating dohc's.

[TominMO]

Bummer. Interior is a cool informative detour but i still wanna see this thing dropped and eating dohc's.

In five or six weeks methinks, when the Redneck Stig gets his hands on it.

[TominMO]

Made an appointment yesterday to get Matthew properly dynoed, next Tuesday. Will report findings. Then taking him down to Greg next weekend so he can drive it 1/4 mile.

[kumalaba]

have a safe & fun trip tom! c u @ madness, dibs on first ride

[Damkid]

Lol

[kumalaba]

oh yeah tom i know you still have that rear turbo setup from your b6 car & that would really make that b3 scream. cant wait to pick up my bprt gseries from greg that will be running 15psi w/o any ms, just the bpt ecu & the larger injectors. hoping for 13s! im sure greg will track test it b4 i come get it. also check out my bp e series car while you are down there its my dd

[Damkid]

[kumalaba]

sure loved that ride in your car chris @ madness! torque monster