Hello

[Dayton area moped riders]

Just getting around to getting my festiva alive, thing is rusty! I will post some pics tomorrow, but so far we have replaced the brake lines, rear brakes and hardware, bearings and seals at all four corners, front struts, control arms, CV shafts,rack boots, new tires, sandblasted and painted rims gold( factory 12s) mounted some fog lamps where the front turn signals go, fuel pump, air filter, wiper blades, etc. I'm taking the car to the Detroit gambler this month so wish me luck, I really need to lift it with the parts I got if that is possible. I did some research and looks like the easiest way is using mercury parts but those have been replaced and are new know. Anybody got any ideas for lifting the car with its current factory set up?

[firebush357]

The easiest way to lift it is using different springs and struts front and back and bigger tires. Do you plan on using the Festiva for only offroad Gambler stuff or are you going to drive it afterwards? Let me know and I can share some ideas...

[Dayton area moped riders]

I do plan on using it on the road. However I will likely keep it off the highway. Your festiva looks beastily with those tires. I am basically trying to make the car a mild rally racer. Getting a little ground clearance should make it slightly more capable or at least get I bit farther with out breaking something.

[firebush357]

What I would do in your case would be to find a set of 2001-2002 Kia Rio Struts, Springs and Mounts and just bolt them on when you plan on going off-road as well as a find or make a spring spacer that is easy to take out of the the rear. Ryan is making some right now but none will be available for quite a while. Do this and find a set tires with an overall diameter of about 23 inches for when you go off road.

Do you have any other wheels with a 4x114.3 bolt pattern?

[Edit] You can fit taller tires but if you plan on racing it or traveling at speeds then I don't suggest it and over 23 inches sometimes requires some body adjustments to make them fit.

[firebush357]

The good thing about switching to the temporary Rio Fronts is that is so easy to change... Jack the Car up, un-clip the brake lines, take the two bottoms bolts out, undo the two top bolts and it is done. There is also a bonus! Rio Strut mounts have ball bearings in them so it makes it much easier to turn the wheel at lower speeds. Just spray in a gob of lithium grease in the top and throw the cap back on and your'e good to go.

[Dayton area moped riders]

You recommended that I take them off for street use, any reason wny? I wouldn't mind it lifted all the time unless it makes the car un-drivable at 55mph.

[Dayton area moped riders]

I mean using the Rio struts temporarily...why not permanently?

[Dayton area moped riders]

I mean using the Rio struts temporarily...why not permanently?

[sc72]

No reason to remove them for the street, they will raise the curb height by several inches and the ride will be alright.

[Dayton area moped riders]

Cool, will the CV shafts be affected or need changed for that modification?

[Dayton area moped riders]

I like those front wheels on your festiva. Is that the Capri wheel?