SVT springs vs FRPP kit; comfort, ride & handling

karmakc · 02-17-2012, 05:28 PM

Hi,
I just got my tax return and I want to put the $ into my car.

I've got a 2004 ZX3 with just over 50k miles :) and in many ways I find the suspension to be satisfactory. I happen to drive over a stretch of highway that is 20 miles long and is a twisty bumpy road, I love it!

The deal is that I'd like less body roll, and more control over the car through the corners. The current suspension is still good and probably will last me a good while yet. So at this time I'm contemplating my options.

The SVT 3000ZX3 package makes a lot of sense, I've driven SVT Foci in the past and loved the dynamics of the suspension and the BRAKES. I'll probably get to the brakes later on however, my focus is getting the right shoes (tires) and suspension.

So getting to the meat of the question: What is the difference between the FRPP and SVT suspension in terms of ride and handling on a zx3?

I know the FRPP is a larger drop, does that mean the ride will be harsher as well? Also, many people in the forums have indicated that the FRPP settles in to a 2" drop rather than the stated 1.5" drop.

Ideally, people who have had both the SVT and FRPP set ups are the qualified individuals I would like to hear from.

My aim is to remain on the 16" stock rims and shoe them with Continental DW's. Any thoughts on those tires would be much appreciated as well.

Thanks!

karmakc · 02-17-2012, 11:29 PM

bump for President's day weekend sales. please give me your opinions.

felixthecat · 02-18-2012, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karmakc

bump for President's day weekend sales. please give me your opinions.

Living in Santa Cruz, grab the FRPP's kit, you'll love it. I'd also do Dunlop's Direzza Sport Z1= Star Spec's, or for a little less cash, Hankook's Evo 12's. I use to race up & down 17.

karmakc · 02-25-2012, 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by felixthecat

Look where he live's= Hi-way 1= awesome.

Quote:

Originally Posted by felixthecat

Living in Santa Cruz, grab the FRPP's kit, you'll love it. I'd also do Dunlop's Direzza Sport Z1= Star Spec's, or for a little less cash, Hankook's Evo 12's. I use to race up & down 17.

Someone knows a thing or two about the roads out here! Where did you live when you were tearing it up in SC?

felixthecat · 02-25-2012, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karmakc

Someone knows a thing or two about the roads out here! Where did you live when you were tearing it up in SC?

So. San Jose for a little while, then moved to Half Moon bay. I love Hi-way 1. & another good road race rd was La Honda rd.

FocusDave33 · 02-26-2012, 11:56 AM

Go with the SVT kit, you will be glad you did. I tried an aftermarket kit first that was a little lower than the SVT and hated every moment of it. Could not get the wheel alignment right no matter what i did, so tires only lasted about 10,000 miles, the ride was brutal. The SVT kit i know have in my 2000 ZX3 rides nice, handles good and i now have 100,000 miles on a set of 17" tires on SVT rims.

mainest · 02-18-2012, 12:40 AM

I tried the FRPP suspension on my '05 ST, and for the roads I regularly travel, it was too harsh. I replaced the FRPP with a stock SVT suspension from Steve @ Tousley. Perfect compromise between handling and comfort, together with Conti DWS on 17" ST200 rims, (and 24"rear/22"front sways) its perfection, at least for the ST, heavier than your ZX3. However, my '04 SVT, with stock suspension, is one level above the ST. Good luck.

Buhda420 · 02-18-2012, 02:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mainest

I tried the FRPP suspension on my '05 ST, and for the roads I regularly travel, it was too harsh. I replaced the FRPP with a stock SVT suspension from Steve @ Tousley. Perfect compromise between handling and comfort, together with Conti DWS on 17" ST200 rims, (and 24"rear/22"front sways) its perfection, at least for the ST, heavier than your ZX3. However, my '04 SVT, with stock suspension, is one level above the ST. Good luck.

Soo your basically telling him to go with svt....lol.... I'm driving a 2003 svt right now and had a stock 2000 zx3........ Overall I can corner better then I ever have in any car I owned...... That's including a 2008 civic........ But the only thing bad about my svt is the header rubs the ground in heavy dips and tires sometimes rub fenders........ so really I don't know if I have stock svt suspension or if it has been modified......

B3NN3TT · 02-18-2012, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buhda420

Soo your basically telling him to go with svt....lol.... I'm driving a 2003 svt right now and had a stock 2000 zx3........ Overall I can corner better then I ever have in any car I owned...... That's including a 2008 civic........ But the only thing bad about my svt is the header rubs the ground in heavy dips and tires sometimes rub fenders........ so really I don't know if I have stock svt suspension or if it has been modified......

My header never hits, but the front tires will rub if I hit a dip with the wheels cut. Stock SVT suspension with new dampers.