SVT springs vs FRPP kit; comfort, ride & handling

[ManiacalZX3]

hey karmakc, I am in a similar situation with the springs. I was planning on H&R springs but I am always considering other stuff. After you have had the setup for more than a couple of days is the setup just stiff or maybe too harsh. But the drop does look good on your car.

[karmakc]

Originally Posted by ManiacalZX3

hey karmakc, I am in a similar situation with the springs. I was planning on H&R springs but I am always considering other stuff. After you have had the setup for more than a couple of days is the setup just stiff or maybe too harsh. But the drop does look good on your car.

I've put approx 144 miles on the current set up. I also had an alignment done and I'm glad I did. The rear was out of whack and while they fixed the rear, the front also got sorted.

To answer your question, I had to ask myself what I was looking for in the suspension set up. I originally started looking at getting a better handling package that wouldn't sway as much as it does stock. My stock suspension only had 50k miles and is definitely still good, however, I live in a part of California that has twisty, windy roads all over the place and I've always wanted go-kart like handling on a car...I got very interested in the SVT kit due to its low cost and its mannerisms are amazing, known by all enthusiasts etc...

Then I realized, I may not be happy with just that kit and I heard more and more about the FRPP progressive springs/SVT dampers (aka FRPP kit)...and I ended up getting it plus a cheap (new) SVT rear sway bar from a member for a grand total of $400 including shipping and taxes.

With the alignment and suspension all settled, I have to be quite honest in saying, if you live anywhere there are cracked roads or expansion joints on the freeway, this set up may not be for you. It is a stiff, and exciting set up that has me grinning when the roads are smooth and sometimes grimacing when the roads are truly awful...however, I understand that it may take 1000+ miles of driving for the suspension to settle before I can give you a better judgement on the set up.

I'm very happy with the cornering ability, where with a stock suspension, if I was pushing the car on an on ramp, the car would fall into chronic understeer. Now the car tracks like its on rails with very little play at the back. I'm really impressed by the geometry and the car feels like a whole new animal. The lowered stance is taking a little getting used to but I don't see that being a problem.

I'm not sure how the roads in Iowa would be for a lowered car, that is something you'd have to evaluate for yourself...hit me up in a couple of weeks and I'll be able to give you a much more, indepth review.

[karmakc]

Originally Posted by homey55

Get the Allignment! You may not think you need it but, when you get it you will notice a difference.

BTW, my MPG # didn't turn out so well...not sure if it was a heavy foot last week or what but averaged 24.6 MPG. I'll check it again this week and report back.

Hey Homey,
I got the alignment. Good call on that. The specs were slightly off.

I bought the autolites but I have yet to install them. Let me know how this week's mpg turns. With gas prices going through the roof, I'd like save some cash one way or another...

[karmakc]

Update:

After a few weeks of driving, I've come to realize that though the car is a little stiffer and the suspension travel is much less...the communication and control that I've gained was unimaginable before I got my FRPP kit installed.

The suspension has been set up with only a thicker rear sway bar (SVT) at the rear - the idea was to keep the car closer to a neutral handling set up rather than oversteer or excessive understeer. I believe upgrading the front sway bar would have increased the understeer.

I attack corners with aplomb and at curves where the stock set up would have fallen into chronic understeer, the FRPP now handles those like a champ with only the slightest hint of oversteer at the edge. However, I am certain that my handling is being held back by my tires as the rears only have 2/32" of tread left and fronts ~4/32".

Tire choices have come down to Continental DWS or Continental DW. Leaning towards the DW for the performance nature -- however I am slightly worried about the possibility of snow that I may or may not encounter...thus the chance of purchasing the Continental DWS.

[homey55]

Awesome! Glad you like it and I could help.

For tires I would also check out S-Drives. I got those and I really like them but I also have nothing to compare them to.

I need a sway bar now! I could use a little more control in the turns and much less push.

My MPG with the new plugs sucks right now so maybe don't go with the 103's and do a stock replacement plug.

[karmakc]

Originally Posted by homey55

Awesome! Glad you like it and I could help.

For tires I would also check out S-Drives. I got those and I really like them but I also have nothing to compare them to.

I need a sway bar now! I could use a little more control in the turns and much less push.

My MPG with the new plugs sucks right now so maybe don't go with the 103's and do a stock replacement plug.

Thanks for all of your help Homey!

I'm actually caught in between buying either Continental DWS or DW. I sometimes push my car very hard and I know the DW's are the performance tire of the bunch - however with the DWS - it gives me all weather (including snow) performance.

All I know is my tires are close to their "sell by" date. We've been getting some seriously heavy rain out here in Santa Cruz/Bay Area and I've be traversing the hills very gingerly due to the aquaplaning I've been experiencing as well as poor grip at the rear. In the dry, these tires are extremely responsive but the wet weather driving is definitely concerning.

As for the getting a rear sway bar - definitely get one. I knew ahead of time that putting a thicker front sway bar would increase the understeer/push so I left the stock one in.

I found a brand new unused SVT bar for sale of FF and got it for a steal. I can definitely control my car in the wet even if the rear tires suck but I probably wouldn't have as much control with out it.

Do you have a stock bar at least? If not, I have mine which I would be happy to part with :)

[karmakc]

Originally Posted by homey55

My MPG with the new plugs sucks right now so maybe don't go with the 103's and do a stock replacement plug.

Good to know. I have the plugs sitting in my glove compartment, though it may be well past the returnable date. Why is your MPG that bad? Have you felt any power gains though?

[homey55]

My car came with a rear sway bar...just need funds for an upgrade.

I'm averaging 26mpg with about 75% freeway driving and a heavy foot in town.

For $8 you might as well put the plugs in and try them. If you don't like them you can just put stock replacements back in it. The power is a little smoother with the plugs but I'm sure that's the case with any new plugs.

[Foci-runner]

Originally Posted by karmakc

Hey Homey,
I got the alignment. Good call on that. The specs were slightly off.

quick question: I have read through your whole post and Now know exactly what I want as far as my suspension setup. Very nice details. I already have the FRPP springs however I was wanting to know if I would need the camber bolts or not. Did the shop need those when you got your alignment? Or were they able to do the alignment without needing camber kit/bolts?

also I drive a sedan w stock struts/shocks (for the moment being). Not sure if that will make much difference when it comes to my alignment question.

[karmakc]

Originally Posted by Foci-runner

quick question: I have read through your whole post and Now know exactly what I want as far as my suspension setup. Very nice details. I already have the FRPP springs however I was wanting to know if I would need the camber bolts or not. Did the shop need those when you got your alignment? Or were they able to do the alignment without needing camber kit/bolts?

also I drive a sedan w stock struts/shocks (for the moment being). Not sure if that will make much difference when it comes to my alignment question.

Hey Foci-runner,

Glad to hear this was post was helpful in making your decision!

I ultimately did not get camber bolts and apparently don't need them. I drive primarily on the street and if I plan on going to Auto-X's I will definitely get the adjustable bolts.

To answer your question, you do not need the bolts for the alignment unless there is something seriously wrong with your rear camber. I would suggest you get a free alignment check to see if the camber is seriously out of specifications - if so - then purchase the bolts. I'm not sure every other poster would agree with this logic though as most of them went ahead and purchased the bolts before their alignments...

What kind of struts/shocks do you intend on running? The stock ones will not be in anyway useful when running your car on the FRPP springs. My recommendation would be to purchase the SVT shocks/struts as well.

Also, while you're at it, you may as well upgrade your rear sway bar to at least the SVT spec 21mm bar. I'm not sure what the ST bar's specs are but it may also get the job done.

Good luck and feel free to ask any other questions you may have!