Ford Racing Suspension Applications defined

[Geezer]

Originally Posted by Rotozuk

Yep.. That's part of the confusion.. There is a 1.5" drop on the 2006 - 2009 cars, but not on the earlier cars. (the ZXM springs will get about 1.75 but with a harsh ride.)

Please let me know if I'm wrong.

What's your source of information for the 1.75" drop for the ZXM spring you refer to ( which I assume really means M-5560-ZXM which is the 00-05 spring set used in the "FRPP kit" for the earlier cars). The advertised spec for these springs is a 1.5" drop and I believe most members who have them (once again there's quite a few) would agree is in the ball park. How do these drops keep growing?

[sailor]

Posted via FF Mobile Comfort is relative, harsh to me might be soft to you - Im personally being conservative and trying SVT kit first, even though many are happy with 1.5 drop and the "softer" shocks avail. , calling that a good ride as opposed to the "stiffer" shock option or something lower & stiffer from another source... Rotozuk , I wonder if pricing confused you with the options as many have commented recently on cheaper SVT kits - SVT type for newer cars were listed cheaper than the kits for our older ones when I shopped Tousley`s site last week, maybe I`ve just read & shopped enough B4 being ready to order that I recognized the SVT type kits for what they were without the site stating that specifically.... And just because they were listed in Tousley`s Ford Racing Parts section didn`t make it an FRPP kit.... As the LOWER kit is defined here on FF. I suppose you could be pedantic and say that they`re all FRPP kits, but the ones that match the performance of the stock SVT are better referred to as SVT kits....Geezer did well to define the parts and kits as they existed when he made the listing, right now most posters are trying to figure what works on newer cars, not the older ones so references you see on FF are often for them! Asking for advice and input to see if something is avail. to fit your desired outcome might get you further than complaining about a situation that doesn`t exist! In In over two years since I got my Focus and started on the forum, i haven`t YET seen anyone refer to an SVT setup as an FRPP kitConfusion is all on your part...

[Rotozuk]

Actually, I do not disagree with your post, I think it is great!

I got the 1.75 from FRPP catalog:

M-5560-ZXM1* 2006-07 Focus except wagon

M-5560-ZXM* 2000-05 Focus except wagon

Developed for the NASA Spec Focus Series
Lowers vehicle approximately 1.75"

Gives a more aggressive looking stance as well as increased handling dynamics

May cause slightly harsher ride compared to stock springs

May require M-5035-ZX3 (rear) and after-market camber plates (front) to achieve desired alignment

NOTE: Some factory fasteners are one time use. Please reference service manual for reuse information and correct torque specifications.


Retail price: $219

I just wanted to share my conversation I had with Steve this morning. I had cash in hand ready to buy and he said he had no such option for a 1.5" drop using a kit for my 2005.

It sounds like you are suggesting a mix of the M-5560-ZXM springs with the SVT strut package is what many people are running...? Are these springs indeed pretty nice riding? I don't think this is the $300 price range people are always throwing around.

Anyhow, I'll ask my questions in another thread as I do not want to pollute this one anymore. Your thread is very accurate, and has been very helpful. I thank you for taking the time to pull the info together.

-Wayne

[sailor]

Posted via FF MobileSchucks, pollute away, it`s nice to see a thread calm down.... FWIW, the "kits" referred to have been made up by dealers in my understanding except for the one shock & spring combo (multimatic) Geezer mentions. I`m betting Hilbisch (and poss. others) as Steve didn`t mention it to you, unless the 1.5 vs.1.75 issue threw him off as well... Seen the ZXM springs listed both ways at different times and places, wondering if 1.5 isn`t used just to differentiate these from 2" drop from aftermarket suppliers other than Ford in general conversation. Or if 1.5 is closer to actual measured drop from users In any case, the "harsh" reports I`ve seen refer to the shocks used, not the springs, wish I could remember a member who used the softer shocks with the ZXM springs to confirm... Possibly ChrissyLIt would be nice to confirm this for myself as well, since changing springs alone for the larger drop would be an option for me if the SVT drop doesn`t feel like enough once I try it...

[Geezer]

Originally Posted by Rotozuk

May cause slightly harsher ride compared to stock springs

A lowering spring almost always has a higher spring rate than a stock spring. It's necessary to compensate for the loss of travel due to the shorter spring length. Increased spring rates also generally equate to a firmer ride. When done appropriately, "firm" does not necessarily equate to "harsh". Harsh as used in the quote, is probably a more severe term than it needs to be in this case.

The shocks used in both the SVT Kits and FRPP Kits appear to be the same. That was essentially the basis of my original research. Those who bought the FRPP "kits" received the same shock part numbers as those who ordered the SVT kits. Over a dozen FF members confirmed this by sending me both part numbers on boxes and those stamped on the shocks themselves. The only variance was that some folks ordered the FRPP kits with the Dynamic by Tokico shocks which are suppose to be considerably firmer than the SVT shocks (they were intended and designed after all for Spec Focus racing...so that's to be expected). It's hard to confuse these shocks with the SVT ones as there's a big sticker that says something like "Dynamic made by Tokico" on the shock body. They also appear to have a slightly bigger shaft than the SVT's as well (but not to be confused with the enormous shafts found on the Dynamic Multimatics inverted design struts).

[TitanFocus76]

anyone who ordered springs shocks wheels etc from Tousley? i was wondering how long it took?

[tjboston5676]

took me about 3 to 4 days

[jmiller_1974]

Great write-up, wish I had seen it sooner, but it still allays My fears.

[ChrissyL]

Sailor, my "kit" from Hilbish consists of the M-18000-ZX3B dampers and the M-5560-ZX3B springs combo, not the ZXM-1 parts. Gives a drop right about 1.5 inches. Understood when I ordered that the ZXM-1 parts would sit a bit lower and ride a bit firmer, which was more than I needed in a DD suspension.

[sailor]

Posted via FF MobileGot the m3000 zx3a kit coming, SVT springs and shocks w/mounts - no swaybar. from what you mentioned, the zxm1 may be the 1.75 drop for later models, zx3a springs the 1.5 for later models. zxm springs - 1.5 for earlier models should work for me if I want lower then, without changing shocks, because I want performance from a reasonably comfortable driver for now as well... SVT should be a nice improvement, should be here this wk. from Steve (ordered thursday) Had planned on your setup, wimped out one day when my back was sore, trying SVT first... Thanks for posting your details, cuts out the guesswork as to which softer shock works....