fiestaturbo.com

[tomcat404]

lowering the suspension on my 16v xr2i? The standard ride is good, stiff and handles well, if I lower it (matching springs and dampers) will it improve handling or mess it up? My previous mk3 was stupidly low 60mm drop and it handled like a bag of 5h1t in comparison to the xr2i so I am unsure about changing it. What do you think?

[Oranoco]

A 30mm drop using a quality kit such as Koni's will improve things massively. If your standard dampers are in good condition you can use a good quality 25-30mm spring kit with them to very good effect.

[tomcat404]

I wouldn't just buy springs imo it's a bit of half ar5ed way of doing it but each to their own. Was in two minds comfortability or performance the latter is what I really want just don't want to mess up the handling like my si, mind you that was on *cough* g-max lol

[Oranoco]

As long as the dampers are in excellent condition then just springs is a more than acceptable way of doing it. Ian Howell of Area Six/Fiesta Frenzy fame recommended new standard dampers with a decent spring kit and I followed his advice and have found it spot on. The car handles well and still retains a level of ride comfort and looks better.

The problem with just changing springs is most people will try and slap a spring kit on a set of 100k mile dampers and then complain that they're rubbish

Don't even get me started on G-Tat

[tomcat404]

I was under the impression the dampers wear out when used with shorter springs, didn't even think about using springs on new oem dampers.

As for "g-tat" I know what a load of spork they were on the car when I bought it wouldn't have bought them myself. Performance suspension cheaper than stock suspension hmmm lol.

So you think I should try oem new dampers and springs or push the boat out and get a set of koni's?

[Oranoco]

Having driven on both and currently running new standard Ford dampers I shall be changing to Koni top adjustables which Ian advised me to set soft

[Maff Si]

If you are just going for a 25-35mm drop and using the car on the road there is no need to get short stroke dampers

get some KYB gas dampers or OE from Ford or if you have more money get Bilstein or koni's

see if you can track down some Eibach Pro-Kit springs for your 16v 2i Part-No. E3540-140
(AFAIK Eibach are no longer making em but somewhere must still have some)

[tomcat404]

What does AFAIK mean? (don't shoot me for being stupid lol) Do companies such as koni make OEM replacements then?

[Oranoco]

As
Far
As
I
Know

[tomcat404]

Ahh I get it lol cheers