SVT kit: PLEASE READ!!!

[David Anderson]

Been running sportline springs on my svt dampers for 68k miles. Needless to say, they were worn out, and would beat you to death. Put a brand new svt kit on tonight, springs, struts, all new rubber mounts and such.

This reminds me of how much fun my car can be. Handles well, has body roll, but enough to let you find the limits of the car again. So so smooth compared to my dead dampers.

Best $200 ive spent in a LONG time.

And thanks to Steve for helping me get this kit in the timely manner

[Z63R]

That's good to hear.




I loved my SVT suspension setup; it gave me miles of smiles. I still think that it's the best compromise of ride comfort and great handling. The only reason I switched to another setup was to get a slightly lower ride height... aye, the vanity of it all.

[MichaelXi]

I Fixed your title for you...


The SVT Springs aren't for Everyone, but for those who HAVE SVT's and want to Lower them, Maybe you can Save Them Some TIME, Money, Labor, and Headache by Learning from your Lesson.
If you GO LOWER, You MUST ALSO Install Appropriate Dampers.
Maybe not right away, but WHY Do it TWICE?

[David Anderson]

You are very correct.

[hemet2.3]

Dang iv had the svt kit for 2.5 years and i still love the kit. I did put a H.R. rear bar on but other than that its still stock. Like Z63R said its the best compromise suspension you can get.

[carlingskie]

i'm just waiting for my SVT suspension to DIE!! dang 6 years and still running great!

[Z63R]

^ Welcome to [FJ].

If your SVT Focus's suspension is all original with 6 years of use, you may want to think about replacing the dampers (struts and shocks) with a fresh set if the car has 85,000 miles...

You can buy factory-fresh SVT dampers in a damper kit (no springs) that includes everything one needs to freshen up the suspension except bushings (which you prolly don't quite need).

You get new strut top mounts, new strut bearings (that support the weight of the front of the car while allowing the front MacPherson struts to turn with the steering), new strut top clinchnuts, new urethane foam jounce bumpers (bumpstops mounted coaxially on each damper shaft), etc...

All for prolly less than $195... Here's the SVT Focus Damper Kit which one can purchase through either LCRacing or Tousley Ford (Steve at Tousley sells all OEM Ford parts at 10% over cost).

[MichaelXi]

Thanks for posting those links, Mr Squire.
For those who have SVT kits, and do not have an application begging for Upgraded dampers, it's REALLY nice that there are OEM KITS available with all of those Peripheral parts. Those little things get Forgotten quite often as people shop, and if nothing else, those strut-bearing/bushings are a MUST.
That's an EXCELLENT price for such a complete OEM package.

[David Anderson]

same kit i bought, and then bought some lightly used svt springs locally. Under $215 for a complete kit.

[MichaelXi]

Originally Posted by David Anderson

same kit i bought, and then bought some lightly used svt springs locally. Under $215 for a complete kit.

Nice.
Unless the seller had wrecked the car and caused suspension damage, even rather-used springs should be functionally Fine, and this sounds like a Great Solution for those who want Mild Streetable Upgrades to their Non-SVT's, as well as for those who wish to Refresh or Return their SVT's to OEM Specs.

[carlingskie]

Originally Posted by Z63R

^ Welcome to [FJ].

If your SVT Focus's suspension is all original with 6 years of use, you may want to think about replacing the dampers (struts and shocks) with a fresh set if the car has 85,000 miles...

yeah, i'm actually in the market for a suspension upgrade.. (pref. coilover)

[FORDSVTPARTS]

The SVT and ZX-3 certainly should be different. The number on the struts are engineering numbers, not part numbers. They do tell me what the part is though.

These are the numbers for a right front strut,

Standard ZX3 P/N 3U2Z-18124-TA engineering number 3S41-18045-AB

SVT strut P/N 3U2Z-18124-CH engineering number 2M5V-18045-BA

I suppose it would be entirely possible for a dealer to install ZX3 struts on an SVT during a warranty repair, they are a direct interchange so there would be no fitment issue.

I doubt that it could have happened at the factory though, Unless I'm mistaken the SVT's went down their own line.

[brads03zx3]

I thought I read that the S2 used SVT dampers, but either way I know what I took off my zx3 was not what I put back on when I installed the SVT suspension.

Now I have SVT springs, Koni yellows all around, a stock front bar, and the 7/8" adjustable Autox_zts rear bar, and KMAC plates and I really like the ride and adjustability. I could use another 1/2-3/4 inch drop, but I can park over every curb and it is extremely comfortable. Great for daily driving. Also, I can bump up the rear bar a knotch or two, firm up the dampers, add a bit of camber, and she handles even better. I'm happy.

[David Anderson]

Originally Posted by MichaelXi

Nice.
Unless the seller had wrecked the car and caused suspension damage, even rather-used springs should be functionally Fine, and this sounds like a Great Solution for those who want Mild Streetable Upgrades to their Non-SVT's, as well as for those who wish to Refresh or Return their SVT's to OEM Specs.

Low mile car, no wrecks, he just wanted to go lower

[EuroAyres]

They are def diffrent in feel anyways. I had to sell my SVt dapmers with higher milage on the to a friend for dirt cheap and in turn got some newer zx3 dampers and let me tell you my old nasty looking svters were way better and stiffer than the newer better looking stock zx3 deals.

[kamann]

Originally Posted by Z63R

^ Welcome to [FJ].

If your SVT Focus's suspension is all original with 6 years of use, you may want to think about replacing the dampers (struts and shocks) with a fresh set if the car has 85,000 miles...

You can buy factory-fresh SVT dampers in a damper kit (no springs) that includes everything one needs to freshen up the suspension except bushings (which you prolly don't quite need).

You get new strut top mounts, new strut bearings (that support the weight of the front of the car while allowing the front MacPherson struts to turn with the steering), new strut top clinchnuts, new urethane foam jounce bumpers (bumpstops mounted coaxially on each damper shaft), etc...

All for prolly less than $195... Here's the SVT Focus Damper Kit which one can purchase through either LCRacing or Tousley Ford (Steve at Tousley sells all OEM Ford parts at 10% over cost).

You know, this made sense to me and I hadn't even thought about it. My car is an 02 with the original suspension, granted my mileage is only 45,000, nontheless 5 years on the same suspension has me thinking I might do this soon. I've thought about different setups over the years here and there, but to me the SVT supension is perfect for me for daily driving.

[foci-sa]

has anyone here had svt springs on stock zx3 dampers? i have a set of springs thats been sitting under my bed for aboot 6 months and im itching to get them on but just havent had the scratch to get the damper kit.

[MichaelXi]

Originally Posted by foci-sa

has anyone here had svt springs on stock zx3 dampers? i have a set of springs thats been sitting under my bed for aboot 6 months and im itching to get them on but just havent had the scratch to get the damper kit.

I briefly had them on S2 dampers, but that's about halfway between ZX-3 and SVT.

[foci-sa]

what are your thoughts a boot it?

[zinger637]

so how would to svt suspension fit on my 07 zx3, im not to sure, i was just going to put the h&r spring prt #5166 with the frd damper kit, would that be a good setup

[Z63R]

I believe the SVT kit will only fit Focuses through the 2005 model year; there was a slight spring/strut change for 2006....


Your best bet is your second choice, but, which H&R spring? Sport, or Race?

H&R's Race springs are a bit stiff for street use; the Sports are perfect for a daily driver and the FRPP damper kit will be better suited to and last longer with the H&R Sports.

Welcome to [FJ]. :-)~

[MichaelXi]

Originally Posted by foci-sa

what are your thoughts a boot it?

With the S2 dampers, the SVT springs were an Improvement over stock S2 springs. As inexpensive as the entire SVT combo is, I'd recommend NOT running with the standard ZX-3/Sedan/ZX-5 dampers. They will work, but the handling and ride won't be as good.