Best/cheapest way to lower my svt - Focaljet

**spdshifterSVT** · 07-01-2008, 05:50 PM

just wondering what the best and cheapest way to lower my svt would be? i want good quality but have a low budget?!

**RUN_ZX3** · 07-01-2008, 06:38 PM

hmmmmm
I can't offer any advice with the limited information you have given.

-how low do you want to go?
-what type of driving do you do?
- what exactly is your budget?
- do you mind possibly using some used parts that can be purchased in the For Sale section of Focal Jet?
-etc etc etc

**ScreamingYellowZX3** · 07-01-2008, 07:57 PM

Sorry but best and cheapest don't go in the same sentance. If you can't afford a good set of lowering springs and dampers, save your money till you can afford them.

**FORDSVTPARTS** · 07-01-2008, 09:00 PM

Too bad you missed the K-W's I had recently, $125.00 would have gotten you this ride height.

**kyle** · 07-01-2008, 11:25 PM

not being an ass .. but this would get more attention in the actual suspension section.

**zetecgt** · 07-02-2008, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyle

not being an ass .. but this would get more attention in the actual suspension section.

yes sir. Perhaps it should be moved.

At the same time, a good set of springs and dampeners are needed. Do not just change the springs. You'll regret it later.

dave.

**decepticon** · 07-02-2008, 09:06 PM

pm sent

**Z63R** · 07-02-2008, 09:26 PM

Quote:

ScreamingYellowZX3

Sorry but best and cheapest don't go in the same sentance. If you can't afford a good set of lowering springs and dampers, save your money till you can afford them.

I'm afraid that I must concur wholeheartedly.

Now, the best way can be answered by asking how low you'd like to go.

**ClintB1321** · 07-02-2008, 10:26 PM

put 5 people into your focus

jkjk

**Nickgt40** · 07-02-2008, 11:55 PM

^^ I just carry Fat Albert everywhere I go... works for me

Honestly though, how low are you wanting to go and what are you planning on using the car for? Mostly looks or more track use?

**hommie** · 07-03-2008, 09:15 AM

I used the Vogtland springs with the stock dampers when I had my SVTF. They worked really well.

**hEaT** · 07-03-2008, 09:32 AM

Do you want it to just get lower for looks and not care about handling or do you want it to handle better as well?

For looks, get some H&R Sport springs or Vogtland springs and keep the SVT dampers. Since those springs are a bit softer the dampers will last longer. If you want it to handle better as well, you gotta do the whole thing.

**SVTADAM** · 07-04-2008, 09:06 PM

heat has a good suggestion.

I dont know if the multimatic kit is availalbe anymore but that was reasonalbly priced and the handling was great out of the box!

**BroncoBusterZero** · 07-08-2008, 01:18 PM

would Roush Performance Focus 1.75" Lowering Spring Kit go ok without replacing anything on stockzx3?

**hEaT** · 07-08-2008, 03:24 PM

I don't know what the Roush rates are...but they have to be stiffer than the stock ZX3 rates at:
F: 110 lb/in
R: 117 lb/in

Because of the drop and the required marginal stiffness to be that low without hitting the bump stops during normal driving, the stock ZX3 dampers would be operating out of their effective range and with a spring that is too stiff to control well. It would be ok to start...but no telling how long they will last. It depends on your driving style, how much life is left in your dampers, etc. Hard driving with well worn dampers, 5k miles? Maybe more? It's very hard to tell, but it's not something I would run for sure.

**Ray** · 07-08-2008, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spdshifterSVT

just wondering what the best and cheapest way to lower my svt would be? i want good quality but have a low budget?!

The best way would be to go with a complete full on race coilover setup using maybe bilstein, penske, motul, or qa1 racing dampers with high quality (hypercoil?) springs, full on camber / caster kits to control your ... camber and caster, and some sort of bushing solution - delrin, nylon, poly, whatever. Or maybe even a custom air-ride setup.

The cheapest way would be to get a bunch of people in the car. Or, to cut a coil off your stock springs.

**spdshifterSVT** · 07-08-2008, 08:32 PM

i would like to go around 1.75" lower and it is mostly for show but i do love to "drive" it so handling would be a big plus and im looking at around 250-300 budget.

**rosko311** · 07-08-2008, 08:44 PM

well with that budget your cant get dampners, so youd have to go with a modest drop(ei pro kit) and get a bigger rear sway bar to help with the handling. i say spend a 100 more bucks and get a spax 50mm spring and dampner kit from bat-inc

**gizmo88** · 07-08-2008, 10:37 PM

Vogtland Springs I think are your answer. They are slightly stiffer than SVT oems and are about half an inch lower.

**hommie** · 07-09-2008, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gizmo88

Vogtland Springs I think are your answer. They are slightly stiffer than SVT oems and are about half an inch lower.

Exactly! They will give your car a lowered look and it will handle better. With $300 you can get the springs and a rear bar. Springs are $130 & $130-150 for the bar. Then later when you have more money you can buy dampers.

**gizmo88** · 07-09-2008, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hommie

Exactly! They will give your car a lowered look and it will handle better. With $300 you can get the springs and a rear bar. Springs are $130 & $130-150 for the bar. Then later when you have more money you can buy dampers.

I've used them aswell. They have great progressive rates. Makes the car slightly tail happy.

**hommie** · 07-10-2008, 08:20 AM

Exactly. It is about the only setup I can think of that will work in that budget range.

07-01-2008, 05:50 PM	#1
spdshifterSVT Rookie Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 38	Best/cheapest way to lower my svt just wondering what the best and cheapest way to lower my svt would be? i want good quality but have a low budget?!

07-01-2008, 07:57 PM	#3
ScreamingYellowZX3 TEAM Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Central Wisconsin Posts: 475	Re: Best/cheapest way to lower my svt Sorry but best and cheapest don't go in the same sentance. If you can't afford a good set of lowering springs and dampers, save your money till you can afford them. __________________ Mods: Steeda short shifter, FC sturt bar, FS CAI & Sport exhaust, FRPP dampers & springs, painted grille trim, 35% tint, DIY black headlights, Custom fuel door, Monza wheels, Euro tail lights. " I got a fever. And the only prescription... is more MODS....."

07-01-2008, 09:00 PM	#4
FORDSVTPARTS TEAM Sponsor Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 4,953	Re: Best/cheapest way to lower my svt Too bad you missed the K-W's I had recently, $125.00 would have gotten you this ride height. __________________ We are Tousley Ford offering all OEM Ford and Ford Racing parts at 10% over cost. PM me here or call Steve or Kevin at 1-800-328-9552 during regular business hours. Now accepting online orders here http://www.tousleyfordparts.com You can also find us here http://forums.focaljet.com/tousley-ford/ 2002 Silver SVT focus , custom CAI , Stage 2 throttle body, VF rear mount, FRPP 9mm wires, EAP/MACH HID's, Borla exhaust, K-W springs, FRPP UDP, Brisk LGS plugs, Screamin Demon coil, Diablo predator tune via Mike at Unique tuning. 153.27whp-140.56 lb.ft.

07-01-2008, 11:25 PM	#5
kyle TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 729	Re: Best/cheapest way to lower my svt not being an ass .. but this would get more attention in the actual suspension section.

07-02-2008, 09:06 PM	#7
decepticon TEAM Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 182	Re: Best/cheapest way to lower my svt pm sent __________________ 2005 ZX3, svt 5-spokes, Steeda SRI, F2 short shifter, MBRP 2.25 exhaust, ST SportTech suspension, all Kenwood system, if I had a woman I would have a car that was COMPLETELY STOCK. Continuous Hits!! Mid-days from 10-3 on 94.3 F.M. KYEE!!

07-02-2008, 10:26 PM	#9
ClintB1321 Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: In the mountain roads of Malibu;) Posts: 3,806	Re: Best/cheapest way to lower my svt put 5 people into your focus jkjk __________________ Liquid gray 05 ZX3-mosty modified Sonic blue 02 SVT-RIP Classic Red 97 Miata- 100whp never felt so good Boost Camel Racing...cause the bches love BOV's;) JCM Racing #310**

07-03-2008, 09:15 AM	#11
hommie [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Lake Stevens, WA Posts: 5,454	Re: Best/cheapest way to lower my svt I used the Vogtland springs with the stock dampers when I had my SVTF. They worked really well. __________________ 2006 CD Silver ZX3 FRPP Suspension, FS Cool-Flo Intake, FS Strut Tower Bar, 22mm Steeda Rear Sway Bar, 17" Konig Holes.

07-03-2008, 09:32 AM	#12
hEaT [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: CT Posts: 5,399	Re: Best/cheapest way to lower my svt Do you want it to just get lower for looks and not care about handling or do you want it to handle better as well? For looks, get some H&R Sport springs or Vogtland springs and keep the SVT dampers. Since those springs are a bit softer the dampers will last longer. If you want it to handle better as well, you gotta do the whole thing. __________________ 2001 Twilight Blue ZX3 - Volant Intake, FC 65mm TB, SVT Header, RT High Flow Cat, SVTF Borla Exhaust, Koni's 1985 Nimbus Grey Merkur XR4Ti - Work In Progress Tuned By: Bristol Dyno

07-04-2008, 09:06 PM	#13
SVTADAM Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Connecticut Posts: 2,907	Re: Best/cheapest way to lower my svt heat has a good suggestion. I dont know if the multimatic kit is availalbe anymore but that was reasonalbly priced and the handling was great out of the box! __________________ Black Aria...#1211 built in 2002 Rain...1990 Ford Escort Wagon "Dear Diary...Jackpot!" Giggity Giggity Goo!

07-08-2008, 01:18 PM	#14
BroncoBusterZero TEAM Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Atwater, California Posts: 835	Re: Best/cheapest way to lower my svt would Roush Performance Focus 1.75" Lowering Spring Kit go ok without replacing anything on stockzx3? __________________ '01 ROUSH FOCUS ZX3

07-08-2008, 03:24 PM	#15
hEaT [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: CT Posts: 5,399	Re: Best/cheapest way to lower my svt I don't know what the Roush rates are...but they have to be stiffer than the stock ZX3 rates at: F: 110 lb/in R: 117 lb/in Because of the drop and the required marginal stiffness to be that low without hitting the bump stops during normal driving, the stock ZX3 dampers would be operating out of their effective range and with a spring that is too stiff to control well. It would be ok to start...but no telling how long they will last. It depends on your driving style, how much life is left in your dampers, etc. Hard driving with well worn dampers, 5k miles? Maybe more? It's very hard to tell, but it's not something I would run for sure. __________________ 2001 Twilight Blue ZX3 - Volant Intake, FC 65mm TB, SVT Header, RT High Flow Cat, SVTF Borla Exhaust, Koni's 1985 Nimbus Grey Merkur XR4Ti - Work In Progress Tuned By: Bristol Dyno

07-08-2008, 08:32 PM	#17
spdshifterSVT Rookie Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 38	Re: Best/cheapest way to lower my svt i would like to go around 1.75" lower and it is mostly for show but i do love to "drive" it so handling would be a big plus and im looking at around 250-300 budget.

07-08-2008, 08:44 PM	#18
rosko311 TEAM Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Raleigh,NC Posts: 109	Re: Best/cheapest way to lower my svt well with that budget your cant get dampners, so youd have to go with a modest drop(ei pro kit) and get a bigger rear sway bar to help with the handling. i say spend a 100 more bucks and get a spax 50mm spring and dampner kit from bat-inc __________________ 2003 Pitch Black SVT Focus #1586 of 3985----> K&N Panel Filter, CFM 67mm TB, CFM ORP, Motorcraft Coppers, CFM Race Lower Trans Mount, Steeda STS, Spec Stg 1 w/ Steel FW, Focussport Tune, Saleen RC Suspension, 17" FB Rota Slips

07-08-2008, 10:37 PM	#19
gizmo88 TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Oceanside, CA Posts: 914	Re: Best/cheapest way to lower my svt Vogtland Springs I think are your answer. They are slightly stiffer than SVT oems and are about half an inch lower. __________________ “Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?” - George Carlin

07-10-2008, 08:20 AM	#22
hommie [FJ] Specialist Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Lake Stevens, WA Posts: 5,454	Re: Best/cheapest way to lower my svt Exactly. It is about the only setup I can think of that will work in that budget range. __________________ 2006 CD Silver ZX3 FRPP Suspension, FS Cool-Flo Intake, FS Strut Tower Bar, 22mm Steeda Rear Sway Bar, 17" Konig Holes.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode