[BRGT350]

I checked Tire Rack this morning, and they now list H&R Springs in a couple of different rates for the Fiesta. They also have a complete coil over package.

Suspension Products for Ford Fiesta Hatchback SES 2011

If anyone spots any new Fiesta performance stuff, be sure to post it up!

 

[eRic]

awesome!! Ooo.. the coil-over kit is only $944. that's not bad considering H&R suggested retail is $1,200.
2010 Ford Fiesta Applications || H&R Special Springs, LP

 

[Chan]

I'll wait for Eibach

 

[flimflam man]

That's one of the positive things aobut our Fiesta being almost identical to the european version with regards to the suspension...parts like these are most likely identical to those which are currently being sold in Europe to customers there.

 

[mrbirdman330]

Best part is Tire Rack now takes PAYPAL!!!! But for me most likely I will see if I can slip a Focus Rear Subframe underneathe and have control blade IRS with it. I can already see the stance too.

 

[Chan]

That's one of the positive things aobut our Fiesta being almost identical to the european version with regards to the suspension...parts like these are most likely identical to those which are currently being sold in Europe to customers there.

The added 100lbs makes it so all suspension bits need to be slightly resprung.

 

[flimflam man]

The added 100lbs makes it so all suspension bits need to be slightly resprung.

With regard to the Ford OEM stuff, yes they did recalibrate the springs and struts to account for the difference, but remember it is a very small change.

My guess is that the after market sports springs and shocks will be EXACTLY the same as that being offered in Europe right now.. which true, will make them a bit LESS agressive compared to when fitted in the European version..but they will work just fine on the US model and no one will notice the difference. They will still be much more firm and controlled compared to the OEM parts.

I'm referring to H&R, and Eibach ....Sachs/Boge, Bilstein, and Koni. Others may be different.

 

[BRGT350]

From my years of tuning, I change springs and dampers together as a set. If you really want your suspension to work right, the sets need to be matched. Also be advised that lowering a car can affect all sorts of things like bump steer, camber, caster, roll center, and other things that aren't so adjustable on a production car. I have a feeling that the best suspension kits will be the ones FRPP develop since they have access to all sorts of test equipment that the rest of the market doesn't have. The H&R coil over system is probably the best if you really want your car to handle well, but remember that too much lowering is very bad. Over the years, my Mustang went from really low to now sitting closer to stock. I had to bring the roll centers back in line, adjust bump steer, and find the right compromise for handling and tire wear. BTW, setting bumpsteer is not fun to set. Hours of work go into setting it.

 

[flimflam man]

Good points BRGT350 concerning making dramatic changes to the height of the car and extremely stiff springs and struts...coil overs...

Lower the car 1" or less will generally not affect the suspension geometry in too detrimental a way....with a combination of slightly stiffer struts and springs like H&R sport springs and say Sachs Sporting struts and shocks (these two companies work together) you will get a really comfortable AND sporting car ALMOST go kart like..Actually a couple of decades ago it would be very hard to achieve this combination.

I think that Sachs and Boge are OEM for Ford in Europe.

My guess is the standard EU car is 1/2" to 3/4 " lower than the US version overall.

For more info on Sachs and Boge shocks and struts go to http:/www. zftna.com

 

[Jazzdog]

My guess is the standard EU car is 1/2" to 3/4 " lower than the US version overall.

That is not correct. Possibly slight difference in tire radius but hardpoints are same.

Really should try the stock set up for a while before you change things out. Don't forget there is an ESC nanny, not sure how she would feel if things change.

 

[Chan]

On my IS300, ideally, you wanted to lower it about a half inch for optimal grip.

 

[eRic]

I'm using H&R Sport springs on my Saturn now and they are more aggressive than the Eibach Pro-Kit springs that I was previously using. H&R's spring rates were linear, higher and more balanced front/rear compared the Eibach springs that were softer and had linear front, and progressive rear rates. Eibachs were more comfy on the street but the H&R handle better with less body roll. my understanding is Ford Racing will offer US the "Sport tune with lowered ride height" suspension kit from the UK 3-door Zetec S model that is not available on the 5-door. the H&R coilover kit would be nice but they would require spacers with the OE wheels or aftermarket wheels with ?? offset to work. TireRack doesn't have the wheel info yet. hopefully the OE wheels have the offset stamped on the back

 

[Chan]

I'm using H&R Sport springs on my Saturn now and they are more aggressive than the Eibach Pro-Kit springs that I was previously using. H&R's spring rates were linear, higher and more balanced front/rear compared the Eibach springs that were softer and had linear front, and progressive rear rates. Eibachs were more comfy on the street but the H&R handle better with less body roll. my understanding is Ford Racing will offer US the "Sport tune with lowered ride height" suspension kit from the UK 3-door Zetec S model that is not available on the 5-door. the H&R coilover kit would be nice but they would require spacers with the OE wheels or aftermarket wheels with ?? offset to work. TireRack doesn't have the wheel info yet. hopefully the OE wheels have the offset stamped on the back

The Ford Racing springs in Europe are Eibach springs. Any news on some shocks from Bilstein, Tokico, or Koni?

 

[mress]

Things are in development...

I looked at the H&R KIT early on. I do not understand the point of doing coil overs that offer a soft ride! That aint what coilover suspension is about! If you want drop just throw some springs on it. I honestly have never before seen a coil over kit pitched as being "soft" as a positive selling point. The ONLY reason for coilovers is to gain the ability to scale the car and shift the weight distribution of the springs or preload to help improve and equalize the way the car drives (left and right). None, zero, nada of that has anything to do with ride quality. I know, the price is great. Yes it is. I just do not understand why any one would pay for a soft coil over kit that will STILL require a trip to the scale (and a person who knows how to set it up) to be driveable! You may gain adjustability but you still have to have a access to race scales that cost almost a grand to make it "right". I am not a kill joy, I have two cars with this suspension type. Life ain't easy on the streets, these things need once a month attention (adjustment) if they are street driven much here in MI. I am putting coilovers on my Fiesta. But, I do not have wife unit who will b#%*h about the ride or kids to put through college. My life priorities are different (IE; screwed up).

 

[BRGT350]

That is not correct. Possibly slight difference in tire radius but hardpoints are same.

Really should try the stock set up for a while before you change things out. Don't forget there is an ESC nanny, not sure how she would feel if things change.

All very good points. The Fiesta I drove last year had 45 series sidewall on a 16" tire, which were basically like rubber bands on such a skinny tire/wheel combo. I put on 17" wheels from my SVT Focus, and the Fiesta sat very high. No suspension changes, but a huge difference in ride height. The US cars come with much taller tires than the EU counterparts.

After driving the EU Fiesta around, talking with somebody who knows the Fiesta suspension very well, I am keeping my suspension stock. This will be the 2nd car ever that I am not changing the suspension. My SVT Focus was the 1st car, and it handled perfect. If a factory performance version of the Fiesta comes out, I will run that suspension since it has all been engineered by Ford to work in a number of different situations. I found out the hard way with my ZX3 that Koni's in the winter are not that much fun since they become very stiff at low temps. A stiff suspension in slippery conditions is less than ideal.

 

[Marc]

My SVT Focus was the 1st car, and it handled perfect.

Talking about Foci -- Autovideo Ford Focus RS500 - Telegraaf.nl - Nieuws, Sport, Financiën en Showbizz [Nieuws]
(video didn't run smoothly, I hope it does for you: the interwebs here in Indonesia aren't as reliable as at home)

 

[Casca]

Still haven't seen a Fiesta in person, but from the photos, it needs to be lowered. Even with the stock wheels, it still looks like it's high riding. Can only imagine how much more high riding it'll look with 17" rims.

The stance on the blue Fiesta would be exactly what I am aiming for. Looks so much better and the wheels look very flush to the wells. Although I'd go for rims that were concaved.

When I picked up my coilovers for my other car at Ground Control, I asked if they could make coilovers for the Fiesta and they said that shouldn't be a problem. Although I don't think I am ready to pay that price again. Not above getting some Megan racing coilovers for the Fiesta. The Japanese car people seem to like em and for under $900, it even comes with camber plates.

(kit for focus, hopefully they make it for fiesta's asap)
Megan Racing Street Coilovers Ford Focus 00-05 3/4/5dr.: eBay Motors (item 350250114177 end time Jul-05-10 00:00:57 PDT)



Maybe just get ground control's "coilover" spring kit

http://www.ground-control-store.com/products/description.php/II=750/CA=71

No doubt they'll have one for the Fiesta and you can choose the springs rates or just tell em how you drive your car and they'll choose for you. Although at $429, I'd probably just spring for a full out coilover kit.

 

[Fiesta33460]

Still haven't seen a Fiesta in person, but from the photos, it needs to be lowered. Even with the stock wheels, it still looks like it's high riding. Can only imagine how much more high riding it'll look with 17" rims.



BTW Casca, the top pic of the red Euro Fiesta IS on 17" rims. Those were the ones that were originally to be offered here, but Ford pulled them. Matt told me that the US engineers thought the ride of the 17's with agressive tires were "too harsh" for American tastes. Unbelieveable!

 

[BRGT350]

Yeah, the Magenta car is a Fiesta Movement car with EU Factory 17" wheels. The H&R car uses either 18" or 19" wheels.

I am driving my Fiesta on 17" wheels and find the ride to be outstanding, however I am not the normal consumer. My Mustang's suspension is around 4x as stiff as the factory made it. I also came from a decade of driving Focuses with performance suspension and 17" wheels.

The wheel gap is a little much on the Fiesta, but I will wait to see if there is a factory performance car in a few years. If so, I will put that suspension on the car. I am 100% happy with how the Fiesta handles so I am not in a hurry to change it. Fixing the lag in acceleration is a bigger priority right now.

 

[Spatakula]

I have seen the H&R Fiesta in person and I can confirm that the wheels are OZ Superturismo GT's in an 18x7 with a Pirelli PZero Nero tire in 215/35/18.

Being that the Fiesta is on H&R's leads me to believe that there is a ton of threads left on the coils for more low. I didn't get a good chance to scoop out the setup. Maybe the Automagic transmission shoo'd me away from getting a hard look at it.

-spatakula