Its a .75" drop and increases the handling, but its not going to really be a day and night type of difference.

I say, save a bit more and get teh Eibach Pro Kit or the pro kit plus w/ the sway bars.

1.5" drop stiffer springs and a better handling.

 

Exactly. Save your money and get the eibach kit. Probably will be happier with it. Plus you get another 3/4 inch drop to help with the handling.

 

Has anyone done it????
Read this thread. http://www.focaljet.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB3&Number=58913&page=2&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

I'd recommend it over the Eibach for performance and comfort, and the Eibach for looks.

 

Has anyone done it????
Read this thread. http://www.focaljet.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB3&Number=58913&page=2&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

I'd recommend it over the Eibach for performance and comfort, and the Eibach for looks.

Eibach pro-system offers more performance than the svt suspension ...not just for looks. ride quality is not bad either even on bumpy roads.

 

Get the h&r cup kit. its what i got and u will loveeeeeeeeeee it.

 

Whoa, whoa...

1) The SVT is an excellent budget suspension upgrade, and indeed is a night and day difference from standard ZX3 parts, especially if you include the rear bar. The SVT shocks are a must as well.

2) The Eibach spring sit much lower than the SVT setup, with fairly mild spring rates.. not the best combo for high performance, but probably provides a decent ride. This will require upgraded dampers, which pushes the price far beyond that of the entire SVT suspension setup. I'm not a fan of the Eibachs, but others are, so I'll let it be.

3) The H&R cup kit is significantly more expensive than the SVT setup, as it includes springs and matched dampers. It is also very low (-2.5") which poses other concerns as well as a much decreased ride quality from the SVT setup.

So: If your goals are:

1) Modest lowering
2) Budget
3) Well balanced setup

...then the SVT suspension is wonderful.

Every suspension has pros and cons, let us know what your goals are, and we can make suggestions to fit. The SVT setup might be ideal for your situation.

 

1) The SVT is an excellent budget suspension upgrade, and indeed is a night and day difference from standard ZX3 parts, especially if you include the rear bar. The SVT shocks are a must as well.

good budget suspension ...YES, night and day difference ...that's a bit much IMO.

2) The Eibach spring sit much lower than the SVT setup, with fairly mild spring rates.. not the best combo for high performance, but probably provides a decent ride. This will require upgraded dampers, which pushes the price far beyond that of the entire SVT suspension setup. I'm not a fan of the Eibachs, but others are, so I'll let it be.

if you're talking about the EIBACH sportline springs than yes the drop is much lower than the SVT and spring rate is very mild for that big of a drop but if you're talking about EIBACH pro-kit (wich i was reffering to) the drop is 0.75" lower than the SVT, not a big difference but just enough to notice a better center of gravity and better looks + the spring rates of the pro-kits are a tad bit higher than the sportlines and SVT wich makes it a better performance spring while still maintaining a great ride quality. yes dampers are a must and the package costs more, but in revenge it is also worth every extra penny spent.

3) The H&R cup kit is significantly more expensive than the SVT setup, as it includes springs and matched dampers. It is also very low (-2.5") which poses other concerns as well as a much decreased ride quality from the SVT setup.

i agree this seems to low and harsh for what you want.

So: If your goals are:

1) Modest lowering
2) Budget
3) Well balanced setup

...then the SVT suspension is wonderful.

Every suspension has pros and cons, let us know what your goals are, and we can make suggestions to fit. The SVT setup might be ideal for your situation.

i also agree with this ...put your priorities in order and check out what you want. but i still have to say i recommend the eibach pro system since you seem to have the same kind of expectations i had when looking for my set-up

1) performance handling
2) look good but without chances of rubbing or scraping
3) good enough ride quality to not complain about any bad roads you could ever have the displeasure of having to ride on.
4) budget is fair, more than SVT but lower than coil-overs

my .2

 

good budget suspension ...YES, night and day difference ...that's a bit much IMO.

Apparently my butt-o-meter is calibrated differently from yours... That's cool.

if you're talking about EIBACH pro-kit (wich i was reffering to) the drop is 0.75" lower than the SVT, not a big difference

This is exactly my point... the other way around: .75" is significant. The SVT suspension is roughly .75" lower than stock ZX3 ride height. What does that mean? That means that the Eibach springs are double the lowering of the SVT suspension. 100% is a big difference. That's also double the loss of shock travel.

I feel the proper way to handle this situation is to present what the SVT suspension will do, and let the customer decide if it is for him or not. Only AFTER that do you make suggestions. Too often the suspension forum is like a used car lot... "buy this, you'll love it!". I don't like that.

 

For $275 LIST it's definately worth the handling difference.

Someone here on the 'Jet has posted that some of the fastest Focus Challenge times have been on SVT suspension (driving helps).

When it comes to stuff like this (major changes, work), there's always a choice between mild and wild; anything more than the factory SVT stuff is pushing it to the wild side, even if only in price.

If the car is your transpo only, then the SVT stuff is the way to go, in my opinion.

Besides, have you seen how good an SVT Euro Package looks?
It looks great, ride height wise.

And, you're using all Ford part #'s on your Ford Focus!

 

This is exactly my point... the other way around: .75" is significant. The SVT suspension is roughly .75" lower than stock ZX3 ride height. What does that mean? That means that the Eibach springs are double the lowering of the SVT suspension. 100% is a big difference. That's also double the loss of shock travel.

well if you like at it like that of course it's a big difference but i think the stock ZX3 suspension is just too high to be happy with the SVT 0.75" drop, then again that could just be me ...here's a pic of my Eibach pro-system as you can see this is not low at all.

i'm not trying to start a big debate or anything just offering some options, i drove the SVT and it think it's a bit too high and too smooth, i would've been very disapointed if i would've gotten the SVT kit instead of my eibach.

I feel the proper way to handle this situation is to present what the SVT suspension will do, and let the customer decide if it is for him or not. Only AFTER that do you make suggestions. Too often the suspension forum is like a used car lot... "buy this, you'll love it!". I don't like that.

i said it before and i'll say it again, i agree 120% with you on this. have to put the priorities in order, budget, performance, looks, ride quality ....everyone is different and some people might be happy with the SVT kit, it's a good kit i'm not dissing but it wasn't for me and it might not be for him, again just offering some alternatives so he can figure out for himself what his priorities are.

 

Cool.

 

what r u talking about, the sportline, has a progressive rate of 262 in the front and 171 in the rear, under hard cornering... How is that not a high spring rate??
That deff seems like the better system, because u get the soft ride under normal driving, and all the performance u want under hard cornering.

 

Has anyone done it????
Read this thread. http://www.focaljet.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB3&Number=58913&page=2&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

I'd recommend it over the Eibach for performance and comfort, and the Eibach for looks.

I agree with Mike.

Have any of you actually driven a car with the SVT suspension? Or are you just firing off opinions because it's technically "stock" and "stock sucks"?

I did the SVT suspension swap on my ZX3 and it IS a night and day difference. The ride quality feels closer to an upscale european sports car (think BMW.) The handling is incredibly tighter than the stock ZX3 suspension BY FAR! The drop is noticeable and sporty, but not what I'd consider low.

The drop is really the ONLY difference I have seen between the SVT and Eibach systems. I have driven a car with the Pro-system and it DID NOT handle any better than the SVT. It was lower. The ride quality wasn't as smooth, but that's to be expected with twice the drop. You're really only paying for the drop with the Eibach.

Now I'm not saying the SVT is the end all or suspensions, but it's definitely AWESOME for the money. It doesn't handle nearly as well as my H+R springs/Spax Adjustables did, but it is more than enough for my needs.

If you want an affordable kit that will increase performance AND ride quality with a small drop, the SVT suspension is the best bet.

Nate

 

what r u talking about, the sportline, has a progressive rate of 262 in the front and 171 in the rear, under hard cornering... How is that not a high spring rate??
That deff seems like the better system, because u get the soft ride under normal driving, and all the performance u want under hard cornering.

i know sportlines are progressive and it has a 262/171 spring rate when compressed but the problem is, it is too low to be so soft when they are not compressed and tend to bottom out easily wich is no good, ask anyone who has tried both and they will tell you this : sportline = looks and pro-kit = performance.

as for the statement about the only difference between pro-kit and SVT is the drop, i disagree, as i said above i have driven both and pro-kit is stiffer and has a better center of gravity wich in turn handles better. i'm not saying stock parts are crap at all, the SVT is a good budget suspension upgrade i'd recommend it to anyone who is mainly looking for a tad bit lower look and a tad bit better handling for a very small price but i wouldn't recommend it for someone who is looking for something that feels like your riding on rails and actually looks like the car as been lowered at a resonable price.

 

We REALLY need to make a nice, informative, sticky regarding ALL-YOU-NEED-TO-KNOW when it comes to the SVT suspension swap.

In the last week or two I sware I've seen 5+ posts regarding the subject "SVT suspension".

With so many people wanting it for it's great balance of performance and cost, I'd say it deserves a sticky.

C'mon jptech!

--Dan.

 

We REALLY need to make a nice, informative, sticky regarding ALL-YOU-NEED-TO-KNOW when it comes to the SVT suspension swap.

In the last week or two I sware I've seen 5+ posts regarding the subject "SVT suspension".

With so many people wanting it for it's great balance of performance and cost, I'd say it deserves a sticky.

C'mon jptech!

--Dan.

You wish is my command.(I jsut can't make it a sticky)

SVT Swap Info

 

i understand u might bottom out easier, but with a higher spring rate wouldn't the sportlines perform better than the pro??

 

i understand u might bottom out easier, but with a higher spring rate wouldn't the sportlines perform better than the pro??

Not really.

The reason is b/c they are Progressive. Meaning as the cornerning weight changes & the spring compresses more, they get stiffer.

The problem w/ this is that, they can be unpredictable. Set spring rate springs will always be 200# or 150# or 300# no matter what kind of force is acting upon them, making the car quicker in teh corners b/c U don't have to worry about not predicting what your suspension is gona do next.

 

The reason is b/c they are Progressive...
The problem w/ this is that, they can be unpredictable. Set spring rate springs will always be 200# or 150# or 300# no matter what kind of force is acting upon them, making the car quicker in teh corners b/c U don't have to worry about not predicting what your suspension is gona do next.

No, not quite; Progressive does not mean 'unpredictable.' Any manufacturer who produces an 'unpredictable' spring should be promptly chucked out of the business. I would think that a company with Eibach's experience and reputation would make a progressive spring that is safe and predictable.

A progressive spring should be very predictable --- it's just that it doesn't respond in a linear fashion. In fact, many progressive springs are actually only progressive through a small percentage of their travel, and then quickly transition to a fixed high rate. And here's where we enter the art (vs science) of suspension tuning...

I have found the progressive front springs that are on my H&R coilovers to be very predictable. I know what the car is going to do in a given situation, and I knew it with less than 5 minutes worth of driving after the initial install.

Gotta be careful what you say and how...

 

Gotta be careful what you say and how...

Yes this is true, thank you for fixing my mistakes in describing the springs.

I learn something new everyday.

 

No worries, man. Wasn't intended as a smackdown, btw - I've said some patently untrue stuff in my life, and I just want to help folks avoid same.

 

The problem regarding SVT vs Eibach Pro vs Eibach Sportline that newbies don't understand, is that the lower you go, the stiffer you MUST be, lest you bottom out into the bumpstops.
ALSO, too low can give the car too low a roll-center.
When this happens, even though the Center of Gravity is Lower, the Suspension Geometry is screwed up.
When you're only a little lower than what was engineered, you can compensate with VERY stiff springs, but with anything less, you've improved on one aspect, while hindering another.
Once you go Rather low, without proper Major increase in spring rate, you've solved a height/center of gravity issue, but created both roll-center AND "bottom out on the bumpstop" issues.
Thus, the Sportlines are "Sporty/Looks" springs that are not unsafe under normal mild street conditions, but NOT an overall performance upgrade.
The Pro-Kit is better for sure, but one problem, (albeit not a MAJOR problem) is the Front/Rear spring ratio.
The Pro-Kit is more understeer-biased than the SVT setup.

 

I'm in the market for a suspension kit as well (springs and dampers). So at $275 does the SVT kit have the dampers to match? If so I don't think I could pass it up. I was gonna get the eibach pro-kit bc I honestly did want a lil more drop, but the SVT's ride height looks fine anyway, esp with the 17s. Unfortunately I've never drove or rode in an SVT so I have no idea what I'm gettin into, but it sounds like somethin I want. So again, the SVT kit at $275 is springs/dampers right? and how much is the bar? I've never done anything suspension related before, is it do-able for a first timer? What tools would I need? Should I have a shop do it? Thanks

 

I'm in the market for a suspension kit as well (springs and dampers). So at $275 does the SVT kit have the dampers to match? If so I don't think I could pass it up. I was gonna get the eibach pro-kit bc I honestly did want a lil more drop, but the SVT's ride height looks fine anyway, esp with the 17s. Unfortunately I've never drove or rode in an SVT so I have no idea what I'm gettin into, but it sounds like somethin I want. So again, the SVT kit at $275 is springs/dampers right? and how much is the bar? I've never done anything suspension related before, is it do-able for a first timer? What tools would I need? Should I have a shop do it? Thanks

Get it from www.mcnewsautomotive.com and you'll be paying $245. That includes: Springs, Dampeners, AND a 21mm swaybar. It's the ENTIRE SVT suspension.

Worth every penny and more!

As for the install... if you've never done suspension work it's not going to be easy. It takes me 2 1/2 hours by myself and I've done it six times. It'd be best to get in your regional forums and find someone in your area that has done the install to lend a hand. You will need: 1/2" Impact wrench, 1/2" metric sockets, spring compressors, metric wrenches, hammer/hard rubber mallet (for knocking the shock out of the control arm) two 3 ton jackstands, and TWO 2 ton floor jacks (I like to use a 2 ton floor jack and a 3 ton garage jack.) Like I said, best to find someone in the regionals to help. It's a good $400-500 worth of tools alone. Not something you can do with a basic tool set.

You will also have to get an alignment within a week or so. There really isn't too much "settling time" needed and you can have them set it to SVT specs at a dealership.

Nate

 

There really isn't too much "settling time" needed and you can have them set it to SVT specs at a dealership.

Or, if you know those specs, any competent alignment shop can do it for you.
Also, with the conservative drop, you MAY only be looking at a front alignment, (Have the rear CHECKED though), since camber isn't factory adjustable anyway, and the rear seem less prone to changing their toe settings w/ a mild drop.