[euro_zx5]

Well thanks anyway Nik. I ordered the SVT kit today. Just one question... does this kit require any different end links or does it bolt right up with everything in the kit and the car the way it is?

[SVTGuy02]

SVTGuy02,Mar 6 2008, 03:41 PM Wrote:here you go.... all you could ask for within your price range

http://focus.c-f-m.com/index.asp?PageActio...WPROD&ProdID=89

:D

Lowering Springs + Dampers
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potentially better than SVT Kit :P (coming from an SVT Owner)

SVT Kit should be PLUG-N-PLAY....

[NikiterZTS]

yea plug and play

[euro_zx5]

Well sort of 'plug and play', Daniel tells me the entire front subframe must be dropped in order to change out the suspension, ah well.

Next idea on my mind, strut bearings... is there a better more durable 'heavy duty' mount that will last longer? This could be directly related to a clunk I've got, so I'd like to clear up anything that could cause this issue (within reason of course).

[SVTGuy02]

The clunk, if its the same clunk I'm thinking of, is MOST likely your front swaybar.

You should probably order yourself a set of better endlinks. I've got Moog endlinks on my car and they are super durable compared to the stock s***.

I was auto-crossing my car and my front right swaybar end link actually broke mid-corner. I heard a big "DONGGG" and kinda heard the swaybar swaying up n down a couple times (no pun intended)

I used to have that clunk so check out some stronger endlinks. The moog ones were only like $30ish dollars plus like $20 shipping or somethin

[euro_zx5]

Well I had my SVT kit installed tonight, and wow what a difference! The clunk is gone too! Although, as said above, the MOOG endlinks are much better, and have grease nipples... all in time.

I also installed brand new strut mounts and strut bearings, mind as well. The car rides so much smoother and already handles better. Now I can't wait to mount the EAP's! :D I'll post some before and after pics this weekend after I get her cleaned up a bit.

[naz]

didn't you mention you previously had a blown damper? kind of makes sense things are much better :)

glad you like your new setup! congrats

what tires are you running? i suggest those as your next upgrade

[euro_zx5]

Well for now my stock 5 spoke 16's with goodyear assurance triple treds, in a few weeks I'll be mounting eap 17's with general exclaim uhp's. The few week part might be prolonged unfortunately... this is one long winter. :(

[naz]

euro_zx5,Mar 21 2008, 05:59 PM Wrote:Well for now my stock 5 spoke 16's with goodyear assurance triple treds, in a few weeks I'll be mounting eap 17's with general exclaim uhp's.
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i highly recommend that you switch to (much) better tires.. the car feels better to you but the actual cornering limits have not changed.

[NefCanuck]

euro_zx5,Mar 21 2008, 12:59 PM Wrote:Well for now my stock 5 spoke 16's with goodyear assurance triple treds, in a few weeks I'll be mounting eap 17's with general exclaim uhp's. The few week part might be prolonged unfortunately... this is one long winter. :(
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You said it, means that I wasn't as pissed as I should have been when I went to pick up the CDR9's I brought in to have cleaned & powdercoated only to show up & find that they'd only been cleaned and they didn't powdercoat them! (or call me to tell me they'd lost the paint code I'd selected <_<)

So another week to wait to take the wheels, get rubber mounted on them and store them at the tire place until this $%*@'ing winter actually ends :(

NefCanuck

[euro_zx5]

naz,Mar 21 2008, 02:38 PM Wrote:

euro_zx5,Mar 21 2008, 05:59 PM Wrote:Well for now my stock 5 spoke 16's with goodyear assurance triple treds, in a few weeks I'll be mounting eap 17's with general exclaim uhp's.
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i highly recommend that you switch to (much) better tires.. the car feels better to you but the actual cornering limits have not changed.
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Well for this summer I'll run these... I'm pretty hard on tires anyway, so no doubt I'll need new tires by next summer. What tires would you recommend?

[NikiterZTS]

can't go wrong with Falken Azenis

[euro_zx5]

Well here she is, I'm running 55 profile tires keep in mind. I'm very happy with how this kit made the car handle and feel. Much more solid now, and no doubt the EAP's will sit nicer now. All I have to do now is wait for the warmer weather to mount them... :(

[NikiterZTS]

euro_zx5,Mar 21 2008, 07:49 PM Wrote:Well here she is, I'm running 55 profile tires keep in mind. I'm very happy with how this kit made the car handle and feel. Much more solid now, and no doubt the EAP's will sit nicer now. All I have to do now is wait for the warmer weather to mount them... :(


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hey looks good bro


p.s. nice curb rash on that rear rim :D

[naz]

word azenis rt615 are a good choice for a street / autoX tire. i'm currently using kumho mx .. leaves a bit of grip on the table compared to rt615 but its a lot less temp sensitive

[NikiterZTS]

naz,Mar 30 2008, 12:43 AM Wrote:word azenis rt615 are a good choice for a street / autoX tire.  i'm currently using kumho  mx .. leaves a bit of grip on the table compared to rt615 but its a lot less temp sensitive
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are Azenis any good in rainny weather?......

[Mike]

supposedly the new ones are, they added more grooves on the tire to help with water .... when i had mine they were nothing short of a nightmare once worn in the rain .... but they are a summer performance tire ... so rain / wet is not their strong point ... Still the best performance tire for the money... but i wouldnt spend more than 200 bucks on each wheel installed and balanced, cause for ta few more bucks at that price you can get something a bit better

[naz]

NikiterZTS,Mar 30 2008, 04:20 PM Wrote:

naz,Mar 30 2008, 12:43 AM Wrote:word azenis rt615 are a good choice for a street / autoX tire.  i'm currently using kumho  mx .. leaves a bit of grip on the table compared to rt615 but its a lot less temp sensitive
[right][snapback]260822[/snapback][/right]

are Azenis any good in rainny weather?......
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yes, they are fine if you use common sense

really it boils down to avoiding standing water (not enough grooves to evacuate standing water that well) and slowing down for corners (cuz their might be standing water, and (duh) you have less grip in the wet)

also, if you are getting close to 2/32" tread you obviously have to be careful because you are getting close to running slicks

i used the old RT215 version for around 20k miles on the street and at many autoX events and i never hand any issues as long as i followed the advice i posted above. when standing water was unavoidable (ie heavy rain on a crowded highway) i would drive at around 50mph in the slow lane and try to be very smooth on the inputs

lastly, in full tread with no standing water azenis were GREAT in the rain. i have heard others with more experience say that under those conditions they are/were among the best wet street tire out there

oh and kumho MX are better at dealing with standing water than the RT215, so the MX may be a better choice if you find going 50mph in the slow lane unacceptable

[bluedwardle]

By the sounds of your personality/driving I would go with SVT suspension. It's around 0.75" drop from stock and I have progress kit and it's far too low for daily driving IMO

Also, I hear the SVT kit is one of the best priced and best handling out there (for the price). I'm thinking about going back to SVT but I love the slammed look (don't love the occasional rub though)

[euro_zx5]

Good thing I put the SVT kit (or any for that matter) on... these EAP's would have jacked the car way too much for my taste! I love how it looks though! More pics to come in the next few days.