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#1 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Canberra
Posts: 303
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Hi folks,
So, i finally bought some 17s for the focus! Bought some 17" Focus Cabrio rims off eBay from Tempe Tyres for $400 - pretty awesome deal i thought ![]() Anyways, im going to be fitting the rims with some decent tyres, but i've decided that while i'm at it i'll get the suspension sorted as well. Im looking for a spring and shock setup (but not coilovers.. the uber hard ride and insane cost is not really very practical for me at the moment..) to compliment a swaybar kit from whiteline. I was considering the Pedders springs w/ Bilstein shock combination, but their website does not appear to advertise a rear shock solution, which really isn't particularly desireable (i like doing things properly ;) ) does anyone know of anywhere who could do this, or does anyone have any experience in this matter? thanks in advance Rob/. |
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#2 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 2,035
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Have you had a look at Eibach shocks and springs? A lot of people speak highly of them. I know melbzetec has Eibach springs in his Focus.
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2015 MK7 VW GOLF GTI __________________
Previous Cars 2002 AUIII XR6 1995 EF Falcon XR6 2003 LR Focus Zetec 1989 KE Laser TX3 |
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#3 | ||
Hello Koni's!
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: South Sydney
Posts: 762
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http://www.eastcoastsuspensions.com.au/ecs-index.html
I had my Eibachs (purchased from European Parts) fitted here...they aren't the cheapest place around but sell the good stuff and know alot about Euro cars. My advice is to upgrade the shocks + springs at once, and with a good brand. I think the cheapest brand at ECS is Lovells, but they like using Koni's, Eibach, Bilstein (my chioce) and numerous coilover-only brands.
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2006 LX FOCUS SEDAN Titanium Grey, factory bodykit, slightly debadged
CSA Motorvatr 17's/Kumho KU31's, Eibach Prokit/Lovells rear springs, Koni Sports Kit Lower airbox removed, K&N Panel filter Momo gear knob + boot + pedals, Ghia boot garnish, Zetec Chrome interior door handles JVC KW-XR816 Headunit + more to come... |
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#4 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Canberra
Posts: 303
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Russ: What was the ride height drop you had with the Eibachs? i think that's the sort of lowering i was looking at getting. Have you done the shocks as well? what's the ride like now? lol sorry for all the questions, im keen to get the best set up i can.
cheers Uni/. |
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#5 | ||
yum
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,417
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Also KYB shocks are used a bit in other markets?
For better handling your probably better to go with a uprated swaybar.
__________________
2005 LS Focus LX
Nov05 | Manual | Black Sapphire 250,000kms. |
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#6 | |||
Hello Koni's!
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: South Sydney
Posts: 762
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Quote:
I am yet to upgrade the shocks, and I wish I did when I changed the springs. You can just tell the stock shocks are doing what they're not designed to. So basically I would advise to do all the suspension changes at once, including a thicker swaybar. The ride now isn't THAT much firmer than Zetec susp., you only really notice its firmer (without upgrading the shocks) when hitting BIG bumps...ie Parramatta Road...hey BlackLS!! ![]() And no probs with the Q's
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2006 LX FOCUS SEDAN Titanium Grey, factory bodykit, slightly debadged
CSA Motorvatr 17's/Kumho KU31's, Eibach Prokit/Lovells rear springs, Koni Sports Kit Lower airbox removed, K&N Panel filter Momo gear knob + boot + pedals, Ghia boot garnish, Zetec Chrome interior door handles JVC KW-XR816 Headunit + more to come... |
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#7 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Canberra
Posts: 303
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awesome, thanks for the advice mate, i shall investing in them soon!
cheers Uni/. |
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#8 | ||
yum
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,417
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I went King Spring Superlows, not sure on the amount of drop, but the lowest part of the car is now 110mm from the ground. I was too poor to change the shocks.
The car is a bit bouncy on the Kings, it does not bounce so much when you have a bit of weight on the rear - changing the shocks with short stroke shocks (designed for lowered springs) should eliminate this. You need to angle into driveways etc. Yes bumps are very firm, but due to the control blade IRS rear, its no where as bad as lowered Lancers and Corollas I've been in. I did a trip from Gold Coast to Sydney and my gf was asleep for half the trip. In terms of handling, 1 word - awesome. Its soooo direct with the road. In the twisties, it keeps up with a lot of "performance" orientated cars.
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2005 LS Focus LX
Nov05 | Manual | Black Sapphire 250,000kms. |
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#9 | ||
yum
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,417
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Oh yeah - Parra road feels like your driving down a never ending set of stairs!!!
__________________
2005 LS Focus LX
Nov05 | Manual | Black Sapphire 250,000kms. |
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#10 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Canberra
Posts: 303
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got the quote back from East Coast suspensions... $2081 for H&R Springs and Bilstein shocks with a drop of 40mm.. pretty damn tempting!
Uni/. |
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#11 | ||
Non-Regular Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,040
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http://www.european-parts.net/catalo...roducts_id=591
Bilstein coil-overs $1485 + Shipping http://www.european-parts.net/catalo...roducts_id=755 Eibach coilover $1318 + Shipping
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2005 Renault Sport Megane 225 |
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#12 | ||
Old enough to know better
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 2,311
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Looks like a good deal from European Parts (as usual)
I have always been dubious mixing and matching shocks and springs.....I think you are much better getting a system that was designed to work together, rather than trying to design your own system based on pot luck and seat of the pants research On my car (LR Focus Zetec) I recently got the Eibach Pro kit springs. Approx 20mm drop not 30mm (as Zetec springs were lower than stock anyway). Very happy with them (until I went up Parramatta Rd on a recent trip to Sydney!!!!) I have kept the stock shocks, as the springs were designed to work with stock shocks (Ford UK used to sell the eibach springs as an approved Ford accessory). However, should I at some point wish to upgrade further, I would go with the Eibach shocks and Eibach sway bars, all designed to work together. Focus' are great handling cars and I wouldn't want to bugger that up. That's why I'd rather trust the technical expertise of suspension experts who have created a total system to work with the car, rather than cooking up a mix and match system. My 5c worth.
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Manual 2003 Machine Silver 5 Door LR Focus Zetec. Mods: Ford Racing CNC'd cylinder head milled .040", 3 angle valve grind. Ford Racing Stage II camshafts. Ford Racing cam gears. Ford Racing long tube header. Random Technology hi flow cat. Herrod 2.25" stainless cat-back. Pipercross Viper intake. CFM 65mm throttle body. 2000 ported intake manifold. Herrod Custom SCT tune. Eibach suspension. Quaife ATB diff. Wilwood 13" brakes. Custom ST170 leather interior. www.cardomain.com/ride/2773918
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#13 | |||
Hello Koni's!
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: South Sydney
Posts: 762
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Quote:
Probably aren't the cheapest place around to get this done, but I think, as you mentioned, as the Focus is such a great handler it should be done by people who who European stuff. Anyway, my 2c (and no, I don't work for ECS!! Just very happy with their work...others include: http://forums.performanceforums.com/...-67122727.html) ![]() Whatever you get though, ENJOY!!
__________________
2006 LX FOCUS SEDAN Titanium Grey, factory bodykit, slightly debadged
CSA Motorvatr 17's/Kumho KU31's, Eibach Prokit/Lovells rear springs, Koni Sports Kit Lower airbox removed, K&N Panel filter Momo gear knob + boot + pedals, Ghia boot garnish, Zetec Chrome interior door handles JVC KW-XR816 Headunit + more to come... |
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#14 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Canberra
Posts: 303
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hmm.. looks like it'll be east coast then! awesome
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