[D1JL]

I am here at Eibach Springs in Corona, CA. where they are test fitting new products for the ST on my car.
They need to have them done for SEMA.
The good news is that I get to keep what they put on.
The bad news is that they will be keeping my car overnight.

Dave

 

[moshaholic2]

Coil overs or pro kit w/ dampers?

 

[wash]

I have read about their tubular front sway bar and I will be interested in that if I ever determine that I need more front roll stiffness.

Any way I hope the free springs work well for you.

 

[D1JL]

Coil overs or pro kit w/ dampers?

The Coil Overs have already been tested and fit perfectly however they produce a very harsh ride and are not recommended for normal street driving.
New Dampers are being developed they will be available and installed soon.

My car now has a set of "Proto Type" springs installed.
The springs were just made and were in Quality Control being tested when I arrived today.
If everything tests ok, these springs will be the new Pro-Kit for the Fiesta ST.
They are a cross between the SportLine and the Pro-Kit.
I should have more info tomorrow and some height photos.

Dave

 

[brian]

what are the spring rates tested on the coil overs? will they share the shock dyno? these might help explain why the ride is so harsh.

what are the rates on your prototype prokit springs? my inner geek wants to know!

 

[D1JL]

I have read about their tubular front sway bar and I will be interested in that if I ever determine that I need more front roll stiffness.

Any way I hope the free springs work well for you.

Of course this is something that you must determine for yourself.

It just so happens that the UK Marketing Rep was speaking to me yesterday.
He was saying the Anti-Roll Kit has been selling very well in the UK for the ST-180.

The front bar is a perfect fit.
However although the rear bar fits well with just a spacer, they want to add a little more clearance.
This is because of the full box tubing on the ST rear arm.
There were a lot of people/engineers under my car making design changes.

They told me yesterday that production was stopped on the current rear bar.
The remaining inventory will be sold for non-ST Fiestas and new production bars will used for ALL models.

Dave

 

[D1JL]

what are the spring rates tested on the coil overs? will they share the shock dyno? these might help explain why the ride is so harsh.

what are the rates on your prototype prokit springs? my inner geek wants to know!

Sorry, your inner geek will have to wait.
All products specifically for the 2014 Fiesta ST are still considered in production.
Therefore NO information will be released at this time.

I couldn't even take photos during the tour of the facility yesterday but I was very impressed.

My car was left yesterday with everything installed but wheels off.
This morning it will be put on the ground and tested.
If needed they will build a new set of springs today.
However if all goes well this product/s will announced/released at SEMA.

Dave

 

[wash]

That rear bar is the thing I worry about, the way it attaches is critical because the entire torsional load is transferred through those points. If its a little loose it will do nothing and your rear roll stiffness won't match the front bar.

My concern is that many companies design parts to be easy to make or easy to install but that might not be the best solution on the car.

I've seen one bar from another company that seems very sketchy, hopefully someone will do it right.

 

[brian]

Sorry, your inner geek will have to wait.
All products specifically for the 2014 Fiesta ST are still considered in production.
Therefore NO information will be released at this time.

That's understandable. I'd be floored if they released a shock dyno anyway. NO ONE ever does that. Can you ask if the shocks will at least be rebuildable/ revalveable?

My inner geek needs a workout today, so I'm off to the range!

 

[D1JL]

I will see what I can do.

Dave

 

[D1JL]

Here are the before and after photos.

Dave

 

[wash]

How does it drive?

 

[D1JL]

How does it drive?

I have only done about 90 miles since the install.
This was just normal commute type driving.
Even though the spring rates are a little higher than the OEM springs the ride is surprisingly good.
I am sure that this is due to the dual taper of the wind on the springs.

I am going for a drive in the Santa Monica Mountains later today for a real test.

Dave

 

[BLarson]

Did you happen to take fender to ground measurements before and after?

 

[D1JL]

Did you happen to take fender to ground measurements before and after?

I did not, however Eibach collected a LOT of data along with many photos.

From stock the front was dropped by 3/4 inch.
The rear was dropped 5/8 inch.

This is what I was told.
Although the spring rates and wind taper is very much like their SportLine Springs.
The SportLine will not be offered for this model car.
This set will become their PRO-KIT.
If you want to go lower, you will need to use the Coil Overs, to be released in the near future.

Dave

 

[D1JL]

I spent the morning carving up the Santa Monica Mountains.
For those who think that the Fiesta ST handles great 100% stock, I totally agree.
However it can be made better, MUCH BETTER.

The setup I have now is FANTASTIC!!!
I am so pleased.
The only thing that I think could possibility make it any better would be adding the Eibach PRO-Dampers.
These of course will be added as soon as they are available.

The only other way would go with a coil over setup.

Dave

 

[JReyes]

Dave,
Thanks for keeping everyone up to date with the progress!

As for the rear Anti-Roll Bar,
As was mentioned a few post up the ST's have an additional rear "box" that the earlier versions did not have. Because of this we have run into a clearance issue.
At first we were going to machine a spacer to be used for the ST model. After having this car through R&D it has been decided to modify our current design so no spacer will be required. Our final production rear bar will be a direct bolt on. Same mounting location, no spacer.

Once we get a little further in to the coilover testing we will provide more information on the rates that we decide to go with.

 

[D1JL]

Thank you Jared for your input and help to get my car set up so well.
I have been driving these canyons for many years now and this total car combination is just perfect.
I have only one other thing to say.

Here... Mini...Mini...Mini. :shifty:

Dave

 

[Smokin]

So the only change you had were new springs?

 

[D1JL]

So the only change you had were new springs?

Also the Anti-Roll Kit was installed.

Dave