So... my rear passenger shock has started leaking. This has been all too expected, as in the past year or so my oem suspension has really started to show its age. Now, as I look for replacement options, I realize that most coilovers are well outside my current broke-boi budget. I want an upgrade over the stock suspension, seeing as I not only daily drive my speed but also autocross it every once in a while, and I'd definitely like to increase the handling/slightly stiffen the ride as well as lower between 0.5" and 1".
So far, the options are looking like:
-Bilstein B6 struts/shocks on stock springs (will upgrade later to Swift Spec R springs*)
-Bilstein B8 struts/shocks on stock springs (will upgrade later to Swift Spec R springs*)
-Bilstein B12 Pro-Kit with Eibach springs (will take longer to get on the car, as is more expensive than just shocks/struts)
-Bilstein B14 Coilover Kit with progressive-rate springs** (again, will take longer as is more expensive)
*For affordability's sake, I am personally leaning towards the B6/B8 with stock spring combo at the moment. However, I am unsure of how the B6/B8 will react to either stock/Swift springs. Initial google searches to compare the two led me to a post on a Fiesta ST forum (https://www.fiestastforum.com/threads/bilstein-b14-kit-vs-b8-swift-combo.26382/) where I read that the B6 and B8 are the same internally, the only difference being that the B8s are designed for use with lowering springs that are shorter than oem and the B6s are designed for oem springs and stock ride height. This made me think, "oh, if I want to run the Swift springs, I would need to get the B8s because they are designed to be used with aftermarket springs."
However when reading farther down in the post, I found someone who had run the Swift springs on the B8s. He said that the Swift springs are the same height as the oem springs, and felt dangerous to run on the B8 shocks as they are shorter than oem shocks, and it forced him to almost bind the front springs to fit the shocks on the car. No direct confirmation on the Swift website as to whether or not the Spec R springs are equal height to oem, however they do state that the measured ride height lowering on the website is taken with oem struts and shocks. This leads me to believe that the Spec R springs would actually be a better fit with the B6s, as they seem to be compatible with oem shocks, which the B6s are made to emulate.
**Regarding progressive rate springs, someone on the Fiesta forum also noted a disdain for progressive springs in favor of linear rate springs. I don't yet know enough about suspension to really understand how the difference will affect the handling, aside from the fact that progressive springs will have a softer initial compression making them softer for daily driving. I have seen track guys running the B12 kit, which leads me to believe it at least has some merit in the handling department. The real reason I'd be getting the B12s or B14s would be for the adjustability, as I'm not sure if I will rub given the lowering (1.2" front 1.1" rear, via Swift website) on the Swift Spec Rs [tire size 245/40/17 on a 17x8.5 +42 wheel]. Just wondering if anyone has insight as to which will be better for handling, as a soft ride is not really a priority for me compared to handling.
Just looking for anyone with experience running any of these setups to chime in and give their feedback, or potentially offer better options. I'm looking for about as substantial a handling upgrade as I can get for the money, and whether that be with the progressive rate B12s or B14s, the linear rate Swifts on the B6/B8s, or something different altogether.
Thanks!
So far, the options are looking like:
-Bilstein B6 struts/shocks on stock springs (will upgrade later to Swift Spec R springs*)
-Bilstein B8 struts/shocks on stock springs (will upgrade later to Swift Spec R springs*)
-Bilstein B12 Pro-Kit with Eibach springs (will take longer to get on the car, as is more expensive than just shocks/struts)
-Bilstein B14 Coilover Kit with progressive-rate springs** (again, will take longer as is more expensive)
*For affordability's sake, I am personally leaning towards the B6/B8 with stock spring combo at the moment. However, I am unsure of how the B6/B8 will react to either stock/Swift springs. Initial google searches to compare the two led me to a post on a Fiesta ST forum (https://www.fiestastforum.com/threads/bilstein-b14-kit-vs-b8-swift-combo.26382/) where I read that the B6 and B8 are the same internally, the only difference being that the B8s are designed for use with lowering springs that are shorter than oem and the B6s are designed for oem springs and stock ride height. This made me think, "oh, if I want to run the Swift springs, I would need to get the B8s because they are designed to be used with aftermarket springs."
However when reading farther down in the post, I found someone who had run the Swift springs on the B8s. He said that the Swift springs are the same height as the oem springs, and felt dangerous to run on the B8 shocks as they are shorter than oem shocks, and it forced him to almost bind the front springs to fit the shocks on the car. No direct confirmation on the Swift website as to whether or not the Spec R springs are equal height to oem, however they do state that the measured ride height lowering on the website is taken with oem struts and shocks. This leads me to believe that the Spec R springs would actually be a better fit with the B6s, as they seem to be compatible with oem shocks, which the B6s are made to emulate.
**Regarding progressive rate springs, someone on the Fiesta forum also noted a disdain for progressive springs in favor of linear rate springs. I don't yet know enough about suspension to really understand how the difference will affect the handling, aside from the fact that progressive springs will have a softer initial compression making them softer for daily driving. I have seen track guys running the B12 kit, which leads me to believe it at least has some merit in the handling department. The real reason I'd be getting the B12s or B14s would be for the adjustability, as I'm not sure if I will rub given the lowering (1.2" front 1.1" rear, via Swift website) on the Swift Spec Rs [tire size 245/40/17 on a 17x8.5 +42 wheel]. Just wondering if anyone has insight as to which will be better for handling, as a soft ride is not really a priority for me compared to handling.
Just looking for anyone with experience running any of these setups to chime in and give their feedback, or potentially offer better options. I'm looking for about as substantial a handling upgrade as I can get for the money, and whether that be with the progressive rate B12s or B14s, the linear rate Swifts on the B6/B8s, or something different altogether.
Thanks!
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