SVT Suspension Impressions

MNiceGuy · Sun May 10, 2009 11:48 pm

I have had a chance to put some miles on the new setup. I went with the SVT kit, some EAP's, and I was successfully able to swap in a rear swaybar (18mm). Speaking of, my SE had the mounts and it was simply a matter of unbolting it from one car and bolting it to the other.

Ride quality is a little harsher but never approaches the point of being fatiguing. Although it's not quite as comfy, I can't express how much better it handles. If anyone's driven an '05-07 SE or lower then they know the handling you get from the stock setup isn't really the best (unless you're used to driving a gravel truck)

For the test, I tried the long sweeping on-ramp leading to 169N from Belle Plaine. Beforehand, I would try and push it but would always back off because of the body roll and tire squealing. Now the car stays much flatter and I was able to push it hard enough that my brake warning light came on (from what I'm assuming is the fluid all sloshing to one side). At no point did I lose confidence or hear so much as a squeak from the tires.

Mon May 11, 2009 8:04 am

Try a nice twisty road, thats where the SVT suspension really comes into it's own.

Glad to hear you're happy with it.

focinite · Mon May 11, 2009 12:01 pm

FORDSVTPARTS wrote:Try a nice twisty road, thats where the SVT suspension really comes into it's own.

Glad to hear you're happy with it.

i find that hwy 47(fairy st) north starting in ramesy on 116/industrial blvd is a good testing road late at night-early morning, just watch fer the deer.

lot of elevation changes and switch backs with elevation changes. its almost like 40 different long entrance and exit ramps put together.

Mon May 11, 2009 1:37 pm

focinite wrote:
FORDSVTPARTS wrote:Try a nice twisty road, thats where the SVT suspension really comes into it's own.

Glad to hear you're happy with it.
i find that hwy 47(fairy st) north starting in ramesy on 116/industrial blvd is a good testing road late at night-early morning, just watch fer the deer. lot of elevation changes and switch backs with elevation changes. its almost like 40 different long entrance and exit ramps put together.

Old 52 South is fun as well, I got my first ticket in a Focus on that road

Mon May 11, 2009 2:10 pm

Does the SVT rear end unload like the stock ZX3? Like if you are pushing it and lift off the gas in a corner a bit the rear end unloads and you watch things spin by? Not that i have spun out i got back into the gas right away, but trahma has spun his car out at least once due to this phenomena.

MNiceGuy · Mon May 11, 2009 2:55 pm

Hwy 101 between Shakopee and Chanhassen is worthwhile too

As for whether the rear unloads or not I don't know. To be honest I'd hate to find out unless I was in the middle of nowhere on flat ground

Mon May 11, 2009 3:06 pm

Louis Zerr wrote:Does the SVT rear end unload like the stock ZX3? Like if you are pushing it and lift off the gas in a corner a bit the rear end unloads and you watch things spin by? Not that i have spun out i got back into the gas right away, but trahma has spun his car out at least once due to this phenomena.

The stock SVT suspension grips really well but the Focus unlike most front drive cars does have a tendency to break loose at the rear first when pushed really hard.

What suspension does Justin have in his car?

Getting off the throttle mid turn because you're going to fast is a bad idea in general, that'll cause almost any car to snap around on you although a rear driver will be more apt to do it because the wheels will have instant engine braking.

MNiceGuy · Mon May 11, 2009 3:08 pm

FORDSVTPARTS wrote:
Louis Zerr wrote:Does the SVT rear end unload like the stock ZX3? Like if you are pushing it and lift off the gas in a corner a bit the rear end unloads and you watch things spin by? Not that i have spun out i got back into the gas right away, but trahma has spun his car out at least once due to this phenomena.
The stock SVT suspension grips really well but the Focus unlike most front drive cars does have a tendency to break loose at the rear first when pushed really hard.

What suspension does Justin have in his car?

Getting off the throttle mid turn because you're going to fast is a bad idea in general, that'll cause almost any car to snap around on you although a rear driver will be more apt to do it because the wheels will have instant engine braking.

I have read that the Focus will break loose in the rear first also.

Mon May 11, 2009 3:10 pm

FORDSVTPARTS wrote:
Louis Zerr wrote:Does the SVT rear end unload like the stock ZX3? Like if you are pushing it and lift off the gas in a corner a bit the rear end unloads and you watch things spin by? Not that i have spun out i got back into the gas right away, but trahma has spun his car out at least once due to this phenomena.
The stock SVT suspension grips really well but the Focus unlike most front drive cars does have a tendency to break loose at the rear first when pushed really hard.

What suspension does Justin have in his car?

Getting off the throttle mid turn because you're going to fast is a bad idea in general, that'll cause almost any car to snap around on you although a rear driver will be more apt to do it because the wheels will have instant engine braking.

That was with stock suspension, almost happened to me with stock suspension too. I floored it and kept it going in a straight line.

lox222 · Mon May 11, 2009 5:48 pm

The Ford Focus does drive like a rear wheel drive car when driven hard. It is very easy to get some over steer going. It is a little wild driving like that with the stock set up, but the more parts you mod the better it is to drive with the over steer and have better control. This weekend at the "local track" I found when my car will over steer and with all my mods it was really easy to get a nice drift going and stay under control for the most part. The best part was how smooth the ride was when I went sideways and then brought the back end back under control and zero body roll the whole time.

focinite · Sat May 16, 2009 10:39 pm

Louis Zerr wrote:Does the SVT rear end unload like the stock ZX3? Like if you are pushing it and lift off the gas in a corner a bit the rear end unloads and you watch things spin by? Not that i have spun out i got back into the gas right away, but trahma has spun his car out at least once due to this phenomena.

yes, also when performing the tripod around a banked corner it wise not to lift off the the throttle as you will be seeing just where you have been.