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KW is going to be producing Adjustable Coilovers.
Back when I had my 2005 Subaru STi, all the rage was with going JDM parts, Japanese brand, no matter what. So the choices were Tien, Cusco, and Zeal. I went with Zeal, and totally regretted it, and on NASIOC (the Subaru forum) I exposed them for the junk they were.damper adjustment with a NYC setting on it?
Jeesh, that's an excellent question.So will these be more stance-scene oriented or performance oriented? KW makes great stuff, but their ST line of products tends to be more targeted to the looks crowd as opposed to the performance side of things.
I agree that people add power and forget handling (they also forget brakes). But I wouldn't assume these will do much if anything to improve handling. In my reading about ST (by KW) coilovers on other cars the best you can hope for is a lowered look and tolerable ride. The FiST handling is great as it is and I'm not so convinced that a budget-oriented set of coils is going to do anything to improve handling.From what I have heard the FiST tends to get a bit of rear inner wheel lift turning into a cambered dropping bend. This will move the force to the front outside wheel reducing speed and acceleration out of the bend. Lowered shocks may reduce this wheel lift but to eliminate it you would need a shock with adjustable compression and rebound dampening. Without these features stance is likely the goal but lowering the centre of gravity in any car will reduce body roll and likely improve cornering somewhat. Check this out for the wheel lift I'm talking about. PS. I will be getting the KW's too many people mod for power and forget about handling. What good is power if you can't transfer it to the tarmac. Brakes, suspension and tires are high up on my quickly increasing shopping list
Yep if you keep it stock the handling will be fine as the car was optimised for the stock performance engine output. As soon as you start modding for more horses though it takes the suspension out of its designed performance range or at least more towards its limit. .I agree that people add power and forget handling (they also forget brakes). But I wouldn't assume these will do much if anything to improve handling. In my reading about ST (by KW) coilovers on other cars the best you can hope for is a lowered look and tolerable ride. The FiST handling is great as it is and I'm not so convinced that a budget-oriented set of coils is going to do anything to improve handling.
I hate to say this, but I think this is largely a fallacy. The kind of power increases you're going to get aren't going to take the suspension out of it's "design performance range". All the reviews and such that I've read suggest that the FiST's suspension is very track capable out of the box and any changes like a set of coilovers will likely do little other than lighten your wallet and give you a lowered look.Yep if you keep it stock the handling will be fine as the car was optimised for the stock performance engine output. As soon as you start modding for more horses though it takes the suspension out of its designed performance range or at least more towards its limit. .
At the end of the day it just depends what you want to put in and get out of your FiST. For many stock will be fine..
The ST's tuned suspension is great. Everyone seems to be stumped by the fact that such a little car has so much grip. It can be made to misbehave but that is done by driver input.All the reviews and such that I've read suggest that the FiST's suspension is very track capable out of the box and any changes like a set of coilovers will likely do little other than lighten your wallet and give you a lowered look.
Now if you want a lowered look that's cool. I understand that..
Softer ride, yeah, I can see that. But I don't think it will make it a better track car. Maybe with a set of KW Clubsport coils would be a track improvement, but I just don't see that happening. I think the issue with the FiST is it's not expensive enough for most owners to consider spending $2000+ on a set of coils which is what "better" track coils would probably cost.The ST's tuned suspension is great. Everyone seems to be stumped by the fact that such a little car has so much grip. It can be made to misbehave but that is done by driver input.
I can see a nice KW suspension that could perhaps soften the ride with the compression dialed all the way down.
It depends on everything unfortunately. People seem to think that a stiffer car means faster/better grip. Not always the case.Softer ride, yeah, I can see that. But I don't think it will make it a better track car. Maybe with a set of KW Clubsport coils would be a track improvement, but I just don't see that happening. I think the issue with the FiST is it's not expensive enough for most owners to consider spending $2000+ on a set of coils which is what "better" track coils would probably cost.
Are there Clubsports or V3's even available? I didn't see that anywhere. Given the limited market for the FiST on the aftermarket I'd hold off and spend that money on track wheels, track tires, and track time. The only thing I'm considering is buying the 2011 Fiesta BBK from Wilwood which apparently is a direct fit. But that's largely motivated by the lack of track brake pads for the FiST and the fact that the Wilwood calipers make pad swaps super easy.Yep V3's for me... clubsports if I could. Can you give a writeup if you do get the clubsports? I saving my 10k from a FoST purchase and putting it into kitting out my FiST. Seems like a lot to play with but when you want to do a moderately quality kit out it adds up quick.
The car is new. Give it a year and the market will be huge! What tuning company wouldn't want to capitalize from a car that more people can afford and want to modify?Are there Clubsports or V3's even available? I didn't see that anywhere. Given the limited market for the FiST on the aftermarket I'd hold off and spend that money on track wheels, track tires, and track time. The only thing I'm considering is buying the 2011 Fiesta BBK from Wilwood which apparently is a direct fit. But that's largely motivated by the lack of track brake pads for the FiST and the fact that the Wilwood calipers make pad swaps super easy.
My worry is that they'll look at the price of the car and figure there isn't a market for the pricey performance parts like a well thought out suspension kit, or a balanced big brake kit. I hope I'm wrong.The car is new. Give it a year and the market will be huge! What tuning company wouldn't want to capitalize from a car that more people can afford and want to modify?