Swift Springs for Daily Driver?
https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/fit-...arision-5.html
pics posted. when i bought my swifts, i called two folks. the first one being the US phone number for swift, and asked them specifically about the springs they produce for the fit, and if they had a problem with their springs on US cars possibly related to japan spec springs sold in the USDM. IIRC, he said the issue had been resolved and that the proper springs were out on the marketplace.
next, i talked to the folks i bought it from. i told them what i wanted, they assured me that if i got extra drop beyond what was advertised that they would take it back. i didn't need to take them up on it, though.
lastly, high quality springs don't "settle" and these certainly haven't. which is good.
ok, last last thing. swifts are lighter than stock. by .5 lbs, so it was totally worth it just for that. just kidding. but seriously, they are a bit lighter, which will bump the car +2mpg or so. full disclosure - i have nothing to sell, i have not driven other suspension set ups, this is my wife's dd and my occasional goof around car that has lots of roles to fulfill that have nothing to do with heavy cornering and i'd still recommend these springs.
pics posted. when i bought my swifts, i called two folks. the first one being the US phone number for swift, and asked them specifically about the springs they produce for the fit, and if they had a problem with their springs on US cars possibly related to japan spec springs sold in the USDM. IIRC, he said the issue had been resolved and that the proper springs were out on the marketplace.
next, i talked to the folks i bought it from. i told them what i wanted, they assured me that if i got extra drop beyond what was advertised that they would take it back. i didn't need to take them up on it, though.
lastly, high quality springs don't "settle" and these certainly haven't. which is good.
ok, last last thing. swifts are lighter than stock. by .5 lbs, so it was totally worth it just for that. just kidding. but seriously, they are a bit lighter, which will bump the car +2mpg or so. full disclosure - i have nothing to sell, i have not driven other suspension set ups, this is my wife's dd and my occasional goof around car that has lots of roles to fulfill that have nothing to do with heavy cornering and i'd still recommend these springs.
Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 531
From: Round Rock, Tx
https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/fit-...arision-5.html
pics posted. when i bought my swifts, i called two folks. the first one being the US phone number for swift, and asked them specifically about the springs they produce for the fit, and if they had a problem with their springs on US cars possibly related to japan spec springs sold in the USDM. IIRC, he said the issue had been resolved and that the proper springs were out on the marketplace.
next, i talked to the folks i bought it from. i told them what i wanted, they assured me that if i got extra drop beyond what was advertised that they would take it back. i didn't need to take them up on it, though.
lastly, high quality springs don't "settle" and these certainly haven't. which is good.
ok, last last thing. swifts are lighter than stock. by .5 lbs, so it was totally worth it just for that. just kidding. but seriously, they are a bit lighter, which will bump the car +2mpg or so. full disclosure - i have nothing to sell, i have not driven other suspension set ups, this is my wife's dd and my occasional goof around car that has lots of roles to fulfill that have nothing to do with heavy cornering and i'd still recommend these springs.
pics posted. when i bought my swifts, i called two folks. the first one being the US phone number for swift, and asked them specifically about the springs they produce for the fit, and if they had a problem with their springs on US cars possibly related to japan spec springs sold in the USDM. IIRC, he said the issue had been resolved and that the proper springs were out on the marketplace.
next, i talked to the folks i bought it from. i told them what i wanted, they assured me that if i got extra drop beyond what was advertised that they would take it back. i didn't need to take them up on it, though.
lastly, high quality springs don't "settle" and these certainly haven't. which is good.
ok, last last thing. swifts are lighter than stock. by .5 lbs, so it was totally worth it just for that. just kidding. but seriously, they are a bit lighter, which will bump the car +2mpg or so. full disclosure - i have nothing to sell, i have not driven other suspension set ups, this is my wife's dd and my occasional goof around car that has lots of roles to fulfill that have nothing to do with heavy cornering and i'd still recommend these springs.
IPTUNED.com Store - Sport Compact Car Performance Parts
i got in on the $220 shipped GB they had going for a while. Invision Fit is the user name here on fitfreak.
i got in on the $220 shipped GB they had going for a while. Invision Fit is the user name here on fitfreak.
Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 26
From: Diamond Bar, CA
I currently am running the usdm version of the swift springs. I also am currently running on 205/40/17 tires, and with the 40 series tires, it is very harsh. I have not currently tested them with my stock wheel, but when I went from stock to swift springs on my 17" wheels, the ride became to harsh for DD.
You have to realize that it is not a progessive style spring where there are dead coils. There are fewer coils which makes it stiffer and bouncier. I forgot how many less coils there were compared to the stock springs, but it was much less.
Also, I'm not a fan of how these springs give me a lifted look. The front drop looks really good with about a 1 to 1 1/2 finger drop, but the rears have a 3 finger gap!!!!!!!!!
I did a rough measurement of the drop, it seems that it lowered the front roughtly 1.2 to 1.4 inchs in the front, and .5 to .75 inches in the rear. The drop is nowhere near .9" drop in the rear, and slightly more than 1.2" in the front! I'm at the point where i'm thinking about trying to swap out the rear springs with something else that will not make the back look so lifted!
You have to realize that it is not a progessive style spring where there are dead coils. There are fewer coils which makes it stiffer and bouncier. I forgot how many less coils there were compared to the stock springs, but it was much less.
Also, I'm not a fan of how these springs give me a lifted look. The front drop looks really good with about a 1 to 1 1/2 finger drop, but the rears have a 3 finger gap!!!!!!!!!
I did a rough measurement of the drop, it seems that it lowered the front roughtly 1.2 to 1.4 inchs in the front, and .5 to .75 inches in the rear. The drop is nowhere near .9" drop in the rear, and slightly more than 1.2" in the front! I'm at the point where i'm thinking about trying to swap out the rear springs with something else that will not make the back look so lifted!
I have not currently tested them with my stock wheel, but when I went from stock to swift springs on my 17" wheels, the ride became to harsh for DD.
You have to realize that it is not a progessive style spring where there are dead coils. There are fewer coils which makes it stiffer and bouncier. I forgot how many less coils there were compared to the stock springs, but it was much less.
You have to realize that it is not a progessive style spring where there are dead coils. There are fewer coils which makes it stiffer and bouncier. I forgot how many less coils there were compared to the stock springs, but it was much less.
yeah, i bet the wheels defenitely are a factor here.
to each his own, but man, 17+ are too big for our cars. well, 17's are the limit, imo. but anything after that seems to be over kill.
Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 281
From: Houston
Do you think the "lifted look" is due to the wheels as well?
kennef, your car looks really nice with these springs and this thread has had me VERY close to buying them.
My other choice is the Spoon springs as sugggested by Ben at AJ's, but these are quite different with an even 1" drop front and rear and they are progressive. I was worried about the look of an even drop front and rear due to the "slightly more gap in the front" look that results. Ben recommends a camber bolt/mild toe-in the front with the Spoon's as well. I'm on HFP 16" wheels. Decisions decisions!
kennef, your car looks really nice with these springs and this thread has had me VERY close to buying them.
My other choice is the Spoon springs as sugggested by Ben at AJ's, but these are quite different with an even 1" drop front and rear and they are progressive. I was worried about the look of an even drop front and rear due to the "slightly more gap in the front" look that results. Ben recommends a camber bolt/mild toe-in the front with the Spoon's as well. I'm on HFP 16" wheels. Decisions decisions!
Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 26
From: Diamond Bar, CA
I can tell you this, that the swift springs are too stiff in the rears. I've had many different suspension setups in the past with my many different cars, and of friends as well. From driving on shock/spring combos to coilovers, with many different sizes of wheels and tires for looks and for track purposes, to installing suspension for others, these springs are not that forgiving. Take a ride in the back. I installed these springs on my gf's car, and took a drive in the rear tonight. The rear is pretty stiff, and when comparing the spring rate to other springs, swift is one of the stiffer springs. 5.6kg is pretty stiff, not for just honda fits, but for most cars looking at putting in aftermarket springs for non track purposes.
Well having dead coils has its own spring constant (i.e. 6-kg) so this acts like a softer spring prior to the main spring. However at full compression, they just sit there. Having a bigger amount of coils usually means the spring is softer but it's hard to say since spring manufacturers design for different spring rates. Naturally Swift is more stiff since they lack dead coils, plus the fact that they are known to make stiffer springs. Not only that, Swift is known for making springs for coilovers! At least the good thing about Swift springs is that, they are also known to not sag!
Springs such as eibach pro kit tends to give lifted looks. Not so much their sports line. The drop of the swift springs are correct... originally, it was listed as 1.2" and 0.9" drop when I had purchased them, but are now correctly listed as 1.4" and 0.8" drop, and it will give a lifted look. The amount the car had settled into after a few days after I installed them yielded similar numbers.
For daily driver, the best springs would be the ones that retain the spring rate closest to stock specs, which usually means finding the softest springs possible. Eibach Pro Kit and Progess seems to do that. I've rode on eibach pro kits, and their nature is usually to be softer than their competitors for comfort on everyday roads. Not only will it be a softer ride, it will help prolong the life of your oem shocks. Stiffer springs will cause your shocks to work overtime.... leading to decrease in life exponentially.
Well having dead coils has its own spring constant (i.e. 6-kg) so this acts like a softer spring prior to the main spring. However at full compression, they just sit there. Having a bigger amount of coils usually means the spring is softer but it's hard to say since spring manufacturers design for different spring rates. Naturally Swift is more stiff since they lack dead coils, plus the fact that they are known to make stiffer springs. Not only that, Swift is known for making springs for coilovers! At least the good thing about Swift springs is that, they are also known to not sag!
Springs such as eibach pro kit tends to give lifted looks. Not so much their sports line. The drop of the swift springs are correct... originally, it was listed as 1.2" and 0.9" drop when I had purchased them, but are now correctly listed as 1.4" and 0.8" drop, and it will give a lifted look. The amount the car had settled into after a few days after I installed them yielded similar numbers.
For daily driver, the best springs would be the ones that retain the spring rate closest to stock specs, which usually means finding the softest springs possible. Eibach Pro Kit and Progess seems to do that. I've rode on eibach pro kits, and their nature is usually to be softer than their competitors for comfort on everyday roads. Not only will it be a softer ride, it will help prolong the life of your oem shocks. Stiffer springs will cause your shocks to work overtime.... leading to decrease in life exponentially.
Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 531
From: Round Rock, Tx
hmm... to buy or not to buy. thats the question.
considering that i usually dont have any one else in the car besides my self and when i do its just one other person the rear being stiff isnt a problem. but knowing my luck when i decide to buy any springs and up size the wheels and tires im going to end up with a full car on a pot hole covered road.
considering that i usually dont have any one else in the car besides my self and when i do its just one other person the rear being stiff isnt a problem. but knowing my luck when i decide to buy any springs and up size the wheels and tires im going to end up with a full car on a pot hole covered road.
Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 281
From: Houston
avitar110--thanks VERY much for the perspective. Eibach Pro Kits huh? There's another to take a closer look at now. Stiff in the rear is not gonna work for me as I have a 2 year old and a 5 year old riding back there everyday.
I can tell you this, that the swift springs are too stiff in the rears. I've had many different suspension setups in the past with my many different cars, and of friends as well. From driving on shock/spring combos to coilovers, with many different sizes of wheels and tires for looks and for track purposes, to installing suspension for others, these springs are not that forgiving. Take a ride in the back. I installed these springs on my gf's car, and took a drive in the rear tonight. The rear is pretty stiff, and when comparing the spring rate to other springs, swift is one of the stiffer springs. 5.6kg is pretty stiff, not for just honda fits, but for most cars looking at putting in aftermarket springs for non track purposes.
Well having dead coils has its own spring constant (i.e. 6-kg) so this acts like a softer spring prior to the main spring. However at full compression, they just sit there. Having a bigger amount of coils usually means the spring is softer but it's hard to say since spring manufacturers design for different spring rates. Naturally Swift is more stiff since they lack dead coils, plus the fact that they are known to make stiffer springs. Not only that, Swift is known for making springs for coilovers! At least the good thing about Swift springs is that, they are also known to not sag!
Springs such as eibach pro kit tends to give lifted looks. Not so much their sports line. The drop of the swift springs are correct... originally, it was listed as 1.2" and 0.9" drop when I had purchased them, but are now correctly listed as 1.4" and 0.8" drop, and it will give a lifted look. The amount the car had settled into after a few days after I installed them yielded similar numbers.
For daily driver, the best springs would be the ones that retain the spring rate closest to stock specs, which usually means finding the softest springs possible. Eibach Pro Kit and Progess seems to do that. I've rode on eibach pro kits, and their nature is usually to be softer than their competitors for comfort on everyday roads. Not only will it be a softer ride, it will help prolong the life of your oem shocks. Stiffer springs will cause your shocks to work overtime.... leading to decrease in life exponentially.
Well having dead coils has its own spring constant (i.e. 6-kg) so this acts like a softer spring prior to the main spring. However at full compression, they just sit there. Having a bigger amount of coils usually means the spring is softer but it's hard to say since spring manufacturers design for different spring rates. Naturally Swift is more stiff since they lack dead coils, plus the fact that they are known to make stiffer springs. Not only that, Swift is known for making springs for coilovers! At least the good thing about Swift springs is that, they are also known to not sag!
Springs such as eibach pro kit tends to give lifted looks. Not so much their sports line. The drop of the swift springs are correct... originally, it was listed as 1.2" and 0.9" drop when I had purchased them, but are now correctly listed as 1.4" and 0.8" drop, and it will give a lifted look. The amount the car had settled into after a few days after I installed them yielded similar numbers.
For daily driver, the best springs would be the ones that retain the spring rate closest to stock specs, which usually means finding the softest springs possible. Eibach Pro Kit and Progess seems to do that. I've rode on eibach pro kits, and their nature is usually to be softer than their competitors for comfort on everyday roads. Not only will it be a softer ride, it will help prolong the life of your oem shocks. Stiffer springs will cause your shocks to work overtime.... leading to decrease in life exponentially.
maybe i'm not quite following, but why get aftermarket springs that are almost the same spring rate as stock?
the thing about suspension stuff is it's really hard to quantify what's good for you and what isn't. in the end you'll have to live with your suspension choice. i just have to strongly disagree that 5k rears are stiff, and they certainly aren't the sort of thing where cargo will go flying about. my wife doesn't even mention anything about the ride. then again, i remember that when having a load in the back the car actually seemed to ride even more smoothly. anyways, i'm sticking to the linear springs, minimum drop that the swifts have produced. DC roads need suspension travel and from experience i know that i strongly dislike progressive springs (from a handling point of view).
those who are interested should remember that aviatar110 did mention that he is running 17" wheels on his car which were mounted at the same time that he installed springs so it's hard for him to isolate what harshness is due to spring rate and what is due to lack of sidewall. i am still using the stock wheels and tires (sport) so that's where i'm coming from when i say that the rear spring rates aren't too bad.
Last edited by kennef; Feb 12, 2008 at 09:11 AM.
Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 281
From: Houston
kennef-- wow, ok. I see your point. Makes a lot of sense, and your wheels are closer to mine, though I have the HFP 16" (with 205/45 Bridgestone tires). 17" I understand really introduces some different characteristics to ride and overall feel.
Basically everyone I talk to has a different input, and just when I think I've settled on something along comes someone else who says it's wrong-- sometimes even not just a little wrong but totally wrong. I found this about rear sway bars too-- some say they are the best and others say literally that they do "nothing". I should have learned by now- that's just part of internet forums.
I envy the guys that can do what they want to their cars and enjoy them. I have to balance all this with my wife having drive it and "approve" everything-- which kind of sucks as far as making performance mods is concerned. But I am determined to find the right set up! Thanks again for the input.
Basically everyone I talk to has a different input, and just when I think I've settled on something along comes someone else who says it's wrong-- sometimes even not just a little wrong but totally wrong. I found this about rear sway bars too-- some say they are the best and others say literally that they do "nothing". I should have learned by now- that's just part of internet forums.
I envy the guys that can do what they want to their cars and enjoy them. I have to balance all this with my wife having drive it and "approve" everything-- which kind of sucks as far as making performance mods is concerned. But I am determined to find the right set up! Thanks again for the input.
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