Suspension Swift Springs finally coming out with lowering springs
3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 187
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
After about 90 miles of varied driving all I can say is that these springs make a HUGE difference in the way the car handles. Driving varied from twisty back roads, bumpy roads, large bridge transition bumps, etc; and these springs significantly improved the way the car handles under all of those conditions. These were the same roads I drove frequently with the Koni Sport Kit springs and the difference was tremendous. They don't ride particularly rough, in fact they rode better than the Koni springs. They seem to be a great pairing with the Koni yellow dampers. Kudos to Swift and Ninjlao for doing their homework and putting out a very good performance product!
Last edited by Hound_va; Oct 17, 2011 at 03:41 AM. Reason: spelling
After about 90 miles of varied driving all I can say is that these springs make a HUGE difference in the way the car handles. Driving varied from twisty back roads, bumpy roads, large bridge transition bumps, etc; and these springs significantly improved the way the car handles under all of those conditions. These were the same roads I drove frequently with the Koni Sport Kit springs and the difference was tremendous. They don't ride particularly rough, in fact they rode better than the Koni springs. They seem to be a great pairing with the Koni yellow dampers. Kudos to Swift and Ninjalao for doing their homework and putting out a very good performance product!
Im glad to hear it. Yeah these things are going pretty quick. If you guys are having a hard time looking for them, contact Jan at RMW and he should be able to set you guys up with a set.
5th Gear
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 918
Likes: 27
From: Pulaski,NY
Hound_va
Would you please share with us the settings that you used with the Koni Yellows and the Swift springs.
Thanks, Steve
Would you please share with us the settings that you used with the Koni Yellows and the Swift springs.
Thanks, Steve
After about 90 miles of varied driving all I can say is that these springs make a HUGE difference in the way the car handles. Driving varied from twisty back roads, bumpy roads, large bridge transition bumps, etc; and these springs significantly improved the way the car handles under all of those conditions. These were the same roads I drove frequently with the Koni Sport Kit springs and the difference was tremendous. They don't ride particularly rough, in fact they rode better than the Koni springs. They seem to be a great pairing with the Koni yellow dampers. Kudos to Swift and Ninjlao for doing their homework and putting out a very good performance product!
What are the specs on your wheels? What is the estimated cost of these springs? Overall driving impressions compared to stock for regular street driving?
Im really trying to decide between these and TSW for my car, but it's my daily driver.
Im really trying to decide between these and TSW for my car, but it's my daily driver.
...........................
Anyways as for how they feel on the car. Before installing the lowering springs I ran the stock setup for about 2 weeks. I then installed the springs, drove it around for about a week or 2 and then went to the track, and then drove 2 sessions and then swapped back to my coilovers and ran another 2 sessions. I am currently back on my coilovers.
My street impressions is that they are just as comfortable as stock, except when you go through really big dips or humps. You really feel the stiffer rates. But through normal driving they are really smooth. The car of course feels much more planted and the steering response also increased a good amount.
On the track in my opinion they did an extremely good job on the springs, in fact as of right now with these lowering springs without any suspension tuning on my part, these springs are just a hair off my time with coilovers. I dont know if this simply means that these springs are pretty damn good. Or that my coilover setup on my car is trash. LOL. Im kidding, my coilovers are setup for r-compounds, and I did a direct comparison on street tires (Falken Ziex 502). But never the less the point Im trying to make is that these springs are plenty to be competitive at the track, and with a few mods and a decent driver these springs will give any vehicle with much more money spent on it, a run for their money. Turn-in on the car is extremely responsive, and is very neutral through the mid corner. It feels really safe through the entire course, no float and no extreme under or oversteer.
Now understand that these springs are not just lowering springs. They are not made to slam the car. These are an actual suspension upgrade. They designed these springs around the stock shocks but upgraded shocks are always something worth looking into. The testing I have done so far is on the stock R53 shocks and it feels fine.
Anyways as for how they feel on the car. Before installing the lowering springs I ran the stock setup for about 2 weeks. I then installed the springs, drove it around for about a week or 2 and then went to the track, and then drove 2 sessions and then swapped back to my coilovers and ran another 2 sessions. I am currently back on my coilovers.
My street impressions is that they are just as comfortable as stock, except when you go through really big dips or humps. You really feel the stiffer rates. But through normal driving they are really smooth. The car of course feels much more planted and the steering response also increased a good amount.
On the track in my opinion they did an extremely good job on the springs, in fact as of right now with these lowering springs without any suspension tuning on my part, these springs are just a hair off my time with coilovers. I dont know if this simply means that these springs are pretty damn good. Or that my coilover setup on my car is trash. LOL. Im kidding, my coilovers are setup for r-compounds, and I did a direct comparison on street tires (Falken Ziex 502). But never the less the point Im trying to make is that these springs are plenty to be competitive at the track, and with a few mods and a decent driver these springs will give any vehicle with much more money spent on it, a run for their money. Turn-in on the car is extremely responsive, and is very neutral through the mid corner. It feels really safe through the entire course, no float and no extreme under or oversteer.
Now understand that these springs are not just lowering springs. They are not made to slam the car. These are an actual suspension upgrade. They designed these springs around the stock shocks but upgraded shocks are always something worth looking into. The testing I have done so far is on the stock R53 shocks and it feels fine.
I read the entire thread before, I guess I worded it wrong. That post was back in July and if your picture is from this morning and you are still on the lowering springs I guess I was looking moreso for your long term impressions overall for street driving. Like are they still enjoyable/comfortable to drive on? Any long term complaints? etc.
I plan on getting one set of lowering springs and keeping them forever unless I eventually decide to get coilovers when/if this car becomes a toy and not a DD.
I plan on getting one set of lowering springs and keeping them forever unless I eventually decide to get coilovers when/if this car becomes a toy and not a DD.
I am still on the springs. I have decided to make these springs my permanent setup. I swap to my coils when I go on a more aggressive tire setup at the track. Hmmmm.... There isn't much I can complain about. The car rides very smoothly. It is noticeably smoother than stock in my opinion. Now don't get me wrong, if you hit dips or speedbumps where the suspension has more movement the stiffer spring rates can be felt. I am not saying the suspension is soft at all. I think its a very good daily setup.
On the track you can run very competitive times with a street tire setup. I have compared many different suspension setups on my car and these springs with the stock shocks have outdone several different coilover setups I've had.
These springs took a really long time to finally come out with and we have gone through a several different prototypes, and Im pretty sure this one pretty much nailed it. It's a really healthy medium between a dd/track car. The rates are aggressive, comfortable, and has a good look to it yet not slammed.
Sorry i can't really think of anything off the top of my head on the negatives, Ill ask a few of my friends running these and see what their thoughts are as well.
On the track you can run very competitive times with a street tire setup. I have compared many different suspension setups on my car and these springs with the stock shocks have outdone several different coilover setups I've had.
These springs took a really long time to finally come out with and we have gone through a several different prototypes, and Im pretty sure this one pretty much nailed it. It's a really healthy medium between a dd/track car. The rates are aggressive, comfortable, and has a good look to it yet not slammed.
Sorry i can't really think of anything off the top of my head on the negatives, Ill ask a few of my friends running these and see what their thoughts are as well.
Last edited by ninjlao; Oct 31, 2011 at 04:08 PM.
Thanks for the insight. I am starting to lean a little more towards these now as I have swift springs on my Fortune Coilovers on my MR2 and they are fantastic.
My roads aren't the smoothest, but I'm sure even with TSW Springs that I will end up feeling the difference on the bumps.
I guess I will locate a dealer or call RMW and see what the price is.
Would you mind sharing the specs on your wheels/tires in the pictures? I think the drop is borderline perfect. Thanks!
My roads aren't the smoothest, but I'm sure even with TSW Springs that I will end up feeling the difference on the bumps.
I guess I will locate a dealer or call RMW and see what the price is.
Would you mind sharing the specs on your wheels/tires in the pictures? I think the drop is borderline perfect. Thanks!
After the responses from Ninjlao and PM's with Hound_VA, I went ahead and ordered myself a set of these as well since my mini is my DD.
I bought them from a Swift dealer that I bought my coilovers for my other car from. I am making sure that he's cool with me handing out his contact/company info and if so I will let you know. Shoot me a PM if you want more info.
Hopefully I will have mine around the end of the week start of next week!!
I bought them from a Swift dealer that I bought my coilovers for my other car from. I am making sure that he's cool with me handing out his contact/company info and if so I will let you know. Shoot me a PM if you want more info.
Hopefully I will have mine around the end of the week start of next week!!
It's already been posted in the thread that you could call Jan from RMW for a price or basically any company that is a Swift dealer
http://www.swiftsprings.net/dealer.html
Just ordered a set through www.hpashop.com for $308. Also I saw a vendor on ebay selling them for $335.
So im using these on JCW struts, future will be on Bilstein sports. I have not had a chance to really go hard on them yet, just around town driving. The feel more connected to the road then stock or JCW springs, much more comfortable. I do feel potholes more, but average driving is smoother. Once i get to open them up on some back roads or autocross ill post up about that.