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Joined: Mar 2003
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Originally posted by matt351:
can i use se swaybars with svt springs and struts?
Yes. For better handling I would suggest you upgrade to a 21mm BAT bar at a later date.
Originally posted by matt351:
so whats the deal with the struts, why can i not use the different springs with my stock struts which work perfectly. will it prematurely wear out the struts ive got already due to the stiffer springs?
Stiffer springs don't kill stock struts. Lower springs kill stock struts. If you want to lower your car, you'll need to pick up struts that are made to perform well with a shorter suspension.
Must be that jumbly-wumbly thing happening again.
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Joined: Sep 2005
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so do the se or svt springs lower the car? i was under the impression that they were the same height but just a stiffer spring.
'96 Contour GL ATX 2.5 v6 -- Daily Driver
'93 SVT Lightning -- The Toy
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I don't think you will be lower with an se or svt suspension.
6450 of 6535
6-16-98
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Joined: Aug 2003
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Originally posted by matt351:
so do the se or svt springs lower the car? i was under the impression that they were the same height but just a stiffer spring.
You are correct, sir.
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Joined: Jun 2000
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A bit late getting on board here.... Do not buy/use used SE rr springs. Although they were the stiffest factory offering, they had problems with premature breakage (which I experienced first-hand).
Also, changing the rr sway bar, straps & bushings will provide the biggest "bang for the buck" in terms of handling improvements. However, if you go any larger than an early SE (19mm) you will need to reinforce the subframe which is not likely to be cost effective unless you've got a welder in your garage. Even a 19mm rr sway bar combined with a well worn subframe can lead to damage/failure of the subframe. Yes I've been there/done that too!
Hope it helps.
Redcoat Raceworks. Performance parts and custom fabricating for Contours, Mystiques and Cougars. Specializing in chassis and suspension parts. Custom end links, control arms, strut tower bars, engine torque braces, etc.
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Originally posted by Bradness:
A bit late getting on board here.... Do not buy/use used SE rr springs. Although they were the stiffest factory offering, they had problems with premature breakage (which I experienced first-hand).
Premature breakage only on certain production runs. No problem with mine and many thousands of others.
Function before fashion.
'96 Contour SE
"Toss the Contour into a corner, and it's as easy to catch as a softball thrown by a preschooler." -Edmunds, 1998
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sorry guys one more question. is there any benefit to an se suspension over an svt suspension. im sure the svt suspension is probably better but i was just curious if maybe i was mistaken.
'96 Contour GL ATX 2.5 v6 -- Daily Driver
'93 SVT Lightning -- The Toy
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The only problem with this point "Premature breakage only on certain production runs. No problem with mine and many thousands of others." is when buying from a wrecker, how do you know for certain? Do you want to go to the trouble of installing used springs and have to redo the job when they fail shortly thereafter? Stuff sitting around in a junkyard does not age gracefully.
Also, when Ford did the SVT they went to softer springs, (compared to early SE's) and smaller sway bars. As I understand it, the struts were basically the same damping. This is the "European" ride/handling philosophy.
Redcoat Raceworks. Performance parts and custom fabricating for Contours, Mystiques and Cougars. Specializing in chassis and suspension parts. Custom end links, control arms, strut tower bars, engine torque braces, etc.
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Originally posted by Bradness:
The only problem with this point "Premature breakage only on certain production runs. No problem with mine and many thousands of others." is when buying from a wrecker, how do you know for certain? Do you want to go to the trouble of installing used springs and have to redo the job when they fail shortly thereafter? Stuff sitting around in a junkyard does not age gracefully.
Also, when Ford did the SVT they went to softer springs, (compared to early SE's) and smaller sway bars. As I understand it, the struts were basically the same damping. This is the "European" ride/handling philosophy.
That is what I heard also, I actually heard if you want a better "stock" suspension then the SVT suspension, you should go with the 95 Shocks and struts.
98 Corolla LE 1.8L DOHC 1ZZFE
TEIN H.Tech Springs
Tokico HP series Struts
Short ram air intake
Tsudo Axel Back Exhaust
... if a jelly fish stung me.. would you pee on the wound?
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Originally posted by MAYBE aliasfriend:
Originally posted by Bradness:
The only problem with this point "Premature breakage only on certain production runs. No problem with mine and many thousands of others." is when buying from a wrecker, how do you know for certain? Do you want to go to the trouble of installing used springs and have to redo the job when they fail shortly thereafter? Stuff sitting around in a junkyard does not age gracefully.
Also, when Ford did the SVT they went to softer springs, (compared to early SE's) and smaller sway bars. As I understand it, the struts were basically the same damping. This is the "European" ride/handling philosophy.
That is what I heard also, I actually heard if you want a better "stock" suspension then the SVT suspension, you should go with the 95 Shocks and struts.
You could check the VIN, for one, and look at the springs. If they have high mileage and they haven't broken yet, they probably are not defective, or already went through the recall. IMHO, the odds are much greater that the springs will be fine.
The SVT rear springs and early SE rears are exactly the same, as are the rear swaybars. SVT softened the front springs and the front swaybar to tune out some understeer. They also fitted firmer struts.
The early SE is stiffer, but not necessarily better.
Function before fashion.
'96 Contour SE
"Toss the Contour into a corner, and it's as easy to catch as a softball thrown by a preschooler." -Edmunds, 1998
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