Swift Sport Springs Review thread (pics)
#82
Just talked to Swift
One of the reps at Swift called me back. We talked for about 15 minutes. Nice guy. Anyway, they're going to look into the fitment of the rear springs for the GE8. He was actually holding the stock and Swift springs in his hands as we spoke. The only thing he was missing was the rubber end caps, which I believe hold the clue to installation. We couldn't actually go through the steps of discussing why the end caps provide the solution. So we left it at that.
I'm very happy with my install, and plan to leave it as is. I sure would like to get some feedback from the rest of you guys once you make to move to your Swift's - inquiring minds want to know!
I just flipped the rear springs after I got home from work today. I'm a dumb ass. I don't know what I was smokin' last Saturday, but the only parts that matter are the top and bottom rubber caps - the rear spring could be mounted either way since the end coils ARE identical, as Leonard from Swift verified. They look a whole lot cooler now that I can read the labels from the back! The test ride was the same - excellent!
I'm very happy with my install, and plan to leave it as is. I sure would like to get some feedback from the rest of you guys once you make to move to your Swift's - inquiring minds want to know!
I just flipped the rear springs after I got home from work today. I'm a dumb ass. I don't know what I was smokin' last Saturday, but the only parts that matter are the top and bottom rubber caps - the rear spring could be mounted either way since the end coils ARE identical, as Leonard from Swift verified. They look a whole lot cooler now that I can read the labels from the back! The test ride was the same - excellent!
Last edited by Jim2bFit; 11-10-2010 at 09:53 PM. Reason: I'm an impatient SOB sometimes
#83
I stand corrected...
Here are the photos that Leonard from Swift sent. I stand corrected. The final end coils ARE the same diameter, and the final coil wrap has the same gap between coils. So you could install them either way. He did assure me that the labels are in fact oriented to be readable upon installation.
Since the rear springs were sooooo easy to install, I might just flip them this weekend to see if I can tell any difference in handling (and to verify that you can absolutely install them in either direction!). I sure don't want to be spewing bogus info...
I just flipped the rear springs after I got home from work today. I'm a dumb ass. I don't know what I was smokin' last Saturday, but the only parts that matter are the top and bottom rubber caps - the rear spring could be mounted either way since the end coils ARE identical, as Leonard from Swift verified. They look a whole lot cooler now that I can read the labels from the back! The test ride was the same - excellent!
Since the rear springs were sooooo easy to install, I might just flip them this weekend to see if I can tell any difference in handling (and to verify that you can absolutely install them in either direction!). I sure don't want to be spewing bogus info...
I just flipped the rear springs after I got home from work today. I'm a dumb ass. I don't know what I was smokin' last Saturday, but the only parts that matter are the top and bottom rubber caps - the rear spring could be mounted either way since the end coils ARE identical, as Leonard from Swift verified. They look a whole lot cooler now that I can read the labels from the back! The test ride was the same - excellent!
Last edited by Jim2bFit; 11-10-2010 at 09:54 PM. Reason: I lost the smack down
#91
As long as the rear seats are in place on the GD the Swifts look and work great but just higher in the rear. Take the rear seat out and the ass end is way up and that tilts the front down setting the front lip closer to the road.. Not too good since the caster is also changed and it requires extra effort to not wander in the lane you are driving in.
#92
What's the difference?
The effect of flipping the rear spring is like someone saying "I could REALLY feel the 1HP increase I got from that engine mod..."
Upside down, right side up, it doesn't matter with the rear springs from Swift. They're awesome any way you mount 'em! hahaha
Upside down, right side up, it doesn't matter with the rear springs from Swift. They're awesome any way you mount 'em! hahaha
#93
Swift Springs 500 Mile Review
It's been just a little over a week and I've driven about 500 miles on the Swift Sport Springs on my GE8.
I've gone through installing the rear springs upside down (Swift confirmed that it doesn't matter), to flipping them right side up a few days later, to re-installing the other half of the bump-stop that I removed when I installed the front springs.
I was getting a clunking noise (just noise, no handling issues) from the right front strut on hard/abrupt left turns. So I decided to tear down the front to make sure that I didn't miss anything on the initial install. Since I had it all apart, I slid the other half of the bump stops back on the shock. Well, the clunking sound is gone now. I don't know if I had something torqued incorrectly, but the only thing I did was make the bump stop full size again, and re-install the strut assembly. No more noise, so I'm happy.
The Swift Sport Springs have exceeded my minimum upgrade criteria. Being my DD, I decided to be realistic with what I can/want to do regarding upgrades. My criteria:
I've gone through installing the rear springs upside down (Swift confirmed that it doesn't matter), to flipping them right side up a few days later, to re-installing the other half of the bump-stop that I removed when I installed the front springs.
I was getting a clunking noise (just noise, no handling issues) from the right front strut on hard/abrupt left turns. So I decided to tear down the front to make sure that I didn't miss anything on the initial install. Since I had it all apart, I slid the other half of the bump stops back on the shock. Well, the clunking sound is gone now. I don't know if I had something torqued incorrectly, but the only thing I did was make the bump stop full size again, and re-install the strut assembly. No more noise, so I'm happy.
The Swift Sport Springs have exceeded my minimum upgrade criteria. Being my DD, I decided to be realistic with what I can/want to do regarding upgrades. My criteria:
- This IS NOT my mid-life crisis car. Don't spend THAT money on THIS car!
- Other than tires, if a single mod costs more than $400, it's too expensive!
- Never install a mod that ADDS weight to a car designed for fuel efficiency.
- Don't waste money on looks, make mods that improve throttle response, handling and power .
- Most importantly, make mods that I would be happy with if I never made another change to the car.
#95
had the springs for a bout 2wks now, does anyone know the spring rates on these springs?
they're kinda on the soft side i packed my car with some friends this weekend the rear would rub in hard dips on the fwy lolz
Last edited by johnnypaseo; 11-17-2010 at 02:49 AM.
#97
I waited until my last tire rotation before I bought the springs. I'm at about 27k on them, and will need new rubber around 34k. Right now though, the wear on my stock tires is even, and they're all nice and scuffed up. I set them around 34-35psi cold, which firms them up enough to drive them hard. Even though I'm not going to buy the same replacements, I don't mind the stock Dunlop's. As far as stock tires go, for me, they perform pretty well. I've had waaaaay worse stock tires on a new car!
I'm not going to pull the trigger on new wheels, so I'm just going put the Conti ExtremeContact DWS 205/50-16 since it's a little wider but still the same weight as the stock Dunlop. Never add weight!
I'm not going to pull the trigger on new wheels, so I'm just going put the Conti ExtremeContact DWS 205/50-16 since it's a little wider but still the same weight as the stock Dunlop. Never add weight!
#100
Swift Sport Spring Wheel/Tire Upgrade Considerations
I already know that I'm going to buy the Conti ExtremeContact DWS 205/50-16 when I'm ready for new rubber. I've read that the 205/50-16 works fine with the Swift Springs using the stock sport wheel, which is supposedly 16x6 with a 53mm offset.
But I'm considering a wheel upgrade down the road, and wonder if I'll be able to keep the Conti's using a 16x7 wheel with a 42mm offset while running the Swift Sport springs.
If I visualized it in my head (NOT like I did with the rear springs ) and did my math correctly, then comparing those two wheel specs basically means the upgraded wheel adds 1" to the outside width while maintaining the same inside spacing as compared to the stock wheel. I wonder if that would eat up any remaining clearance that allows the 205/50-16 tire to work on stock wheels?
Here's my visual, laying the new wheel (sans tire) over the stock wheel, using the hub/wheel mounting plane as the reference point. Does this look right?
But I'm considering a wheel upgrade down the road, and wonder if I'll be able to keep the Conti's using a 16x7 wheel with a 42mm offset while running the Swift Sport springs.
If I visualized it in my head (NOT like I did with the rear springs ) and did my math correctly, then comparing those two wheel specs basically means the upgraded wheel adds 1" to the outside width while maintaining the same inside spacing as compared to the stock wheel. I wonder if that would eat up any remaining clearance that allows the 205/50-16 tire to work on stock wheels?
Here's my visual, laying the new wheel (sans tire) over the stock wheel, using the hub/wheel mounting plane as the reference point. Does this look right?