Swift Springs

[ekonetics]

Does anyone have any experience with swift springs? I'm looking to purchase a some within the next couple of months and I am trying to do as much research as possible.

[manxman]

Does anyone have any experience with swift springs? I'm looking to purchase a some within the next couple of months and I am trying to do as much research as possible.
There was a lot of talk about that brand on fitfreak about 2-1/2 years ago. I liked what I read about Swift well enough to consider buying them for my GD3 instead of any other brand, but eventually rejected the idea of lowering the car at all. If you do a search on fitfreak you will probably find more info.

[ekonetics]

I have read all the information about the Swift Springs on fitfreak and other sites as well. I think it will be nice to reduce body roll without a significant drop. I'm going to try and purchase them sometime after March since I want to go autocross with my car as it sits now.

[manxman]

I have read all the information about the Swift Springs on fitfreak and other sites as well. I think it will be nice to reduce body roll without a significant drop. I'm going to try and purchase them sometime after March since I want to go autocross with my car as it sits now.
If the Swift springs are effective at reducing body roll, there has to be a change in ride comfort toward the harsh side- a sacrifice will occur somewhere. Body roll reduction would be the main benefit of a Progress RSB, at a similar cost (low) to new springs, and far less installation labor. The only downside is that a RSB will keep you out of stock class in Auto X. An alternative would be to replace your FRONT sway bar with the stiffer one from Battle Endless (Canada). The Central CA Auto X Champion with a GD3 Fit is mrFroge- he won in '07 and '08 using the stiffer front bar.

Send him a PM on fitfreak- he would be glad to offer whatever advice you need. BTW, compared to the easy installation of the Progress RSB, the front sway bar replacement is a nightmare (from what I have read from Canadian fitfreaks who have done the work themselves).

[ekonetics]

I'm currently running the Ultra Racing rear sway bar and would like a front sway bar, but I can't find a company that makes one. I don't mind a little harsher ride since I want my car nice and stiff so I can enjoy some back roads.

I will have to pm mrFroge sometime to get some information on autocross.

[manxman]

I'm currently running the Ultra Racing rear sway bar and would like a front sway bar, but I can't find a company that makes one. I don't mind a little harsher ride since I want my car nice and stiff so I can enjoy some back roads.

I will have to pm mrFroge sometime to get some information on autocross.
Rich (mrFroge) will be happy to hear from you. Also, macbuddy has gained a lot of Auto X experience by participating with Rich. He would be able to offer some practical advice as well.

[MarkyMark]

IMO, the Fit is only really competitive in Stock. Running a rear bar puts you out of that class since the car didn't come with one.

[manxman]

IMO, the Fit is only really competitive in Stock. Running a rear bar puts you out of that class since the car didn't come with one.
You're right- that's why our local Auto X champion only runs the stiffer front bar, with no bar in the rear (but does run air shocks in the rear).

[Witcher]

I have Swift springs on my GD3. It's made the ride stiffer and handling better as you can expect from aftermarket springs from a known company like Swift. My only gripe with it is that the front has been lowered to around a 1-2 finger gap, but the rear has a good 3-4 finger gap; I'm not sure why the stance is so high in the rear. In any case, I think they're worth the money I spent on them ($200 new from someone on FF)

[ekonetics]

Thanks for the response, Witcher. I have heard good things about swift springs on other platforms but not too many have tried out swift springs. The reviews I have read about the company made me excited when they announced that they were coming out with springs for the GE.

What dampers are you running with your springs?

[Witcher]

I'm running them on the stock dampers at the moment - it's probably around 10,000 miles now and the everything feels fine - knock on wood though.

I remember when I still had my Progress RSB I would jam the car into corners and make it out alive just fine - even when I took off the RSB the handling didn't change too much from what I can remember. I'm not sure what merits the Swift springs have over the other aftermarket springs (other than being a linear rate as opposed to progressive, I'm not going to go into details because I'm not knowledgeable in that info), but they've definitely made the car more fun to drive.

[ekonetics]

Why did you take off your progress rsb? Was it rubbing at all with the springs?

[Witcher]

Sold cause I needed cash lol

But yes, it was also rubbing on the springs and constantly un-seating the rubber spring perch thing. You need to use a set of nuts and bolts that are compatible with springs.

[ekonetics]

Hopefully I don't have issues with the GE. I got a Ultra Racing RSB which I hope I don't have to get rid of.

[Witcher]

If it rubs, just look into getting the lower-profile bolts & nuts that people have been using for the Progress RSB. Should fix the problem.