Fortune auto with swift springs?
 

Does it really make that big of a difference getting the swifts instead of fortune autos typically installed springs?

No one seems to have responded to this but quite a few people suggest swift springs because of how well they ride, while still giving you the progressive stiffness of a high quality spring

I can't speak specifically about the FA springs, but the goal with using Swift or other high quality coilover springs (Hyperco for example) is a spring that is as linear as possible for as much of it's travel as possible. Swifts and Hyperco will hit their advertised spring rates from 5-95% of their usable travel, while poor quality springs will have a much narrower range. Or...the low quality springs will just be wildly inconsistent from spring to spring. You do sometimes see a better ride from Swifts or Hyperco springs simply because the standard springs are ultra progressive (in a bad way) and go beyond their advertised rates whereas the high quality springs are consistent.

- Andy

If the springs that come with the coilovers are that bad though, what does it say about the rest of the parts? What's the point of spending a bunch more money on better springs when you could put it towards a setup with better dampers?

My FA's with Swifts feel damn near stock. The only times that I remember I have coils on is pot holes. Besides that, day to day driving hasn't changed. I would strongly reccomend them if you can swing the extra money.

I wouldn't go as far as saying it feels like stock. On full soft I can tell the difference, still. Haha. From what I've heard, it's also lighter weight?

Regardless, I'm happy with my set up. Car feels very planted (paired with tires and other suspension upgrades as well) and there isn't much body roll. The car just wants to take turn after turn, effortlessly.

That's why I said damn near.

what spring rates do you guys have on the FA? And is it stock FA springs or Swift springs? I'm looking to swap from my sportlines to FA500. I want ride quality that is pretty much stock. the sportlines are a bit harsh and the rear seems too stiff.

I don't know the spring rates. @ImportImage might know? I have the Swift Springs on my FA500's.

I have the stock rates 6KF/7KR, with the Swift springs. TBH, if you think springs with stock dampers are harsh, you might be in for a surprise. Personally, I don't mind the ride, but you may find the ride on FAs to be harsh as well, unless you live in a relatively smooth area. I think it makes for a more fun ride

Also, just to add...

This car is my DD. I am currently at school 500 miles away from home. I used it to commute to work, roadtrips, autocross... Everything. Don't take what I say about the ride being harsh as a bad thing; I love these coilovers and everything I've changed out. I'm just trying to give a better "feel" for anyone since ride is very subjective. I would rather people expect it to be harder and have it ride softer than have someone expect a soft ride and be given a hard ride and then be unhappy.

We have them on our BRZ, FA500's with Swifts. They ride OK. If I had to do it again at a similar price point, I would give the Tein Street Flex a try. The build quality on Tein's, and other Japan/Europe made product is better than most "cheap" southern Asian stuff.

We added the "roller bearing" upgrade for our coilovers, which started rusting and making noise. I had to take the coilovers apart and lube them up to fix the noise. If you are buying the FA I would skip these. Also the rear damping adjuster extenders (for FA, BC etc) are pretty useless too, they give poor adjustment feel, better off using the adjusters on top of the hat and just moving the trunk carpet.

Would I buy the FA500's with Swifts again? Maybe, I am not unhappy with them, but I am not blown away by them either. I would like to try the Tein Street Flex first for a coilover in the same price range. If you have the money KW's are always great as well!

We have run the stock FA springs and Swifts on the set we have on our car here. As Racecomp already pointed out Swifts have their advantages for the range of the rate and quality. Swifts end up being a better choice if you autocross or track.

Review here:
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22100

Essentially what I was trying to say, and most of my thoughts, haha. I want to try out their new radial bearings. I never got the rear damping adjustment extensions... Figured I could just live with moving the carpet around every time