Ford Racing Fiesta Handling Package installed

[ReggNoble]

Having limited options for a non-adjustable suspension set, I went ahead and installed the Fiesta Handling Package from Ford Racing.
They are available from White Bear Lake Ford for 210$.
Many have assumed they are OEM Mazda2 parts but they are slightly different.
The ride is definitely firmer than OEM and have lowered the car similar to Racing Beat springs.
I wanted to wait till the spring but the rear shocks were so noisy once the cold kicked in.

The handling is improved but cant really tell how much as I am on snow tires for the season.
Pics attached.

anybody noticed that Koni sells fron/rear shocks for the Mazda2, which share the same part number as the Fiesta. Not sure how thats possible as the front spring diamter at the strut is different.

 

[zps2004]

I didn't even know that they had orange shocks available. Stinks they don't have yellows, but it should take long. Interesting that you noticed a difference with the FR pack. I am not aware of anyone getting it.

 

[ScorpioGTX1]

I wanted to wait till the spring but the rear shocks were so noisy once the cold kicked in.
View attachment 205784

You another member of the noisy strut club? My struts squeak in the cold, and my rears are dead at 10k km.

 

[GrasshopperCO]

I wanted to wait till the spring but the rear shocks were so noisy once the cold kicked in.

Along with Scorpio, you're definitely not alone there. My rear shocks are also kaput, and I suspect my fronts will follow closely behind.

 

[ReggNoble]

My rear shocks were somewhat durable lasting about 40,000miles/64,000km.
The driver rear went first then the passenger rear went shortly after.
Really wish I found out about the Koni oranges before i got the Ford Racing set but for 210$ for springs/shocks/struts, it was a good deal.

 

[slugg]

My rear shocks were somewhat durable lasting about 40,000miles/64,000km.
The driver rear went first then the passenger rear went shortly after.
Really wish I found out about the Koni oranges before i got the Ford Racing set but for 210$ for springs/shocks/struts, it was a good deal.

Sounds like a great deal to me. Did they come with dust boots and bump stops, too?

 

[slugg]

My rear shocks were somewhat durable lasting about 40,000miles/64,000km.
The driver rear went first then the passenger rear went shortly after.
Really wish I found out about the Koni oranges before i got the Ford Racing set but for 210$ for springs/shocks/struts, it was a good deal.

Sounds like a great deal to me. Did they come with dust boots and bump stops, too?

 

[Danielcut]

Where are you seeing Koni's? I can only find them for the previous model (04-07).

 

[zps2004]

search for a 2011 M2 on their web site and the orange shocks show up.

 

[ReggNoble]

Sounds like a great deal to me. Did they come with dust boots and bump stops, too?

The kit did include bumpstops, not exactly the same as our OEM M2, about 0.5cm shorter and had a plastic ring around the middle section.

 

[slugg]

The kit did include bumpstops, not exactly the same as our OEM M2, about 0.5cm shorter and had a plastic ring around the middle section.

So did you use the Fiesta bump stops, or did you reuse (or buy new) Mazda 2 bump stops? This is important because I'm pretty sure the '2 corners on its bumpstops, just like the RX-8 and Miata. A slightly shorter stop kinda makes sense if the springs also lower the car. A plastic ring would effectively stiffen the bump stop, I would think, too. With the obvious weight difference between the Fiesta and the '2, I'd be curious to know how your setup handles in spirited drives and performance situations (autocross, for example).

 

[ReggNoble]

So did you use the Fiesta bump stops, or did you reuse (or buy new) Mazda 2 bump stops? This is important because I'm pretty sure the '2 corners on its bumpstops, just like the RX-8 and Miata. A slightly shorter stop kinda makes sense if the springs also lower the car. A plastic ring would effectively stiffen the bump stop, I would think, too. With the obvious weight difference between the Fiesta and the '2, I'd be curious to know how your setup handles in spirited drives and performance situations (autocross, for example).

I bought new M2 bumpstops for this setup. The handling and body roll is definitely improved, maybe not enough for autocross events but I think they are perfect for the street. alot of the factory handling slop is gone now and drives much tighter.

 

[slugg]

I bought new M2 bumpstops for this setup. The handling and body roll is definitely improved, maybe not enough for autocross events but I think they are perfect for the street. alot of the factory handling slop is gone now and drives much tighter.

Awesome! Do you have a part number for the package?

 

[ReggNoble]

Part # is M-FR3-FA.
Link to the cheapest vendor -
http://parts.autonationfordwhitebea...iteid=214771&categoryID=120038&subcat1=171699

 

[Maz-duh-2]

I was unaware that fiesta suspension fits the 2....will any fiesta suspension fit or just this kit?

 

[genericmoniker]

Bolts up fine. But IIRC, you need to swap the entire assembly over. I.E, 2 springs will not fit on fiesta shocks.

 

[Maz-duh-2]

Bolts up fine. But IIRC, you need to swap the entire assembly over. I.E, 2 springs will not fit on fiesta shocks.

I have spent some time this evening researching it, seems that the general consensus is that, as you stated, entire assemblies swap. The spring perches on the struts are different between the models, however, if using Fiesta springs and struts together its no issue

 

[Racebrewer]

I was unaware that fiesta suspension fits the 2....will any fiesta suspension fit or just this kit?

FWIW, The Bilstein coilover sets also fits the Fiesta.