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Classic Ford - Technical: Modifying Fiesta XR2
"The Essential Modifying Guide"
October 2002
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Technical: Modifying Fiesta XR2




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Suspension

Don't go mad on lowering the XR2 at the front, it came with a 1 inch (25 mm) lowered set-up from the factory and any more than another 25 mm drop starts upsetting the whole steering geometry - the track control arms go into reverse (the outer end higher than the inner) and the whole roll centre of the car moves. Dual-rated spring sets with a 25 mm drop are around £75 from Leda.

Adjustable or non-adjustable uprated damper kits are available from Spax, Leda, Koni, AVO, Uncle Tom Cobley and all. Expect to pay around £300 for front and rear, depending on your personal choice. A coil-over conversion in the form of 2.25 inch ID adjustable spring platforms are available from Leda and Spax.

Powerflex/Superflex bushes both front and back tighten everything, but a word of caution. With the Fiesta weighing just 839 kg, getting the bushes as stiff as possible can give problems. With no give in the top suspension mounts and everything at the back solid you can find there's no give in the handling of such a light car and increased bump steer/tram-lining can occur. Start with the tie rods and track control arms stiffened, see how it goes, then the Panhard rod and anti-roll bar at the rear and only go for the top mounts if you still feel they're necessary.

Captions -

Top-Right - Mix and match from all the big suspension suppliers, but don't go too low at the front or the steering will get a little bit lairy.