My Swift Spec-R Review: Street & Track

[S65V8]

Just came from the track and finally I can complete this review. Thanks to Harold @ HP Autowerks (Parts) and ACM again for their great installation and tuning.

On the Street… (EDC)
Height is great for everyday driving (one finger gap - front vs. two and change before), and it’s very street-able. All EDC modes are usable like ZCP springs:
*Comfort is unchanged except in turns where roll was greatly reduced.
*Normal is tighter and in turns exhibits significant less roll.
*Sport is tight and extremely well tuned. Swift seems to have focused most on this mode.

Unlike my KW Sleeves, these springs do not rattle the dash on sharp bumps and don’t experience any significant “bounce” that I’ve experienced with other linear spring set-ups. Even on Sport, it’s well dampened as OEM, but because it’s stiff / tighter it tracks the road undulations much closer than OEM.

Why do these perform differently vs. other linear springs? As the rates are similar to others, I guess I chalk it up to the material and coiling method Swift uses that alters the way compression and rebound behave. Honestly, that sounded like marketing BS in the beginning but maybe it’s actually a benefit?

On the Track…
The springs did its job; it reduced roll in high-speed turns, hairpins, etc. I immediately noticed the ability to drive faster into turns, track out, and apply throttle earlier. Even during opposite lock, the experience was more predictable and responsive to throttle modulation. Also, the car is now geared to oversteer vs. understeer, unlike before. Did I shave some seconds? some, but I believe the reduced roll just simply gave me more confidence to go faster into and out of turns.

However, coils would perform better, so these are not a replacement.

Alignment Specs
I went with relatively neutral alignment specs. -1.9 (F) / -1.9 (R) Camber, Neutral Front Toe, +1/8 Rear Toe In . No camber plates, just pulled the suspensions pins. I think the front might be -2.0 flat with me in the car.

Net, I think these springs represent how the ZCP springs should have come from the factory; tuned to the upper limits of the dampers/ enthusiast focused set-up. Get these if you want to keep the M3 as a daily driver, but track every so often.

[lsal]

Thanks for the review!

[Jaymax85]

you've sold me. thank you

[Endless619]

Nice car doesn't even look that lowered so if you want the stock look with a great brand of springs, I would go this route.

I am running Swift Springs with my coilovers.

[kchu221]

Originally Posted by Endless619

Nice car doesn't even look that lowered so if you want the stock look with a great brand of springs, I would go this route.

I am running Swift Springs with my coilovers.

same here, running swift springs with my JRZ's, gonna bump up the spring rates soon!

[Endless619]

Originally Posted by kchu221

same here, running swift springs with my JRZ's, gonna bump up the spring rates soon!

Nice..

[1astigM3]

great review. Im about to pull the trigger on a set. I've done my own research and narrowed it down to swift vs b&g but leaning on swift.

[SilentAttack]

I have them too n wish the front was about a 1/2" lower but it is what it is right?

[Endless619]

Originally Posted by SilentAttack

I have them too n wish the front was about a 1/2" lower but it is what it is right?

All lowering springs are like this but if you have a front lip its perfect.

[SilentAttack]

Originally Posted by Endless619

All lowering springs are like this but if you have a front lip its perfect.

I do have a front lip but the 1/2" shows in the finder gap

[S65V8]

Originally Posted by 1astigM3

great review. Im about to pull the trigger on a set. I've done my own research and narrowed it down to swift vs b&g but leaning on swift.

Thanks, and I too was between the two. Based on feedback regarding streetability, went with swift. Also didn't want a slammed looked where the fenders are covering the wheels or raking the car forward. Was looking for an enhanced oem look.

[Endless619]

Originally Posted by SilentAttack

I do have a front lip but the 1/2" shows in the finder gap

You will still have the gap but the good thing is you will have lip clearance and no scrapping of your lip. If you are the 1/2 inch lower you will scrape.

[aussiem3]

Originally Posted by SROC5

... Get these if you want to keep the M3 as a daily driver, but track every so often.

Good review ... sounds like a well tuned set up. By the way, nice car.

[yandy]

Hey buddy, good to see you got some use out of them. I have not been able to take mine to the track yet, due to work schedule. I can agree with you though, that for a daily driver the height and comfort are pretty much dead on.

I would expect them to get you some better lap times, but 2-3 seconds is allot of time. Though it speaks that just having confidence in the car is worth allot more than the spring itself.

Enjoy it man, hopefully I can get my track fix soon

[S65V8]

Originally Posted by yandy

Hey buddy, good to see you got some use out of them. I have not been able to take mine to the track yet, due to work schedule. I can agree with you though, that for a daily driver the height and comfort are pretty much dead on.

I would expect them to get you some better lap times, but 2-3 seconds is allot of time. Though it speaks that just having confidence in the car is worth allot more than the spring itself.

Enjoy it man, hopefully I can get my track fix soon

Agreed, and 2-3 secs is definitely not the springs themselves, but the increased confidence to drive faster from its perceived stability in the turns. For the price, really good value I thought.

Originally Posted by aussiem3

Good review ... sounds like a well tuned set up. By the way, nice car.

Thanks!

[W///]

Now patiently till 8/15. I should have bought these a long time ago but was waiting for your review haha.

[dereksM3]

So overall you feel these Swifts are better than the KW Sleeves with track performance and streetability?

[S65V8]

Originally Posted by W///

Now patiently till 8/15. I should have bought these a long time ago but was waiting for your review haha.

I was the same, I interviewed several members who had them and asked all sorts of questions. Biggest fear was major bounce on the street and it just being embarrassing to drive normal people in.

Originally Posted by dereksM3

So overall you feel these Swifts are better than the KW Sleeves with track performance and streetability?

I think it comes down to preference. Linear springs just seems to "feel" better to me vs. the KW's I had (progressive).

For street, hands down I think Swifts are better and more compliant. I tested them on various bumps / undulations in my area I remember distinctly KW's would rattle my dash and were harsh on.

On the track, the one thing I was concerned about with the KW's was a slight squishiness / waving at the limit driving at 90+ mph out of a long bending turn. However on the positive for KW's, you can corner balance and adjust height higher for winter and get the perfect drop you want as well.

[info@trinityautosport]

thanks for sharing. couldnt be happier with my Swift springs either, I have them on coilovers though.

[aussiem3]

Originally Posted by SROC5

Thanks!

What size tires are you running on the ZCP wheels? I have 255/275 in 35s and wondering whether it would rub with these springs. Thanks.

[S65V8]

Originally Posted by aussiem3

What size tires are you running on the ZCP wheels? I have 255/275 in 35s and wondering whether it would rub with these springs. Thanks.

Stock tires 245/265 in 35s and with 18/15mm spacers. 255/275 would not rub at all. Mine might look somewhat close to rubbing because of the spacers, but even in front there's still good space there.

[aussiem3]

Originally Posted by SROC5

Stock tires 245/265 in 35s and with 18/15mm spacers. 255/275 would not rub at all. Mine might look somewhat close to rubbing because of the spacers, but even in front there's still good space there.

Thank you.