FAYS2 Watts link
10/17/08, 05:39 AM
#1
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FAYS2 Watts link
Hello all, I was wondering if anyone here has a fays2 watts link? Looks like an easy to install watts link.
Any pros and cons?
I was considering the saleen one, but I don't have all the equipment necessary to do the work myself, and also the price seems a bit too steep.
Suggestions?
I would love to hear from someone who put one in their car.
Any pros and cons?
I was considering the saleen one, but I don't have all the equipment necessary to do the work myself, and also the price seems a bit too steep.
Suggestions?
I would love to hear from someone who put one in their car.
10/27/08, 09:45 PM
#5
THE RED FLASH ------Moderator
I'm looking into either Steeda's Watts linkage along with Fay's 2 Watts Link, and I'm definitely considering Grigg's Watts link as well.
What I really like about the Grigg's setup, is it's designed similar to Saleen's Watts link version, however it's not nearly as expensive.
In the meantime, I've posted links of each Watts setup to examine for yourselves.
http://www.steeda.com/products/steed..._link_s197.php
http://www.fays2.net/fays2_watts_link_11_.html
http://www.griggsracing.com/index.ph...4328_2040_3680
What I really like about the Grigg's setup, is it's designed similar to Saleen's Watts link version, however it's not nearly as expensive.
In the meantime, I've posted links of each Watts setup to examine for yourselves.
http://www.steeda.com/products/steed..._link_s197.php
http://www.fays2.net/fays2_watts_link_11_.html
http://www.griggsracing.com/index.ph...4328_2040_3680
Last edited by m05fastbackGT; 10/28/08 at 04:25 AM.
10/28/08, 02:21 AM
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I actually like fays2 allot more. It looks tougher than any of the other options. The saleen looks flimsy to me and the steeda looks like a cheaper version of the fays link. The reason I have been thinking about the fays is because its the prefered link for the gt500 cars, team shelby loves it. They seem to think its very well designed and durable in a car that weighs in 500lb more. Not to mention the fays is fully adjustable to any ride height.
10/28/08, 04:28 PM
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I know, I have only about 3 posts on this site.... So make of this what you will.
I haven't seen this thread about the broken Fays2 unit. I can say I've sold a number of them for a few different cars and have had zero issue with any sort of breakage. And we *use* them hard in situations that exceed 1.2 lateral g's. That said, I can't say I haven't seen something break no matter what the part is or who made it. It's pretty impossible for someone, somewhere to not be able to break something.
As one who sells parts, and not only uses, but beats on the parts I use I can tell you that I think the Fays2 unit is every bit as good, if not quite as light, as the Steeda unit. I won't speak to the Griggs unit. I'm sure it's fine, they all do the same thing. I'm personally not crazy about the lateral load being put through the differential cover.
I haven't seen this thread about the broken Fays2 unit. I can say I've sold a number of them for a few different cars and have had zero issue with any sort of breakage. And we *use* them hard in situations that exceed 1.2 lateral g's. That said, I can't say I haven't seen something break no matter what the part is or who made it. It's pretty impossible for someone, somewhere to not be able to break something.
As one who sells parts, and not only uses, but beats on the parts I use I can tell you that I think the Fays2 unit is every bit as good, if not quite as light, as the Steeda unit. I won't speak to the Griggs unit. I'm sure it's fine, they all do the same thing. I'm personally not crazy about the lateral load being put through the differential cover.
10/28/08, 05:24 PM
#9
10/28/08, 10:24 PM
#10
THE RED FLASH ------Moderator
I actually like fays2 allot more. It looks tougher than any of the other options. The saleen looks flimsy to me and the steeda looks like a cheaper version of the fays link. The reason I have been thinking about the fays is because its the prefered link for the gt500 cars, team shelby loves it. They seem to think its very well designed and durable in a car that weighs in 500lb more. Not to mention the fays is fully adjustable to any ride height.
10/29/08, 01:42 AM
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The saleen unit requires a certain ride height to do its job properly. I believe it requires saleen springs. That puts it out of my consideration because I have to keep the 4x4 look of the car because My car is a DD and will certainly bottom out during my drive to work through brooklyn.
There are two things I don't like about the steeda unit. Price is a major concern, and also the link mounts that attach to the axle look to be of stamped box steel. The fays looks like its more solid and the mounts look like they are less likely to slip and or bite too hard in the axle.
It looks like I will get the fays2 unit. Now I have to wait for my bonus to come in. Should be in my car by next spring.
10/29/08, 03:03 PM
#13
Service Manager
I am a Griggs Racing dealer/installer if you have any questions about their setup. I've used Griggs on one SVO since 2000 and it's fantastic. We are currently installing the Griggs setup on both the '67 Convertible project we are building and an '05 GT.
Here is a picture from the '05(just prior to finished installation).
Here is a picture from the '05(just prior to finished installation).
10/29/08, 08:44 PM
#14
THE RED FLASH ------Moderator
The steeda unit looks to be adjustable as well.
The saleen unit requires a certain ride height to do its job properly. I believe it requires saleen springs. That puts it out of my consideration because I have to keep the 4x4 look of the car because My car is a DD and will certainly bottom out during my drive to work through brooklyn.
There are two things I don't like about the steeda unit. Price is a major concern, and also the link mounts that attach to the axle look to be of stamped box steel. The fays looks like its more solid and the mounts look like they are less likely to slip and or bite too hard in the axle.
It looks like I will get the fays2 unit. Now I have to wait for my bonus to come in. Should be in my car by next spring.
The saleen unit requires a certain ride height to do its job properly. I believe it requires saleen springs. That puts it out of my consideration because I have to keep the 4x4 look of the car because My car is a DD and will certainly bottom out during my drive to work through brooklyn.
There are two things I don't like about the steeda unit. Price is a major concern, and also the link mounts that attach to the axle look to be of stamped box steel. The fays looks like its more solid and the mounts look like they are less likely to slip and or bite too hard in the axle.
It looks like I will get the fays2 unit. Now I have to wait for my bonus to come in. Should be in my car by next spring.
In the meantime, both your feedback, and advice have been very helpful.
-Rocky
Last edited by m05fastbackGT; 10/29/08 at 09:31 PM.
10/29/08, 09:24 PM
#15
THE RED FLASH ------Moderator
I am a Griggs Racing dealer/installer if you have any questions about their setup. I've used Griggs on one SVO since 2000 and it's fantastic. We are currently installing the Griggs setup on both the '67 Convertible project we are building and an '05 GT.
Here is a picture from the '05(just prior to finished installation).
Here is a picture from the '05(just prior to finished installation).
I also have one other concern as well. Is the Griggs unit also fully adjustable to any ride height ? Or does it require lowering the suspension.
In the meantime, thanks for all your feedback and support in advance.
-Rocky
Last edited by m05fastbackGT; 10/29/08 at 09:30 PM.
10/30/08, 03:32 AM
#16
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Time will tell, if the hype about these watts links is 1/2 true then I will be one heall of a happy camper. At the very least it should get rid of the side to side scudle of the car and even up the suspension geometry.
10/30/08, 01:20 PM
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Watts links are superior to PHB's, and they do settle the back of the car quite a lot.
That said, the shocks are the bigger issue, and stock ones toss the back of S197's around a lot more then the PHB does. I see this every day driving my car with Koni's on it vs. my girlfriend's on OEM shocks with all the same springs, bars, and PHB.
I have a Watts coming for my other car. As it is I can't put one on my GT because I can't due to rules for autocrossing in the class the car is setup for. But if and when I change classes and move my GT to ESP like my Camaro is, it will have a Fays2 Watts in it.
In short, a Watts matters. But if you don't have good dampers, that's the first step (and a great set isn't a lot more than the Watts). Combined they are even better.
That said, the shocks are the bigger issue, and stock ones toss the back of S197's around a lot more then the PHB does. I see this every day driving my car with Koni's on it vs. my girlfriend's on OEM shocks with all the same springs, bars, and PHB.
I have a Watts coming for my other car. As it is I can't put one on my GT because I can't due to rules for autocrossing in the class the car is setup for. But if and when I change classes and move my GT to ESP like my Camaro is, it will have a Fays2 Watts in it.
In short, a Watts matters. But if you don't have good dampers, that's the first step (and a great set isn't a lot more than the Watts). Combined they are even better.
10/30/08, 02:19 PM
#18
Service Manager
Paul, as a matter of fact. I do have have one major concern about the Griggs unit. My concern is this: I'm also not a fan of the lateral load being put through the differential cover either. And even though the Griggs unit uses a bracket on it's differential cover, whose to say there still couldn't be too much load/stress placed upon the differential cover itself
I also have one other concern as well. Is the Griggs unit also fully adjustable to any ride height ? Or does it require lowering the suspension.
In the meantime, thanks for all your feedback and support in advance.
-Rocky
I also have one other concern as well. Is the Griggs unit also fully adjustable to any ride height ? Or does it require lowering the suspension.
In the meantime, thanks for all your feedback and support in advance.
-Rocky
The unsprung weight is less and the roll centers are in the right place and rock steady.
There has never been a failure with the watts bell crank being mounted on the differential cover.
As far as adjustability, yes...The griggs will work at other ride heights and does not require lowering. There are different springs...track and street so if you want to do both seriously you might consider that option of having both as it takes little to swap them back and forth....if you are just street driven and occasional track then you may not find the need for track springs.
If you are going to consider this type of suspension then I would strongly suggest giving Griggs a call and talking with Bruce Griggs....very nice guy and he will answer every question you have and then some without hesitation.
10/30/08, 09:51 PM
#19
THE RED FLASH ------Moderator
Rocky, Who's to say.....about 1,000 or more Griggs customers who are racing/driving on them today. Bruce Griggs hit a wall at over 100mph hitting the LR wheel first and the design is that the bell crank will sheer in a stituation like that and the cover has always survived(they even reused the cover from that car on another even though the car itself was totalled. The Griggs unit also has a dowel pin kit that is part of the unstall which keeps the rear end cover from moving around at all.
The unsprung weight is less and the roll centers are in the right place and rock steady.
There has never been a failure with the watts bell crank being mounted on the differential cover.
As far as adjustability, yes...The griggs will work at other ride heights and does not require lowering. There are different springs...track and street so if you want to do both seriously you might consider that option of having both as it takes little to swap them back and forth....if you are just street driven and occasional track then you may not find the need for track springs.
If you are going to consider this type of suspension then I would strongly suggest giving Griggs a call and talking with Bruce Griggs....very nice guy and he will answer every question you have and then some without hesitation.
The unsprung weight is less and the roll centers are in the right place and rock steady.
There has never been a failure with the watts bell crank being mounted on the differential cover.
As far as adjustability, yes...The griggs will work at other ride heights and does not require lowering. There are different springs...track and street so if you want to do both seriously you might consider that option of having both as it takes little to swap them back and forth....if you are just street driven and occasional track then you may not find the need for track springs.
If you are going to consider this type of suspension then I would strongly suggest giving Griggs a call and talking with Bruce Griggs....very nice guy and he will answer every question you have and then some without hesitation.
In the meantime, perhaps you can also point out the pro's and con's between the Fays 2, and Griggs unit designs as well.
10/31/08, 06:58 AM
#20
Service Manager
Thanks Paul, as I'll definitely be giving Bruce a call. But it's still going to be difficult in making a final decision, as I'm also very impressed with the Fays 2 unit as well.
In the meantime, perhaps you can also point out the pro's and con's between the Fays 2, and Griggs unit designs as well.
In the meantime, perhaps you can also point out the pro's and con's between the Fays 2, and Griggs unit designs as well.
The BEST thing I can suggest is that at the very least you get a ride in cars equipped with each. I have seen the FAYS2 system in person and was interested in looking into it and may still try it on a vehicle but Griggs has such a long standing record of excellence and I've had the GR40 system on an SVO for 8 years now and it is unbelievable!!! That's why I suggest you getting a ride in equipped cars because no words can describe what this system does for your car.
I can't comment much on the FAYS2 system because I have not used it....which is why I may test one on one of my own vehicles for comparison. The price is good but I am hard pressed to ignore the old "you get what you pay for" theory. FAYS2 is relative new on the market while Griggs has been around for a very long time. I can say that the whole "lateral stress on the rear end cover" for competing systems is false information.
Again though.....MOST important would be for you to ride in equipped vehicles to get a feel for yourself
.