So I have been fortunate in that my friend and track-mate of Touge Factory and Stance USA has offered to sponsor me and my 15' GT PP with a newly designed set of Stance's XR1 Coilovers.
I won't get into too much details, but here is what I have gathered. The XR1 is a single adjustable coilover system, which incorporates an inverted monotone design. This does put the dampening adjustment knob on the bottom, which obviously isn't as convenient as having it on top, but the benefits of the design outweighs the alternatives. They feature 16 levels of dampening and is easily set by a simple twist of their knobs through clicks. The set also includes camber plates for the fronts, which allow up to 4 degrees of adjustments. The front setup is complete and therefore requires no disassembling of the OE spring/strut. This is a big plus as you will not need a spring compressor.
The XR1 rear system takes the OEM approach with a separate spring and shock setup, but I have been told that a true coilover setup is in the works. The shock also allows for 16 levels of adjustment and access is at the top of the shock. An adjustable replacement rear sway-bar end-link is also included with the set.
With testing on the street and track, they have come up with a spring rate of 10k in the front and 15k in the rear. I have been told that different rates are available on request. Ride height can be adjusted up to 4" and the XR1 currently retail for $1295.00 with both the camber plates and rear end-links.
This is not a full DIY write up, but rather some pointers I found important.
As for the installation, it is pretty much straight forward. Before installation, you want to make sure the front spring is set at zero preload. Once you have locked the spring in place, the height adjustment is controlled by rotating the tube and locked by the bottom collar.
I found that installation of the front setup was much easier by removing the brake caliper and rotor as you will need room to hammer out the strut bolts, which are splined and hammered in.
Once you have removed the OEM shock, the XR1 is a direct replacement. Make sure you double check the shock bolt on the top of the tube as you should never assume anything.
As for the rears, you do need to remove the 4 subframe bolts in order to get the OEM spring out of it's perch. This means you need to support the rear subframe before you begin.
After you remove the OEM spring and strut, you need to move the OEM top strut mount onto the XR1 strut. ***DO NOT USE THE OEM STRUT NUT*** I found out what would happen firsthand and had to have Stance rebuild my strut, but their service was nothing short of amazing. They had me in and out in about a hour.
Once you move the top mount over, you want to make sure the lower collar of the tube is locked. This collar allows for the strut height adjustment, which will prevent rear wheel lift during hard cornering incase the rear strut reaches max extension. The general rule is once the rear end is reassembled, mount the bottom of the strut first, then adjust the tube height so the top mount is about 1" taller than the original mounting point on the Mustang's body.
Unfortunately, I forgot to measure the ride height before and after, but here she sits in all her glory! :ford:
As for dampening and initial ride quality, I went with 10 in the front and 8 in the rear. Honestly, she rides better than stock! Right when I rolled out of the lot, I noticed that the steering felt tighter and I switched the steering mode from 'Sport' to 'Normal'. She feels so well planted on the road and manages the bumps flawlessly. I will wait about 2 weeks for the springs to settle and adjust accordingly, but I don't foresee making any changes. She is not my daily driver so I may bump up the dampening to F12/R10 just for fun, but the real test will come mid-Aug at the track.
I can't wait to see what she can do!
I want to thank Touge Factory and Stance USA for the opportunity. If you are not familiar with either of these organizations, they rock! :first: Most will associate them with the import market, but don't mistake them for being biased. Their old shop manager drives/tracks a 13' GT and the owner drives/tracks a 16' GT PP. The 16' GT PP running the XR1 coilovers took 2nd at the recent GridLife Stock RWD Class only loosing out by a mere 0.04sec to a bolt-on F82 M4.
Find out more information below.
http://www.stance-usa.com/main/
I won't get into too much details, but here is what I have gathered. The XR1 is a single adjustable coilover system, which incorporates an inverted monotone design. This does put the dampening adjustment knob on the bottom, which obviously isn't as convenient as having it on top, but the benefits of the design outweighs the alternatives. They feature 16 levels of dampening and is easily set by a simple twist of their knobs through clicks. The set also includes camber plates for the fronts, which allow up to 4 degrees of adjustments. The front setup is complete and therefore requires no disassembling of the OE spring/strut. This is a big plus as you will not need a spring compressor.
The XR1 rear system takes the OEM approach with a separate spring and shock setup, but I have been told that a true coilover setup is in the works. The shock also allows for 16 levels of adjustment and access is at the top of the shock. An adjustable replacement rear sway-bar end-link is also included with the set.
With testing on the street and track, they have come up with a spring rate of 10k in the front and 15k in the rear. I have been told that different rates are available on request. Ride height can be adjusted up to 4" and the XR1 currently retail for $1295.00 with both the camber plates and rear end-links.
This is not a full DIY write up, but rather some pointers I found important.
As for the installation, it is pretty much straight forward. Before installation, you want to make sure the front spring is set at zero preload. Once you have locked the spring in place, the height adjustment is controlled by rotating the tube and locked by the bottom collar.
I found that installation of the front setup was much easier by removing the brake caliper and rotor as you will need room to hammer out the strut bolts, which are splined and hammered in.
Once you have removed the OEM shock, the XR1 is a direct replacement. Make sure you double check the shock bolt on the top of the tube as you should never assume anything.
As for the rears, you do need to remove the 4 subframe bolts in order to get the OEM spring out of it's perch. This means you need to support the rear subframe before you begin.
After you remove the OEM spring and strut, you need to move the OEM top strut mount onto the XR1 strut. ***DO NOT USE THE OEM STRUT NUT*** I found out what would happen firsthand and had to have Stance rebuild my strut, but their service was nothing short of amazing. They had me in and out in about a hour.
Once you move the top mount over, you want to make sure the lower collar of the tube is locked. This collar allows for the strut height adjustment, which will prevent rear wheel lift during hard cornering incase the rear strut reaches max extension. The general rule is once the rear end is reassembled, mount the bottom of the strut first, then adjust the tube height so the top mount is about 1" taller than the original mounting point on the Mustang's body.
Unfortunately, I forgot to measure the ride height before and after, but here she sits in all her glory! :ford:
As for dampening and initial ride quality, I went with 10 in the front and 8 in the rear. Honestly, she rides better than stock! Right when I rolled out of the lot, I noticed that the steering felt tighter and I switched the steering mode from 'Sport' to 'Normal'. She feels so well planted on the road and manages the bumps flawlessly. I will wait about 2 weeks for the springs to settle and adjust accordingly, but I don't foresee making any changes. She is not my daily driver so I may bump up the dampening to F12/R10 just for fun, but the real test will come mid-Aug at the track.
I can't wait to see what she can do!
I want to thank Touge Factory and Stance USA for the opportunity. If you are not familiar with either of these organizations, they rock! :first: Most will associate them with the import market, but don't mistake them for being biased. Their old shop manager drives/tracks a 13' GT and the owner drives/tracks a 16' GT PP. The 16' GT PP running the XR1 coilovers took 2nd at the recent GridLife Stock RWD Class only loosing out by a mere 0.04sec to a bolt-on F82 M4.
Find out more information below.
http://www.stance-usa.com/main/
