How beneficial is an aftermarket K-member?

[a1yola]

I'm wondering if you guys can shed some light on aftermarket k-members, ie: MM or Griggs. Aside from weight savings, how beneficial would it be to get a tubular K? I have MM offset front control arms to get better front end geometry and an MM k-member brace for extra strength. Would handling improve with an MM k-member? Pros/cons? Thanks!

 

[a1yola]

anyone??? I'm sure someone may know the "real" benefits of an aftermarket K-member:shrug:

 

[99COBRA2881]

The MM K will set the tires fwd another 3/4" in the wheel well.

The MM k member has two holes for mounting the control arms, Im using the upper hole and have the ride height set pretty low. The control arms and tie rods are still horizontal to the ground.

Most lowered mustangs the lower control arms will point up towards the wheel this messes with the roll center and the handling of the car.

After a certain point, its a game of tenths of a second of lap time.

 

[Kartracer]

I was about a month away from asking this same question.

 

[AintShePurty]

any difference between the MM/griggs K-member and the UPR version?? Good/bad??

 

[98 Saleen Cobra]

Griggs and MM have extra material made to handle the load of hard cornering.. UPR is pretty much just for drag racing

 

[NVR2L8]

Griggs and MM have extra material made to handle the load of hard cornering.. UPR is pretty much just for drag racing

I respectfully disagree. I have a UPR K Member, the "road racing" version, which has some extra bracing. The UPR weighs 18 lbs., which is 26 lbs. less than the 44 lb. stock K member on the GT500. I am getting ready to install, so I will find out how it performs this spring.

The UPR K Member also can lower the motor (and roll center), and also provides more room for long tube headers.

:beer:

 

[Sirl]

Nothing against the UPR piece.
I've met with Jeremy over there, and for a small fee, they will weld in extra gussets or bracing. I was almost sold on it, but I ended up going with MM start to finish. Much prefer to go with a complete kit, as in the Grip Box.

 

[Blkkbgt]

I respectfully disagree. I have a UPR K Member, the "road racing" version, which has some extra bracing. The UPR weighs 18 lbs., which is 26 lbs. less than the 44 lb. stock K member on the GT500. I am getting ready to install, so I will find out how it performs this spring.

The UPR K Member also can lower the motor (and roll center), and also provides more room for long tube headers.

:beer:

Do you have any pics of your new K-member?

 

[NVR2L8]

Do you have any pics of your new K-member?

Nothing at my fingertips, but I can take a pic and post it up in the next day or two.

One other UPR benefit is that by lowering the motor there is more room for a larger S/C under the hood.

:beer:

 

[school boy]

nvr2le, i too would like to see pics. im debating on weather or not to get a k member since the motor is out

 

[wheelhopper]

I had a UPR K member on my Terminator that I ran in HPDE. I spoke with UPR before I purchased it and told them my intentions and concerns. They had no problem standing behind their product and I never had any issues. It is still on the car after tracking with it for 2 years.

Unless you are racing and looking for every second, I would recomend saving your money. My '90Gt handles great with the stock K member and a arms. Your money would be better spent buying a stickier set of tires for the year.

 

[DevilSun]

If you have offset arms, and use the MM k-member you're going to be moving the front wheels forward 1.5" just for clarification (with non-offset it would be 3/4"). It will also lighten up the front end, truly correct or better the arm level based on which of the mounting holes works best for you, give you more room for LTs. Not sure if it lowers the motor not, I do not believe the MM one does but I could be wrong. Put the MM one on and don't look back, you already have MM stuff

 

[a1yola]

Quick update on my original post...I ended up getting a killer deal on an MM k-member and canton road race oil pan, so to make things short, I have the full frontend MM setup in my garage now! I'm so excited to get these things installed and try it out this season.

I really hope this will be the last of my suspension purchases for a loooooong time. I've spent way too much money this winter!

 

[gcassidy]

I really hope this will be the last of my suspension purchases for a loooooong time. I've spent way too much money this winter!

Right.....:rollseyes LOL

 

[a1yola]

Right.....:rollseyes LOL

I'm serious LOL! I nearly have the entire MM catalog now! Once everything is installed, I should be ok and concentrate on my half@$$ driving:dw::lol1:

 

[98 Saleen Cobra]

Do you have a tq arm yet?? If not that'll be next hahahaha.

 

[a1yola]

Do you have a tq arm yet?? If not that'll be next hahahaha.

yup, that was one of the first things I got installed. My rear suspension was done before I got to the front. I "may" get an adjustable rear swaybay for fine tuning later down the line but I need to see how this setup will perform as it sits.

This damn road racing hobby is fun as hell but SOOOOO DAMN EXPENSIVE!:bash:

 

[Sirl]

LoL...
Yes indeed. Sometimes I kick myself for not taking up Golf.

Anyway, I would recommend doing the solid steering shaft while you are in there as well, if you dont have one yet.

I pieced together the entire Grip Box as well. Still not running a rear sway bar. I'm not that good that I can really tell that I need one.

Happy Installing.

What spring rates you running? Although, mine is a GT with much less hp. then most of you.

 

[a1yola]

LoL...
Yes indeed. Sometimes I kick myself for not taking up Golf.

Anyway, I would recommend doing the solid steering shaft while you are in there as well, if you dont have one yet.

I pieced together the entire Grip Box as well. Still not running a rear sway bar. I'm not that good that I can really tell that I need one.

Happy Installing.

yup, got a solid steering shaft in the garage as well:thumbsup: I'm telling you, I have WAY TOO MUCH money in this damn car now oke: But I just love the thing:beer:

And to think, this all started because MM started their deal of the Day sale this winterepper:


Here's what I've got in the garage waiting for installation (all MM parts):

K-member w/ brace
Forward offset control arms
CC Plates (replacing my current BBK kit)
Solid steering shaft
Aluminum rack bushings
Bolt-thru bumpsteer kit
Short swaybar end links
Urethane swaybar bushings
Swabar relocation kit
Oil filter relocation kit
Momo "Monte Carlo" steering wheel
Canton RR oil pan


Currently being installed:

MM 4-pt roll bar with diagonal crossbar and removeable harness bar
Lower torque box reenforcement kit
Ultrashield Rally Sport seat w/ Racecraft mounting hardware and Ioport seat back brace


Alrerady on the car (all MM parts):

Coilovers w/ Bilstein shocks/struts (300# front and 225# rear springs)
Panhard bar
Torque arm
Rear lower control arms
Full length subframe connectors
1" hubcentric wheel spacers (rear wheels)