Suspension help!

[clc44]

I've been doing my fair share of research on suspension mods. My car is my DD and have a few things to do ahead of suspension work but want to go a head and figure out my plans.

I plan on seeing the drag strip a hand full of times a year. It will never see a road course but I will drive the car pretty hard on the back roads. That being said, I don't want a drag only set up. I want something that will work for all conditions and won't beat me up while driving on the hwy.

Suggestions: (Brands)
Shocks/Struts?
Springs? Want something with a nice stance.
Wheels and Tires?
Control Arms? UCA & LCA or just LCA?
Aftermarket K Member or Stock?
CC Plates?
Bumpsteer kit and X2 Balljoints?

I am torn between wheel set ups. I love the look of Pro Stars (15x4-15x8) but I'm not to sure on how they would work on the street. I don't really want to lose the cornering ability. So, I'm also considering 1. AFS Mach 1 replicas w/DD in the rear (17x9/17x10.5) 2. FR500 Black with polished lip (same size) 3. Black 03/04 Cobra wheels (same size). I will most likely run a DR regardless of the wheel selection.

Thanks for ANY help that is given to me. I'm just trying to finish up my "to do list".

 

[Monster Mach]

be like robby (quickest street legal mach) 9.8 1/4 STOCK suspension.. only thing he has done suspension wise is tires and rims... other than that stock.. (and halfshafts duh)

 

[DarkMach1]

I like my setup, its rides nice, handles nice and it squats pretty good. I have Tokico D-specs, Steeda sport springs and Steeda CC plates.

 

[01FR500]

Do you have a budget?

I would recommend subframe connectors. Springs and dampeners depend on each other, coilovers are an option. C/C plates are needed if you go with coilovers, and needed depending on what conventional springs you go with. Aftermarket K-member is going to be better than stock, but you'll need aftermarket A-arms also, that would tack on about a grand. Bumpsteer and X2 balljoints are only needed if you go with springs that drop the car a lot. The bumpsteer kit helped my car quite a bit, but couldn't tell any difference with the X2's.

I don't think I helped much, kind of need to know if how far you want to take the car.

 

[clc44]

I do have a budget and don't want to get crazy with the car. I'm thinking H&R Race Springs and not sure on shocks/struts. Thinking about Strange 10 ways. MM FLSFC for sure down the road. What about wheels? What is the best investment in that department? I can't decide on big and little's or some replicas. Thanks for the help! Keep it coming.

 

[EVO-lution]

strange struts/shocks I heard were noisy. I would suggest some tokico D-specs as well. as far as springs, it depends on how low you want to go. I'm running sportlines with about a 2" drop.

and wheels....I DO NOT recommend 17" FR-500's. IMHO they look cheesy. I like the Deep dish Mach 1's. or maybe even a saleen wheel on there.

EDIT: You can always do a QA-1 front suspension set up or UPR.

 

[Monster Mach]

Do you have a budget?

I would recommend subframe connectors. Springs and dampeners depend on each other, coilovers are an option. C/C plates are needed if you go with coilovers, and needed depending on what conventional springs you go with. Aftermarket K-member is going to be better than stock, but you'll need aftermarket A-arms also, that would tack on about a grand. Bumpsteer and X2 balljoints are only needed if you go with springs that drop the car a lot. The bumpsteer kit helped my car quite a bit, but couldn't tell any difference with the X2's.

I don't think I helped much, kind of need to know if how far you want to take the car.

machs come with subframes.. one thing they did right

 

[clc44]

^ they only came with bolt in SC and they aren't the XL. Also, I've heard good things about Lakewood shocks and struts.

Wheels- I don't want to go 18's for the cost of tires and lack of sidewall for the strip. I want the DD Mach 1 wheels but not sure they will have any when the time comes or I like black 03/04 Cobra wheels. What about Pro Stars?

I would like about 1.5" max in the front and 1.3" max drop in the rear. I want them to be OK for the track but handle well.

Thanks so much for all the help, y'all are helping me eliminate some things.

 

[pho_phizzat]

be like robby (quickest street legal mach) 9.8 1/4 STOCK suspension.. only thing he has done suspension wise is tires and rims... other than that stock.. (and halfshafts duh)

half shafts???

You mean axles? If he had a stock suspension then he doesn't have an IRS. IRS have half shafts.

 

[speedofsound]

machs come with subframes.. one thing they did right

Sorry, but the stock SFC's are garbage.

If you want a nice ride, I would not go with Race springs. They have STIFF spring rates. That combined with a solid-axle make for a teeth shattering ride over dips/bumps. Here is a good link that details the spring rates of stock and aftermarket springs for the Mustangs.
Coil Spring Tech

IMO, this is what I would do:
- MM FLSFC's
- 03/04 Cobra Bilsteins
- H&R SuperSport OR Steeda Sport Springs
- Swaybars (Eibach for example).
- MM 4-pt K-member brace

 

[clc44]

Sorry, but the stock SFC's are garbage.

If you want a nice ride, I would not go with Race springs. They have STIFF spring rates. That combined with a solid-axle make for a teeth shattering ride over dips/bumps. Here is a good link that details the spring rates of stock and aftermarket springs for the Mustangs.
Coil Spring Tech

IMO, this is what I would do:
- MM FLSFC's
- 03/04 Cobra Bilsteins
- H&R SuperSport OR Steeda Sport Springs
- Swaybars (Eibach for example).
- MM 4-pt K-member brace

What shocks and struts come in the MACH'S? Also do you have a site for the 4-pt k member brace? I don't want as much drop as the H&R SS provide. Maybe go with the regular sports. If I ever get sway bars it will be way down the list and I would go with Steeda most likely.

I've considered UPR LCA's (I hear to keep the stock uppers), MM FLSFC's,H&R or Eibach springs, no clue on shocks and struts and I'll check into the brace.

 

[clc44]

Tokico Hi-Performance Rear Shock(1) 96-04 Mustang GT-Mach1 [HE3723] : Lethal Performance, Performance parts for Ford Mustangs

How are these for shocks and struts? Or would Lake woods be better?

Won't do the 4 pt because they do not clear LT's.

 

[clc44]

Tokico Hi-Performance Rear Shock(1) 96-04 Mustang GT-Mach1 [HE3723] : Lethal Performance, Performance parts for Ford Mustangs

How are these for shocks and struts? Or would Lake woods be better?

Won't do the 4 pt because they do not clear LT's.

 

[EVO-lution]

Sorry, but the stock SFC's are garbage.

If you want a nice ride, I would not go with Race springs. They have STIFF spring rates. That combined with a solid-axle make for a teeth shattering ride over dips/bumps. Here is a good link that details the spring rates of stock and aftermarket springs for the Mustangs.
Coil Spring Tech

IMO, this is what I would do:
- MM FLSFC's
- 03/04 Cobra Bilsteins
- H&R SuperSport OR Steeda Sport Springs
- Swaybars (Eibach for example).
- MM 4-pt K-member brace

wouldn't he need an IRS for the cobra bilsteins? I thought they are a bit shorter or visa versa.

Good set up choice though.:beer:

 

[speedofsound]

wouldn't he need an IRS for the cobra bilsteins? I thought they are a bit shorter or visa versa.

Yeah whoops ...good catch. I had D-specs back when I was solid axle, but regular Bilsteins will do the job.

I forgot about LCA's. Stock UCA's are good, just box them. The poly bushings in UCA's tend to tear if run hard. I went with MM adjustable LCA's; I was impressed with them because I could dial in the rear height if the springs didn't settle correctly.

Mach's come with Tokico shocks from the factory ...not sure of their specs compared to aftermarket.

 

[Monster Mach]

half shafts???

You mean axles? If he had a stock suspension then he doesn't have an IRS. IRS have half shafts.

sorry looking at irs swaps for myself you are correct

 

[clc44]

I just looked at the spring rate chart. I'm in between 5 springs in order of preference;Vogtland, Ford C, H&R Sport, Eibach Pro Kit and Steeda Sports. I would probably install them without ISO'S to get a touch lower stance. I really like the rate of the C springs. The fronts are a little stiffer but the rears are pretty much the same. Would these be good for the strip or do I need a softer spring?

I will definitely do LCA's but they will probably be UPR, BMR or JDM.

The shocks I posted are probably to similar to stock. Wouldn't an adjustable shock/strut benefit me?

 

[speedofsound]

Would these be good for the strip or do I need a softer spring?

If you are DD'ing your car most of the time, I'd purchase a spring focused around that. But then again, it all depends on how serious you'll be at the strip.

Wouldn't an adjustable shock/strut benefit me

Yes.

 

[clc44]

Which one of the springs would be best for double duty?

I'm still thinking Strange Adj. shocks & struts. What do you think about them?

 

[dsg04MACHone]

When I was looking into good shocks and struts that were good for pretty much the same things you want, I was recommended to Koni Yellows. They're adjustable. Putting them in this weekend so no real experience on how they drive but everything I read about them was good.