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Hey guys, I have been doinga bit of research and have decided to put on some subframe connectors, a k-member brace, and a strut tower brace. I have found a pretty good deal on aKenny Brown chassis support kit and am pretty much sold on it, but I have some questions and concerns.
First off, does anyone have one of these kits, or any of the components? If so, how do you likeitand how hard was the install. One of my concerns is ground clearance.The lowest point of my car is the double hump cross memberwith it being 4 1/2" from the ground and Imanage tonail it on most speed bumps. However thesubframe measures about 6 1/2" to 7 1/2" clearance, and I am concerned that by the time Iadd the subframe connectors, that it will put my car too low toclear any obsticals. Does anyone have the dimensions of the subframe connector to see how much clearance I might lose?
My next question is the strut towerbrace. So far everything that I have found states that you will have to drill into the strut towers to attach it, and that there are already holes in the firewall to bolt it to. Ifound that there are noholes for it in my firewall so is this just a 5.0 thing? I do notknow how comfortable I am atdrilling through the firewall, any advice on what to be aware of?I am also concerned about the clearanceof this as well, and how it will fitwithin the engine compartment.
Also on the K-member brace, does it interfear with the oil pan much? From the looks of it I don't think there will be any clearance problems, but it looks like it might go right across the drain plug and prohibit oil changes.
Lastly do you guys think this would be worth while on a 4 cylinder? I just put on a rear sway bar and really liked the results, so I would like to take the next step. I would say that subframe connectors are for sure, but do not know if the k-member brace or strut tower brace are worth it. For obvious reasons I do not plan on racing so it would just be my daily driver.
I would appreciate your input and experience with these components, Kenny Brown or other manufacturers. Thanks!
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For A Daily Driver Probably not, Do you have Over Whelming Amounts of Body Sway and Twist?
For me My Stangs becoming a Drift Car so these products are a MUST but for a daily? not sure its worth the time and money for all of them, Subframes a would do, but the others unless you've got alot of body sway probably not worth it
__________________
Jake Bastian
1985 Ford Mustang SVO
"If Work Was So Great, the Wealthy Would Keep It For Themselves"
Add a rear sway bar, you'll **** yourself at the difference
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ORIGINAL: 7_Zero I just put on a rear sway bar and really liked the results, so I would like to take the next step.
I think MG Man has a strut tower brace so he might chime in about that. But I would add the subframe connectors and go from there. Like Stang2.3 stated, this is your DD so there shouldn't be too much need for all the items you want.
For A Daily Driver Probably not, Do you have Over Whelming Amounts of Body Sway and Twist?
Are you sure you drive a fox car? I've driven thunderbirds and mustangs, and they are the most flexible cars in existance. I don't want to sound like a dick here, but you probably don't have much experience with more performance oriented cars, such as Vettes, f-bodies, Porsche and whatnot, to really compair how the body flex's.
For A Daily Driver Probably not, Do you have Over Whelming Amounts of Body Sway and Twist?
Are you sure you drive a fox car? I've driven thunderbirds and mustangs, and they are the most flexible cars in existance. I don't want to sound like a dick here, but you probably don't have much experience with more performance oriented cars, such as Vettes, f-bodies, Porsche and whatnot, to really compair how the body flex's.
Do it all, every bit of it.
Agreed. My car flexes more than anything I've ever driven or ridden in. Including convertibles. And I've ridden in some pretty bad cars.
__________________
"The battery is discharging, the oil temperature is very high, the oil pressure is very low, the engine temperature is off the end of the scale, I'm running out of petrol, but the clock is correct!"- James May
For A Daily Driver Probably not, Do you have Over Whelming Amounts of Body Sway and Twist?
Are you sure you drive a fox car? I've driven thunderbirds and mustangs, and they are the most flexible cars in existance. I don't want to sound like a dick here, but you probably don't have much experience with more performance oriented cars, such as Vettes, f-bodies, Porsche and whatnot, to really compair how the body flex's.
Do it all, every bit of it.
I'm Very Capable of Driving "performance Oriented Cars" thanks, Notice i said "overwhelming" Yes these Foxs Flex like paper in the wind, but are still drivable whereas he's just using this for a DD and Not Performance Oriented or "spirited Driving" All those mods will be put to waste. Rear Sway Bar,Subframe Connectors and maybe a Strut Brace will be MORE than enough for the Daily Driven Stang.. He Has not Mentioned a Turbo Swap, Or V8 Swap therefore if he wants a Go-Kart he can go ahead and install them, Just remeber thatOVERLY STIFF DOESN'T MAKE A DAILY DRIVER ENJOYABLE TO DRIVE DAILY
__________________
Jake Bastian
1985 Ford Mustang SVO
"If Work Was So Great, the Wealthy Would Keep It For Themselves"
For A Daily Driver Probably not, Do you have Over Whelming Amounts of Body Sway and Twist?
Are you sure you drive a fox car? I've driven thunderbirds and mustangs, and they are the most flexible cars in existance. I don't want to sound like a dick here, but you probably don't have much experience with more performance oriented cars, such as Vettes, f-bodies, Porsche and whatnot, to really compair how the body flex's.
Do it all, every bit of it.
I'm Very Capable of Driving "performance Oriented Cars" thanks, Notice i said "overwhelming" Yes these Foxs Flex like paper in the wind, but are still drivable whereas he's just using this for a DD and Not Performance Oriented or "spirited Driving" All those mods will be put to waste. Rear Sway Bar,Subframe Connectors and maybe a Strut Brace will be MORE than enough for the Daily Driven Stang.. He Has not Mentioned a Turbo Swap, Or V8 Swap therefore if he wants a Go-Kart he can go ahead and install them, Just remeber thatOVERLY STIFF DOESN'T MAKE A DAILY DRIVER ENJOYABLE TO DRIVE DAILY
I don't think he wants just a daily driver. I think, like most of us, he wants a daily driver that he still wants to drive. My car (before I fixed the chassis) was just annoying to drive due to the flex. It felt like the chassis was made of rubber. Now, it's tolerable, but I still plan on getting chassis stiffening after I get new gas tank straps and a radiator. I don't think the car is going to get too stiff with the mods he's planning.
__________________
"The battery is discharging, the oil temperature is very high, the oil pressure is very low, the engine temperature is off the end of the scale, I'm running out of petrol, but the clock is correct!"- James May
Do you have Over Whelming Amounts of Body Sway and Twist?
I honestly cannot say as I do not have anything to compare it too. As I stated before, I installed a rear sway bar and am pleased with the results and decided that things could only get better from here.
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I don't think he wants just a daily driver. I think, like most of us, he wants a daily driver that he still wants to drive.
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I don't think the car is going to get too stiff with the mods he's planning.
That's exactly what I am aiming for. I love my car and have a blast driving it, although I do not intend to do a swap (unlessmy engine goes out) I would still like to have fun driving my car.
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Just remeber thatOVERLY STIFF DOESN'T MAKE A DAILY DRIVER ENJOYABLE TO DRIVE DAILY
Would these upgrades make the car too stiff? So far everything that I have read everyonesays that in addition to better handling it has also smoothed out their ride. They say that since the chassis is stifferit puts the ride onto the suspension where it issupposed to be. Iamlike thosepeople who come in wanting top quality for cheap. (Doesn't happen) but I want a smooth comfortable ride, with could control.
I'm Very Capable of Driving "performance Oriented Cars" thanks, Notice i said "overwhelming" Yes these Foxs Flex like paper in the wind, but are still drivable whereas he's just using this for a DD and Not Performance Oriented or "spirited Driving" All those mods will be put to waste. Rear Sway Bar,Subframe Connectors and maybe a Strut Brace will be MORE than enough for the Daily Driven Stang.. He Has not Mentioned a Turbo Swap, Or V8 Swap therefore if he wants a Go-Kart he can go ahead and install them, Just remeber thatOVERLY STIFF DOESN'T MAKE A DAILY DRIVER ENJOYABLE TO DRIVE DAILY
Since you decided to get defensive and arrogant, when I tried to put it politely without being offensive, I'll step on your toes a bit.
If you "very capable of driving "performance oriented cars", you would understand that you WANT the body to be as rigid as possible, to allow the suspension to articulate to its fullest potential.
Your ride will actually be more rough, and more harsh with a flexible body, because rather than the springs compressing, and the shocks/struts slowing the compression/rebound, the body will flex, and the obstacle will be felt in the body rather than simply gone over. Seeing as you're more than capable, you should already know this, and I shouldn't have had to explain it.
I've driven a handful of fox mustangs before and after subframe connectors and strut tower braces, and they actually ride BETTER than they did before. Thats because the suspension does its job rather than the body.
Also, you must suck at reading, because the mods he speak of are subframe connectors, a k-member brace, and strut tower brace. You said that subframe connectors and strut tower brace is fine, but the k-member brace isnt? Real bright. I guess you dont realize that my car has one from the factory, but it's too stiff to drive
7_Zero, don't fear that it will be too stiff. You'll be very happy with the feel of the car. When I get more issues ironed out with both of my cars, they will have subframe connectors, k-member brace, strut tower brace and some other odds and ends as I need them. My project car might get a 6pt cage in it for chassis stiffness.
You shouldn't have much issue with your subframe connectors and clearance, unless your car is way too low as it is.
With drilling the firewall, they sell drill stops, where all it is is a collar that slips over the drill bit and locks in place with a set screw, so the bit can't go any deeper than where you set the stop at. That should help prevent any issues with going into the firewall. You may snag some sound deadening, but thats no big deal.
If you liked the results of the rear swaybar, get one from a GT or 5.0 LX for the front. Get poly bushings and poly endlinks. The ride does not suffer at all, and it helps cornering even more so.
Im not too familiar with the K-member brace myself. You may be able to call Kenny Brown, and talk to a salesmen or representative of some sorts, and they could possibly give you measurements so you can see if it would clear.
I can tell you right now, once you do these mods, you'll find out how sloppy the rear suspension is, then want rear lower control arms, and a panhard bar, then you'll want some good springs, then need good shocks and struts for that, and while you're in there, you'll want bigger front brakes...and then you're knee deep into a project. I know this all too well.
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Kenny Brown Chassis Support Kit
