79 Pace Car Suspension Advice - Coil Overs?
#1
79 Pace Car Suspension Advice - Coil Overs?
Hello all, I'm new to this site and hope I'm posting correctly.
Anyways, I recently purchased a 79 pace car that was an original 4 cyl turbo car but has been swapped with a 5L from an 84GT and manual 5 speed tranny and rear end from and 88.
I am looking to replace the struts and possibly the springs in the front end and was pondering the idea of switching to a coil over system. The car will mostly be a street car and all I'm really looking for is a sporty, comfortable every day ride (if there is such a thing). I'm also not looking to lower it all that much, car is low enough as it is.
I'm looking for any ideas or suggestions as to what may be best, sticking with new stock springs and struts or switching to coil over and what others may have done.
Anyways, I recently purchased a 79 pace car that was an original 4 cyl turbo car but has been swapped with a 5L from an 84GT and manual 5 speed tranny and rear end from and 88.
I am looking to replace the struts and possibly the springs in the front end and was pondering the idea of switching to a coil over system. The car will mostly be a street car and all I'm really looking for is a sporty, comfortable every day ride (if there is such a thing). I'm also not looking to lower it all that much, car is low enough as it is.
I'm looking for any ideas or suggestions as to what may be best, sticking with new stock springs and struts or switching to coil over and what others may have done.
#2
Welcome to MF's, Chort
There is some debate on whether CO's add comfort out back, but indeed will improve the wheel rate (speed at which front wheel absorbs disruption) for improved comfort/handling of your car. The key is going to be spring rates and properly matched dampers. This is NOT my strong suit, but Norm Peterson is a good one to help here. Hopefully he chimes in for some good info for ya
Be advised of a few things when doing suspension mods. Nearly all of them, will add NVH (Noise Vibration Harshness) to your driving experince. Springs/dampers are about the only exception, buuuuuuuuuut..... to run CO's, you must install CC plates and will add some of the "N" to your car. Not a huge amount, but need to consider this if you are looking to maintain as much comfort/quiet as possible.
Jazzer
There is some debate on whether CO's add comfort out back, but indeed will improve the wheel rate (speed at which front wheel absorbs disruption) for improved comfort/handling of your car. The key is going to be spring rates and properly matched dampers. This is NOT my strong suit, but Norm Peterson is a good one to help here. Hopefully he chimes in for some good info for ya
Be advised of a few things when doing suspension mods. Nearly all of them, will add NVH (Noise Vibration Harshness) to your driving experince. Springs/dampers are about the only exception, buuuuuuuuuut..... to run CO's, you must install CC plates and will add some of the "N" to your car. Not a huge amount, but need to consider this if you are looking to maintain as much comfort/quiet as possible.
Jazzer
#3
Thanks Jazzer. The more I look into it, the more I think just stay stock and look for a good set of springs and struts/shocks. I hear HR springs are good, maybe the sport series would be good. Our local part store has Monroe struts and shocks on for a good deal this week. I might look into the Sens-a-Trac series.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ShaneB26154
4.6L (1996-2004 Modular) Mustang
35
03-04-2021 04:05 AM
KEM Motorworks
5.0L (1979-1995) Mustang
20
08-14-2015 10:13 PM
92 5.0stang
5.0L (1979-1995) Mustang
4
08-13-2015 06:46 AM
Milan Dragway
Members Rides and Car Show Section
0
08-12-2015 03:43 PM