Corbic

Howdy.

I have a 1996 'Stang I picked up last month for cheap. 4.6, manual, and blown shocks.

Right now the car bounces, have massive under steer, numb steering and really handles like poo. Frankly I think a Crown Vic will run this car down.

So I'm looking for an initial investment of $500, and then latter another 500-700 in the suspension department. I'm hoping to eliminate a lot of the under-steer and get this thing on par with your typical Japanese stock sports car (350z, 240sx, 300zx). Hell, some BMW quality action would be great.

Also, what is the most cost effective way (Besides upgraded pads) to get some more responsive break force. The peddle has a lot of travel, and the car really doesn't feel "trust worthy".

Thanks.

andy98gt

For your brakes up grade to some stainless steel lines for like 90 bucks.

ponysnake99

typical suspension upgrades could include stiffer shocks and struts, whether monotube bilsteins or adjustible kyb's is dependent on your budget. Understeer is characteristic of our stangs, brought on by the front suspension geometry and weight bias, removing front end weight or changing the front end geometry is the best way to go. From the sound of your project, some polyurethane steering rack bushings, MM subframe connectors, Strut tower brace and an aftermarket rear sway bar would benefit your steering problem, caster/camber plates and lowering springs would get you at the height u want. Save the other 700 for a tubular k-member down the road. Your best brake upgrade would be a cobra brake upgrade, it would give you bigger brakes for cheap. The sponginess in your lines is most likely XX year old brake fluid, flush it and refill it with some fresh dot 3.

562cobra

i'll save up around 650 in total and get some bilstein shocks/struts. as for the brakes, have you bled the lines?

golferjoe11

If I were you i'd just replace the struts and shocks, the car will feel more planted to the road like you want. As for the understeer, your gonna have to live with it untill you can afford to tweak the front suspension geometry. For the brakes, you should replace the lines with stainless steel ones and you will get a better feel out of the pedel.

kingofqueenz

hey, i just got a 2004 gt and im looking to spend no more then 500 on some parts to improve my handling.....the car has 47k miles so my shocks and springs should still be good.....it just feels like the back end of the car is always gonna swing out when going on highway curves....i was thinking of getting sway bars and strut bars? thanks

2000GT4.6

strange 10 way full adjustables FTW! Around a 350-400 dollar cost, with a quality shock/strut that is fully adjustable from a name brand.

After that, its time for springs, control arms, and subframe connectors.

For a good/cheap brake upgrade check out the bullitt/mach1/cobra upgrade. 400 bucks for 13 inch rotors, pads, and calipers.

y2kStangGT

what is a subframe connector and what is it function?
also, how do i know if my struts and shocks need to be replaced?
thanks,

ponysnake99

Subframe connectors do just what they say, they connect the subframes of our mustangs together. Since our car is a unibody (car frame/body is one piece) there is a lot of flex between the front and rear subframes. Subframe connectors tie together the two frame rails between the front and rear wheels, this makes the car a lot stiffer to help reduce flex.
Easiest test for your struts and shocks is to go and push down on each corner of the car, a normal strut/shock will only bouncea few timesbefore settling out, but if it keeps bouncing then your struts/shocks have lost their dampeningability and need to be replaced.

kingofqueenz

so i shouldn't get sway bars or strut bars? What are the 10 way full adjustables? I want something that i will feel a total difference in handling after it is installed.....