Suspension for handling
08-12-2009, 03:32 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Huntsville, AL
Posts: 28
Suspension for handling
What is the best suspension set up for a 99-04 GT for something other than going in a straight line? I like driving in the Mountains and want something that will hold a turn well.
Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. I know plenty about sport bikes but not much about Mustangs....
Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. I know plenty about sport bikes but not much about Mustangs....
08-12-2009, 03:36 PM
#2
Resident Ford Troll
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Delaware
Posts: 6,717
IBjazzerthecat
Well, look into getting some decent upper/lower control arms, stiffer sway bars, caster/camber plates, strut tower bar, nice struts/shocks and a coil-over conversion kit. If you really wanna spend some $$ then you could go tubular K-member up front with tubular control arms.
Well, look into getting some decent upper/lower control arms, stiffer sway bars, caster/camber plates, strut tower bar, nice struts/shocks and a coil-over conversion kit. If you really wanna spend some $$ then you could go tubular K-member up front with tubular control arms.
08-12-2009, 03:42 PM
#4
Could find the IRS out of the 03-04 cobra's (decent prices on ebay) and polyurethane bushings for the rear with springs, then springs/shocks or tubular K w/A arms with coils for the front, sway bars dont hurt much either. Believe it or not, I would recommend frame connectors also, they stiffen up the chassis greatly and help with handling.
08-12-2009, 05:08 PM
#5
Retired Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 9,235
IBwhitefoxgt
See Jazzer The Cat's Official Suspension Guide.... He is really neato and the suspension guy around here. Boy, he also has the fattest, bad-boy Saleen I have ever seen, a really cool guy and hoping just to go out and have a Guinness with him some day. Jazzer is the bestest!
As for sway-bars, this is really the last thing you should be after on suspension, as it is really a tuning device. There are some fundamental differences between LCA's/UCA's as it relates to improving the twisty experience.
Your ultimate goal should be considered here, as you can go a couple different directions and bummer to replace parts twice. A good set of FLSFC's is the best place to start and then some decisions need to be made.
Jazzer
See Jazzer The Cat's Official Suspension Guide.... He is really neato and the suspension guy around here. Boy, he also has the fattest, bad-boy Saleen I have ever seen, a really cool guy and hoping just to go out and have a Guinness with him some day. Jazzer is the bestest!
As for sway-bars, this is really the last thing you should be after on suspension, as it is really a tuning device. There are some fundamental differences between LCA's/UCA's as it relates to improving the twisty experience.
Your ultimate goal should be considered here, as you can go a couple different directions and bummer to replace parts twice. A good set of FLSFC's is the best place to start and then some decisions need to be made.
Jazzer
08-12-2009, 05:34 PM
#6
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Huntsville, AL
Posts: 28
I just clicked the "Jazzer The Cat's Official Suspension Guide" and WOW! That is a lot of info, I will have to print that out and grab a beer after work. I am assuming FLSFC's are sub frame connectors, right? I love the avatar btw and there is no better beer than Guinness... :cheers
< Guinness
08-12-2009, 10:24 PM
#8
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: SF Bay.
Posts: 3,035
I would say Eric's thread has quite a bit of useful information, I would like to add that there are a few things that you may want to consider. The stock GT brakes are horrendous, they should be looked into as they do not do a whole lot to stop the heavy sn95. Second thing would be, if you ever think about competing in the future, consider what is legal and illegal for the class you would like to run in. With suspension mods, it is always better to do it in waves as you will gain a better appreciation for what each mod does. IF money is not an issue, I would recommend in order FLSFC's, swapping front brakes for the oem 2pot calipers or better + steel braided lines and dot4+ fluid, a set of good tires, a set of c/o's either from griggs or mm, chucking the stock 4 link rear, tubular k/offset a-arms (more street friendly) or SLA setup if you're serious about tracking the car, a light set of rims and good tires, and lastly adjustable sways to tune over/understeer as needed.
There are only 2 companies I would ever really trust with my suspension parts and that is MM or Griggs, I currently have almost the whole MM max grip package, I'm a college student so Griggs is completely out of the question lols.=P
Anyways, have fun and be safe.
There are only 2 companies I would ever really trust with my suspension parts and that is MM or Griggs, I currently have almost the whole MM max grip package, I'm a college student so Griggs is completely out of the question lols.=P
Anyways, have fun and be safe.
08-13-2009, 07:52 AM
#9
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Shelbyville, Indiana
Posts: 1,088
Dumb question time. I've looked at various pictures on the internet and I must be missing something. They all look to be about the same length to me. I have Edlebrock subframe connectors. How do I tell if they are full length or not?
08-13-2009, 11:26 AM
#10
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Huntsville, AL
Posts: 28
I will look a little closer at the guide tonight while drinking a budget induced Amber Bock and Aereon thanks for the reminder on the brakes. Somehow they slipped my mind.... 
I'm not much in to Drag Racing myself so I may be going against the grain but I think the Mustang has potential to carve some corners.
I'm not much in to Drag Racing myself so I may be going against the grain but I think the Mustang has potential to carve some corners.