suspension help please!
10-31-2009, 10:25 PM
#1
1st Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: California
Posts: 76
suspension help please!
So my car is currently for sale..found a great deal on a local mach 1. I have a feeling my car isn't going to sell due to the economy though..so looks like the mach is out of the picture 
If that is the case my next mods are going to be some 4.10s and lowering my car. I want H&R ss and I'm going with mm cc plates. My question is about the shocks/struts. I want good quality ones that can handle the H&Rs but some that aren't too expensive. It is a dd so I won't be needing adjustable shocks/struts. What are some good quality inexpensive shocks/struts for the setup I want? Also, I was reading about using fox body shocks/struts..which would be better? And if fox body is the route to go..what brand? Thanks.
If that is the case my next mods are going to be some 4.10s and lowering my car. I want H&R ss and I'm going with mm cc plates. My question is about the shocks/struts. I want good quality ones that can handle the H&Rs but some that aren't too expensive. It is a dd so I won't be needing adjustable shocks/struts. What are some good quality inexpensive shocks/struts for the setup I want? Also, I was reading about using fox body shocks/struts..which would be better? And if fox body is the route to go..what brand? Thanks.
11-01-2009, 02:20 PM
#2
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 1,139
Can't go wrong with the Tokico HP series (blue ones). They can be had for 250-300 a set and perform well for a street car.
You don't need to buy fox body length parts. Aftermarket suspension companies take it into account that you may install their parts on a lowered car and their shocks and struts will have a range of tolerable ride heights. I had HR ss, with no isolators and x2 ball joints (makes front an additional 1/2" lower) which dropped my car over 2 inches up front and about 2 in the rear. I was at the extreme end of the spectrum and still had no problem with 99-04 sized Tokico HP shocks and struts.
You don't need to buy fox body length parts. Aftermarket suspension companies take it into account that you may install their parts on a lowered car and their shocks and struts will have a range of tolerable ride heights. I had HR ss, with no isolators and x2 ball joints (makes front an additional 1/2" lower) which dropped my car over 2 inches up front and about 2 in the rear. I was at the extreme end of the spectrum and still had no problem with 99-04 sized Tokico HP shocks and struts.
11-01-2009, 06:41 PM
#6
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 1,139
Yes they are similar if not the same. BUT, paired with progressive rate springs like the HR super sport or race springs, the ride will be more sporty than a stock mach 1. You won't regret them for a street car.
11-01-2009, 07:11 PM
#8
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: So Cal
Posts: 3,569
Not so different that anyone could tell, I'd wager.
I'd just save a little longer and go with D Specs or Bilstiens or try to find some used ones.
11-01-2009, 09:33 PM
#10
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 1,139
Used shocks and struts are typically a bad idea. If you change the equilibrium position of the piston on a broken-in shock/strut (which you will if you put the shocks on a different car) it causes the component to wear out and fail much quicker. This is the primary reason stock shocks and struts fail fairly quickly when someone lowers their car and doesn't get new absorbers.