Making My Car Feel Completely New
#1
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Eskimo Village, Indiana *No Igloo*
Posts: 7,907
Making My Car Feel Completely New
Ive had my '99 for quite awhile now. Aside from the first summer of owning the car back in 2005, I have done ZERO new mods other than repairs galore. (car has 4.10's, o/r H, catback, and has had MT's before)
I want to make the car look and feel refreshed in my own mind.
I am already doing smoked lights, HIDs, and a grille delete at some point, and probably tail light tint, as well as wheels/tires later.
However, I want the car to feel different too. It's still fun to drive after all this time, but I'm actually finally becoming slightly complacent.
I have never considered lowering the car until now. (yes, I've done searches) What are your opinions on the following mods.
H&R SS Springs, some sort of new Shock/Strut combination, a bumpsteer/cc plate combination, and a MGW short throw.
Will these two mods deliver a new feel to the car that I'm looking for?
I'm looking to stay under 2,000 dollars because I'll be saving for the downpayment on a delivered 2012 GT in January or February.
And while I'm here,,,,,other than upgrading the clutch to an aftermarket, is there any way to modify the stock clutch to be stiffer? As in, require more force to engage?
I appreciate any opinions, or links that are put forth.
I want to make the car look and feel refreshed in my own mind.
I am already doing smoked lights, HIDs, and a grille delete at some point, and probably tail light tint, as well as wheels/tires later.
However, I want the car to feel different too. It's still fun to drive after all this time, but I'm actually finally becoming slightly complacent.
I have never considered lowering the car until now. (yes, I've done searches) What are your opinions on the following mods.
H&R SS Springs, some sort of new Shock/Strut combination, a bumpsteer/cc plate combination, and a MGW short throw.
Will these two mods deliver a new feel to the car that I'm looking for?
I'm looking to stay under 2,000 dollars because I'll be saving for the downpayment on a delivered 2012 GT in January or February.
And while I'm here,,,,,other than upgrading the clutch to an aftermarket, is there any way to modify the stock clutch to be stiffer? As in, require more force to engage?
I appreciate any opinions, or links that are put forth.
#3
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Eskimo Village, Indiana *No Igloo*
Posts: 7,907
The short throw shifter is a definite, I've waiting forever for one of those, I have always just been too tight and too lazy to pull the trigger.
I actually have a spoiler already that I forgot to mention, as well as SS inserts (all purchased within the first year of ownership) and I'm not a big fan of the sequentials, neat, but not worth it to me.
#4
I think you will be happy with most short throw shifters...so if you want to keep a budget, see if you can find a lightly used STS.
I like my Strange adjustable shocks and struts. After a year or two, the adjustable ***** wouldn't click all the way anymore but I have not really adjusted them much anyway after the first week or so (the car did see a winter season IIRC so maybe that might have something to do with it). You will want Fox body shocks and struts if you do lower your car with lowering springs.
If it fits the budget, consider a new throttle body...or something that will give more instant throttle response than stock..or maybe a tune will help that instead IDK.
I like my Strange adjustable shocks and struts. After a year or two, the adjustable ***** wouldn't click all the way anymore but I have not really adjusted them much anyway after the first week or so (the car did see a winter season IIRC so maybe that might have something to do with it). You will want Fox body shocks and struts if you do lower your car with lowering springs.
If it fits the budget, consider a new throttle body...or something that will give more instant throttle response than stock..or maybe a tune will help that instead IDK.
#5
#7
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Eskimo Village, Indiana *No Igloo*
Posts: 7,907
I think you will be happy with most short throw shifters...so if you want to keep a budget, see if you can find a lightly used STS.
I'm sort of on a budget...I recently tripled my net income, so Im not afraid to splurge on a new Short Throw. I just don't want to dump 8,000 dollars into the car when I'll be buying a new one come spring.
I like my Strange adjustable shocks and struts. After a year or two, the adjustable ***** wouldn't click all the way anymore but I have not really adjusted them much anyway after the first week or so (the car did see a winter season IIRC so maybe that might have something to do with it). You will want Fox body shocks and struts if you do lower your car with lowering springs.
I didn't catch this part in my searches. I've been looking at KYB or Tokico shocks and struts that are on AM for the '96-'04 GT's...is there something else I should be pricing out instead of those? And honestly, the car has not seen the drag strip in 3 years, so I'm not too concerend with adjustability, or really even giving up too much time on my 60'....that 1.857 on stock suspension with the MT's has kept me happy for awhile.
If it fits the budget, consider a new throttle body...or something that will give more instant throttle response than stock..or maybe a tune will help that instead IDK.
Again, I could make it fit my budget, but I'm not too worried about how slow the car is now.
I'm sort of on a budget...I recently tripled my net income, so Im not afraid to splurge on a new Short Throw. I just don't want to dump 8,000 dollars into the car when I'll be buying a new one come spring.
I like my Strange adjustable shocks and struts. After a year or two, the adjustable ***** wouldn't click all the way anymore but I have not really adjusted them much anyway after the first week or so (the car did see a winter season IIRC so maybe that might have something to do with it). You will want Fox body shocks and struts if you do lower your car with lowering springs.
I didn't catch this part in my searches. I've been looking at KYB or Tokico shocks and struts that are on AM for the '96-'04 GT's...is there something else I should be pricing out instead of those? And honestly, the car has not seen the drag strip in 3 years, so I'm not too concerend with adjustability, or really even giving up too much time on my 60'....that 1.857 on stock suspension with the MT's has kept me happy for awhile.
If it fits the budget, consider a new throttle body...or something that will give more instant throttle response than stock..or maybe a tune will help that instead IDK.
Again, I could make it fit my budget, but I'm not too worried about how slow the car is now.
#8
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Eskimo Village, Indiana *No Igloo*
Posts: 7,907
Or I'll save a few hundred and do 17's.
Does anyone know if they make a 10.5" Saleen wheel?
But, since I'm looking at over a thousand dollars for wheels/tires, I'll focus more on the look of the mods mention in the OP and the look/feel of the new drive after a suspension/shifter overhaul.
By the way, the car has 102K on it, and has not had any suspension components touched.
#9
You might want to consider then some non-adjustable shocks and struts (less $$$)...like 70/30's front and 50/50's rear or something. You don't have to hit the strip to feel and see a difference with something like that. Each time I punch it from a low roll, I can definitely tell the front of the car lifts more with the adjustable struts set at their 'weakest' setting. This also means more vertical movement when I drive over moderate bumps in the road but I wouldn't change anything if I had to do it again.
#10
2010 Blue Ball Award Recipient
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Eskimo Village, Indiana *No Igloo*
Posts: 7,907
You might want to consider then some non-adjustable shocks and struts (less $$$)...like 70/30's front and 50/50's rear or something. You don't have to hit the strip to feel and see a difference with something like that. Each time I punch it from a low roll, I can definitely tell the front of the car lifts more with the adjustable struts set at their 'weakest' setting. This also means more vertical movement when I drive over moderate bumps in the road but I wouldn't change anything if I had to do it again.
http://www.americanmuscle.com/kyb-gr2-strut-8793.html
Foxbody fronts right?
I actually don't understand. And am unable to: ...
Care to elaborate?