i need a good suspension for a 1966 mustang what kind?
11-14-2009, 11:19 PM
#5
6th Gear Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Elk Grove, CA
Posts: 5,896
No, this post was moved from the fox body section.
To answer the OP, the stock style suspension can work very well, if properly modified. Here's what I run in my '67fb with a 331:
1" drop 560lb front coils (commonly referred to as "620" coils)
Mid-eye 4.5 leaf springs
Stock replacement upper and lower control arms
Shelby/Arning UCA drop
Edelbrock IAS shocks
Roller spring perches
15/16" front sway bar
Monte carlo bar
Stock-style 4-piston KH disc brakes
I drive my car hard on occasion. The only complaints I have are with a bit of excess body roll in the rear and some slight excess bouncing after severe bumps. The body roll can be countered with a rear sway bar (I wouldn't recommend this to most people as it can result in unnerving and unsafe oversteer in day to day driving) and some Bilstein shocks.
The UCA drop and roller perches are the key components. The Shelby drop fixes the crappy stock suspension geometry to provide negative camber while cornering, keeping the tires flatter on the road. The roller perches remove the stock rubber bushing perch bind, providing better ride quality and more responsive handling.
The springs and shocks can be changed to suit goals. My car rides firm and handles well, but won't rattle your teeth out. Stiffer springs/shocks will handle slightly better but will be nearly undriveable on the street. Replacement GT springs and KYB GR-2 shocks will provide a much more comfortable ride without getting too spongy.
If you really want to spend money, Global West and TCP have some really nice tubular coilover setups. Overkill for most cars, but still nice
To answer the OP, the stock style suspension can work very well, if properly modified. Here's what I run in my '67fb with a 331:
1" drop 560lb front coils (commonly referred to as "620" coils)
Mid-eye 4.5 leaf springs
Stock replacement upper and lower control arms
Shelby/Arning UCA drop
Edelbrock IAS shocks
Roller spring perches
15/16" front sway bar
Monte carlo bar
Stock-style 4-piston KH disc brakes
I drive my car hard on occasion. The only complaints I have are with a bit of excess body roll in the rear and some slight excess bouncing after severe bumps. The body roll can be countered with a rear sway bar (I wouldn't recommend this to most people as it can result in unnerving and unsafe oversteer in day to day driving) and some Bilstein shocks.
The UCA drop and roller perches are the key components. The Shelby drop fixes the crappy stock suspension geometry to provide negative camber while cornering, keeping the tires flatter on the road. The roller perches remove the stock rubber bushing perch bind, providing better ride quality and more responsive handling.
The springs and shocks can be changed to suit goals. My car rides firm and handles well, but won't rattle your teeth out. Stiffer springs/shocks will handle slightly better but will be nearly undriveable on the street. Replacement GT springs and KYB GR-2 shocks will provide a much more comfortable ride without getting too spongy.
If you really want to spend money, Global West and TCP have some really nice tubular coilover setups. Overkill for most cars, but still nice
11-15-2009, 09:29 AM
#7
6th Gear Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Elk Grove, CA
Posts: 5,896
You'd probably have a hell of a time with bump-steer with a 1-5/8" drop unless you used a bump steer correction kit. And unless you're racing it, I think it would be overkill. Even the Shelby race cars only ran something like a 1-1/2" drop.
The 1" drop made a world of difference when I did it. It should be enough for most street cars.
The 1" drop made a world of difference when I did it. It should be enough for most street cars.
11-15-2009, 09:36 AM
#8
6th Gear Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: state of confusion
Posts: 7,635
That probably depends on the car's (competition) purpose and amount of lowering. At stock height and in street duty it may result in a slightly too-short virtual front view swing arm length (and a little too much camber gain and lateral tire scrub). I have not run any numbers.
Norm
Norm
11-15-2009, 09:38 AM
#9
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: NH
Posts: 3,485
http://opentrackerracingproducts.com/baertracker/
the bump steer corrector kit isnt too much, im tempted to try this drop instead of the 1"...
the bump steer corrector kit isnt too much, im tempted to try this drop instead of the 1"...
11-18-2009, 11:20 AM
#10
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Washington
Posts: 347
If money is the issue and you are looking for a decent stock style upgrade, I went with Mustangsplus grab-a-trak package. They have several different kits with different ride heights and spring ratings. They can send you shock and bushings, ball joints, etc too.
If money is not an issue, the coilover kits sound awesome. Total Cost Involved (TCI) offers front and rear kits. I haven't heared anything positive or negative about any particular kit.
If money is not an issue, the coilover kits sound awesome. Total Cost Involved (TCI) offers front and rear kits. I haven't heared anything positive or negative about any particular kit.