topher_csr

I have a 1965 coupe, it has manual steering, I am looking for a way to make it handle a little better, steer easier in parking lots, stay planted in turns better, just handle a little better, I was wondering how effective the followings mods are. thanks in advance to anyone who has done these.

1" front sway bar, not to sure whats in there now

http://www.opentrackerracingproducts.com/frontswaybar/

roller idler arm

http://www.opentrackerracingproducts.com/idlerarm/

1" shelby drop
http://www.opentrackerracingproducts.com/droptemplate/

TomKat

i like my monte carlo bar not sure how much it'd help u but I've noticed its been useful in cornering at higher speeds

OCHOHILL

1" drop
1" sway
.620" springs
roller perches
wider tires (you didn't list the size you have)
grease your steering box
membership to the gym

Jonk67

1" drop is the only improvement I've driven with so far, much better steering/planting of tires. Puts tires flatter to ground just be sure to print out the required shelby specs to have your shop align to otherwise steering will be worse than before. You have to remember the original alignment for these cars were for bias ply tires too compared to todays. With the shelby specs the tops of my tires were pulled in away from the fenders giving more clearance and you have more of a range to align within.

I also tightened up my gearbox with fresh ford spec grease as mentioned above, big help on play but I have PS so the box doesn't do near as much work as a manual, probably even more important for that reason. That grease may be 40+yrs. old in there.
Jon

2+2GT

Arning/Shelby drop, 1" bar, export brace, Monte Carlo bar, decent shocks.

Arning/Shelby Suspension Drop

This is a very effective, low-buck upgrade.

topher_csr

That is an awesome link, I have been in to mustangs forever and never knew that it was supposed to have a IRS, good read.

Has anyone looked into that idlers arm?

Good info, thanks a lot!

Starfury

I have a roller idler. There are ups and downs to it. It does help a little with low-speed steering effort. The downside is that you lose a little of your return-to-center functionality at low speeds as well. Also, the roller idler has almost zero resistance, so the front end tends to be more susceptible to road variations at higher speeds if you don't keep a good grip on the wheel. I like it on my car, but I wouldn't put it on a car for the wife.

topher_csr

good info about the idler arm, sounds like something that i may hold off on untill i do the 1" drop, and sway bar. I am curious how much putting new grease in my steering box will help. going to be interesting. thanks again for the help.

topher_csr

I am thinking of going with new springs sense they have been reccomended and they will be out for the drop, is there a decent gain with just going to the GT springs over the stock ones? i dont know if i want to get too crazy with the springs right now. i still want a decent ride, just tighten it up a bit. thanks

topher_csr

so i just put my order in at CJ, ordered the 1" Scott Drake sway bar,new GT coil springs, and a curved monte carlo bar. I also plan on doing the shelby drop while im at it. the parts were way more reasonable than i would have thought and i am hoping for a pretty big difference. i also plan on getting some fresh grease into the box. any specific grease to use? thanks for all the great responses.