In the middle of reading and learning, but need help lowering my new 5oh-
12-27-2010, 05:03 PM
#1
3rd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Florida
Posts: 511
In the middle of reading and learning, but need help lowering my new 5oh-
Hey guys...
I'm new to the whole Mustang world... coming from a bunch of Hondas and them refusing to build a new sports car for the last 10 years, I figured I'd give the new 5.0 a chance as it is seemingly an amazing machine.
I've had it for a about 24hours now and I cannot get the smile off my face.
I'm going to take it easy on the mods on this car since I'm going back to grad school soon, but one of the two primary things I want to do either way is lower it.
I dont want a mediocre drop but I also dont need it to be on the floor.
From looking around the forum I've decided to go with either the Eibach Prokit, or the H&R Super Sport Springs...
My question is as I'm learning about Panhard Bars and bump steer kits and what not, can anyone give me a straight forward answer as to what is else is needed to do this cheaply, and correctly?
I dont want to skimp on a brand new car... I also dont have a boat load of cash to spend on parts to get a basic 2 inch drop.... That all being said... can you guys point me in the right direction of what I need to do this and do it right? Preferably specific brand names and best places to buy online as well??
Theres a local mustang specialist shop that I plan on having install all this stuff but their prices are pretty crazy on parts, so I'd like to obtain them myself and just bring them to be installed.
Thanks in advance guys!
Edit: the Accord and S2000 are gone now... only own a 5.0 now... sig to be changed soon
I'm new to the whole Mustang world... coming from a bunch of Hondas and them refusing to build a new sports car for the last 10 years, I figured I'd give the new 5.0 a chance as it is seemingly an amazing machine.
I've had it for a about 24hours now and I cannot get the smile off my face.
I'm going to take it easy on the mods on this car since I'm going back to grad school soon, but one of the two primary things I want to do either way is lower it.
I dont want a mediocre drop but I also dont need it to be on the floor.
From looking around the forum I've decided to go with either the Eibach Prokit, or the H&R Super Sport Springs...
My question is as I'm learning about Panhard Bars and bump steer kits and what not, can anyone give me a straight forward answer as to what is else is needed to do this cheaply, and correctly?
I dont want to skimp on a brand new car... I also dont have a boat load of cash to spend on parts to get a basic 2 inch drop.... That all being said... can you guys point me in the right direction of what I need to do this and do it right? Preferably specific brand names and best places to buy online as well??
Theres a local mustang specialist shop that I plan on having install all this stuff but their prices are pretty crazy on parts, so I'd like to obtain them myself and just bring them to be installed.
Thanks in advance guys!
Edit: the Accord and S2000 are gone now... only own a 5.0 now... sig to be changed soon
12-27-2010, 05:19 PM
#2
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,692
2 inches is actually a severe drop for the Mustang.
You might want to consider only going down about one inch as this leaves you with some suspension travel and doesn't mess up the front end geometry so badly you need to buy a bunch of parts to fix it.
You might want to consider only going down about one inch as this leaves you with some suspension travel and doesn't mess up the front end geometry so badly you need to buy a bunch of parts to fix it.
12-27-2010, 09:30 PM
#4
3rd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Florida
Posts: 511
That is actually the purpose of this thread.
I am aware that this kind of a drop is a little aggressive for a mustang... but thats what I need to know... what else would it take to correct everything and make it right?
I guess my point is, I don't want to just throw a set of springs on and call it a day leaving it all half assed- what does it take to do it right?
If I can't afford it, I'll wait till I can.... but would be nice to have a parts list that I can add a price list to, to figure out the budget future budget
12-27-2010, 09:33 PM
#5
3rd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Florida
Posts: 511
http://www.vossenwheels.com/gallery/...VSCV1-271.aspx
12-27-2010, 09:56 PM
#6
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: MO
Posts: 367
I'd actually stick with the steeda sport springs, toss on some koni STR.Ts (or yellows), add a BMR adjustable panhard bar and call it a day. You don't need a bump steer kit, you'd be better off with some new LCAs over that, couple the LCAs with the new springs, and you won't have any wheelhop.
12-28-2010, 10:44 AM
#7
Former Sponsor
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,936
I'd listen to smokinAMD....well up to the PHB. I'd use a UMI Panhard bar (currently on sale for 15% off) if you even want or need to change it. You do NOT have to change PHB's with a mild lowering. It's never a bad idea, but not required.
As for height.... The thing is Honda's in general are more tolerant of bigger drops because they have more working travel left after big drops. Look through your rear wheels, you'll see that a 2" drop will pretty much put you sitting on the bumpstops--and while they have some travel they aren't supposed to be used all the time as springs.
I see you are Florida, so I'll assume the roads are pretty good which will help if you deck the car 2", but ride quality will suffer and you start getting into funky geometry territory where you want to consider bumpsteer and camber curves. I don't recommend it, and would say that 1.5" or less is what you want if you want the car to be better on the function side. 2" drop, etc are more "form", which can be important too but in a whole different way.
There is certainly no shortage of options for springs or dampers, and I carry about the biggest variety of both than most any other vendor I can think of. I'd be happy to help with the decision if you like, it's kind of what I do.
As for height.... The thing is Honda's in general are more tolerant of bigger drops because they have more working travel left after big drops. Look through your rear wheels, you'll see that a 2" drop will pretty much put you sitting on the bumpstops--and while they have some travel they aren't supposed to be used all the time as springs.
I see you are Florida, so I'll assume the roads are pretty good which will help if you deck the car 2", but ride quality will suffer and you start getting into funky geometry territory where you want to consider bumpsteer and camber curves. I don't recommend it, and would say that 1.5" or less is what you want if you want the car to be better on the function side. 2" drop, etc are more "form", which can be important too but in a whole different way.
There is certainly no shortage of options for springs or dampers, and I carry about the biggest variety of both than most any other vendor I can think of. I'd be happy to help with the decision if you like, it's kind of what I do.
12-28-2010, 03:01 PM
#8
3rd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Florida
Posts: 511
I'd listen to smokinAMD....well up to the PHB. I'd use a UMI Panhard bar (currently on sale for 15% off) if you even want or need to change it. You do NOT have to change PHB's with a mild lowering. It's never a bad idea, but not required.
As for height.... The thing is Honda's in general are more tolerant of bigger drops because they have more working travel left after big drops. Look through your rear wheels, you'll see that a 2" drop will pretty much put you sitting on the bumpstops--and while they have some travel they aren't supposed to be used all the time as springs.
I see you are Florida, so I'll assume the roads are pretty good which will help if you deck the car 2", but ride quality will suffer and you start getting into funky geometry territory where you want to consider bumpsteer and camber curves. I don't recommend it, and would say that 1.5" or less is what you want if you want the car to be better on the function side. 2" drop, etc are more "form", which can be important too but in a whole different way.
There is certainly no shortage of options for springs or dampers, and I carry about the biggest variety of both than most any other vendor I can think of. I'd be happy to help with the decision if you like, it's kind of what I do.
As for height.... The thing is Honda's in general are more tolerant of bigger drops because they have more working travel left after big drops. Look through your rear wheels, you'll see that a 2" drop will pretty much put you sitting on the bumpstops--and while they have some travel they aren't supposed to be used all the time as springs.
I see you are Florida, so I'll assume the roads are pretty good which will help if you deck the car 2", but ride quality will suffer and you start getting into funky geometry territory where you want to consider bumpsteer and camber curves. I don't recommend it, and would say that 1.5" or less is what you want if you want the car to be better on the function side. 2" drop, etc are more "form", which can be important too but in a whole different way.
There is certainly no shortage of options for springs or dampers, and I carry about the biggest variety of both than most any other vendor I can think of. I'd be happy to help with the decision if you like, it's kind of what I do.
That being said, I know my goal is to be at a certain drop... 1 inch or even close to it wont satisfy my needs of a significant drop.
The sportlines were actually conservative based on what I REALLY want.
Viewing pics of my Accord above you'll see the stance that I'm used to... 1.5" off the ground. I'm used to driving carefully and in this regard am okay with more form over function.
I understand the suspension on an Accord and a Mustang are night and day, and thats the reason I'm here, to learn. I have no desire to be 'slammed' like I was with my Hondas, but a 1"-1.5" drop is going to barely cover what I'd like as in my opinion the Mustang is damn near 4x4 Stock... Sportlines in my head are where the car should have been from the factory.
That being said, I know the geometry will be thrown off, I know there are a lotta things to consider... but again thats the point of this thread... what does it take to correct it? Digital Synapsis doesn't look like he's done much other than the springs though he has other plans. I have asked him to chime into this thread too with his experiences.
I know I can't expect 'stock comfort' (if theres such a thing with this car in the first place) I'm okay with a stiffer ride... but I also dont want to destroy the car, and eat the heck out of my tires either... so...
Eibach Sportlines, H&R Super Sport Springs, Even Steeda Extreme Sport Springs... are all pretty aggressive... what needs to be done to make it right?
As I understand it, it seems that the OEM shocks will have way too little travel to be acceptable, and so I've seen people suggest using Koni's...
My question there is, would it make more sense to go with a full coilover setup? Such as the H&R or Eibach, or even Tein? I'd assume in a situation like this the shock/strut combo would be more evenly matched with the coilover spring? I understand that theres quite a bit more work in setting them up... despite the initial cost being very similar.
Koni's are also on back order I hear, anyone know when a realistic time frame for them to be available is?
Too much to learn here guys... I'm trying to figure out my best options and part needs... but basically I wont be happy without at least a 2" drop.... Spending a grand for a 1" drop and not being happy with it doesn't make any sense to me, I'd rather save up and wait to do the 2" drop much later, if I'll be happier with the end result.
Sorry to be long winded here fellahs, just want to make my intentions clear... thanks again for all the help!
Last edited by starbai; 12-28-2010 at 03:43 PM.
12-28-2010, 03:58 PM
#9
Former Sponsor
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,936
Well, you need to decide if you want form over function or function over form. Seems you want the look over how it works.
Looking the pic of you Honda, that was too low too, look at the amount of negative camber in the rear--not ideal for handling on any car, let alone a front wheel drive one.
I'm not much into selling looks, because looks are subjective. And much like humans often those that look the best are hiding other flaws.
Looking the pic of you Honda, that was too low too, look at the amount of negative camber in the rear--not ideal for handling on any car, let alone a front wheel drive one.
I'm not much into selling looks, because looks are subjective. And much like humans often those that look the best are hiding other flaws.
12-28-2010, 05:25 PM
#10
3rd Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Florida
Posts: 511
Well, you need to decide if you want form over function or function over form. Seems you want the look over how it works.
Looking the pic of you Honda, that was too low too, look at the amount of negative camber in the rear--not ideal for handling on any car, let alone a front wheel drive one.
I'm not much into selling looks, because looks are subjective. And much like humans often those that look the best are hiding other flaws.
Looking the pic of you Honda, that was too low too, look at the amount of negative camber in the rear--not ideal for handling on any car, let alone a front wheel drive one.
I'm not much into selling looks, because looks are subjective. And much like humans often those that look the best are hiding other flaws.
The car will never see anything resembling a track anymore than a highway on ramp or a quick burst down an empty industrial street.
Form over function IS the stated goal in my case then.
I'd appreciate your expertise either way but can understand if you're not interested in aiding and abetting an aggressive drop...
I again though have no intention of massive camber and slamming the Mustang... I my goal is zero (to the point of slight tire tuck) wheel gap to the fenders... I wont be going all 'hella flush' on the mustang... or at least this isn't my stated goal as of right now.
I measure at least a 2" drop... thats what I need to learn how to do. Thanks either way...
Just to clarify, my goal is somewhere between THIS:
AND THIS:
