I have a new to me 2007 GT, stock and although there are some upgrades in the works, I would like to start looking into to some suspension upgrades. What items should I start with i.e. sway bars, lowering springs, control, arms etc. I will likely be making improvements in small pieces probably no more than $400 at a time, any thoughts greatly appreciated.

 

Why do you want to "upgrade" the suspension? You need to state your goals, usage, purpose...this isn't a one size fits all kind of thing. I can tell you what I've done. Another guy can tell you what he has done. But that doesn' mean our mods will suit you. Without knowing your useage we have no way to guide you, the more detail you can add the better. Give it some thought and put a plan in place before you start spending your 400 at a time. Without a plan you are basically just slapping parts on with no idea what they might do or if you will even like the results.

 

The Mustang is a DD, but as far as what I would like is to maximize the stiffness for those once in a while canyon drives, and give it a lower stance, but as it is a DD I don't want to sacrifice ride quality. I know the ride will stiffen slightly by lowering it but I would like to minimize NVH as much as possible. What combination of upgrades would be best suited?

 

For the occasional canyon run with minimal impact to ride quality, I'd want to look at adjustable shocks & struts, adjustable sta-bars, wider wheels/better tires, and a mild/moderate performance alignment.

Real-world handling is more about vehicle balance than roll stiffness. And you can change the ride quality significantly if you can adjust the shocks/struts.

Is this ↓↓↓ flat enough for you? Use the lateral tire distortion at the left rear as an indication of lateral g. Koni sports, Sam's bars, 18x9.5" GT500 wheels with 255/45's all around, and a more aggressive alignment than most other folks' street drivers.


Norm

 

Stock springs?

 

Yes.

I've got another picture from that event that shows a lot of tail rise under braking hard enough to get a couple of pulses from the ABS. But for street driving it's been entirely OK on the OE springs up to a very enthusiastic level.

The rest of the story - bars were middle holes front, firm holes rear, front damping +1 turn from full soft, rears +1/2 turn. Tires at about 33f/29r. I actually took about 1/2 turn out of the rears from my street setting since I hadn't autocrossed the car before but have experienced a little looseness on entering certain corners. I didn't want to embarass myself by looping it and hold up that (non-SCCA) event that I was only running in by virtue of being a walk-up volunteer course worker.


Norm