Hi All,

I have a 2009 GT/CS that I'm working on setting up a a combination street/track car, and I'm wondering about what my lowering spring options might be?

So a little background. I got the car last fall with the idea of setting it up as a "BOSS 302" clone, in the handling department that is. After quite a bit of research I decided to go the Steeda route, and last weekend installed a set of their Sport Lowering Springs, struts, shocks, adjustable panhard bar, and front tower brace. The results were pretty close to what I expected with the exception of the ride on the highway being quite a bit rougher than I was hoping for. I know the Steeda Sport Lowering Springs are linear and not progressive, and am thinking that replacing them with a set of progressive springs might return the ride quality back closer to stock than it is now. Am I on the right track? And if so, what springs should I be considering? I'm not after a big drop, say 1" or so, but not really more that 1 1/2". Basically something similar to the Steeda Sport Lowering Springs, but just with a better highway ride.

 

I put Vogtland springs on my 2007 GT, I believe the fronts are 160/240 lbs and the rears are 120/220. I also have the Koni STR.T shocks. The ride is not soft. I live in the northeast, lots of bumpy roads, the ride is quite jarring at times. I have even toyed with the idea of going back to the original Ford springs, but I like the lowered look. I'd be interested in what others have to say about this.

 

Did you swap the jounce bumpers or cut the stock pair down? When you lower the rear, if you don't adjust them it will give you a very harsh ride.

 

I didn't, but I have a proper set on the way. They were one of the items I didn't realize I needed before I started the project, so unfortunately I didn't have them on hand when I did the install. They should hopefully arrive by the weekend, so with any luck I have them installed by the end of the day on Sunday. Hopefully that will help a little with the ride harshness.

 

I bought shorter jounce bumpers and installed them at the same time as the shocks and springs. Still a little too rough a ride for my taste.

 

If the new jounce bumpers don't fix things for me, based on what I have been learning here and elsewhere, I think my next step will be to install a set of adjustable shocks like what the 2012-2013 BOSS 302s came with. I have been told that springs are rarely the cause of a rough ride, and that it is usually the dampers that are to blame. In any case I will report my experience back here as I systematically make changes in pursuit of making the car a little more pleasant riding on the highway.

 

I talked with a steeda tech yesterday about a set of springs for my 07 gt convertible. They have a set specifically for the convertible, and was told that the rears are linear and fronts are progressive. No sure if that applies to the coupes.

 

Thanks for the input. I'm pretty sure they are the same because in the Steeda video install demonstration they specifically point out that the rear springs are reversible with regards to their up/down orientation, which is not the case with progressive springs which to my understanding all have a definite up/down orientation.

 

FYI, I didn't install lowering springs on my car but did install the koni str t orange shocks & struts and didn't experience any noticeable difference in ride harshness if that helps any.