I have an 85 hatchback that I'm working on, and I'm looking at completely redoing the suspension - springs, stabilizers, arms, everything. After my initial research, I've been looking at eibach's pro-system plus kit, pro-street coil-over, and eibach anti-roll kit, and replacing the rest with mostly stock parts. I'm still looking around, though, and would like any advice possible. Specifically, I've heard that bilstein is practically the only other option. Are there other companies out there that I should consider? Is there any recommendation as to whether bilstein or einbach are better? Any other suggestions about overhauling the suspension?

 

Well Eibach is on a backorder right now with all of the Pro-System and Sportline System kits. So you'll have bad luck getting those right now...

As far as shocks & struts, bilstein makes the best for your car. You can combine the Bilstein shocks & struts, with the Eibach Pro-Kit springs, and get a nice setup. It will give you better ride quality than the Eibach shocks/struts, and wont take months of waiting for them to get off a backorder....

Bilstein's are very good because they are the only shocks/struts for Mustangs that are a gas-pressurized mono-tube design. All the rest are a fluid filled twin-tube design. The mono-tube design provides much better ride quality and sensitivy.

 

Have a look at the coil-over packages here: http://www.maximummotorsports.com

Highly recommended. I have their kit for my 94 GT vert and it's really awsome.

 

Thanks for recommending the coil-over kit.

Yes the Coil-overs are the "cream of the crop" suspension setups...

We sell the Maximum Motorsports complete coil-over packages here http://www.stangsuspension.com/store...idCategory=120

 

Okay, my only other concern is in weight considerations. I am going to replace the stock 302 with a 514. Will either the Bilstein or the Eibach suspensions be able to support that weight? If so, are there any other modifications that I need to make specifically to the suspension? If not, then what will work for that amount of weight? Please keep in mind that I'm going to be heavily reinforcing the frame to accomodate the increased power, which means even more weight.

 

Are you referring to the Bilstein or Eibach suspension packages (spring/shock combos)? As I stated above, you're not going to find the Eibach systems with shocks.... I would also not use the Pro-kit springs due to their softer spring rating.

I would just make sure you have a nice set of shocks/struts, to be able to handle the extra weight increase in the front. Also make sure you get a good spring rating up front. H&R Race springs, or a Coil-over kit would be what I'd suggest...

For the shocks... Bilstein...

 

Okay, thanks. I'm not sure if that's what I'm going to do with the engine, but either way I'll take your advice on board.