I was looking at Bilstein HD shocks/struts for my 2001 GT. I am lowering it 1/1.5" but what I was wondering is - these Bilstein HD's are for stock height GT's right? So are these ok or should I be getting a different set of Bilstein HD's to complement the slight difference in height?

 

Most any shocks/struts ought to be able to handle a 1" or so drop - what do you suppose happens to the ride height when you load the car up (or possibly overload it) with people and all their stuff? Only a particular position-sensitive shock would be put out of its proper usage for the ride height reason alone.

I did a (very) little research, and found this . . .
http://www.stranoparts.com/partdetai...=72&ModelID=21

They look like HD's, but I strongly suggest that you give Sam a phone call to get the full scoop on that kit (since everything in it looks like it fits your intentions). Sam's kind of a one man shop, so the phone works better than email or forum threads (I'm not sure that he even shows up in this one). I know he wouldn't sell a kit with components that were truly mismatched, and he has a reputation for selling you what you need to solve your mod without adding other stuff or things of marginal worth.


Norm

 

Thanks Norm. I was looking at these springs with an expected drop of 1.25"

<http://www.americanmuscle.com/b-springs-7904.html#> <-- would these be ok with the stock-type shocks/struts?

I was planning on just getting MM CC plates this time, is there much benefit in getting steeda x-2 balljoint and bumpsteer kit as well? I had gotten them before on my 2000 but I didn't feel like it did anything besides correcting the alignment with the control arms.

 

It's kind of your call on the springs - I'm sure you can get the shocks separately even through Sam (who would be better equipped to tell you how well the Bils match up to 200/300 springs in the conventional LCA-mount application.

FWIW, not half an hour after I shut the computer down for the night I read in Brake & Front End*** magazine pretty much what I posted - that most vehicles can be lowered with acceptable results up to about 1.5", but hint fairly strongly that position-sensitive shocks won't cope with lowering very well. In case you or anybody else tuning into this thread aren't sure what "position-sensitive" shocks are, the poster boy for them is the Monroe SensaTrak. IMHO, they have no business being in most any performance application.


*** - Brake & Front End magazine is a monthly trade publication aimed at the independent shop owner and his staff, and they've only recently started addressing how to deal with common modifications made by or for individual owners.


Norm

 

Oh I understand what you're talking about now, and yeah I have heard some pretty bad things about sensatracks on lowered mustang's. Thanks for all the info Norm! I will try contacting Sam.

 

sam occasionally runs sales too, awhile back he had a full set of Koni Yellows for $570.

another option is if you really want to drop it, get the foxbody equivalent. they are a tad shorter, and IIRC with a 1.5" to 2" drop would be perfect. not sure if this applies to the bilsteins.