I have a 2017 Mustang GT and I'm looking to lower it.
From what I've read, progressive springs will give me a 'smoother' less bumpy ride, so I'm planning on going with those. (Please correct me if I'm wrong.)
I want to lower the car and give it a nice aggressive look, I hate the unsightly wheel gap.
However, I don't want it slammed. I don't want the tires to rub. I just want the lowest I can go while still be able to enjoy the car as a street car.
I'd also like to go lower in the front to create a slight rake. (Please feel free to tell me why this is or isn't a good idea.)
So I'm looking for suggestions for a spring that will suit my needs.
I appreciate your feedback!
I've attached a picture of my car so you can get an idea of the gap.

 

Most spring kits are progressive rate, either 1 or 1 1/2 inch drop. Neither will affect your tire rub with stock wheel offsets. You don't want to lower the car more in the front for that aggressive rake look because it just puts more weight on the front tires which affects handling balance. The car is already nose heavy which helps create understeer that manufacturers build into the car. Understeer is safer but you definitely don't want any more. Look at Steeda's website for springs. I would do matching shocks at the same time. Ford Racing has two great kits, one street (you might want more) and one for track.

 

The amount of rake doesn't have very much to do with shifting weight. It only looks like it might when you forget that the front is lower because the front springs are set for a lower ride height. Not because you've put more load on them to get them down there.

You'll be better off thinking in terms of "less is more" here, and 1" is really about as far as you should go here and still expect daily drivability without having to make too many sacrifices/compromises in your driving. More than a few of the early S550 owners that went for 1.5" or more lowering soon regretted it (yes, I follow other forums).


In terms of "gap", keep in mind that as you lower the car to make the gap at the top smaller, the wheels start becoming "uncentered" in the wheelwells (slammed) and the gaps between the tire and the lower edges of the body get bigger. You see this better from a distance more like what most people who'll look at your car will see it from than you can when you're only arm's length away from the tire.


On edit, you might like these.


Norm

 

I went with Eibach Sportlines (-1.5" front, -1.3" rear) and 1" hubcentric wheel spacers. It eliminated the wheels gap, gives it a nice aggressive look. When measured, the drop was more in the front, the slightly taller tires on the back do give the illusion that the rear is lower... it's not. No rubbing, but it is very close.

I love the look, the car handles great but I will say that I'm having a difficult time getting a good alignment. If I had to do it again, I probably wouldn't have went so low.

Looks like we have the same car so this pic should help.

 

I really love H&R super sport springs. They give a nice drop without going too low. I had a drop of 1.7" in the front and 2" in the rear and I paired them with some Koni shocks and some camber bolts to get the alignment in spec. Give this a try; I got everything for about $550. Good luck.

 

Ted - You do realize that OP is talking about an S550 Mustang (which has a somewhat different front strut arrangement and an IRS rather than your quadra-bind with quad shocks), don't you?


FWIW, I hope you aren't using aftermarket bolts for camber correction in a car you care much about. They're typically only about half as strong as the Ford OE fasteners - that they can only be installed to about half the OE torque spec should be telling you something, and I'll make that even clearer by telling you that means the strut to knuckle joints are only half as tight as Ford's design documents say they should be.


Norm

 

I just realized he was talking about a S550, sry. As for the camber bolts, they work just fine but I have added some MM caster camber plates over the winter. FWIW I do care about my car, but is just that when it comes to it: a car I can play with.

 

I realize that aftermarket camber bolts (aka "crash bolts" in the repair industry) can accomplish the necessary camber correction. Just that it's not a "freebie" in that they aren't as strong and this is an application where strength is pretty important. And the worst loading just might be hard braking rather than hard cornering.


Most people who use these bolts aren't truly aware of the strength issue until after the bolts are in. This isn't intended as flame, because most people aren't going to look at the installation torque spec with an engineering attitude (which in this instance goes something like "what else is this much lower than OE torque spec trying to tell me besides don't torque it as tight as an OE bolt?").


Norm

 

I will concur on the Steeda sport springs, having installed them on 3 different Stangs, my current GT500 being one of them. Steeda makes awesome products and you won't be dissatisfied.

BMR also makes some terrific products, including their lowering springs, altho they are a straight weight spring, not a progressive spring. I almost went that route w/my GT500 until Steeda made me an offer I couldn't refuse.
Lee

 

Hi, if you consider not just the springs, but the lowering kits as well, look into this Eibach® - 1" x 1" Pro-Plus Front and Rear Handling Lowering Kit. This kit gives 1 inch drop for both front and rear. It also includes sway bars for improved handling for both front and rear, and will work on your S550.