Do I need to get aftermarket uppers after lowering my car? I want to get a 1.5-2" drop, which I've read will throw off the geometry quite a bit. I know I'll need the bumpsteer kit, and CC plates for the front, but what about the rear?
UCA's needed after lowering?
- Thread starter 40th GT
- Start date
twogts4us
15 Year Member
In a word, NO. Great question though...
While a radical drop in ride height can cause the pinion angle change, the 4 bar setup we have doesn't allow a large change. So, as stated, you don't need them, however, you could benefit by tweaking the pinion angle...that is if you spend a lot of time on the 1320. And if you are dropping it, I'm guessing you don't. Otherwise, I wouldn't bother.
Nonetheless, if you don't have LCAs, I'd highly recommend em, for street, strip, auto-x or anything in between.
While a radical drop in ride height can cause the pinion angle change, the 4 bar setup we have doesn't allow a large change. So, as stated, you don't need them, however, you could benefit by tweaking the pinion angle...that is if you spend a lot of time on the 1320. And if you are dropping it, I'm guessing you don't. Otherwise, I wouldn't bother.
Nonetheless, if you don't have LCAs, I'd highly recommend em, for street, strip, auto-x or anything in between.
Don't bother with the bumb steer kit, get the Motorsport ball joint kit instead. As far as I can tell, unless you are doing straight drag you never need to change the rear upper arms out, just replace the rubber bushings when they get old. A nice set of lower arms wouldn't be a bad idea however.
EPIK
Member
Great answer...
UCA's are actually going to make your handling even worse since the stiff bushings dont allow correct articulation of the axle & they cause sever bind...If u check out Maximum Motorsports website, they recommend sticking with the factory uppers unless u switch over to a torque arm. Aftermarket LCA's have also been known to damage upper torque boxes too... LCA's would be a great upgrade to make....
EPIK
Member
I disagree about the Bumpsteer kit. Its a good upgrade if u lower your stang. I have the steeda bumpsteer kit & the X2 balljoints on my 03 & its dumped over 2 inches. It has far less bumpsteer compared to my 95 that is only lowered 1.5 inches, but has no bumpsteer kit installed.... I think the balljoints & bumpsteer kit are meant to work together to help bring the front geometry back into spec....
The reason I suguest the ball joints over the bump steer kit is this:
You are going to be working on the arm anyways
The bump steer kit is EASY to install and you can do it later at any time without removing any other parts
Having an alignment shop properly setup the bumpsteer kit after you install it can cost BIG bucks. Some might do a basic setup on them for little to no cost but to get your money's worth out of the parts you need to have a pro setup the new rod end spacers properly
In the end, I'd say put both in but I was just suguesting the ball joints over the bump steer kit if it came to that.
You are going to be working on the arm anyways
The bump steer kit is EASY to install and you can do it later at any time without removing any other parts
Having an alignment shop properly setup the bumpsteer kit after you install it can cost BIG bucks. Some might do a basic setup on them for little to no cost but to get your money's worth out of the parts you need to have a pro setup the new rod end spacers properly
In the end, I'd say put both in but I was just suguesting the ball joints over the bump steer kit if it came to that.
blackfang
Founding Member
They also recommend replacing the stock bushings in the uppers. I am just getting the MM uppers(basically FRPP ones with MM bushings).
EPIK
Member
if you get a torque arm and a PHB you can remove your UCA's, cant you?
This is what I want to do....
Yup...The torque arm replaces the uca's...I should definitely have mine installed within the next month or so, as soon as my tax return comes
EPIK
Member
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