Am i doing the right thing? (suspension first)

Grandmaster · Apr 27, 2004

Well guys...i've got the money..i've got the list of parts made out...i just wanted to make sure this is the right thing for me to do. My current mods are in my sig. I'm planning on having full bolt ons, full suspension, and H/C/I by the time its all said and done, but i just wanted to make sure i'm doing the right thing by getting suspension first. My logic is why should i build power when i cant get it to the ground. So, i want to prep the car first. But i'm wondering....this is about a $1000 investment by the time its installed, probably a little more, will i notice a big differencein the car? Or will it only help when i get more power? I just dont want to spend a grand on suspension and then not notice any difference. Here's what i'm planning...right now the suspension is COMPLETELY STOCK.

Lakewood 90/10s and 50/50s
Eighbach drag launch springs
Upper and lower Control arms
Subframe connectors

Should i get torque box reinforcements?

It'll see the track maybe once a month, but i like a spirited drive pretty often heh. THANKS!! this is a big decision...i'm in high school and i've been saving for this for a while, so i want it to be a good buy...
-Grandmaster

p.s. has anyone ordered anything from laurel mountain mustang? they have the springs for like 230..sounds great.

Legendary · Apr 27, 2004

You are making a wise decision. By doing suspension you will start to get good times even early in you build up. And I would go with the T.B. reinforcements even on a stock stang!

ComfortablyNumb · Apr 27, 2004

It's good to do suspension firt but isn't it unsafe to run 90/10s on a car your using on the street a lot?

Grandmaster · Apr 27, 2004

ComfortablyNumb said:
It's good to do suspension firt but isn't it unsafe to run 90/10s on a car your using on the street a lot?

I've never seen anyone say they cause problems on the street. The question has come up on this forum often and everytime people say they are fine.

thanks for the input guys!

IMissMy93Fox · Apr 27, 2004

Definately do the suspension first... it's hard to do because everyone wants more power but its the right way to do it. CHeck into the subframe connector, k member and strut tower brace from kenny brown too. I had it, made a huge difference.

Grn92LX · Apr 27, 2004

All that suspension isn't needed in a street car. All you need is a good tire. Spend that $ on power mods and buy drag radials or slicks and good subframe connectors. Tq box reinforcements are a good idea too.

Grandmaster · Apr 27, 2004

even if i'm planning on low 12s?

86T-Top · Apr 27, 2004

Doing suspension work will definatly help your times. A good tire is a must and you should reinforce those torque boxes too. Do the subs and doing the upper and lower control arms are a good idea. Most likely the bushings in the control arms a shot and you might as well upgrade them while you are in there. As for the springs and struts/shocks, you don't need to do them, but they will definatly help you hook and lower you 60 foot time. So it is up to you. If you don't really care about carving corners and are more into drage racing the 90/10 stuts and 50/50 shocks with the drag springs are a good choice. You just want to make sure that you get your body stiffened up, by putting in the subframes welding up the torque boxes and depending how much power you are going to make putting a cage in it. But it sounds like you won't need one. Also, since you are planning on increasing your horsepower, improving your braking system would be a good idea too.

Have fun,

Mario

NKau · Apr 27, 2004

Yes, definitely do suspension first. Get good subframe connectors and UCA's and LCA's. I would not hesitate to put in torque box reinforcements at the same time as you have the subs welded in either; extremely cheap insurance as far as I'm concerned. As far as springs and shocks go, I don't believe it's absolutely neccessary to buy high $$$ parts unless you will be trying to shave off every little bit of time off your 1/4 e.t. as possible. You will notice a pretty big difference with just NEW heavier springs and decent shocks.

89MustangGX · Apr 27, 2004

That's definitely the way to go -- with the suspension work and good traction you may see 12's on an otherwise stock car.

cleanLX · Apr 27, 2004

the stock motor is not going to overpower the stock suspension.

you plan is definatly a good one, but at stock power levels don't expect to hook much better than with stock suspension.
I've gone 1.70 many times, and 1.69 once on totally stock suspension(air bag) and DOT's.
Put real slicks under it and I'm certian consistant 1.67's were there.
You don't see many stock motor'd 5.0's 60'n better than that even with suspension components.

So, yes, it's a great place to start, but with ~230hp on tap don't expect to see big gains over the stock equipment in the 60'.

Grandmaster · Apr 27, 2004

Ok, thanks so much to everyone for the replies. I've decided to go ahead and get it all. Here is my logic:

If i dont do it now and i buy bolt ons and h/c/i or boost it, then i'm gonna spin until i get some suspension mods. I'd hate to tell people i have h/c/i and be running 13s just because it wont hook (i really dont want to buy full slicks, as it is mostly street driven..i like my BFGs a lot anyways). Also, my stock suspension feels pretty much shot the way it rides, so i think its due for a change. Whats that old rule? Something like: if its broke, upgrade it. So i'll be doing that and preparing it at the same time. I'm sure i dont need it all right now, but i think in the long run i'll be glad i did it, as i wont have to worry about traction. Thanks for the help.
-Grand

p.s. with the suspension i listed and all of the normal bolt ons (pullies, exhaust, cai or k and n, gears, DRs..etc) will i probably be pulling 1.7s? I'm a good driver (with good tires lol). Trying to figure how low in the 13s i can get without H/C/I..its a full weight GT...i'll pull weight out of it but i'm REALLY heavy so it will make up for it.

Grandmaster · Apr 27, 2004

Oh and by the way, cleanLX, those times are amazing! Man that car is light...When you say other wise factory origional...i'm assuming you mean just power and drive wise right? What all did you do to lighten it? I think i might go hardcore with mine and pull my mp3 player, speakers and everything. I love car audio, have since i was like 12...but quite honestly i can tell my hearing is deteriorating and i really think i need to get out of it before i jack my hearing up forever. Plus i could sell that stuff for hundreds and buy power. Anyways if you want to post what you did please feel free, i'd love to know.
-Grandmaster

p.s. please dont think i'm some punk kid who goes around stuntin' just because i like car audio, really i'm a responsible guy (living in the country helps, noone complains).

shorty1993 · Apr 28, 2004

here is my .02 cents, Eibach springs rock, have seen others, not impressed. I did alot of suspension work from the very beginning (still have alot to do). but i could tell right away that traction improved. alot quicker on take off even with the **** tires that mine has got..BTW they were on there when i got it, cant wait till they are gone. i also replaced all the bushings Energy Suspension offers some complete packages..worth it. we did springs and shocks on a friends '90' without doing the polyurethane, and he wasnt happy once again..just my .02 cents good luck

Am i doing the right thing? (suspension first)

Grandmaster

New Member

Legendary

ComfortablyNumb

Grandmaster

New Member

IMissMy93Fox

New Member

Grn92LX

Fidanza Man!

Grandmaster

New Member

86T-Top

NKau

89MustangGX

I have nothing productive to add!

cleanLX

Grandmaster

New Member

Grandmaster

New Member

shorty1993

New Member

Similar threads

Am i doing the right thing? (suspension first)

New Member

New Member

New Member

Fidanza Man!

New Member

I have nothing productive to add!

New Member

New Member

New Member

Similar threads

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency