AutoX Suspension set up 03GT

[dmdesilva]

Hi,

I just overhauled the suspension on my 03GT with the Maximum Motorsports max grip box. Pretty much everything is adjustable and I am very new to suspension set ups. I am looking for some guidance as to set up options for autoX. The car is not a daily driver but will be driven to the events. I am looking for an aggressive set up but still highway drivable. I will most likely be looking to adjust:

Caster
Camber
Swaybar
Panhard bar
Toe (i might leave this stock)

I am taking the car to a shop on Monday (9/19), and they said to check around and come in with some suggestions. Any help you guys can provide would be a real help!

Thanks!

 

[jegg]

As far as specs....I have no clue...

I would bring it to a reputable allignment shop that specializes in road racing/autox.

 

[bhuff30]

An auto-X alignment will wear your tires out VERY quickly if you do much street driving. You may want to learn to do your own alignments. I built a tool using a level and a couple set screws.

Anyway, for pure auto-X, you would want around -3* of camber and a slight toe out for better turn in (and a darty highway experience). Sway bars you will just have to play with yourself and find the right combination. Caster, I don't remember exactly, but it doesn't have a big effect at the slow speeds of auto-X.

When I did the auto-X stuff, I found a method that worked very well... I would run a street alignment on the car, then when I arrived at the track, I would max out the negative camber (was between -2.5 to -3 deg maxed out). Because of the geometry of the mustang, giving the car extra negative camber ends up giving you a bit of toe out without even touched the tie rod ends.

As a general rule, mustang suspension (pre 05) doesn't work. It sounds rediculous, but you are better off limiting suspension travel as much as possible by running the stiffest springs you can tolerate. You'll find a lot of people run upwards of 1000-1200 lb/in springs in the front. If you are going to get serious, I highly suggest reading the mustang performance handbook 2, by mathis. You'll find recommended alignment settings, and similar suggestions to what I just said.

 

[dmdesilva]

Thanks for the suggestions. I ended up going with -2.5 camber and 6.5 caster. I will fool around with the panhard bar once i run the car for the first time. This car isn't my DD anymore so I went with a pretty aggressive set up. Hopefully it works out on the track!