Basic Suspension Discussion

[final5-0]

We all hate the OEM 4x4 stance look of our Stangs

We do springs, shocks, plates, and who knows what to fix it.

After that mod ... We got the look alright
but
We also can find we now got NVH to some degree as well

Have any of you ever considered a different method to reduce
the gap between the top of the tire and lower fender which
is body work.

Now ... I really don't know a lot about suspension stuff
but
Setting the money aside and the troublesome body work

What benefits ... or ... Draw backs ... or ... Other Opinions ...
do all you guys have to say about this?

Something I've wondered about from time to time

Grady

 

[urban96]

i think adding material to the fenders would make the car look more bulky and heavy, and less sleak/sporty

 

[1TallMF]

Alot of the benifits from lowering the car comes in the form of better handling since the center of gravity of the car will then be lower. You can't do that simply with body work that makes the car "look" lower. You could try running 24" dubzzz, that over-fill the wheel well (thus closing the gap), but then you also raise the car off of the ground, which is gay and doesn't help anything.

Almost every car modification is a comprimise of some level of comfort and/or daily drivability in exchange for looks and/or performance. Its what this hobby is all about. Personally I wouldn't enjoy driving my car so much if it drove softly like a cadillac. I wanna feel the car react to every bump

 

[Killercanary]

What about drop spindles? They would accomplish the look while maintaining the stock spring and strut. I know there was one company that made these, but I've never seen them for sale.

 

[urban96]

What about drop spindles? They would accomplish the look while maintaining the stock spring and strut. I know there was one company that made these, but I've never seen them for sale.

that would still leave the rear up in the air tho

 

[final5-0]

Well ... I know I am old school and all that
but
When I got back in this hobby

I thought my 95GT was nothing but a ... Big Ole Slot car

I mean ... you gotta see it from my viewpoint

Those old Muscle Cars didn't go around corners like my 95

I really am not unhappy with what I got
but
I see where some go for the lowered look
and
some of the time ... they later gripe about
NVH
shorter shock/strut travel
and other modified suspension after effects

I'd not want to lower mine due to my LT's
but still
I just kinda have always wondered about any
benefits that could be gained if some kind of
body work was done that did not look too funky.

Grady

 

[Bosko5.0]

with my vert being lowered and the Lts i have about 3.5" clearance but i have an early warning devise my xbrace under neath i bent it some to clear the headers and it has 3" clearance.

i agree that adding onto the fenders would make our cars alittle fatter/bulky i like the sleek design,drop spindles i have heard but never seen any for sale.

i do agree you have to give up comfort for control.

and 24's its not a 4x4 for heaven sake

 

[HISSIN50]

I do know whatcha mean Mr Grady. Some of the Teutonics have pulled off the look I think you're after (some of the newer BMW's, etc. They get the tire to fender tuck just ).
A body mod would be nice because you're starting with your desired goal (fender gap) rather than swapping springs and hoping the end result leaves a decent gap.............

I just wouldn't know how to do it in any sort of aesthetically pleasing way.

Photochoppers?

Things were simpler when we were young Grady. Wagons didnt have fenders.

 

[final5-0]

Yes JT

Your use of the BMW's for an example is just what I'm talking about.

Just thought I'd throw that stuff out there to see if anybody had ever
thought along those lines like me.

To reduce the gap .........

You gotta put up with NVH or Body Work Hassle

There is always the option of really high profile side wall tires

Grady

 

[215what]

Air Runner

 

[JJ95GTID]

Grady, I have seen Fox bodied cars with widened fender flares that look like part of the body.
This was so they could put 315s out back and 275 up front.
Mostly autoX guys.
IMHO it looks awesome on the Fox bodies.

The 94-98 bodies just seem to be too curvy to add this type of fender flare.
Our cars accommodate wide tires easily.

Now you could move up to a 28" tire f&r with some draglites to fill the fender gap.
Not a bad look at all.

Or you could find lowering springs with spring rates as close to stock as possible.
This was the route I took and found FRPPs 'B' springs fit the bill.
With adjustable struts and shocks I can dial my ride so that the car floats a little on the highway like a stock setup
Or, I can make it ride like a brick
Or, I can make the rearend plant the tires and keep the front soft for weight transfer off the line. Still playing with this.

 

[final5-0]

You know Joe

You bring up an option I've thought about many times

Being a relic from the past ... I love the Pro Streeter Look

I've thought about Prostars all around many, many times

However my motivation is not drag related ...
Its all about ... "the look"
Although ............
I'll take the performance from less weight

Those wheels/taller profile tires will fill ... some of the gap

I've thought about the typical ultra fat look for the rear
but
NOT ... Pizza cutters in front

Much more narrow than the back ... for sure
but
Still enough meat to stop/corner fairly well

I might still have to lower it ... just a bit
but
If so ... it would not be so much I'd drag my LT's on everything

Then again ...............
that'll make my 373's more wimpy than they already are

Grady

 

[gcomfx.com]

I went with the drag launch springs.... when people tell me I should lower my car, I tell them what springs I have they shut up and go on with life. So apparently it doesn't bother them THAT much.

Besides it's my car. I want it to scoot, more than I want to drive slow. The roads in MO are not very good.

 

[Dan95-5.0]

I went with the drag launch springs.... when people tell me I should lower my car, I tell them what springs I have they shut up and go on with life. So apparently it doesn't bother them THAT much.

Besides it's my car. I want it to scoot, more than I want to drive slow. The roads in MO are not very good.

i want to lower my car because i hate the 4x4 look i have in the wheel gap. but with my body kit and stock springs, i'm already low enough to where i want to be.

i want the eibach drag springs for the performance but then my problem will be even worse.

i only have one solution for my problem. AIR RIDE

 

[bimmertech]

coil-overs grady!!!!!!!

a good set of coilovers and struts will ride much better than stock. stay conservative with your spring rate---like a 175 14" and you'll be riding smooth.

 

[blksn955.o]

After a good bit of thinking and what I wanted all around.

I decided on bullit springs/shock setup. It is alittle lower and since its factory not only is the ride just enough firmer its not harsh (well it will be better when I change the UCA/LCA arrangement). A big plus is that since its factory the parts are avail. several places. I think that with a good set of weld on subframes added as well would be a fairly well rounded affordable setup.

As far as wheel gap, I think the bullit springs with the 17in rim is subtle...not slammed looking but more fitting. I think an 18in rim with the type of drop the bullit springs give is about perfect. In the end a 1 or so in. drop in spring to bring the body down and a 1-2 in step up in rims to bring the rim closer to that now lower body comes out good and can be done matched at a great price with a good factory setup.

Now if you want to spend the money...I have wanted to see what an air ride setup on a 94-95 would be like for some time. totaly tunable for diff. types of auto fun. A coilover setup to me is nice but preaty much drag or comp. track not much for street and drag/track.

 

[final5-0]

coil-overs grady!!!!!!!

a good set of coilovers and struts will ride much better than stock. stay conservative with your spring rate---like a 175 14" and you'll be riding smooth.

You know Ben

The weight reduction does tempt me

I honestly have seen quite a few threads where peeps who did
coil-overs talk about how they cause nvh

Again ... I have never done any suspension work to my 95 so my
concerns about nvh are driven by the things I've seen on these
various boards

All you guys are very kind to give me this little crash course in
Suspension Basics 101

In no way shape or form do I wanna do anything that would cause
a ride that makes my Stang sound like some old clunker car that
knocks and bangs around every time I hit a small bump, dip,
or depression in the road

Grady

 

[bimmertech]

You know Ben

The weight reduction does tempt me

I honestly have seen quite a few threads where peeps who did
coil-overs talk about how they cause nvh

Again ... I have never done any suspension work to my 95 so my
concerns about nvh are driven by the things I've seen on these
various boards


Grady

they prolly bought some cheaper kits. i have the maximum motors kit with tockico struts and my car is now more quiet than when i had eibach pro kits. my wife even commented on how quiet and smooth the car was---i even run a 300lb 10" spring.

point being, get a quality kit and you will have no problems.

 

[Pokageek]

I am not in tune with unconventional ways. 255/45 takes some of the gap -really. The eibach pro's were a good compromise, not too low but took out the gap. I have yet to put on the tokico's but will report back.

If you want killer handling = http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/iwwida.pvx?;item?item_no=MM-MMTA3 1&comp=LRS

This turns the car into a 3 link from a 4 link. From what I hear, the results are dramatic with no loss in driveability. Something like, when you hit a turn ramp the car doesn't lean AT ALL. Every jumped up and down on the back of a firetruck? It don't move. You get the idea.

It all depends on what you want. It's all in the subject of handling but sorry if I got off track on that.

p.s. Don't go the route of some - getting a body kit. The gap is still in the fenderwell the air damn is just closer to the ground for hitting, lol.

 

[Dan95-5.0]

i'm really looking into gettin a set of front coil overs now.

heres a good link over on corral where they have a great deal for a set

http://www.corral.net/forums/showthread.php?t=789226