Decrease Stang's Turning Radius?

TKT GETR · Jul 29, 2004

I was wondering if there is anyway to decrease the turning radius of a stang. I have a 98 GT and I would like to be able to turn the wheels sharper. I do some drifting and I want more steering control when the car is in an oversteer situation.

Are there any aftermarket parts that make this possible? Or can the stock suspension parts be modded to do it?

Dark Knight GT · Jul 29, 2004

I believe Maximum motorsports carries an aftermarket steering column that allows the car to turn faster and it is shorter radius I do believe. You can also beef up your suspension which will also allow you to take turns easier and quicker.

damacman · Jul 29, 2004

You just need an adjustable wheel-base. See the Red Green show for a more in-depth explanation.

millatime · Jul 29, 2004

if you look at the description for the ford racing or cobra a arms, they say they decrease your turning radius by about 10%

TKT GETR · Jul 30, 2004

Thanks for the replies so far.
Keep them coming please.

dahun · Jul 30, 2004

TKT GETR said:
I was wondering if there is anyway to decrease the turning radius of a stang. I have a 98 GT and I would like to be able to turn the wheels sharper. I do some drifting and I want more steering control when the car is in an oversteer situation.

Are there any aftermarket parts that make this possible? Or can the stock suspension parts be modded to do it?

I believe that the "square" mustangs post '99 have a smaller turn radius. I had a '96 and the '03 has a much better turn radius. Maybe you can get OEM components to improve it?

huesmann · Jul 30, 2004

I would think that the only way to get a better turning radius is to get a PS rack that will turn push your tie rod ends out more in each direction. That or engineer some kind of rear steering system.

twogts4us · Jul 30, 2004

I don't think the rear-steer would help if he is trying to drift.
Flaming River makes quick ratio boxes for older Stangs, but I don't know about the newer ones.
Urathane bushings, stiffer (or adj) struts and shocks would go a long way in helping the drift...

DV19 · Jul 30, 2004

IMO,
The only way to pull this off is to get Spindles made with shorter steering arms that attach to the Tie-rods...... I don't know who makes them but I'd be interested in some myself. I'm no engineer but I bet a 1 inch shorter arm would give you 10-20% more steering angle at the wheel......

Not sure if your tires would clear with more angle though? My tire already rub with stock offset 17 x 8 wheels...... Could get less offset but then your tire would rub the fender......

Anybody else got any ideas?

Dark Knight GT · Jul 30, 2004

Try taking a look at this and see if you guys think this will help...

http://www.maximummotorsports.com/mmtierod.asp

http://www.maximummotorsports.com/steering.asp

http://www.maximummotorsports.com/rbd.asp

DV19 · Jul 31, 2004

Dark Knight GT said:
Try taking a look at this and see if you guys think this will help...
http://www.maximummotorsports.com/mmtierod.asp
http://www.maximummotorsports.com/steering.asp
http://www.maximummotorsports.com/rbd.asp

Nope!!
All those parts will do is give you good movement to your front wheels when you turn your steering wheel. AND this is only better if your stock parts are worn out..... They have Zero effect on turning radius..... Thanks for trying though...

Mach1Run · Jul 31, 2004

damacman said:
You just need an adjustable wheel-base. See the Red Green show for a more in-depth explanation.

Bwahahaha I love that show. DUCT TAPE UBER ALLES!

And to stay on topic, isn't drifting a dirty word on these forums?

TKT GETR · Jul 31, 2004

twogts4us said:
Urathane bushings, stiffer (or adj) struts and shocks would go a long way in helping the drift...

Haha - my Vortech gives me plenty of help for drifting. But I will be upgrading the shocks soon as well. The problem is my car likes to 180 too easily. I have added weight in the trunk (stereo) which doesnt help much with the momentum swing. My thinking was that if I could turn the front wheels sharper, I could better control the car when it's in an oversteer situation.

Again, thanks for all your suggestions. Please keep them coming.

Jake795 · Aug 1, 2004

sounds like what you need isn't more steering movement, but rather you need a quicker ratio steering box. That would allow you to react quicker to the oversteer problems you are having. Just my .02

Jake

wesl56 · Aug 1, 2004

i know what you mean with the car wanting to 180... i belive this is mostly because of the solid rear axle not planting the rear tires... if you're really serious about drifting, you could swap a cobra irs, that would help you tons for drifting

DBMSTNG · Aug 1, 2004

check with Kenny Brown. to change the turning radius, you would need a redesigned front suspension. i know Kenny Brown designed their own parts for their track car.

CManT1914 · Aug 1, 2004

damacman said:
You just need an adjustable wheel-base. See the Red Green show for a more in-depth explanation.

That show is great!! I especially love the one where they turned a FWD car into a RWD car, HAHAHAHAHA!!

DV19 · Aug 1, 2004

Guys.... Guys.......

This is such an easy fix..... All you need are Spindles with shorter steering arms! That way when you turn the steering wheel (to the lock of the rack) the spindles move a greater distance......

Problem is, I don't know anybody that already makes Fabricated Mustang spindles. Sure I can tell you 12 places that will make some for you if you give them a new set so they can build a jig. But the cost for 1-off spindles would be bad enough, let alone what they'll charge you for making a jig......

Of coarse don't forget, I'm not sure if the inside of the wheel/tire will clear if you turn the wheels more?

Mustang5L5 · Aug 1, 2004

TKT GETR said:
I was wondering if there is anyway to decrease the turning radius of a stang. QUOTE]

Sure, there's an easy way to do this. Simply cut the wheel and floor it. Car will turn on a dime. Might take a while to learn when to let off to perform a perfect 180. I usually just keep going around and around til i get a good vibe and let off.

hobbes80 · Aug 1, 2004

TKT GETR said:
Haha - my Vortech gives me plenty of help for drifting. But I will be upgrading the shocks soon as well. The problem is my car likes to 180 too easily. I have added weight in the trunk (stereo) which doesnt help much with the momentum swing. My thinking was that if I could turn the front wheels sharper, I could better control the car when it's in an oversteer situation.

If the ass end starts to go out and you can't get the wheel over fast enough to correct, you can also feather the clutch. The momentary reductions in power will slow the swing. Don't just put it in, if you stop spinning entirely you'll end up swinging out the other direction on your way out of the spin. A faster ratio steering will help, but feathering the clutch (or getting your foot out of it a little bit) will help too....

Someone correct me if I'm wrong... but this seems true from my experience.

Decrease Stang's Turning Radius?

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