Full Suspension Checklist

[V_Eight]

Well, time to make a list of all the stuff I need to outhandle a lotus.. and I road race, no auto x, minimal drag.

Tubular K Member
Tubular A-Arms
Coilover Kit
Strut Brace
Bigger Sway?

Upper/Lower Control Arms
Panhard Bar
Subframe Connectors

Is that all i'd need to get?

 

[tomustang]

be back in a bit, i'll give you hint

 

[tomustang]

If you're thinking about ousting an Elise, you're going to have to start dropping alot weight, especially in the front. Atleast maintain a close 50/50 weight distro, which is not hard considering most of the weight is from the engine.

You'd have to setup a complete front end rearange (A Arms, racing K Member) and an IRS (heavier, more ballancing) out back, Possible Aluminum Block (save 80 or so lbs) The elise has a greater balance at 40 Front/60 Back so it can hit a turn and exit out one at near full throttle with enough grip.

Start looking at complete kits insted of piecing parts together, Like Griggs or My recommendation, Maximum Motorsports.

The Elise is a heavy hitter and it ranks as one of top handling production cars of all time. It's skidpad is over 1.00G and the slalom is greater than 72.5mph. It's a high bar for you to set but good luck

 

[squares98]

that alum block makes a big difference, when I changed my engine it made the front end sit .25" higher and the car has much better turn in and composure through transitions.

 

[1fast03pony]

you wont outhandle an elise with a good driver unless you gut your car and make it solely a track use vehicle. sorry...

 

[Torinalth]

to add my 2c, on a 89 LX, MM got it to do .97 in the skidpad on stock rubber. so its doable to catch up to the 1.0 that tom has quoted for the elise.

i'm not Tom, but if going fof front suspension you might want to look into the SLA setup from griggs, aside from that i cant even offer any other alternative that what Tom suggested.... but thats normal

for a bit of an edge, you might want to look into 17x9 wheels (light as possible) and go with 275 tires to gain a bit better advantage with rubber traction. and lose as much paneling as possible and get some lighter seats (ditch the rear seat)

at the end, you will need to get some power as well (since you will still be heavier then the elise) so you might want to go with a kenny bell or big bore high compression block from VT.... just my thoughts.

Torinalth

 

[VividDreams]

If you're thinking about ousting an Elise, you're going to have to start dropping alot weight, especially in the front.

i was gonna say that you could start by dropping lile 1000-1500lbs.....lol

 

[V_Eight]

you wont outhandle an elise with a good driver unless you gut your car and make it solely a track use vehicle. sorry...

It's going to be.

Thanks for the tips everyone.

 

[bdcardinal]

nice another corner carver. i would pretty much look at getting the whole MM Mzximum Grip package if i were you. also getting Cobra R or Stoptech brakes with some super sticky(Michelin Pilot Sport Cup) rubber.

my new setup is all MM stuff, and is a mild track type setup, but still weill be good on road.

 

[tomustang]

It's going to be.

Thanks for the tips everyone.

Well since you mind is made up...



Good luck

 

[DerekStangGT]

Well, time to make a list of all the stuff I need to outhandle a lotus.. and I road race, no auto x, minimal drag.

Tubular K Member
Tubular A-Arms
Coilover Kit
Strut Brace
Bigger Sway?

Upper/Lower Control Arms
Panhard Bar
Subframe Connectors

Is that all i'd need to get?

dont forget the tq arm (if youre even keeping the solid rear), 18" wheels, and sticky rubber. an Elise is one bad mamma jamma in the turns. its gonna take A LOT for a mustang to keep up. the biggest issues will be weight (you have more, and in the wrong places (the front)), like Tom said. wow, so much work would need to be done. i wish you the best on your quest however.

 

[VividDreams]

dont forget a nice roll bar/cage. that'll help stiffen things up a lot

 

[V_Eight]

dont forget the tq arm (if youre even keeping the solid rear), 18" wheels, and sticky rubber. an Elise is one bad mamma jamma in the turns. its gonna take A LOT for a mustang to keep up. the biggest issues will be weight (you have more, and in the wrong places (the front)), like Tom said. wow, so much work would need to be done. i wish you the best on your quest however.

I have 18's, with 275/35's and 295/35's. I'll probably hunt down a set of cheap 17's and put Advan competition tires on them so it will really stick.

I want to keep the solid rear end, unless I can find someone to swap with for super cheap, otherwise, not a smart financial move.

 

[VividDreams]

I have 18's, with 275/35's and 295/35's. I'll probably hunt down a set of cheap 17's and put Advan competition tires on them so it will really stick.

smart move there!

 

[tomustang]

http://www.sportcompactcarweb.com/features/0205scc_coblot/


good article, even though it's SCC

 

[Stangdriver1119]

It's going to be.

Thanks for the tips everyone.

Haha I like that confidence...if you got the money and knowledge, you'll be able to make your stang outhandle just about anything

 

[VividDreams]

good luck, keep us posted!

 

[twogts4us]

you wont outhandle an elise with a good driver unless you gut your car and make it solely a track use vehicle. sorry...

I met an Elise at a stoplight and foolishly thought it was a cute handling car with little power...boy, was I wrong...I couldn't keep up...he didn't exactly walk away from me, I just couldn't pull even and finally gave up, giving him the at the next light.
Then I went home and searched the internet for this little ripper...yeah, only 190 HP (@ 7800 RPMS!), but also only 1984 pounds. It's final drive ratio is 4.53, with a six speed, it'll do 150MPH. 0-60 in 4.9, but even more impressive is 0-100 in 12.9.

 

[VividDreams]

it would be great if we could have all those specs!...except for the power that is, lol

 

[VividDreams]

btw, if you get the panhard bar, it would be in your best intrest to get a torque arm too, you wouldnt need to buy UCA's and it would have little to no bind. something that cant be said for aftermarket, or any uppers. uppers are ok for drag racin, but for all out handling, you want a T/A-PHB setup