Handling questions...

[menace07]

Hey all, I just got my tax return and I'm ready to hit the "order" button on my suspension mods. This is my list, which will pretty much exhaust my funds:
1. steeda sport springs
2. tokico dspecs
3. steeda hvy duty strut mounts
4. steeda adj panhard rod
5. steeda frt/rear sway bars(if enough $$$ left over)

First off, what are your opinions? I plan on further mods, but this is to get me started with a better looking/handling car. Second, anyone know where the cheapest place to get steeda parts is? Thanks again for all advice/help

 

[jlisle01]

Well, except for the manufacturer of the springs, you've listed the major mods that I've done with mine suspension wise. I don't know what you're planning for the car. (street/drag racing/open track days) but that will make a huge difference that I think you'll be happy with if corner carving's your cup of tea. I'm guessing that you've already done wheels/tires? If not, then you might want to move them up the list. A good wheel tire combo will do more for looks and performance than anything else.

One question. Are you doing the HD strut mounts to align the car? If so, you might consider the Maximum Motorsports plates instead of the steeda ones. For 30 bucks more they'll give you a caster adjustment also and it's been suggested to me that they are quieter than the Steeda plates. Although I don't have any problems with the Steeda plates on mine making excessive noise.

The Steeda website is actually not too bad a place to order their stuff and their price on the D-specs is outstanding.

 

[steedman07]

I have the same set-up, less the D-specs but w/ a G-trac bar, and I love it..D-specs coming soon..Yuo will be very happy with it, I know I am, even w/out the D-specs...Good luck

 

[menace07]

thanks for the input. The only reason i havent upgraded wheels and tires yet is because I havent found any that I really like(I cant make up my freakin mind). I'll take a look at the mm strut mounts. I'm just tryin to get it right the first time...

 

[DarkFireGT]

Might wanna try stangsuspension.com

That's where I got my whole suspension from. Their customer service is outstanding, and they usually have great prices, too.

*edit* Compared prices for you. The Steed stuff is the same price, but the Tokico's are cheaper at stangsuspension. They're also a sponsor, so you may be able to PM them for a discount code. The only thing they don't have is the Steeda adj panhard bar, but they carry the BMR one, which I personally have and it's fantastic and inexpensive.

 

[whyask]

Stangsuspension is great...

+1 on going with MM chamber plates MUCH better the Steeda.. other than that the setup looks great.. NOW.. are you going more for track racing or DD with some weekend fun ?

 

[jlisle01]

I'm just tryin to get it right the first time...

Well, you're not sparing any expense. Getting the caster perfect is kind of going overboard on doing it right, caster's really not a big deal but from the factory mine is not only out of the Ford specs but the sides are not even. Being a little bit of a perfectionist, I would like to remedy that but I'm not going to throw out my Steeda plates and re-spend the money on it. I guess I'm more cheap than I am a perfectionist. Anyway, I've got mine aligned with camber bolts and I'm using the plates to change from a street setting to a track setting and back again. The plates really aren't necessary for a street car. I'd go with the sway bars first and add the plates if funds allow instead of the other way around. Just my .02

 

[menace07]

Stangsuspension is great...

+1 on going with MM chamber plates MUCH better the Steeda.. other than that the setup looks great.. NOW.. are you going more for track racing or DD with some weekend fun ?

Its mainly for weekend fun. I want my car to be comfortable, but sporty enough to flog around on a few track days a year.

 

[menace07]

jlisle, the only reason I was going to get the strut mounts now is to cut down on labor, since I'll be able to put the shocks, struts, and mounts on at the same time. I'd really like to get the sway bars, too. Do i need to get the billet endlinks with the rear swaybar?

 

[jay07]

Anyway, I've got mine aligned with camber bolts and I'm using the plates to change from a street setting to a track setting and back again.

I've got the MM plates on mine, is there any good way to mark them to go back and forth between street and track (I do autocross)?

Also, any recommendations on marking the toe? Or do I have to remeasure it every time I switch between street and track?

 

[Riggs]

Do aftermarket swaybars really make much of an improvement over stock?

 

[menace07]

I've heard they do if matched to the rest of your suspension. I know the frpp kit has new ones instead of just dampers and springs. No first hand experience with them on 05+ cars, though

 

[steedman07]

Do aftermarket swaybars really make much of an improvement over stock?

Depends how you drive I guess..If you dont really push the car, you wont need them..If you drive aggressivly,and push the car, they are a must..IMO..

 

[menace07]

Anybody ever used or heard of anyone using steeda's proaction struts/shocks?

 

[jlisle01]

Oh wow, this is going to end up being the preeminent suspension thread!

Do aftermarket swaybars really make much of an improvement over stock?

Yes, the sway bars will make a big difference, but only if you're really pushing the car. Just going to the grocery store you won't even know they are there.

I've got the MM plates on mine, is there any good way to mark them to go back and forth between street and track (I do autocross)?

Also, any recommendations on marking the toe? Or do I have to remeasure it every time I switch between street and track?

I'm not sure how you would mark the camber so you can adjust it. The Steeda plates only give you one degree of adjustment so I had mine aligned with the plates pushed all the way outboard so when I get to the track I can just push them in and add a full degree of camber. I had them check the plates on the alignment machine and they change the camber exactly one degree. The toe went in (I thought it was going to toe out) and the full degree of camber change only moved the toe 1/16 of an inch so I wasn't going to bother with it. I'm going to start taking tire temps this year and try to dial in a camber setting for the track. I'll post it when I'm sure of it.

jlisle, the only reason I was going to get the strut mounts now is to cut down on labor, since I'll be able to put the shocks, struts, and mounts on at the same time. I'd really like to get the sway bars, too. Do i need to get the billet endlinks with the rear swaybar?

No, you don't have to buy the billet end links with the Steeda rear bar, they come with it.

 

[jlisle01]

Oops, missed one. Yes, I actually had the Steeda Proaction struts/shocks before. I really couldn't tell that much difference from the stock ones. The stock dampers are pretty stiff so it's really better to get adjustable ones. I love mine. On the street I run the Tokico's six turns back from full hard (seven turns back is full soft) and the ride is almost as good as it was before I started bastardizing the suspension. I can have a track car and still keep my fillings!

 

[menace07]

thanks for the info...lots of good stuff here

 

[bigcat]

starting to sound more like a tech topic, so i moved to tech :nce: