Improve handling without lowering?

[ssbauer]

I would like to improve the handling on my near stock 02 GT (added a catted X). Without getting into a big discussion on the why or the 4x4 look, I do not want to replace the stock springs at this point. I have some good reasons.

I just want some general handling improments for daily driving. I don't go to the track, but I have done a little (very little) autocross. Plus, I would like to reduce the rear end hop.

Doing some searches on this forum, I have narrowed initial modifications down to three possibilities.

- Subframe Connectors, stiffening the chassis. Less twist around corners and when accelerating and maybe reduce wear and tear on the car. Standard or Full length?

- Replace shocks/struts. I assume Ford didn't initally put good ones on. A quality set should improve handling and ride. Bilsteins?

- Panhard bar. Fix that rear end hop?

The question is what should come first, which combo should come first, or I am way off base to begin with? I am leaning toward starting with subframe connectors. Opinions and suggestions are welcome...

 

[tomustang]

I would like to improve the handling on my near stock 02 GT (added a catted X). Without getting into a big discussion on the why or the 4x4 look, I do not want to replace the stock springs at this point. I have some good reasons.

I just want some general handling improments for daily driving. I don't go to the track, but I have done a little (very little) autocross. Plus, I would like to reduce the rear end hop.

Doing some searches on this forum, I have narrowed initial modifications down to three possibilities.

- Subframe Connectors, stiffening the chassis. Less twist around corners and when accelerating and maybe reduce wear and tear on the car. Standard or Full length?

- Replace shocks/struts. I assume Ford didn't initally put good ones on. A quality set should improve handling and ride. Bilsteins?

- Panhard bar. Fix that rear end hop?

The question is what should come first, which combo should come first, or I am way off base to begin with? I am leaning toward starting with subframe connectors. Opinions and suggestions are welcome...

1. Full lenght subs - for less twisting and better chassis structure, you can't go wrong. It is one of the more common 'first mods'

2. Upgrading for better springs always leans tward a drop in height, you can find Mach 1/Bullitt springs which are stiffer than stock but only drop as low as .75 to 1 inch. Doubt you will find something stiffer and retain the factory height. Even though I would like to hear the reason why you like the 4X4 look.

3. Bilsteins are a much harsher ride but it will handle better, if you can deal with a harder ride, go for them.

4. Panhard bar... is a great choice but you should upgrade other rear componets first like a Solid replacment Rear Sway Bar (OEM Cobra, Steeda etc.) and look into at set of Lower Control Arms like Maximum Motorsports or Pro3i's LCA's. That'll help with the hopping and give a better feel in the turns.

 

[BLUE03GT]

what spring/shock n strut package would make for the smoothest ride?...

 

[40th GT]

what spring/shock n strut package would make for the smoothest ride?...

Something like drag racing suspension..

 

[twogts4us]

MRT makes a nice handling package, with minimal lowering.
I'd do full length subs (MM is what I've got and love em - VERY heavy and VERY long), then MM, Steeda or UPR lowers and FRPP uppers.

 

[dromeda]

Subframes are pretty much a must. Simple, cheap and reduces a ton of twist. I'd do these first IMO. If you want to see how effective they are, just jack up one corner (on the frame) of the car before you put them in, then jack the same corner up after you do it. It's scary once you see what the car does compared to with subframes.

On the other hand my cobra has a complete Griggs Racing GR40 Autocross setup, and well it handles nicely.

 

[timeless2]

1. Full lenght subs - for less twisting and better chassis structure, you can't go wrong. It is one of the more common 'first mods'

2. Upgrading for better springs always leans tward a drop in height, you can find Mach 1/Bullitt springs which are stiffer than stock but only drop as low as .75 to 1 inch. Doubt you will find something stiffer and retain the factory height. Even though I would like to hear the reason why you like the 4X4 look.

3. Bilsteins are a much harsher ride but it will handle better, if you can deal with a harder ride, go for them.

4. Panhard bar... is a great choice but you should upgrade other rear componets first like a Solid replacment Rear Sway Bar (OEM Cobra, Steeda etc.) and look into at set of Lower Control Arms like Maximum Motorsports or Pro3i's LCA's. That'll help with the hopping and give a better feel in the turns.

Great advice, Tom.

 

[tomustang]

On the other hand my cobra has a complete Griggs Racing GR40 Autocross setup, and well it handles nicely.

Did you choose the PHB or the watts?

 

[StangPro]

Without changing springs, I wouldn't change dampers right away as they are tuned together.

Try SFC's and something like Steeda's aluminum LCA's, then sway bar bushings and either c/c plates with a good alignment or the poor man's version of just getting a set of poly upper strut mount bushings. Also, remove the quads when you do the LCA's to take some friction out of the system.

This is a good starting point.

 

[BlueRuckus]

Some other options:

Strut Tower Brace
G-Trac bar
Front and rear anti-sway bars.
Better Bushings all around.
Full length sub frame connectors for sure.


One of the first mods I did to my car was the Strut Tower Brace and I felt the diff. right away.

As far as your question about which first. I would say sub-frames, STB and sway bars.

Just my $.02 Good luck.

 

[tomustang]

Some other options:

Strut Tower Brace
G-Trac bar
Front and rear anti-sway bars.
Better Bushings all around.
Full length sub frame connectors for sure.

Better hurry with that G-Trac bar, I heard they are discontinued

 

[dromeda]

Did you choose the PHB or the watts?

The kit came with the PHB so I got that, though I would love to feel how a watts setup handles.

 

[wms004]

Without changing the stock springs, its going to be hard to receive cornering benefits.. Even going to Bullitt springs which barely lower the car at all would be better than nothing.

Otherwise, Bilstein Struts and Shocks are what you want. I've tried Tokico premiums and wasn't a huge fan. The bilsteins are amazing.

Secondly, you want Rear Lower Control Arms to get rid of wheel hop and keep the back end planted while accelerating through corners. www.maximummotorsports.com

Wade

 

[juiced_94gt]

1. Full lenght subs - for less twisting and better chassis structure, you can't go wrong. It is one of the more common 'first mods'



3. Bilsteins are a much harsher ride but it will handle better, if you can deal with a harder ride, go for them.

I don't agree with the bilstein thing, when they are matched it's a caddilac smooth ride and a definate corner hugger, with my front coilover kit with 300# springs and HD bilsteins, my car rides smoother and more comfortably over bumps and when you launch into a corner it stay's flat, bilsteins adjust themselves to road conditions and will give you a pleasent ride over uneven pavment with the cornering you are looking for, there is a reason for them beign expensive, if you have stiff springs and adjustable shocks and set them to soft, your just going to end up with a bouncier uncontrolled ride because the car will be over sprung, trust me i chucked my tokico illuminas in the garbage after 5k and the bilsteins where the best investment i ever made, do yourself a favor and call the Maximum motorsports tech line and they will explain everything to you.

 

[tomustang]

I don't agree with the bilstein thing, when they are matched it's a caddilac smooth ride and a definate corner hugger, with my front coilover kit with 300# springs and HD bilsteins, my car rides smoother and more comfortably over bumps [/QUOTE]

That's cause your springs/struts are in unicen, you should try the 500's

 

[ssbauer]

Even though I would like to hear the reason why you like the 4X4 look.

I don't necessarily like the 4x4 look, but at this point the current ride height will work out better for me. This might change in the future so I won't rule out springs totally.

So it sound like SFCs are a must, then possibly LCA and rear sway bar. I'll need to find a shop to do the SFCs. Probably not the thing to learn to weld on. LCA and sway bar I can do myself...

All, thanks for the help.

 

[juiced_94gt]

even if you just upgrade to bilsteins you will feel a big improvement in handling with the stock springs.

 

[ssbauer]

The dead shall rise again!

I just had full length SFC welded on. Big improvement; feels like a different car, quieter ride, handles bumps much better. Haven't tried any hard corners yet. It is probably my imagination but it shifts better too.

Now on to LCAs...