improving handling

[lamrith]

Well, I have a '88 2.3l LX. bone stock. I just bought a 5lug front kit that will be getting installed. I will be puting a 8.8 with 5lug on the tail so braking/wheels will be upgraded..

I want the car to handle better, call it a "canyon carver" something that handles cornering very well, but still is a daily driver. I don't want a hiem joint race car suspension, just something tighter, maybe 1" drop also??

Let me know what you 2.3l guys recommend... 5.0 springs/shocks, Tbird xyz grommet etc etc.. The car WILL be getitng turbo'd if that affects things...

 

[Red_LX]

There's a thread about this in "talk" already...yeah, I know it should be in here but I'm too lazy to move all the misplaced threads on here.

Basically everything that works for a 5.0 will work for a 2.3L.

 

[lamrith]

I will check that out. Yah big lazy butt!!

My concern with 5.0 mods is the weight difference making the nose sit a bit high..

 

[Red_LX]

All ya gotta do there is cut a coil or two off the front springs...no big deal.

Eibach makes a set specifically for 2.3's, but they lower the car 2".

 

[Shawneebear93]

All ya gotta do there is cut a coil or two off the front springs...no big deal.

Eibach makes a set specifically for 2.3's, but they lower the car 2".

And they run about $200.

 

[SVOconvLX85]

There is a guy on svoca.com selling a brand new set for 155 plus shipping.

 

[Asha'man]

Eibach makes a set specifically for 2.3's, but they lower the car 2".

Yeah, they get pretty low. I've got them and my car is slammed. Assuming I ever get money, I'd like to get H&R's to go with my Bilsteins.

Brian

 

[white1989]

You've already done the upgrade to the 11 inch rotor which is good. Look for 73mm piston calipers off Lincolns. They bolt onto the 5.0 spindles. Make sure to upgrade the Master Cylinder as well.

GT front and rear sways. Use urethane bushings on the endlinks.
Subframe connectors
Tubular K member brace

I use canuck motorsports V6 springs. They are based in Surrey B.C. and make a decent spring. It's essentially a nice copy of the Ford "C" spring but with a 1.4" drop. Which turns out be a nice 1.25" drop with my 4 cyl. Shocks - that depends on your budget. At the very least (meaning cheapest) get KYB GR2's. You can get good deals on complete sets off Ebay..

Stock camber plates are good for 1.75-2 degrees camber and considering 1 degree is more than sufficient for street use. Caster adjustment is non-adjustable and not really needed if you are streeting the car 98% of the time. So aftermarket camber plates are not really necessary unless you are planning on doing serious track time.

Good tires - the most important handling mod you can make.

I'm sure the others can chime in here anytime...

 

[lamrith]

WHITE - Thanks for the info. I have not switched brakes or anything yet, the car is BONE STOCK. But I have a set of Lincoln 5lugs I plan to install if I don't upgrade those to SN95's for more brake upgrade options later on.

Yeah teh 5 lug swap is to open up use of all the takeoff wheels from guys upgrading thier SN's...

 

[ccphil55]

Get the biggest sway bar you can for the front, i think its 1 3/8" or somthing outrageously huge like that. Night and day difference that would be nicely complimented by good shocks and springs.

 

[FknBadFkr]

i used a Cobra IRS for the rear...and got custom H&R springs..i went 790lb front and 760lb rears....i use the smaller sway bars with this set up since the spring is allowed to control the roll and this way the sway bar has less effect on th eother side...(best way to do it)..i have the adjustable Billstiens all around and Urethane bushing in all spots....i went ahead and did the brakes too..12"rotors rear with 4piston US-Brakes calipers F35i and 14" rotors front (13.75" but who knows..lol) with USbrake 4pistons up front F88i...i drive my car every day and love it..i have put 4500 miles on since i got it back running and its not much more harsh then a lowered Stang with inproper shock settings.....i hear all the time OH MY GOD!! the IRS weighs blah blah blah..haha yeah well i love it and im definately faster then the GT i put full heim suspension and 3link in with coilovers and QA1 shocks...he has more power then me but i ran about 3 seconds faster at Roebling road in Savanah GA....i wouldnt swap my IRS for anything.....oh yeah i have about 1500 in my brakes and suspension...............Hal