Roush My 88 rides like Crap!! Fix plan!

88-378 · Nov 16, 2007

It is the most annoying ride ever. this is my fourth fox and none of the others rode like this. i know it is the springs.

So, after the Holiday i am having the following installed: H&R progressive rate springs, Bilsteins all the way around, and an AJE K Member that uses the stock springs using their perch kit.

do you think it will ride better?

I am using the 225/50/16 tires.

Also, i need more traction in the rear. i already have steeda lower and FRPP upper contol arms. so, i was thinking of putting on a set of drag radials. Question? what size and will it effect handling much?

rcantu · Nov 16, 2007

sounds like a nice firm suspension. my 89 seems ok but i have none to compare it too.

take pics of the before and after. i'm curious on the height. i had an opportunity to get coilovers but i passed on it cause I get tired of driving so slow to avoid scraping.

88-378 · Nov 16, 2007

Well, it rides way to hard now. i am hoping the spring and shock change will soften it up a bit.

Saleen87-65 · Nov 16, 2007

depends what H&R springs you got. THe "race" springs are much like the saleen springs used on the 87 and 88 cars. Drag radials will make your car handle worse b/c of the softer sidewall..but you will get lots more grip out of them in a straight line. If you wanted a smooth ride you should of went with good coil overs (MM/Griggs) and skipped on the K member...but thats my 2cents

marcus95 · Nov 16, 2007

Are your springs original? If you are not the original owner you really wont know. The red Eibach/Racecrafts in there are Specific rate all the way up through 1989.

They will have a date stamp on them if they are Racecraft. 87,88,89.

The specific rate springs are pretty harsh. The progressive rates are a step in the right direction. If you want the ride height similar but want a much compliant ride don't get the H&R's. I have a LOT of experience with H&R. Most guys who don't cars about how roght it rides and want track handle feel will go with H&R because they are great springs and will lower your ride but fade a bit and the ride gets no better.

I would look into some Eibach Prolines or Ford Motorspot B springs. Unfortunately, you don't have a lot of choices on set up unless you go coil over. I have coilovers on my 88, can set the ride height wherever I want and swap out springs with different rates depending on my mood. Hope that helps.

marcus95 · Nov 16, 2007

I agree with Tim and skip the kmember also. If you need some more traction the drag radials and some maximum LCA's are the tickect.

bill89saleen304 · Nov 16, 2007

There is a big difference in ride quality between specific and variable rate springs,
The stock Racecraft specific's in my Saleen make it ride really rough, almost like a truck, actually most trucks ride better! but I put the Eibach Pro-Kit variable rate springs in my Vert, and it rides just like it did with the stock springs,
I wish I would have went with the Sportlines for a lower look though!

Bill

SVT Saleen · Nov 16, 2007

Personally I liked the stiff suspension of my '89. Its rough & tumble character was what endeared itself & all late 80's Fox body Saleens with me. It felt like a race car compared to what else was available @ the time.

I remember going to Kearny Mesa Ford to drive a then-new '93 SVT Cobra. I was completely underwhelmed by it because not only didn't it accelerate any better than my '89 which only had a few minor bolt-ons then, but the suspension of the Cobra was so compliant compared to the Saleen that it just didn't have the same "feel" I thought a premium model Mustang should possess. It was simply way too soft IMHO.

sema88 · Nov 16, 2007

Springs

My two cents are with the H&R springs. Yes they beat up yor kidneys but I like the firm feel. My wife like the handling of those springs also. I put them in my 88 Saleen vert and will soon be putting them in my 88 Saleen hatch.

Also, I would put some serious value in to Marcus' words. He knows what he is talking about more than I.

P.s. My H&R spring are about 3/4" lower than the other Saleens I park next to.

88FoxSaleen · Nov 17, 2007

i am running the 90-93 Saleen/Racecraft progressive rate springs
in my 88. yes they ride a bit firm but not as firm as the specific rates.
the firm ride doesnt bother me that much either as it makes the car
feel more solid & sports car like to me. when i built my 88 Saleen clone,
when it came to suspension/springs (as well as any other parts), it had to be original Saleen parts
or nothing. i even removed my very expensive set of Eibach
springs to put in the Saleen springs. maybe try finding a set of the Saleen/Racecraft
progressive rate springs.

2000xp8 · Nov 17, 2007

Use the eibach pro lowering kit, NOT the sportlines either.
Ditch the K member idea, really does nothing for you.
And here IMO is the number one key to ride quality, Use energy suspension isolators all the way around, my god did it make a difference on my car.
I also use adjustable shocks all the way around. Funny thing is that once i put them on the soft setting, i left them there because the ride was also improved.
And i've seen nitto lower profile drag radials used as road race tires, so your handling and traction could improve with them.
What also improves traction, is putting the battery over the rear passenger side tire, might not be the most desirable mod on a real saleen though.

marcus95 · Nov 17, 2007

Joe has made some good points.

I must be getting a little old because the specific rate racecraft springs are too harsh for me these days.

SVT Saleen,

I concur with you on your comments. I still remember my first drive in my buddies 88 hatch. He was a year younger than myself and his parents bought him the car for his 16th birthday I believe. Anyway, the feel and being behind the wheel of a Saleen Mustang was magical. We had no Roush, Steeda, Cobra and so on. The Saleen was it. The combination of the seats, grabbing that Momo, and that taught suspension made you feel like you were the shi*. I still remember my 89 when I was driving it home. I have owned a lot of different cars, new and used throughout the years and none has matched the feelings I had from that day.

Bill!

Get those Rancho springs out of the yellow vert! Too high. I have the H&R Sport springs in the 01. It rides exactly like the Racecraft/Eibachs but the ride height of the car is about a half inch lower.

View attachment 347477

88FoxSaleen · Nov 17, 2007

the H&Rs look great on your 01 Marcus!!

marcus95 · Nov 17, 2007

Thanks Jay.

FASN8N · Nov 18, 2007

SVT Saleen said:
Personally I liked the stiff suspension of my '89. Its rough & tumble character was what endeared itself & all late 80's Fox body Saleens with me. It felt like a race car compared to what else was available @ the time.

I remember going to Kearny Mesa Ford to drive a then-new '93 SVT Cobra. I was completely underwhelmed by it because not only didn't it accelerate any better than my '89 which only had a few minor bolt-ons then, but the suspension of the Cobra was so compliant compared to the Saleen that it just didn't have the same "feel" I thought a premium model Mustang should possess. It was simply way too soft IMHO.

X2!

SVT Saleen · Nov 18, 2007

marcus95 said:
Joe has made some good points.

I must be getting a little old because the specific rate racecraft springs are too harsh for me these days.

SVT Saleen,

I concur with you on your comments. I still remember my first drive in my buddies 88 hatch. He was a year younger than myself and his parents bought him the car for his 16th birthday I believe. Anyway, the feel and being behind the wheel of a Saleen Mustang was magical. We had no Roush, Steeda, Cobra and so on. The Saleen was it. The combination of the seats, grabbing that Momo, and that taught suspension made you feel like you were the shi*. I still remember my 89 when I was driving it home. I have owned a lot of different cars, new and used throughout the years and none has matched the feelings I had from that day.

Marcus,
Talk about the proverbial "great minds think alike" scenario. You have perfectly described my own impressions when I took delivery of my then-new '89 Saleen & drove it home for the first time & for weeks thereafter. I was just so impressed with the car that the only other similar sensation I ever had was when I purchased my first new car out of college; a 1982 Mustang GT with the 5.0 HO (The Boss is Back).
I simply could not get enough of either vehicle, but the Saleen sensation was like the GT only much more enhanced.

88-378 · Nov 19, 2007

I spoke to my buddy who owns a European repir shop and does a lot of suspension work for Porche, Merc's and BMW's. Of course the Bilsteins are the way to go. He also prefers the H&R over Eibach.

I bought the progressive rate H&R sports to replace my original saleen specific rates. I'll put those down in the basement in storage along with my nos formula gp's I got from Mark at PA.

The k member won't improve the ride but will take some weight off the front end improve the handling. Plus the aje member is stronger than the original k member and should reduce some flex in my front end.

marcus95 · Nov 19, 2007

If you have the dough and are on a roll don't let us slow you down.

I have loved every H&R product so far with the exception of the Cup Kit. Way too low and the springs fade too quickly. The sports are a great all around spring.

88-378 · Nov 19, 2007

Glad to hear you like the H&R's.

2000xp8 · Nov 19, 2007

I wouldn't expect to reduce too much flex with the AJE k member, it's more than likely weaker than the original regardless of what you hear, most k members are.
The MM K, kenny brown, and Griggs, now those are stronger, but you lose minimal wieght.
You want handling, Use a panhard bar.

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