Please Help Spruce Up Old Suspension

[MG-70]

Hello,
I’m trying to improve the worn suspension on a ’94 GT with approximately 150k miles. I’d like to keep the geometry the same and replace the bushings as well as shocks, struts, and possibly springs. Car’s a daily driver, only been to the track to see others run, but I wouldn’t mind tightening up the suspension, even if it means feeling those potholes and road irregularities even more so. “Bang for the buck” is my motto, so yes, cost is a factor.

1. Ok, bushings will likely be polyurethane, but which ones should I replace and/or what’s the best kit out there for accomplishing the above-mentioned objective?

2. Shocks and struts have seen better days, so I’d like opinions on decent upgrades. I prefer they don’t be adjustable for simplicity sake. Are there options for replacing the “rear axle drive vibration dampers” (term straight out of the service manual) or do I simply replace them with the same part number?

3. Lastly, springs, I don’t care to lower the car but realize springs may be matched to shocks and struts, so, what’s recommended for “sportier than factory” yet cost effective? Will running the original springs work against my plan to tighten things up or will new shocks and struts already make a big difference.

I don’t have caster/camber plates and prefer to do without them, if absolutely not necessary. When I got the car, I had chain type shop try to align it twice unsuccessfully, but then got my refund and found a smaller shop who did an excellent job that’s never needed further adjustment (and I would notice if it needed it). If you think it would be to my advantage to get them, then please feel free to recommend brand/models.

Thank you all for any helpful feedback!

MG-70

 

[HISSIN50]

Howdy.

If you dont want to drop it much at all, something like Mach 1 springs might be the answer. They were my choice for the fox vert (I didnt want to drop it much either).

Dampers: Tokico HP's do well in my book. Cheaper than those would be KYB's. A lot of folks bash them but for the cash (if that's as much as one is willing to spend), they're hard to beat IMHO.


Bushings. I'm not real big on poly. I have Delrin on another car and like it better (it's a tad stiffer but without deflection or progressive loading).

If you keep nearly the stock ride height, I'm not sure why you'd need CC plates for alignment's sake (adding more caster is always nice, but it doesnt affect tire wear).

I think you're talkin about quad shocks (axle dampers). If you get aftermarket controls arms, it seems to me you can probably get rid of them. Otherwise, KYB does make them. I'd get new control arms instead - more room for bigger tires if you ever decide to go that route, and better hook-up.

Good luck and enjoy!

 

[HISSIN50]

I forgot to mention that new Motorsport loaded front lower control arms for 180 bucks (ish) are a great deal if you need to renew bushings and ball joints anyhow. The BJ's that come on the new arms are upgraded units from Ford and the bushings have a pretty decent durometer rating.

 

[MG-70]

Thanks, added to my list of things to research. I was pointed in the way of a "Bullit" kit (sway bars, shocks, struts, and springs) but I rather keep the original bars and, if possible, height, so I'll have to look into those Tokicos as well as better springs that will lower the car the least (or use original springs, if that'll work).

Are the Tokicos you mention these:
Tokico Premium Performance (Blue) strut HB3140 ’94-’04 $109.95ea
Tokico Premium Performance (Blue) shock HE3723 ’94-’04 $59.95ea

Thanks again

 

[HISSIN50]

I'd have to dig up the receipt for the HP's (I actually got them barely used from Shane, a member here with an impeccable Cobra). I have paperwork somewhere though.

Off the top of my head, the numbers you mentioned sound right to me though. As I'm sure you've seen, here's Tokico's catalog.

For springs, as I recall, the '01 Bullitt and '03 Mach 1 have the same spring rates (600/250 F/R, respectively). Also, don't quote me but I *thought* that either the Mach 1 or Bullitt dampers were Tokicos (sound like something you've run across in your search?). In the group of parts you're searching through, you'd be hard pressed to go wrong, or even (IMHO) tell much of a difference in any of the stuff you choose.

Oh, to re-achieve an OEM ride height, ask others on here about spring spacers. They shim the ride height up as I recall. Steeda sells a version, for one. I've never used them. That might help out on the fronts at least.

Good luck!