shock/strut Q. '85 vs '87

[trailblazr81]

OK, spring kits are for 79 and up but all the shock/struts I see are for 87 n up. I plan on swapping in some aftermarket sport springs that will also lower front about 1 inch and rear 1.5 inch and I want something better than stock type Monroe's. It has 8.8 rear with quad set up. Bilstiens would be nice but I dont want to spend alot of $$$ on shocks/struts yet still want something decent . What would you recomend?

 

[Mavrick]

Bilsteins on all 4 corners for $465+free shipping from a guy on ebay.. cheapest around!

 

[trailblazr81]

Bilsteins on all 4 corners for $465+free shipping from a guy on ebay.. cheapest around!

Well thats nice... but won't fit my 85. How are the 87+ different?

 

[Mavrick]

The only difference is the thickness of the front spindle, where the strut bolts up to. I believe to fit 87-93 struts on your car, you only need to use shims for a tight fit. Although i could be thinking backwards, and this could be vise versa.

If you've upgraded to 87-93 spindles/brakes, then it's a perfect fit.

 

[trailblazr81]

I guess Ill swap to 87 spindles, since I want to do 5 lug conversion anyway...

 

[Mavrick]

If you want to go 5lug, you should go straight to 94-95 spindles and the complete SN95 5lug conversion. It'll save you time and money in the long run, and you have a much wider variety of wheels and brakes to choose from.

 

[trailblazr81]

Sounds good... I plan on using the stock wheels off my 2000 GT. 17x8's.

 

[Mavrick]

In your case, you NEED to do the SN95 conversion... trust me

 

[trailblazr81]

And those would be the wheels!!!

And completely off topic... How you like the coilover conversion? Whats a good spring rate for daily driver and canyon carver with a little open track stuff? Did you notice a big difference with the panhard bar? I plan on building the '85 to make decent power but more importantly turn as well as a v-8 car with solid axle can. Tho it will be pieced together since I cant afford a $2,000+ kit.

 

[Mavrick]

I hear ya.. i pieced together all my stuff as well. I can not afford to buy one big package, although it would have saved me money in the long run (and MM's grip in a box would be my choice). I havn't got to run the car at all with most of the equipment that is on there now.. in fact im waiting on my struts/shocks in the mail before i can put my coilovers on. So unfortunately i can't tell you how sweet the coilovers are

Maximum Motorsports advised me to go with a 350lb 10" spring for street use. 325# and 375# also seem to be popular for street use.. much more spring rate and it would be pretty harsh for the street. The most important part is matching your struts with the right spring rates.

From what i have read and heard, you can not be dissapointed with the addition of a panhard bar for your Mustang.