Shocks and Struts

[25thmustang]

Alright the time has come that my 150K mile stuff might be the culprit for a harsh ride. The car never had issues but after adding some boxed LCAs, and Saleen springs it seems to ride extremely rough and bounce all over the place. I have been told to check the struts and shocks and have decided now is as good a time to change them as ever. My question is, what is a good street shock and strut combo? I do race the car but it is FAR from a track car. I plan to enjoy it on the street, track, road course, wherever my heart desires. I get ZERO weight transfer as is now, so that is not a big concern. I am more interested in a smoother ride without spending all my money. What kind of affordable options are out there for a shock/strut package (or individual pieces)?

Also any other suggestions on what to purchase to make the ride a little smoother? I know new bushings would help, different springs, etc... but let me know what you guys think?

Thanks in advance.

 

[87foxstang]

The new bushings and insulators will definitely help out. I heard a good track/street strut and shock are the strange 10 way adjustables.

I have Koni Sports up front and the koni reds out back. I love them, they offer a decent ride and the weight transfer seems to be good when I have the adjusted correctly.

 

[25thmustang]

Yeah, I used to worry more about the track, but have since lowered the car, added a lot of weight with wheels, brakes etc... and removed all weight transfer and the car actually went .04 faster than it's previous best on street tires. I got to the point now if I want to go faster at the track, I will add power. I figure an easy 150 lbs is going in this spring, so weight transfer or not, I don't care.

Are the Koni's expensive? Again this is my first bit of research so bear with me on the "dumb" questions. I know of Strange's rep and products, but to me they seem like more of a race oriented piece. Adjustability would be nice though.

 

[haoleboy72]

If you are looking for a non adjustable, i would recommend the tokico blue. You can pick them up really cheap on ebay and the ride is real smooth. I picked up the struts/shocks and springs brand new on ebay for $350, i have been very happy with the ride.

 

[PUNISHER RACING]

I use the Strange stuff on the street cars/ and QA1 on the racecar like em both!

 

[ttop88]

You can't go wrong with Bilsteins.

 

[347 Pony]

I have Lakewood 90/10's and 50/50's but doesn't sound like thats the way you want to go, I have heard excellent things about QA1 adjustables. On my last car I had Competition Engineering 3 way adjustables and they did the trick for me but the rear is a little hard to adjust on the car.

 

[88-378]

I like the Bilsteins and H&R's. Can't go wrong with quality German suspension pieces.

 

[87foxstang]

I love my Koni's. They are a bit pricey. They are fully adjustable as well. At first the front was WAY to stiff and I didnt like it, but once I got them adjusted how I want them, the ride and especially handling is amazing

 

[cenok is family]

If you are looking for a non adjustable, i would recommend the tokico blue. You can pick them up really cheap on ebay and the ride is real smooth. I picked up the struts/shocks and springs brand new on ebay for $350, i have been very happy with the ride.

+1

i picked up a set of 2 shocks and 2 struts for $230 shipped on ebay. bought them from an authorized tokico dealer's ebay store so they still come with a lifetime warranty.

 

[90five0oh]

i have the 4 cyl struts on the front and lakewood 50/50s out back. rides really good. mine is a DD and im very happy with it. i have "B" springs tho

 

[Mustang5L5]

I would go with an adjustable shock/strut combo. I like the 10way strange adjustables.


That way no matter what springs you have you can dial it in nicely and then go full soft when you want a nice ride

 

[25thmustang]

I will definately look into an adjustable set up. I like running adjustable stuff on the dad's race car merely because, well it's adjustable. The car is taking a turn for the street (Will still race it as much as ever) so I really want something comfortable. Here's to wishing I could try out every strut and shock before purchasing one .

 

[jwzg]

FWIW, I went back with stock Motorcraft replacement shocks and struts on mine, but since you may have a bit more in the budget, you might rather have the adjustables. Just make sure all of the other suspension components are tight before you put too much into shocks and struts.

What kind of control arms are you running? Keep in mind that when you go with full poly's on the rear LCA's you will introduce bind into the rear end. That's why Maximum Motorsports puts a solid, spherical bushing on the axle end. They also recommend poly axle side bushings and stock uppers for the upper control arms (I may have that reversed) so check.

That said, I'd recommend replacing all of the front bushings while you are at it. The most expensive shock and strut setup won't be worth a tinker's dam if the bushings are shot. I use the Energy Suspension setup that improves handling, and marginally increases NVH.

You also didn't say anything about chassis stiffening, so I'd look into a set of subframe connectors, as well as shock tower and k-member braces.

 

[25thmustang]

Car has sub frames already. I think I am going to go through the whole suspension in it this spring. As it sits minus some boxed LCA's, no quads, no sway bar, and the Saleen Springs it is stock and 150K under there.