Suspension Suggestions For Suspension Upgrades

Well unfortunately any suspension upgrades you do are going to make the car ride harder. It can still be managed though. Most suspension kits drop the car about an 1 and 1/4" to 1 and 1/2". Make sure you re install the isolators to preserve ride quality. I've been using Steeda stuff for a long time. I know where it's made, and it's generally good quality stuff. Most people go for the Maximum Motorsports stuff because it's considered to be the best, but it is priced accordingly. Not sure what you're budget is. The key items start in the back. You definitely have to change all 4 rear control arms to handle that kind of power. You are going to want standard bushing arms, not rod ends for good ride quality. For the lowers, just get some decent box frame lowers. The uppers are available in a fixed heavy duty design, or an adjustable design. The adjustable uppers adjust to correct your pinion angle to get maximum torque into the rear end, but they cost more.

Definitely install subframe connectors if you haven't already. A standard round or square tube subframe connector, it makes little difference will be fine. There are 6 point ones available that bolt to the bottom of the seat rack bolts for extra strength. Again, they cost a little more money than the 4 point ones, but that is money well spent.

All of the aftermarket lowering springs are about the same. I use the Steeda ones because I know they are made in America. These actually don't go bad very easily, and you can get a good deal on used ones if money is tight. You could also go for the Eibach ones, or something similiar. It's not going to make a whole lot of difference.

If you want good ride quality, than I would suggest going with an adjustable shock and strut. Like most people, I thought the Tokico 5 position adjustables were god, and that's what I put in my car. One time I was in a bind to get shocks and struts that day for another car, and the only thing I could find locally was a set of KYB 12 position shocks and struts from Summit (yes we have a Summit warehouse local here). The adjustable KYBs were priced the same as the non adjustable Tokicos. They actually rode better than my Tokicos and the adjustment knobs were sturdier and in an easier to get to location. When you turned them on full stiff they were firmer than the Tokicos also. I'm a KYB man now, no doubt about it. You simply can't beat them for the price.

You are going to need adjustable caster/camber plates with the lowering springs. The factory design has 3 bolts on each plate. Recently they have started offering 4 bolt caster/camber plates that require you to auger out another big hole in your strut tower for the 4th bolt. We have been putting coil over kits (where all the weight off the suspension is on the caster/camber plate) on cars with 3 bolt plates for years. As far as I'm concerned the 4th bolt is a gimic and totally unnecessary, so don't waste your money and time on them. If 3 bolts is enough to support coil overs, than it's more than enough with the springs in the stock location. Shop around for a good set, they are all about the same. Just make sure it's an all steel design, not aluminum. This is also a good time to replace your front control arm bushings if they need it. They typically don't go bad that often, and they are a huge hassle to install. It's also a good time to replace the ball joint in the front if it's bad. Keep in mind, the ball joint has to be pressed in. You can put a factory replacement in, or an X2 ball joint from Steeda to improve the steering geometry with a lowered car.

The outer tie rod ends in the front go bad often in these cars. This is a good time to replace them. You can either throw a factory replacement set in there, or get a bumpsteer kit. The bumpsteer kits make toe adjustments easier.

This is your typical improved Mustang suspension setup. There are lots of other things you can do, like stiffer sway bars, and even 5 link setups, and Watt's links. If you get through this and still have some money left over, then it's time to go from there.

Kurt