Suspension Help/Suggestions Needed

i would go with the global west setup if i had the dough. i was thinking TCP, but rumor has it that they're out of business now. the grab a track system is basically a stock style setup with some better sway bars and bushings. I have the grab a track on my '66 coupe, and it works fine, but i'm not racing, and i sure don't have 500 hp. the only other option would be a mac strut system from fatman, but mac struts create positive camber in the turn (top of the wheel goes outward, which isn't good). IMO, the global west system is the way to go if you have the money.

It will be nearly impossible for you to get your vintage car to handle as well as a Saleen. Having said that, you can definitely make huge improvements and will have as much FUN as you do in your Saleen!

The TCP subframes are a great place to start, but you may have trouble getting them right now. Rumor has it that the company will be back, but you can't get in touch with them right now (although you may be able to place an order online - I wouldn't, though, until things improve). I have both kits on my car and it was a HUGE improvement.

TCP does make a coil-over setup for the front and is either developing or has recently released the rear coil-over setup. Again, though, it sounds as though no products have been delivered over the past several months.

Global West (GW)makes great components as well and, if I was starting out right now and had the money, that's where I'd be looking.

Here's what I'd recommend (again, assuming you have the money for it):

Subframes - get the best you can afford - the GW tubular subframe connectors are really good. They don't offer the "X" cage like TCP, but you could have something built.

GW tubular upper and lower arms (and do the upper a-arm relocation - aka the Shelby Drop, but it's slightly different with the GW arms). I have some beefed up arms from Maier Racing, but the tubular units are pretty competitive, price wise.

Lose the stock strut rods (GW makes them - mine are from Street or Track - a big improvement over stock).

Roller spring perches (another big improvment over stock).

620 Springs (custom-cut them to lower the car)

Bump Steer kit (I went with the Baer kit).

Koni Shocks (another area not to skimp on)

1 inch front sway bar (or 1 1/8)

Stiffen up the shock towers either with Monte Carlo bar and Export Brace or the TCP setup (Street or Track makes a nice quick release bar that has been track-tested).

You can put a rear sway bar on for the street - I didn't like it on the track, so I removed it.

Polyurethane bushings everywhere (except the strut rods - not an issue if you go with some of the aftermarket strut rods).

I'd also do the rear (either 4 1/2 or 5 leaf springs, Koni shocks, poly bushings).

Go with 17 inch tires and rims. Tires will make a huge difference: get some sticky summer tires if you don't plan on driving in the rain (all weather tires just don't grip like summer tires).

To answer your specific question, the Grab-A-Trak setup is used on a lot of cars (including Mustangs Plus' track cars). I'd say it's pretty good quality and a pretty good value for someone who doesn't want to go too far. I would recommend beefier control arms (i.e., GW) and better shocks than they put in their kit.

Bottom line is that you could get the Grab-A-Trak kit, put it on the car and have a blast. I have gone a little bit farther than that, but not to tubular control arms or coil-overs. Still, I can guarantee you that my smile is just as wide as anyone else's on the track (if you really want to drive, that's the ONLY place to do it - you can never have as much fun on the street, nor should you try!).

What did I miss?

HistoricMustang - what say you?

LanceMach said:

It will be nearly impossible for you to get your vintage car to handle as well as a Saleen. Having said that, you can definitely make huge improvements and will have as much FUN as you do in your Saleen! etc...

Click to expand...

I agree with everything you said...wow.

Anyway....I have the complete grab a track setup on my 65.

Upper, lower, front 1 1/8 bar, rear 3/4 bar, 5 leaf mid eye, shelby drop, 620 drop, KYB gas adjust. I added some additional non-grab a track upgrades like roller spring perches, streetortrack adjustable strutrods. I run 17 inch rims with 235s and 255s. I manage to keep up with 350z agreesively driven on exit ramps so I am happy with the setup. The car set up this way has more pontential than I, as the driver, have the skills to take advantage of and it will be some time before I have increased my personal skill level to be able to realistically out drive the suspension/handling to a point where I could personally benefit from a better setup. And I run a 500+ horsepower stroker cleveland.

Yup... I have pretty much done what these guys have listed also. Altough I did not spring for the expensive upper and lower arms.

A couple of things to add though (that I'd like to add also): steering is huge. So much of how the car's "feel" is through that steering wheel. Whatever you can do to increase the responsiveness and accuracy is a huge bonus. A big difference between modern cars and classic.

When figuring out your package... like some people believe in more is better for cubes (not everyone agrees)... the larger the tire contact patch the better. There's NO dispute. So figure in as much as you can for your tire and wheel choices.

And lastly.... brakes.

Gotta have them. And can't have too much brake.


Good luck.