OK, none of us want to be the one who's ideas you follow and have it not turn out how you'd hoped. Here's what you need to do:
1. Look up a local Mustang club.
2. Go make some new friends.
3. Ride in some cars.
4. Make an educated "seat of the pants" decision.
Now, you have diligently done a lot of homework online here, and it's possible that that option isn't expedient for you. Honestly, the longer this thread gets, the more I'm re-thinking all the advice you've taken in. Here's what I think:
5.02GO said:
Okay...I have noticed that my car rides rougher than it use to. Or atleast, i want a little smoother ride now.
Now, maybe the car has rode the same all along and maybe its me getting tired of the ride - I dont know.
No, your bushings are soggy and your dampers are shot. Your springs are probably fine, but we don't know for sure.
Anyway, what
suspension is good for a 93 LX? I still like to take turns like the car is on rails but can that be achieved with a smoother ride?
Are you saying that you think it turns on rails now? Or that it did when you bought it? It didn't and it doesn't, but if you thought it did that's important for us to know and I should have asked a long time ago. Adjectives are all relative after all, and re-reading your first post I think you feel it corners well now... or it did when it was fresh. So, I changed my mind about what I think you need.
1. Follow 2000xpt's advice for Energy
Suspension spring isolators and end links
2. Get some OEM stock replacement shocks, struts, and quad shocks
3.
Panhard bar/watts link
4. (only if 1-3 aren't sporty enough) stiffer anti sway bars
...and I'll tell you why:
it is a little known fact even among the most hard-core Stangthusiast that the springs and shocks Ford used in the Fox isn't the reason it gets its ass handed to it on the road course. They were carefully chosen for the size, weight, etc of the Fox, under
most driving conditions. Most doesn't include AutoXing... but you don't do that do you? You want it to handle well and ride comfy. New in '93 it did- although not "rails". "Rail" handling brings to mind visions of "floor jack" ride quality. The only way to get insane handling without compromising ride quality excessively is coilovers, which are out of the question for this budget, and it would likely still ride rougher than you want. Springs and shocks don't address the real reason your car doesn't handle like a BMW.
The disaster with the Fox is in it's
suspension DESIGN, not it's components (though they are cheesy at best):
the front ackerman is a ridiculous compromise (read: disastckerman geometry). The best way to clean up the mess is coilovers and a K-member. Not so important for your purposes. Ford committed the biggest atrocity while setting up the rear: the Fox four link. That's where I think you should focus.
Most of the handling gremlins associated with the stock Fox
suspension stem from the stupid four link rear. Over 2" of sideways movement has been recorded under cornering, and the
upper control arms bind every chance they get which upsets the balance of the car and compromises the contact patch. This is why the car doesn't handle smoothly or predictably in turns, corner braking, etc, and gets worse the closer to the limit you push it. The
upper control arms aren't up to the multitasking Ford allotted for them: control axle windup AND positively locate the rear end.
If you install a
panhard bar or watts link, this will positively locate the rear, and rear steer will no longer be a problem. It will feel more "rail like" without the negative ride quality effects of stiffer springs and/or sport valve'd shocks. You may still notice more body roll in turns than you'd like, in which case, you may want to step up to the next diameter of anti sway bars. That's what they are for after all- controlling body roll. They will do it without adverse effects to ride quality, unlike stiffer springs- which is how you would tune it out on a road course car where ride quality isn't important.
[sidenote]If the anti sway bar mounts don't look good, they should be upgraded to Energy
Suspension along with the end links. Same for the rear control arm bushings, although it may be worthwhile to just replace the
control arms with the FRPP uppers, which are cheap and don't use poly bushings which tend to bind, and lowers of your choice. This can be done at a later date, if it seems necessary.
I've spent hours talking to racers, and techs at Griggs, MM, Kenny Brown and Steeda, and can say with impunity that anyone who knows what they're talking about (if they are being honest, not trying to sell parts) will tell you that a stock 5.0 with a
panhard and good tires (like your BFG's) will out handle one with any spring/shock combo made. (and feel good on your aging back) Granted, a spring/shock car with other mods is another story- one that I don't think is relevent to your needs or goals. If you do this, it will ride OEM smooth, handle significantly better than stock, and you will still be able to jack it up with ease. Now I've given you another $.02
*jess runs for cover and waits for stangnet lynch mob to arrive*
Stangbear
