Suspension Upgrades and Brakes Help

[Imatk]

Ok so I've done some research here and it seems that Maximum Motorsports has some good recommendations for suspension parts.

BUT I'm not sure if I want to go there or not.

Here's the thing... I've got a '91 GT with almost 200k miles on it. I'm in the process of restoring it. I'm the original owner so the car is in very good condition as it is... even my map pockets aren't too shabby

This last year I got an '06 Mustang GT and am seriously feeling the difference between these rides.

I'm not expecting my Fox to handle as well as the new car, but I would like it to handle a TAD better than it does now... and I don't want to lower it as I live in Los Angeles and the roads here are abysmal.

So I'm looking for a very mild suspension upgrade.

If you guys have any advice I would love to hear it.

Also.. brakes. I think I'm going to do the 5-lug conversion and get a new system.

I've gone back and forth on this as my car is completely stock and I wasn't too sure if I wanted to keep it that way... but the brakes are in serious need of upgrading. When I brake it's more of a suggestion than a command and I want to make sure the brakes are up to snuff.

So I've been looking at SSBC and Baer brakes as a solution. If you guys have any advice on this as well I'm all ears.

Thanks for any help!

 

[89Notch]

I would suggest a MM coilover kit - front and rear

 

[larrendeuce]

I study parts for months before commiting to a purchase. Everything I have bought from Maximum Motorsports is top quality. I used the chassis brace kit and stock style brake upgrade kit. My only complaint is that they aren't located in my backyard.

 

[96SVTpilot]

I would recommend tightening up that tired chasis before doing anything else (assuming it is still stock, u didn't say ).

Phase I:

Full length weld in subframe connectors
2 or 4 point k-member brace
Strut tower brace
New sway bar and end link bushings

Phase II:

Quality shocks and struts (koni, bilstien, tokico)
Upper LCAs
Lower LCAs (weight jacker unless you are going with rear coilovers), then ditch those quad shocks
Lowering springs or coilovers
Caster camber plates (4 bolt)

Brakes- How much $$$$ do you want to spend? On the lower end you can piece together a nice used SN95/PBR setup for under $800. On the upper end you could fork over $1,800 and up for an all out setup from Baer, Stoptech, Alcon, etc.

Optional: Tubular K-member (lighter, more header clearance), tubular A-arms, torque arm, panhard bar.

As stated above MM has excellent parts. You might want to look at Steeda and also Griggs if you have $$ to burn.

 

[Imatk]

Thanks for the replies guys

96SVTpilot this is exactly what I was wondering.. what to do first.

So what would you recommend for phase I

Maximum Motorsports subframes... and what brand sway bars... and endlink bushings and K-Member?


And same for phase II

What brands / kits would you recommend?

For the brakes... I really would like to just upgrade them a little. I don't have gobs of money, but if the Baer, Stoptech etc. kits are worth the extra then I can justify it.

What kits would you recommend on that end?

Thanks for all your help!

 

[RaceDvr50]

Agree with a lot of what SVT said but I would add to the list a panhard bar. I have many upgrades to my suspension and the one thing I can still feel under extreme cornering is the backend "pushes" I'm debating on a panhard or a whole different setup like one of the ones Steeda offers.

 

[donsbad68]

im with the above

 

[donsbad68]

***post whore I am*** Seriously tho I've used Steeda, awesome stuff!

 

[wedieyoung1]

upgrades

for suspension you can pick between 3 companies: Steeda, Maximum Motorsports, and Kenny Brown. I believe kenny brown is the best and thats what i put on my 87 gt. i got everything but the tubular k-member and coil-overs. only problem is that you have to buy other parts on the side. the kit doesnt come with all bushings. steeda also makes a kit but make sure you get the right one. there suspension was only for 1996 and above but they just recently made a kit for the fox bodies. maximun motorsports is also a good way to go and i think there kit comes with everything. since your not going to race it which you could, you dont have to go crazy like i did. what your talking about sounds like you just want it to ride nice. for that i would get all your bushings replaced, maybe subframe connectors. because the kit i got is rough. i also have 99 vette and the ride on my stang is rougher than that. brakes: BAER!!! i got the 13" eradispeed rotors 2 piston pbr calipers up front, 12" eradispeed rotors 1 piston in the back and she stops on a dime. you could do willwood, or brembo but they are more expensive and baer is just as good. just do your research and think about what you want your stang to do before you commit.

there's also little things that you could do while your getting some of the stuff put on. if you doing full suspension, might as well do something to the rearend while its off. or upgrade steering rack. stuff like that.

 

[Imatk]

Yeah wedieyoung1 that's exactly right.

I want the car to handle better but not sacrifice ride quality.

I was definately looking at the Baer setup. Is there anywhere you would recommend buying this stuff?

I got most of my stuff so far from 50resto.com but they don't carry any maximum motorsports stuff as far as I can tell