Improved suspension without lowering?

[wimbrow]

hi guys, i like many of you don't like the floaty feeling, like you're sitting on top of the suspension rather than down in it and that unsettled feeling that my 2016 GT fastbacks suspension with PP has. are there any suspension mods that any of you have done that don't require lowering the car, that have improved the ride. i don't like hitting kerbs and don't mind the current ride height. thanks, tom

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[Cascadia_302]

One option might be a set of coilovers that can be adjusted to stock ride height. l haven't looked into them enough to know if there are any that will do so. The few l've seen seem to start at around an inch below stock height and go lower from there but l could be wrong as there's new stuff coming out all the time.
Also coilovers are not cheap especially when compared to a set of lowering springs, like say BMR's "minimum drop" performance springs.

 

[Norm Peterson]

Better shocks and struts. Better still if they're adjustable for rebound, best if you can get anything separately adjustable for rebound and bump.

A ride quality described as "floaty" is nearly always a matter of insufficient rebound damping, allowing the suspension to "overshoot" as it rebounds. More specifically, insufficient rebound damping at body inertia velocities, which are in the 2 or 3 inches/second neighborhood.


Norm

 

[Vernichtung]

I know that aFe's badass coilovers allow you to match the factory ride height, though, that's a pretty costly proposition. As stated above, a new set of dampers will go a LONG way towards improving handling and, in opinion, ride quality, too.

 

[NightmareMoon]

Better shocks and struts. Better still if they're adjustable for rebound, best if you can get anything separately adjustable for rebound and bump.

A ride quality described as "floaty" is nearly always a matter of insufficient rebound damping, allowing the suspension to "overshoot" as it rebounds. More specifically, insufficient rebound damping at body inertia velocities, which are in the 2 or 3 inches/second neighborhood.

Norm

Norm knows what he's talking about.

You don't need coilovers, you just need shocks/struts. Koni single-adjustable yellows, or maybe the Steeda offering are the two best choices currently on the market.

The Konis (and Steeda shocks) are adjustable for rebound, allowing you to tune from a good street setting with no float or bounce (how the car should have felt from the factory) with the shocks dialed to 3/10ths stiff, to a sportier handling, faster-transitioning setting which is slightly less bump friendly but feels like a million bucks when driving hard. (around 6/10ths stiff). All that with stock springs, stock ride height, and no real downsides (other than cost).

They'll also pair well with stiffer aftermarket springs if you decide to lower the car later.

 

[ForTehNguyen]

change out the shocks, will be a big improvement. Factory shocks even PP leave much to be desired. If you go Konis you can adjust the stiffness as you see fit. Rear shocks are ridiculously easy to install, can do both in under 30 min with no spring compressor.

 

[wimbrow]

Norm knows what he's talking about.

You don't need coilovers, you just need shocks/struts. Koni single-adjustable yellows, or maybe the Steeda offering are the two best choices currently on the market.

The Konis (and Steeda shocks) are adjustable for rebound, allowing you to tune from a good street setting with no float or bounce (how the car should have felt from the factory) with the shocks dialed to 3/10ths stiff, to a sportier handling, faster-transitioning setting which is slightly less bump friendly but feels like a million bucks when driving hard. (around 6/10ths stiff). All that with stock springs, stock ride height, and no real downsides (other than cost).

They'll also pair well with stiffer aftermarket springs if you decide to lower the car later.

thanks NM and Norm. i've never had adjustable shocks, are they difficult to set? I'll rarely go to a track day . i was thinking of putting on the FRPP track handling pack but thats about 8 different components, but all " matched". If all i'll need is adjustable shocks, sweet as. thanks, tom

 

[jc1804]

thanks NM and Norm. i've never had adjustable shocks, are they difficult to set? I'll rarely go to a track day . i was thinking of putting on the FRPP track handling pack but thats about 8 different components, but all " matched". If all i'll need is adjustable shocks, sweet as. thanks, tom

VERY easy theres an adjuster that comes with the steeda struts & shocks twist + or - start at full either way & adjust to your liking

 

[wildcatgoal]

I would get BMR minimal drop springs... not that much money, not that much drop, will notice the difference big time. Pair with PP shocks or the Ford Racing track shocks. Do not think you need Koni Yellow or Steeda Pro-Action, but those will be excellent choices. Steeda is more streetable - valving can be set softer than Koni Yellow.

 

[Norm Peterson]

VERY easy theres an adjuster that comes with the steeda struts & shocks twist + or - start at full either way & adjust to your liking

This ↑↑↑

I strongly suggest starting out at full soft and working up. There is no requirement that the fronts and rears need to be set to the same number of turns/clicks/whatever, so feel free to stagger the adjustments if one end of the car starts feeling harsh before the other end is as firm as you want it.


Norm

 

[Azzurro]

I literally just installed the BMR minimal drop springs (089/082) today with Koni Sport shocks & struts. Looking from the outside of the car I could barely tell it was lowered. Inside the car I noticed the hood was for sure lower. But it wasn't so much lower that it was harder getting in or out of the car.

I set the Konis on full soft just to have a reference point. Even on full soft 90% of the bounce, floating is gone. Major league difference but I'm coming from a non PP car. I can't wait to dial these in some more. For sure I'll go stiffer but dont know at this point.

Steeda has new adjustable dampers too so look at that also. I already odered the Konis when these came out. Adjustability is HUGE.

 

[tj@steeda]

Here is a nice section with feedback on the Steeda Pro Actions - http://www.mustang6g.com/forums/showthread.php?t=56302

You won't be disappointed in the ride quality & the product is high quality.

P.M. Sent

TJ

 

[wildcatgoal]

I have the Pro-Actions... aside from them being great dampers that when adjusted for your springs and so forth turn the car into that BMW feel, let's be honest... they're not painted yellow. Reason enough...

 

[Azzurro]

I have the Pro-Actions... aside from them being great dampers that when adjusted for your springs and so forth turn the car into that BMW feel, let's be honest... they're not painted yellow. Reason enough...

IN all fairness, under normal conditions you don't even see what color the shocks are so that's a non-event for me.

That being said, my car is Race Red so the yellow Konis go quite nicely with my red BMR springs.

 

[Performance nut]

I have a non-PP Mustang that is not quite where I want it. I like the approach of keeping the stock height (I really don't want to lower the car any) and see wisdom in starting with shocks and struts. My question is, once I get the struts and shocks dialed in, where do you go from here? There are multiple sway bar options; however, I don't think it is wise to put in stiffer sway bars without looking at the spring rates. Usually its a package deal, going with a stiffer sway bar with "softer" springs I think will cause other issues (forgot the term but its when you get one side with rough conditions and it translates it to the opposite side).

Again, I'm not wanting to lower the car at all, think it sits good where its at now. I could live with a slight drop (less than an inch) but there are no offerings out there that I have seen that stiffen up the springs and keep the drop to a minimum (BMR min drop springs seem to only exist for the front, nothing for the back for us non PP guys).

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