Switch from Koni to Ford Racing Dampers

[Rebellion]

If you're not planning on doing aftermarket toe rods, the cheapest/easiest way to get bearings on both ends of the toe link is buy the $70 FR bearings.

Cool! I guess I'll think about those after the spring/dampers, which I'm having them installed next weekend. I'm not really convinced of needing the toe rods/bearings or them being worth the trouble of pressing them out. The only thing that concerns me is the eccentric bolt, not that I need additional toe adjustment, which theoretically should not change much if lowering the car.

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[Bluemustang]

My decision to try the Ford Racing springs over the BMR springs I have is this: I know they are made to be used together. Period. I don't know how the BMR performance springs will mate with the FRPP dampers. Maybe they would work better idk.

My experience with the Konis has taught me this- if you're going to be mixing suspension parts, be prepared for the fact that there could be issues, NVH etc. So instead of going back to stock- this is my option IMO. If I had to do it again, I would have done the FR track handling pack and that's it. For the type of driving on the street, I don't need anything more.

Hopefully it works out for me. I'll check back later this week after it's installed.

 

[Gibbo205]

My decision to try the Ford Racing springs over the BMR springs I have is this: I know they are made to be used together. Period. I don't know how the BMR performance springs will mate with the FRPP dampers. Maybe they would work better idk.

My experience with the Konis has taught me this- if you're going to be mixing suspension parts, be prepared for the fact that there could be issues, NVH etc. So instead of going back to stock- this is my option IMO. If I had to do it again, I would have done the FR track handling pack and that's it. For the type of driving on the street, I don't need anything more.

Hopefully it works out for me. I'll check back later this week after it's installed.

The FRPP dampers I find great, only a little firmer at low speed compared to the PP dampers. At higher speeds they ride better and all the float feeling is gone. I am using them with Steeda ultralite springs which apart from dropping the car too much in the rear work great with these dampers, good comfort on road and very capable on track.

 

[Bluemustang]

The FRPP dampers I find great, only a little firmer at low speed compared to the PP dampers. At higher speeds they ride better and all the float feeling is gone. I am using them with Steeda ultralite springs which apart from dropping the car too much in the rear work great with these dampers, good comfort on road and very capable on track.

That's awesome dude. Glad to hear it's working out for you! Sounds like the FRPP dampers are more tolerant to different spring rates. I have heard very good reviews of the Steeda ultralite linears as well.

I think the other thing is I think the softer Ford Racing bumpstops will help my ride comfort.

 

[Bluemustang]

Ford Racing Track springs and shocks/struts going in either today or tomorrow. I'll update you guys on my findings.

 

[dsp4848]

Last weekend I adjusted my Konis to 0.5 turns from full soft on both front and back and for whatever reason, this seems smoother than what I had it at before (which I think was 0.25 turns from full soft rear and 0.5 turns from full soft front). Not too big of a change, but it seems like it got rid of some of the bounce at lower speeds. I still believe that the compression on the Konis is a little high, but this combo that I have it at now, I like.

On another thought, I wonder what the car would feel like if only the rear shocks were changed from say the Konis to the Ford Racing ones? Do you guys think that this difference between the front and rear would upset the handling of the car? Don't know if I would actually do this, just thinking out loud.

Ford Racing Track springs and shocks/struts going in either today or tomorrow. I'll update you guys on my findings.

Keep us updated, I'm interested to see what you think of the Ford Racing setup.

 

[Bluemustang]

I have the Ford Racing springs and shocks installed. I also did the toe knuckle bearing which is part of the FRPP kit. Aside from a slight noise issue, which was there before the install anyway, it's been great thus far. The noise issue I am currently working out and it has nothing to do with the FR parts itself. But i digress..

I've taken it for a few normal drives and a few more sprited drives. Just driving around town, it's apparent that it is more comfortable to drive and sit in. With my previous setup, I could feel every little imperfection in the road which was a little annoying over time. Also previously on bad roads, it was really bad. On perfect roads the Konis/BMR springs were fantastic though.

The Ford Racing Shocks absorb more of the minor bumps and glide much nicer. It is still really firm, noticeably firmer than stock. But some of my mods in the rear and the strut tower brace + k brace in the front contributes to this, sway bars too. But point is still real firm. However, it is clear just in a short time that it is much more comfortable than what I had before. Normal roads are much nicer to drive on. Bad roads are still bad, but much more bearable.

The shocks feel to me more properly setup for the car. It deals with the bumps and elevation changes better and it feels to me like the compression is not as stiff as the Konis. But honestly I have no idea what the settings are.

The car still handles really well. It feels like a slight bit more body roll sensation than my previous setup. I think it may be due to the progressive spring rate vs linear. Not that the car can't do it, but it does induce a bit more body roll. The toe knuckle bearing is a difference I can feel. Applying throttle in a corner feels much more stable- it's significant. Before- the back end would come out or the car would do a slight twitch shifting into 2nd (harder throttle when turning). Now the car is stable to power through the corner. A small piece but a part that increases driving confidence.

I think Koni shocks were a bit too much for me. And I think the addition of the FR shocks and bump stops make for a more compliant ride. No floaty or bouncy feeling either so far. I would've kept the BMR springs if I knew they would work the FR shocks. I would bet the BMR springs would be an excellent choice as well.

Obviously it in time I will tell more. But so far no sacrifice in actual handling and better comfortability. I wish I had done that toe knuckle bearing earlier though. This is a must have if you wanna peel around a corner.

 

[Hotlaprc]

Remember .... when you are ready to sell the koni's let me know

 

[Rebellion]

I have the Ford Racing springs and shocks installed. I also did the toe knuckle bearing which is part of the FRPP kit. Aside from a slight noise issue, which was there before the install anyway, it's been great thus far. The noise issue I am currently working out and it has nothing to do with the FR parts itself. But i digress..

I've taken it for a few normal drives and a few more sprited drives. Just driving around town, it's apparent that it is more comfortable to drive and sit in. With my previous setup, I could feel every little imperfection in the road which was a little annoying over time. Also previously on bad roads, it was really bad. On perfect roads the Konis/BMR springs were fantastic though.

The Ford Racing Shocks absorb more of the minor bumps and glide much nicer. It is still really firm, noticeably firmer than stock. But some of my mods in the rear and the strut tower brace + k brace in the front contributes to this, sway bars too. But point is still real firm. However, it is clear just in a short time that it is much more comfortable than what I had before. Normal roads are much nicer to drive on. Bad roads are still bad, but much more bearable.

The shocks feel to me more properly setup for the car. It deals with the bumps and elevation changes better and it feels to me like the compression is not as stiff as the Konis. But honestly I have no idea what the settings are.

The car still handles really well. It feels like a slight bit more body roll sensation than my previous setup. I think it may be due to the progressive spring rate vs linear. Not that the car can't do it, but it does induce a bit more body roll. The toe knuckle bearing is a difference I can feel. Applying throttle in a corner feels much more stable- it's significant. Before- the back end would come out or the car would do a slight twitch shifting into 2nd (harder throttle when turning). Now the car is stable to power through the corner. A small piece but a part that increases driving confidence.

I think Koni shocks were a bit too much for me. And I think the addition of the FR shocks and bump stops make for a more compliant ride. No floaty or bouncy feeling either so far. I would've kept the BMR springs if I knew they would work the FR shocks. I would bet the BMR springs would be an excellent choice as well.

Obviously it in time I will tell more. But so far no sacrifice in actual handling and better comfortability. I wish I had done that toe knuckle bearing earlier though. This is a must have if you wanna peel around a corner.

Hi [MENTION=19599]Bluemustang[/MENTION], quick question...did you cut your bumpstops or did you used it just as they came?

 

[Bluemustang]

Hi [MENTION=19599]Bluemustang[/MENTION], quick question...did you cut your bumpstops or did you used it just as they came?

Yes they were trimmed per BMR instructions. But the Ford Racing ones are not only shorter but a softer material than the stock ones.

 

[Rebellion]

Yes they were trimmed per BMR instructions. But the Ford Racing ones are not only shorter but a softer material than the stock ones.

Thanks a lot!

I'm gonna ask around a bit, I thought that since the Track springs dropped more than the BMR, I wouldn't need to cut them.

 

[Bluemustang]

Thanks a lot!

I'm gonna ask around a bit, I thought that since the Track springs dropped more than the BMR, I wouldn't need to cut them.

If you're installing the Ford track springs, use the provided Ford Racing jounce bumpers. They're softer and shorter. I wonder how they would've worked with the BMR springs. I think the bump stops affect the ride quality more than folks realize.

PM me if u need an extra set of jounce bumpers. I have 2 sets.

 

[Bluemustang]

Remember .... when you are ready to sell the koni's let me know

Will do and I will be selling them soon.

 

[Rebellion]

If you're installing the Ford track springs, use the provided Ford Racing jounce bumpers. They're softer and shorter. I wonder how they would've worked with the BMR springs. I think the bump stops affect the ride quality more than folks realize.

PM me if u need an extra set of jounce bumpers. I have 2 sets.

Yeah I did use the assembled bump stops that came with my track dampers. I haven't had more than 24 hours with it and I hit a smallish pothole and the entire contents of my trunk got some airtime...got me sort of worried about the bumps stops.

I have them set with GT350R fronts and BMR SP085 handling rears. According to Ford Racing, with a drop lesser than their track springs, I wouldn't need to cut them (0.8"/0.5" vs 1"/1"). I talked to my tech, and he believes it more about breaking in the dampers, which makes a ton of sense.

Depending on how the fronts settle, I might want to do the Steeda spacers...I'd like a tiny bit more rake.

 

[JamesinLittleSilver]

I found two things...first week was needed to beak in/settle the suspension. Second tire pressure above at 35 LB was harsher than previous setup, but when I dropped to 32-33 the whole feel was improved a lot. I did that after about a week the tire pressure. Felt better incrementally then when I moved the tire pressure and it really settled in.

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