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Looking for some advice.

Lapptopp

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I've been wanting to upgrade from my base 17' GT manual to a magneride GT350. Wifey has convinced me to keep our paid for beloved car however. Every time I test drive a car that I think I'll like better, I find that I don't.

So how I use my car: several times during the summer I take a route through our nicely paved, deserted backroads with five 90 degree turns and two long sweepers in the triple digits and the occasional drive through the mountains. I also do a 1600 mile round trip out to the Lake of the Ozarks once per summer where I use it as a true GT car. I also try to drive it daily even if it's a run to the grocery store.

This car is already the best handling car I've ever driven and I'm looking to upgrade to a suspension that will both handle the high speed corners better and give a more comfortable ride on the long road trips. It is a base 17' manual with Nitto 555 G2 285 35 19s up front and 305 30 19s rear. I've also added a strut tower brace and 19' GT350 rear spoiler, it is otherwise bone-stock. Is it possible to build a better suspension on this than a magneride car? I suspect I'd need to go with coil overs to achieve both goals, is that correct? I've been looking at the Ford performance track handling pack for a while now as it seems to be a great value but I doubt that will be a good choice for a long road trip. My current wheel/tire set up seems to really reward you on a good tarmac and punish you on a rough road. There is currently no tramlining.

What should I purchase on a $3000 budget? Your expert opinions will be greatly appreciated.
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I'm looking to upgrade to a suspension that will both handle the high speed corners better and give a more comfortable ride on the long road trips.
A tough order as these wishes typically counteract oneanother. Normally I’d recommend Bilstein B6 dampers for most anyone looking to better their car’s handling, though in your situation a set of adjustable shocks and struts is best.

Is it possible to build a better suspension on this than a magneride car?
Depends on your goals. Yes and no.

I suspect I'd need to go with coil overs to achieve both goals, is that correct?
Absolutely not.

I've been looking at the Ford performance track handling pack for a while now as it seems to be a great value but I doubt that will be a good choice for a long road trip.
Great value, yes. Best for a 1600 mile road trip—no.

My current wheel/tire set up seems to really reward you on a good tarmac and punish you on a rough road. There is currently no tramlining
If ride is paramount then go to a softer sidewall touring tire. Just keep in mind that high-speed turning abilities reduce with the softer tire.

What should I purchase on a $3000 budget?
Start with adjustable shocks and struts (Steeda’s are good). If you must lower the car, go with Ford Street X springs. Look into the remaining PP bracing items. Lastly explore larger sway bars.
 

jayman33

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Honestly, I'd go with Steeda or Ridetech coilovers.

Steeda Coilovers with their stop the hop kit, you really wont need sway bars.

Let us know if we can help ya out!
 

beefcake

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I've been wanting to upgrade from my base 17' GT manual to a magneride GT350. Wifey has convinced me to keep our paid for beloved car however. Every time I test drive a car that I think I'll like better, I find that I don't.

So how I use my car: several times during the summer I take a route through our nicely paved, deserted backroads with five 90 degree turns and two long sweepers in the triple digits and the occasional drive through the mountains. I also do a 1600 mile round trip out to the Lake of the Ozarks once per summer where I use it as a true GT car. I also try to drive it daily even if it's a run to the grocery store.

This car is already the best handling car I've ever driven and I'm looking to upgrade to a suspension that will both handle the high speed corners better and give a more comfortable ride on the long road trips. It is a base 17' manual with Nitto 555 G2 285 35 19s up front and 305 30 19s rear. I've also added a strut tower brace and 19' GT350 rear spoiler, it is otherwise bone-stock. Is it possible to build a better suspension on this than a magneride car? I suspect I'd need to go with coil overs to achieve both goals, is that correct? I've been looking at the Ford performance track handling pack for a while now as it seems to be a great value but I doubt that will be a good choice for a long road trip. My current wheel/tire set up seems to really reward you on a good tarmac and punish you on a rough road. There is currently no tramlining.

What should I purchase on a $3000 budget? Your expert opinions will be greatly appreciated.

If you don't plan to take the car to the drag strip often a set of lowering springs even adjustable shock/ strut setup would do really well for you. Or you could do a full coilover setup for more adjustability in the ride comfort and height. A full Steeda suspension kit would do pretty well for your goals.


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Chhris

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I've been wanting to upgrade from my base 17' GT manual to a magneride GT350. Wifey has convinced me to keep our paid for beloved car however. Every time I test drive a car that I think I'll like better, I find that I don't.

So how I use my car: several times during the summer I take a route through our nicely paved, deserted backroads with five 90 degree turns and two long sweepers in the triple digits and the occasional drive through the mountains. I also do a 1600 mile round trip out to the Lake of the Ozarks once per summer where I use it as a true GT car. I also try to drive it daily even if it's a run to the grocery store.

This car is already the best handling car I've ever driven and I'm looking to upgrade to a suspension that will both handle the high speed corners better and give a more comfortable ride on the long road trips. It is a base 17' manual with Nitto 555 G2 285 35 19s up front and 305 30 19s rear. I've also added a strut tower brace and 19' GT350 rear spoiler, it is otherwise bone-stock. Is it possible to build a better suspension on this than a magneride car? I suspect I'd need to go with coil overs to achieve both goals, is that correct? I've been looking at the Ford performance track handling pack for a while now as it seems to be a great value but I doubt that will be a good choice for a long road trip. My current wheel/tire set up seems to really reward you on a good tarmac and punish you on a rough road. There is currently no tramlining.

What should I purchase on a $3000 budget? Your expert opinions will be greatly appreciated.
I went with bags which have adjustable damping and i have them set for a softer ride, i went to tail of the dragon last week and i had them adjusted stiffer and its day and night difference, but i got to say that bags arent for anyone, you gotta be a little more careful with them.

As for performance wise they perform the same or better than some coilovers, i have 2 track days on them and they are perfect.

for the price you are in you could go with the manual set up, since the set up with the app and the ability to use the bags when the car is off is about 3.5k.

But a simple set up of 1,200$ coilovers would do the job, i prefer the ability to lift the car but thats just me.
 

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What should I purchase on a $3000 budget? Your expert opinions will be greatly appreciated.
The FP Track Pack will be exactly like a GT350 in terms of suspension. Handling wise GT350 has different EPAS which change how the car turn. With that been said I will offer you a better option at least in my view. Based on what Spring rates different Ford Factory cars use I think the most suitable Daily/Fun option actually ether Bilstein B6 or Steeda Pro-Action Adjustable Shocks and Ether Steeda Min-Drop 200/800 (linear) springs or Eibach Pro-Kit / FP X-Springs (200/314-800/914 progressive springs) add Steeda Front Sway Bar and Steeda Stop the Hop kit and you will have a lovely daily driver without been to harsh on long road trips.
 

1MeanZ

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Work directly with @SteedaTech . I called them and told them what I wanted, they worked with me on a complete solution to do what I wanted and I couldn't be happier. They cut me a deal on the price when they didn't need to. When it turned out I got a fluke noisy camber plate, they replaced in immediately after they were super helpful working with me on the diagnosis. You will be happiest with matched components that are intended to work together. Steeda is the place for that.
 

tj@steeda

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Happy to help - you can shoot me an email to [email protected] if I can help put you in touch with our experienced tech team & builders.

Happy to help!

TJ
 
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Lapptopp

Lapptopp

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I just want to say thanks to everyone who has stopped by and offered their 2 cents. The advice really helps as there's a lot of options out there and I'm looking to get this right the first time.
 

aw081271

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What should I purchase on a $3000 budget? Your expert opinions will be greatly appreciated.
Hi there,

we in Germany would like to use a Pedders Performance coilover kit or that KW V3 coilover kit .

and we like to drive V-max here on the German-Autobahn , lol.
(no general Speedlimit)

I installed the KW V3 and the Ford Performance Mustang Knuckle to toe Link Bearing Assembly kit from Steeda.

It drives fantastic with it ...
with the standard-chassis it was a disaster from 230kmh/142mph .

but i don't know what you prefer in the USA.
 

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The advice really helps as there's a lot of options out there and I'm looking to get this right the first time.
I worked with Mike D from Steeda. I wanted to keep great track handling along with a softer ride. He set me up, would go with Steeda again if I bought another mustang.
 

1MeanZ

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I just want to say thanks to everyone who has stopped by and offered their 2 cents. The advice really helps as there's a lot of options out there and I'm looking to get this right the first time.
That is a very similar situation to the one I was in. I've been modifying cars for a long time now, but I was new to the S550 chassis. Previously I was a 3rd and 4th generation Camaro/Firebird guy and have built many of them to handle well in a auto-x or road course environment. Selecting the right components to actually improve handling of modern cars is not as easy as some vendors would have you think. Modern suspension geometry is far superior to what it was in the 80s and 90s, it's not as simple as throwing a handful of parts at the car like it used to be. There is also a lot of well-meaning mis-information out there from people that don't really have an understanding of chassis dynamics. I'm a mechnical engineer, so I know enough to be dangerous, and I was not familiar with the S550 chassis. That's why I went straight to Steeda. Their advice will probably save you more money and give you more satisfaction out of the car right off the bat than any other solution.
 

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Tell @beefcake and @tj@steeda your goals with the car and they will guide you. Best parts and customer service in the community.
 

tj@steeda

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Shoot me an email to help assist with a package that fits your needs - you can hit me up at tim @ steeda.com

Have a great night.

TJ
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