Upgraded sway bars for Mach 1?

[Coastal-Mach]

OK, that does make more sense if that's what the first paragraph is talking about - that Steeda rear bar is REALLY thick (4.6 mm thicker than the stock HP bar while the front is only 1.7 mm thicker than the stock HP bar). So if you put on both bars you'd expect the car to exhibit more oversteer.

If your question to the them was "would this kit reduce understeer with a stock non-HP Mach", then I would also understand them saying only do the rear bar if you're not going to the track.

I had to go back and see what my initial question was, and it came after watching the Nürburgring Mach 1 with the Steeda components. This is in conjunction with the stop the hop kit as well, and the dual rates used on that car.

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[WD Pro]

So I've had the car now for about 2 years and have always wished for a little bit more stiffness in the corners. I do not want to mess with different springs but would consider some beefier sway bars, I put GT350R bars on my 2018 GT and loved that upgrade. Here's what I have been able to cobble together as far as stock suspensions for the various Mustang trims:

	PP1 w/o MR	Mach 1	Mach 1 HP	GT350 (2019+)	GT350R
Front springs	165 lb	194 lb	211 lb	211 lb	240 lb
Rear springs	728 lb	657 lb	742 lb	857 lb	914 lb
Front sway	32.0mm solid	33.3 x 5.0mm wall	33.3 x 5.0mm wall	34 x 5.7mm wall	34 x 4.8mm wall
Rear sway	22.2mm solid	24 x 3.6mm wall	24mm solid	24 x 3.6mm wall	24 x 3.6mm wall

I do like sticking with Ford Performance parts whenever it makes sense and they have a track sway bar kit M-5490-G with 37 mm front and 25.2 mm rear bars. I understand how stiffening them randomly can upset the suspension performance, and don't know enough to make an educated decision.

Any Mach owners happen to try these, or other upgraded sway bars?

I think that info might have come from a table I was building up.

If it helps, here's the rest of it :

I started to build it up when I got interested in the FP mag ride kit so I could see where it fitted in the pecking order

WD

 

[Hifiguy]

Wow so not a lot of traffic in this thread, guess we are all still figuring sway bars out for HP cars...

There is not a conclusive, "one is the best" solution for the M1.

I made a similar thread for springs and sways, and the dual rates from steeda were suggested. However, after reading through every post related to the steeda dual rates and the FP magneride handling kit (9602), there is such a conflict of opinion. One guy switched from the steeda to the FP kit because he thought the steeda kit was too stiff, and on the other end a lot of guys are complaining about the FP kit having fitment issues and not as great handling as expected.

Despite that. when going through the numbers I think the FP kit is the best option for us, especially base M1 owners. The steeda kit having such high spring rates with a thinner rear bar then stock just sounds wrong. I am going to try to score a deal on black friday for the FP kit.

 

[WD Pro]

On the other end a lot of guys are complaining about the FP kit having fitment issues and not as great handling as expected.

This kit is top of my list so I’m a bit concerned - what’s the general theme with regards the fitment and handing issues you have mentioned ?

Do you have any links I could follow, as pretty much everything I have read has been (very) positive ?

WD

 

[Mikepol2]

Despite that. when going through the numbers I think the FP kit is the best option for us, especially base M1 owners. The steeda kit having such high spring rates with a thinner rear bar then stock just sounds wrong. I am going to try to score a deal on black friday for the FP kit.

This kit is top of my list so I’m a bit concerned - what’s the general theme with regards the fitment and handing issues you have mentioned ?

Do you have any links I could follow, as pretty much everything I have read has been (very) positive ?

WD

The FP sway bar only kit is out of stock everywhere. I'm going to try the Steeda sway bar only kit 555-1017, not the Steeda track kit with the soft rear bar. I did notice that the Steeda website has an error, in one place they say the rear bar is 1" but in the specs tab they say it's 1-1/8" diameter. I think 1-1/8" is the actual diameter, at least that's what they mention in the install video. Not messing with springs, I don't want to lower it and the HP springs are already pretty stiff.

I messaged Steeda this morning through their website and pointed out the website error, and asked which bar settings they'd recommend to keep the same handling balance as stock, we'll see what they come back with next week.

 

[IPOGT]

OK, that does make more sense if that's what the first paragraph is talking about - that Steeda rear bar is REALLY thick (4.6 mm thicker than the stock HP bar while the front is only 1.7 mm thicker than the stock HP bar). So if you put on both bars you'd expect the car to exhibit more oversteer.

If your question to the them was "would this kit reduce understeer with a stock non-HP Mach", then I would also understand them saying only do the rear bar if you're not going to the track.

Car is perfect just as it is. It needs nothing. Save your money and buy your wife some shoes, or buy your dog a new toy. Stop looking to do unnecessary BS. I have never had a car that actually felt this well sorted right out of the box.
JK, you can do what you’d like.

 

[Mikepol2]

Car is perfect just as it is. It needs nothing. Save your money and buy your wife some shoes, or buy your dog a new toy. Stop looking to do unnecessary BS. I have never had a car that actually felt this well sorted right out of the box.
JK, you can do what you’d like.

LOL yeah I do feel like it's pretty close to perfect, this will hopefully fix one of the areas that I've always wanted just a little bit more from. The wife and kids were pestering me for Christmas ideas so the bars will fit the bill, better than them guessing and getting crap I don't want.

It will be money better spent than on shoes anyway, she's got that covered... don't tell her I posted this pic, she'll kill me

 

[fast306stang]

Car is perfect just as it is. It needs nothing.

This is what I struggle with. I thought my PP2 handled incredible once I added the BMR Cradle Lockout.

Then I got my M1HP and right out the box it out handles my PP2. So then I'm thinking, "How much better will the M1 be if I installed cradle lockouts on it?"

So I'm curious how the upgrades sways help the OP...

 

[VictorH]

One vote here for Hellwig adjustable front bar. Has three settings.

 

[shogun32]

Get a weaker rear bar. Bmr, white line, eibach, or stock GT.

 

[shogun32]

The steeda kit having such high spring rates with a thinner rear bar then stock just sounds wrong

Springs are way more important than bar. I thing the duals in the back are a bit much. Probably only really work at Sebring, Daytona and perhaps road Atlanta. Probably not so hot at VIR or Birmingham.

I think there is a long standing bias by mustang folk in overdoing rear bars.

The m1 and GT I would focus more on front spring rate and leave the rear spring alone and lighten up on the rear bar regardless of trim level.

 

[shogun32]

money better spent than on shoes anyway, she's got that covered

Holy scnikees. When does she get a dedicated closet or room for shoes and put on display such that she can add an hour to each date night prep choosing the right pair?

 

[Mikepol2]

Holy scnikees. When does she get a dedicated closet or room for shoes and put on display such that she can add an hour to each date night prep choosing the right pair?

It’s a sickness… like buying lots of cars

 

[IPOGT]

This is what I struggle with. I thought my PP2 handled incredible once I added the BMR Cradle Lockout.

Then I got my M1HP and right out the box it out handles my PP2. So then I'm thinking, "How much better will the M1 be if I installed cradle lockouts on it?"

So I'm curious how the upgrades sways help the OP...

While my contentment is blissfully economical, it’s also the reason I bought an M1 to begin with. I felt I wouldn’t need to buy, add or change stuff.
If I had thought I’d be modding I would have definitely kept my 2016 GT. But that makes everyone unique right?

LOL yeah I do feel like it's pretty close to perfect, this will hopefully fix one of the areas that I've always wanted just a little bit more from. The wife and kids were pestering me for Christmas ideas so the bars will fit the bill, better than them guessing and getting crap I don't want.

It will be money better spent than on shoes anyway, she's got that covered... don't tell her I posted this pic, she'll kill me

Secrets all good here Mike. BTW, just in case, do you and your wife ever visit desolate areas? I ask because it may be a good thing to know in case we don’t hear from you.
Gotta hand it to ya my friend. You’re brave.!

 

[shogun32]

do you and your wife ever visit desolate areas?

You mean like downtown Pittsburgh?

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