Stiffening up the Stang

[NightmareMoon]

I hear you on this, but I would say that locking down the subframe and IRS bits can make it quite a bit more predictable when the traction is exceeded. From personal experience, this was definitely the case with my car. Granted, mine is a base car too and I didn't have the Torsen diff either at the time which would probably have helped. And definitely drivers responsibility and tires like you said.

100% stock, my car did some scary and unpredictable things when it broke loose - straight line as well as coming out of corners. And I would add - most of the time I was given almost no warning as to what was about to happen.

I’m skeptical it was that bad stock. My car was fine stock. Drove the snot out of it for years like that.

400hp. City streets. Rear wheel drive. Inexperienced driver. Plus a little red mist. Some subframe braces dont fix any of those factors. Blame the car if you like. I’m blaming the loose nut behind the wheel.

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[Stangalang]

Might be tires were cold and/or road conditions. Maybe the pavement was more slippery than you realized. Even all season tires will need to warm up a bit to grip better. Take it easier for 20 min or until the temps comes up.

Yeah, I was already about 30 minutes into a 45 minute drive.

 

[Stangalang]

I have to agree, its a little disconcerting- in a somewhat fun way - when the ass end lets go. Totally stock GT
I start work at 6:00 am, last week on the way in, i got on the car after a light and the rear end let go while at around 25 mphs while accelerating upward.

It startled the heck out of me as there was no sign of ice or anything and id already driven about 25 mikes to work with no slippage at al the whole way in….
The roads had a bit of a sheen to them and it just let go…

anyway it really woke me up, that was for sure…lol

it adds that little fear factor to the ride…

Yeah, I generally like to ease into the pedal for my liking. Like if I'm going off a light, I'll go up to 20mph then press the gas in. Obviously not all the way to the floor. Doesn't require that much input to go quicker. I mostly drive it for the V8 sounds, and just cruise in it. Not doing street racing or anything.

 

[Stangalang]

Sounds like driver error to me. I have had the car step out on me before so I know the feeling it happens to the best of us. But the main issue I see here is stepping on the brake pedal. That should never be an option on a slide, it upsets the balance of the car. Best to ease off look and gently steer in the direction you want to go and let the car sort itself out. There is too many variables (Maybe there was oil on the road?). But of course upgrading the suspension will increase confidence and handling.

I really enjoyed the skidding exercise at the Mach 1 track attack, they have you learn to how to handle a slide.

It's a good thing I'm asking about this. Cause it was definitely the first time it happened to me. Just want to make sure I'm not losing my mind here. I do want to add some rigidity to the subframe, but if I do that, what are the true benefits of this? Will it corner more stiffered? or is it just for when your doing a 0-60 from a stop?

 

[ShadowCoyote]

I made the mistake of passing someone going from 40mph to 60mph in just a few seconds. My rear end went hard to the right and felt like the front brakes locked up as if the car was trying to correct itself. I tried to turn the steering wheel hard right to correct the rear end and when I did, the car went harder to the right and spun me around sideways onto oncoming traffic. Thankfully no one was coming from the other direction, because my tires went full smoke as I was drifting sideways. I have had the car for 2 years and this has never happened to me before and I have gotten on it plenty of times with some rear end breaking loose. I put it in drag mode and took off advanced traction control. I have driven more powerful cars and I never felt more out of control than I did that day. My car is definitely lighter in the back and with all that power to the tires, you have got to respect this vehicle, or it will kill you. Saved the car and learned that passing while on throttle passing cars with cold tires is a true recipe for disaster. Luckily, I was ok and saved the car. I was not being a douche driver, and I was not experienced enough to turn off all the traction controls.

 

[JetGray_Mach1]

It's a good thing I'm asking about this. Cause it was definitely the first time it happened to me. Just want to make sure I'm not losing my mind here. I do want to add some rigidity to the subframe, but if I do that, what are the true benefits of this? Will it corner more stiffered? or is it just for when your doing a 0-60 from a stop?

Is this a daily driver? The only downside I see from doing this is ride quality. If you don't mind a bumpier ride then its no brainer it will make the car much sportier, fun and more predictable.

There is more experienced folks on here that can chime in for specific mods to the GT S550 to improve the suspension. I would get some subframe stiffening, sway bars, strut bars, adjustable shocks and good set of springs. Don't forget good set of wheels and tires.

My 2014 GT stock suspension did not give me any confidence (I know that chassis is less capable) but in general the GT suspension is on the soft side. I made the car handle excellent for a live axle but it was my daily and ride was a little bumpy.

 

[MAGS1]

I was not experienced enough to turn off all the traction controls.

This is a good lesson. Being an experienced driver overall but also being experienced with how these specific cars behave. Most important thing is to not panic and slam on the brakes, that will get you in more trouble more times than not.

I’ve played around with the TC on my GT in large empty parking lots in snow, I wanted to know how the car behaves in loss of traction situations with all the nannies on and off. The TC is actually pretty good once you learn how it behaves. If you’re able to do something similar, it’s a good way to learn. Just make sure there’s nobody around and plenty of space between light posts. That’s one of the things my dad taught me when I was learning to drive years ago, and I do it with every car I buy so I know how they behave in those situations. It’s saved my butt more than a few times. I will be doing the same with my son when he starts driving this summer.

 

[Stangalang]

Is this a daily driver? The only downside I see from doing this is ride quality. If you don't mind a bumpier ride then its no brainer it will make the car much sportier, fun and more predictable.

There is more experienced folks on here that can chime in for specific mods to the GT S550 to improve the suspension. I would get some subframe stiffening, sway bars, strut bars, adjustable shocks and good set of springs. Don't forget good set of wheels and tires.

My 2014 GT stock suspension did not give me any confidence (I know that chassis is less capable) but in general the GT suspension is on the soft side. I made the car handle excellent for a live axle but it was my daily and ride was a little bumpy.

It is not a daily driver. It's my secondary ride, fun one too. I generally drive my cars all year around, but if it's driven in the winter months where it's cooler I just usually drive it to the store or around town to let it not sit. Got to make the monthly payment worth it... Lol

 

[Kabayo]

Sounds like driver error to me. I have had the car step out on me before so I know the feeling it happens to the best of us. But the main issue I see here is stepping on the brake pedal. That should never be an option on a slide, it upsets the balance of the car. Best to ease off look and gently steer in the direction you want to go and let the car sort itself out. There is too many variables (Maybe there was oil on the road?). But of course upgrading the suspension will increase confidence and handling.

I really enjoyed the skidding exercise at the Mach 1 track attack, they have you learn to how to handle a slide.

I agree, let off the throttle and let the car sort itself out if your able to do that safely

Seems more like a driving mistake than a suspension issue
Explain in detail what happened

I added BMR lifting rails on my 23 GT along with a 2 point BMR front frame brace. The change is truly remarkable

 

[SBR70.3]

Tires would likely be better than throwing any suspension mods on. What tires do you have? How's the tread? If you are on the OEM P-Zero's then throw those things in the trash, regardless of miles.

 

[WItoTX]

Second thread of "its cold out, car went sideways, should I throw parts at it because it's obviously broken."

 

[Stangalang]

Second thread of "its cold out, car went sideways, should I throw parts at it because it's obviously broken."

I admire your joke, but in all seriousness, I figured I'd ask and see what folks would say.

 

[Stangalang]

Tires would likely be better than throwing any suspension mods on. What tires do you have? How's the tread? If you are on the OEM P-Zero's then throw those things in the trash, regardless of miles.

Nope. They're https://www.goodyear.com/en_US/tires/eagle-f1-asymmetric-all-season/2614.html

 

[WItoTX]

I admire your joke, but in all seriousness, I figured I'd ask and see what folks would say.

In all seriousness, once the cold is over, I bet it feels much better. I grew up in Wisconsin, and about the only tire with grip in winter was snow tires. And a broke college kid isn't buying those. Then combine that with all my trucks having a open diff/worn out LSD, there was lots of wheel spin

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