Handling and suspension

[Rodrigo1234]

Hi everyone, I own a 2015 Ford Mustang and I'm looking to make some budget-friendly upgrades to improve its handling and suspension. What affordable mods would you recommend that can noticeably enhance performance without sacrificing too much ride comfort? I’d appreciate any tips or experiences you can share. Thanks!

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[WItoTX]

I'd start here:

https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/forums/suspension-brakes-chassis.64/

First thing you need to determine is what it is you are trying to do. Backroads? Track days? AutoX? Rallycross? Mudding?

Once you figure that out, folks can chime in with specifics.

Welcome to the fire.

 

[lo-fi]

Michelin PS tires, fat ones. Sway bars. The usual chassis bracing within engine bay and underneath (front k-brace and rear bracing). This will take you a long way and won't require alignments (which add up quick).

 

[Racer5973]

Hi everyone, I own a 2015 Ford Mustang and I'm looking to make some budget-friendly upgrades to improve its handling and suspension. What affordable mods would you recommend that can noticeably enhance performance without sacrificing too much ride comfort? I’d appreciate any tips or experiences you can share. Thanks!

Rear vertical links,swaybars and bushings. Fairly budget Friendly.

 

[SBR70.3]

What tires are you using? Dollar for dollar, tires usually give the best improvement in the way the car feels.

Details on car? Current mods?

To echo a previous comment, we need to know what you are using the car for. The Steeda stop the hop kit is great

 

[Rodrigo1234]

What tires are you using? Dollar for dollar, tires usually give the best improvement in the way the car feels.

Details on car? Current mods?

To echo a previous comment, we need to know what you are using the car for. The Steeda stop the hop kit is great

I’m currently running Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, but I’m open to other recommendations if you’ve got any favorites! As for mods, I’ve installed a cold air intake and a cat-back exhaust. I mainly use the car for spirited weekend drives and occasional track days, so I’m looking to enhance grip and overall handling. I’ve heard good things about the Steeda Stop the Hop kit—do you think it’s worth it for my setup?

 

[Nickel]

I will let you in on a life changing secret I call the Tri-Formula. 3 things that are simpler than people lead you to believe.

The very first thing, the one that matters more than anything else is the brake compound you choose. Regardless of tires or chassis, if you can cut your braking point in half, you'll usually be faster than the guy behind you and in front of you. Regardless of caliper, for an S550, start with a Carbotech XP10F, XP8R. You now have an operating temp of over 1300°.

Next is a 200 treadwear tire. Won't overheat on a track or street and can still be safe in the rain.

Both of those will overpower the suspension at this point. A very good set of springs can fix this and an alignment. And on these cars you're not sacrificing ride quality. A PP shock, track shock will be better.

You can continue to go down the rabbit hole to fine tune but if you go by that formula, it becomes a different car.

 

[Rodrigo1234]

I'd start here:

https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/forums/suspension-brakes-chassis.64/

First thing you need to determine is what it is you are trying to do. Backroads? Track days? AutoX? Rallycross? Mudding?

Once you figure that out, folks can chime in with specifics.

Welcome to the fire.

Thanks for the welcome! I mainly drive on backroads and occasionally take it out for some spirited driving on weekends. I’m not looking to track it or go off-roading, just want to enhance the handling for those twisty roads without making the ride too stiff for daily driving.

 

[Rodrigo1234]

Michelin PS tires, fat ones. Sway bars. The usual chassis bracing within engine bay and underneath (front k-brace and rear bracing). This will take you a long way and won't require alignments (which add up quick).

Thanks for the advice! The Michelin PS tires sound like a great start. I’ve heard they make a big difference. As for the sway bars and chassis bracing, do you have any specific brands or setups you'd recommend? I’m definitely interested in upgrades that don’t require frequent alignments!

 

[Rodrigo1234]

Rear vertical links,swaybars and bushings. Fairly budget Friendly.

Appreciate the suggestions! Rear vertical links, sway bars, and bushings sound like a solid plan.

 

[Rodrigo1234]

What tires are you using? Dollar for dollar, tires usually give the best improvement in the way the car feels.

Details on car? Current mods?

To echo a previous comment, we need to know what you are using the car for. The Steeda stop the hop kit is great

Right now, I’m running some basic all-season tires that came with the car, so upgrading to performance tires is definitely on my list. I’ve heard good things about Michelin PS. As for mods, the car is still stock, so I’m starting from scratch. I mainly use it for spirited backroad driving on weekends, not really planning on tracking it.

The Steeda Stop the Hop kit sounds interesting—do you think it would be a noticeable upgrade for backroad driving?

 

[WItoTX]

Right now, I’m running some basic all-season tires that came with the car, so upgrading to performance tires is definitely on my list. I’ve heard good things about Michelin PS. As for mods, the car is still stock, so I’m starting from scratch. I mainly use it for spirited backroad driving on weekends, not really planning on tracking it.

The Steeda Stop the Hop kit sounds interesting—do you think it would be a noticeable upgrade for backroad driving?

Don't do that kit. Start with sphericals in the RLCA. You might even consider the front end too. Then drive it for a couple months. If it feels good, don't mess with it anymore.

Those are the single best upgrade you can do. All the bolt on stuff from Steeda is fine (And I have my fair share of bits), but my experience is it doesn't do much. But the sphericals they offer, that is a huge upgrade.

 

[lo-fi]

Thanks for the advice! The Michelin PS tires sound like a great start. I’ve heard they make a big difference. As for the sway bars and chassis bracing, do you have any specific brands or setups you'd recommend? I’m definitely interested in upgrades that don’t require frequent alignments!

I went with Steeda, no particular reason or feeling they were better than others like BMR.

https://www.steeda.com/steeda-mustang-front-and-rear-sway-bar-kit-2015-555-1017.html

https://www.steeda.com/adjustable-stay-bar-endlinks.html

https://www.steeda.com/steeda-555-5536-mustang-extreme-g-trac-k-member-brace

https://www.steeda.com/Steeda-S550-Mustang-Stop-The-Hop-Starter-Kit-555-4455

This was going on a plain GT so I needed

https://www.steeda.com/ford-fr3z-16a200-d-mustang-gt-strut-tower-brace-black

https://ford.oempartsonline.com/oem-parts/ford-cross-bar-fr3z16k038a

https://www.tascaparts.com/oem-parts/ford-extension-panel-fr3z63016a52a

Hardware part numbers for strut tower brace and cowl mounting plate nuts
W712334-S440
W717964-S450B

 

[Rodrigo1234]

Don't do that kit. Start with sphericals in the RLCA. You might even consider the front end too. Then drive it for a couple months. If it feels good, don't mess with it anymore.

Those are the single best upgrade you can do. All the bolt on stuff from Steeda is fine (And I have my fair share of bits), but my experience is it doesn't do much. But the sphericals they offer, that is a huge upgrade.

Thanks for the insight! I’ll definitely look into the sphericals for the RLCA. Sounds like a solid upgrade. I appreciate you sharing your experience with the Steeda parts too—good to know what makes the biggest difference.

 

[Rodrigo1234]

I will let you in on a life changing secret I call the Tri-Formula. 3 things that are simpler than people lead you to believe.

The very first thing, the one that matters more than anything else is the brake compound you choose. Regardless of tires or chassis, if you can cut your braking point in half, you'll usually be faster than the guy behind you and in front of you. Regardless of caliper, for an S550, start with a Carbotech XP10F, XP8R. You now have an operating temp of over 1300°.

Next is a 200 treadwear tire. Won't overheat on a track or street and can still be safe in the rain.

Both of those will overpower the suspension at this point. A very good set of springs can fix this and an alignment. And on these cars you're not sacrificing ride quality. A PP shock, track shock will be better.

You can continue to go down the rabbit hole to fine tune but if you go by that formula, it becomes a different car.

Thanks for sharing the Tri-Formula! It sounds like a game-changer. I hadn’t considered the impact of brake compound that way, but it makes a lot of sense. The Carbotech XP10F and XP8R combo is definitely something I’ll look into.

I appreciate the tips on tires and springs too—it's helpful to know I can improve handling without sacrificing ride quality. Excited to see how these upgrades change the driving experience!

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