BMR/Steeda suspension upgrade - thoughts after install

[metalhead79]

Last weekend I installed:

BMR SP763 springs
Steeda Pro-Action shocks/struts
BMR TCA048 vertical links
BMR cradle lockout level 2
SR Performance strut tower brace

Now that I've had a week to get some miles in on the new suspension upgrade, I thought I'd give my thoughts. My goal for the car is pure street handling. I doubt I will hit a track or go to the drag strip. I just want something confident in turns in the mountains and the occasional full throttle blast from a stop light. I think I'm heading the right direction.

Installation was pretty straightforward. I watched Steeda and CJPony Parts videos beforehand. I could NOT get the rear cradle to drop low enough to wiggle the rear springs out like shown in the videos. I had to have a friend help me pry them out using pry bars and good old fashioned ugga duggas. Other than that, everything was pretty simple and went as was shown in the videos.

Ride quality is dramatically better. The crashiness from the stock shocks/struts is gone. It's smooth and just absorbs impacts now. The new springs are just a tad stiffer than stock and I feel they paired extremely well with the Pro-Actions. I wanted better handling without sacrificing ride comfort. I got that. Turning is noticeably flatter and the squishiness from the rear end is gone. The car feels confident now in a turn. I have done a few full throttle pulls and the car just hooks and goes. The vague 'what is it doing, I hope there's no crowd nearby' feeling from the rear end is gone. It's planted and I can feel it. I have not noticed any increase in NVH.

All in all, I am extremely pleased with the upgrades. This is exactly what I was looking for. I'm planning on adding sway bars, toe rods, BMR 4-point subframe brace and k-member brace in a few months. I think that will do it for the suspension at that point.

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[RookieDDZ]

This is great. I have a few Steeda and BMR parts to lower the car about an inch and tighten up the rear. I also feel the car is pretty solid. Difference is I have the OEM PP1 shocks and just started to look at Steeda for replacements. Glad to see the BMR SP763's fit. Save me a little. I like my ride height, just want better bump performance.

 

[tj@steeda]

Glad to hear the combo worked out - if anyone ever needs help, feel free to email me at [email protected]

Have a great night!

 

[jpjr501]

I'm glad to hear this.

I have the same BMR springs you have, BMR front K-Member (no front sway bar), BMR motor mounts, BMR Adjustable Tie Rod ends, BMR Vertical links. Don't have the lockout stuff or stop the hop parts. I do have a Ford Performace Strut Tower Brace.

However, I have the stock Front Struts and Rear Shocks. I'm going to purchase the Steeda Pro Active set. Even thinking of going with the Steeda springs while i'm in there. Not sure, the rears are a pain though.

All my other cars have Steeda, this car happened to come with all this. I'm even thinking of removing a lot of this and going Steeda eventually.

So cool the ride quality was improved.

 

[Sumjay]

Why the mix of Steeda springs and shocks? I've been looking at those shocks, not sure what springs I want to pair them with yet.

The subframe brace is a game changer, it should really pair well with what you got on there already. It's not a night and day difference but I've driven both stock base and PP1 S550s since doing the STH kit and I can't go back

 

[Paul McWhiskey]

See my signature for BMR suspension upgrades. Steeda end links because of a generous member who gave them to me for the cost of shipping. Made this PP1 far, far better than stock. Car launches and corners much better. I am patiently (now going on eight months) awaiting the FP Track Handling package to complete the job. Have had none of the fit and finish issues that some have listed with BMR’s parts.

These bolt on’s have made the car what I feel is what Ford tried to advertise the car as being with the Power Pack. Not that it was bad, but now it is really a lot of fun to drive. The performance difference is glaringly significant. It is not a race car, but is so much better than it was that now I only think about a Mach 1 or GT 350 as an addition to the fun instead of a replacement. This is something that I can take out any day and get maximum smiles to the miles.

I highly recommend BMR and look forward to receiving and installing the FP Track Handling Pack. From all of the reviews on it that I have read I feel like it will be money well spent as well. To quote Dave Kindig, “Stock Sucks”.

 

[Canadian Crimson]

Glad to hear the combo worked out - if anyone ever needs help, feel free to email me at [email protected]

Have a great night!

You are at the top of my list when the car goes away this fall lol

 

[S550HPP]

I'm glad to hear this.

I have the same BMR springs you have, BMR front K-Member (no front sway bar), BMR motor mounts, BMR Adjustable Tie Rod ends, BMR Vertical links. Don't have the lockout stuff or stop the hop parts. I do have a Ford Performace Strut Tower Brace.

However, I have the stock Front Struts and Rear Shocks. I'm going to purchase the Steeda Pro Active set. Even thinking of going with the Steeda springs while i'm in there. Not sure, the rears are a pain though.

All my other cars have Steeda, this car happened to come with all this. I'm even thinking of removing a lot of this and going Steeda eventually.

So cool the ride quality was improved.

Try the PP1 braces and GT350 / heavier sway bars first along with vertical links and alignment before blowing cash on dampers and springs.

I found this to be perfect on PP1 dampers and HPP springs at speeds under 110. Over 110 definitely need damper and possibly spring upgrade Ford Performance would be my choice after wasting time and money on B6 and Koni Special Active.

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