Help me choose new suspension

[MidwayJ]

It's crazy to me that big name brands like Bilstein and Koni had problems. I believe Steeda and RTR struts and shocks are Koni shocks and struts and are just valved to there specifications.

People seemed happy with the Bilsteins back in '21 when I got mine, but maybe they had QC problems later. With Koni the active model seems to be the one with issues.

I presume the Ford Performance stuff is better than OEM. The original equipment dampers are probably made by whoever gives Ford the lowest bid.

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[GrabberBargeCaptain]

Bilstein has had QC issues since COVID times, maybe before. I don't think they're the same quality as they used to be. Not sure if they got bought out or what.

I wasnt ever able to find the FP track sway bars so i just used Steeda. Worked out fine. The whole kit just feels very.. OEM. I've had lowering springs on different cars before and they never felt quite right till i tried this kit.

You dont NEED the camber plates but if you want your camber to be even and definitely within spec, you might as well bite the bullet. Steeda ones are fine, never had any weird noises or anything from em.

 

[S550HPP]

most of aftermarket is inferior to Ford unless getting into high dollar stuff like Ohlins, $60K engines etc.....good decisison.

 

[Diegosuave]

My daily/track base 2016 GT on OEM 18x8 wheels has FPP Track dampers, BMR handling springs, FPP tension links/control arms, Steeda lateral links/control arms with extd ball jonts, Steeda bumpsteer kit, Steeda subframe alignment and support kit, and Steeda camber plates. It’s about 50% firmer than stock, providing sharp handling and road feedback without discomfort. The shocks cost $749.99, installed in Feb 2024; one rear shock leaked but was replaced under warranty. Remaining stock suspension parts and wheels will be upgraded eventually with a combination of FPP, Steeda and/or BMR parts. I have driven the vehicle in multiple 400-mile round-trips, and I love the setup, though it might not suit everyone. The FPP Track kit is a great choice.

 

[Mustangcol]

This is exactly the type of advice I am looking for and why I research. My gut has always told me to buy OEM if possible. Especially with Mustangs because you can upgrade and customize them by buying RTR, Shelby, Roush and Ford performance parts.

It's crazy to me that big name brands like Bilstein and Koni had problems. I believe Steeda and RTR struts and shocks are Koni shocks and struts and are just valved to there specifications.

I've also been hearing a lot lately about aftermarket springs making noises and or not lowering evenly all around.

I have made up my mind and I going to buy the Ford performance track kit. Only problem is everyone is currently out of stock of the complete kit. But now I'm wondering if I need camber plates to go along with it and which brand of camber plates to buy.

I'm thinking I should probably just buy the Ford performance camber plates as well. Any thoughts on that?

I stayed really close to OEM. If you want to keep ride comfort, ride height, and save money. Try to find used GT350 springs but the problem is the rear, because you need 2 of the same side (I dont remember which side is it). So you end up having to buy 2 rear sets. When I did it, they were still available new so I didn't have that problem. Then I bought a used GT350 36mm front sway bar (they come in 34 and 36), and then I went with a BMR rear adjustable bar. I have it adjusted to the lowest setting and seems good, but the poly bushings require frequent greasing. My set up is very good. Installing SVE squared wheels with 285/35r19 really set it off. You can see my mods in my signature. I thoroughly researched everything and I consistently get +1g in the mountain with Falken FK510 and it never gives me trouble. My thought to take it further, is adjustable camber arms and plates, more aggressive camber, and while I'm there put vertical links with bearings because why not?

Take this all from someone that was a mechanic for many years, currently an engineer, but not much track experience.

Here are some charts that I saved when digging into this stuff.

 

[JustSomeGuy]

Can't you just buy any brand sway bar end links for your Ford track sway bars?
Please post some pictures of your cars stance with the track kit.

Yes you can, I just wished it came as part of the kit is what I meant. I’ll be putting (likely Steeda as I have most of there catalog on my car) soon.

 

[High Velocity]

Yes you can, I just wished it came as part of the kit is what I meant. I’ll be putting (likely Steeda as I have most of there catalog on my car) soon.

Did you do camber plates? I'm thinking about doing the Ford performance camber plates because I don't want excessive tire wear. Do you wish the springs lowered it just a hair more?

 

[High Velocity]

Pictured is my '19 GT with the BMR minimum drop springs and 19x10 wheels with 285/35 tires all around. That's a little shorter than stock, so there would be less wheel gap with taller tires and/or 20 inch wheels.

At the time I bought the Bilsteins in 2020, they were relatively new on the market for the S550 and getting good reviews. Most were pairing the Ford track dampers with stiffer springs like the BMR handling, so I figured the Bilsteins would be a better match for the softer spring rates of the minimum drop or performance springs.

Those springs seem to sit lower than the Ford springs, would you agree? It looks great though.

 

[MidwayJ]

Those springs seem to sit lower than the Ford springs, would you agree? It looks great though.

They do look lower than the Ford springs on that one car. I'm pretty happy with them considering they are minimum drop.

 

[JustSomeGuy]

Did you do camber plates? I'm thinking about doing the Ford performance camber plates because I don't want excessive tire wear. Do you wish the springs lowered it just a hair more?

I did not do camber plates as you can get about 2.5 degrees with factory setup and that’s plenty for me. I have enough issues not dragging the car at this height, if I had gone lower I would probably be beating up the underside of my car.

 

[S550HPP]

Personally, aside from race team with high end measurement and analysis software plus suspension engineers I would not even attempt to second guess Ford engineering and QC standards.

While it is fun if you have thousands of cash to burn on labor, or enjoy wrenching, the outcome is highly variable whereas Ford Track struts, springs and sway bars are a certainty of both performance and durability.

 

[High Velocity]

Very

Personally, aside from race team with high end measurement and analysis software plus suspension engineers I would not even attempt to second guess Ford engineering and QC standards.

While it is fun if you have thousands of cash to burn on labor, or enjoy wrenching, the outcome is highly variable whereas Ford Track struts, springs and sway bars are a certainty of both performance and durability.

Very Well said and I agree with you a 100 percent. I’ve decided on the full Ford track kit but nobody has it in stock.

 

[blankman]

American Muscle seems to have the best pricing on the kit right now. But it's out of stock. They do have the dampers and springs in stock, But no sway bars. If you don't mind me asking what did you end of paying total at JEGS and what was the total from Steeda. Did you do camber plates?

Sorry for the late reply. After tax my receipt says almost $2200. I originally order through jegs, got a price around 1600$. After two weeks of them moving the delivery date, I looked at lmr who had itnon clearance, it was around 1200$, but no date to deliver as it was on backorder. I hate waiting for stuff I pay for so I found steeda had the last kit and decided to grab it and overpay for it.

EDIT:: I did buy used steeda camber plates from a forum member for around $250, but spent 2 weekends diagnosing that the spherical bearings in them were shot. While I was in contact from steeda I got mixed messages about who to contact about the issue. Was told they would handle the issues, than got told by someone else ford performance had to deal with bit, all while having issues from their instructions on the rear stop the hop kit and them not having the correct instructions online for it. I emailed them about rebuilding the camber plates but after 6 months I still haven't heard anything back from them about the parts and instructions. So for me, also my personal preference and my own opinions, I plan to stay away from them for any future purchases or parts. I know not everyone has had the same experience from them, and I'm not knocking their parts or anything else, but In the future I plan to stay away from them.

 

[High Velocity]

Sorry for the late reply. After tax my receipt says almost $2200. I originally order through jegs, got a price around 1600$. After two weeks of them moving the delivery date, I looked at lmr who had itnon clearance, it was around 1200$, but no date to deliver as it was on backorder. I hate waiting for stuff I pay for so I found steeda had the last kit and decided to grab it and overpay for it.

EDIT:: I did buy used steeda camber plates from a forum member for around $250, but spent 2 weekends diagnosing that the spherical bearings in them were shot. While I was in contact from steeda I got mixed messages about who to contact about the issue. Was told they would handle the issues, than got told by someone else ford performance had to deal with bit, all while having issues from their instructions on the rear stop the hop kit and them not having the correct instructions online for it. I emailed them about rebuilding the camber plates but after 6 months I still haven't heard anything back from them about the parts and instructions. So for me, also my personal preference and my own opinions, I plan to stay away from them for any future purchases or parts. I know not everyone has had the same experience from them, and I'm not knocking their parts or anything else, but In the future I plan to stay away from them.

I wander if BMR is any better? Have you heard anything about them?

Also, I’m not sure if you know or not but I’m pretty sure Ford performance makes camber plates too. Have you thought about getting those?

Did you even need camber plates to get back into alignment or was it just something you were upgrading while you were working on the suspension?

 

[RobZ71LM7]

If not going coilovers I'd look at springs close to Mach 1 HP rates (I know you cannot use the rears due to lack of magneride) or GT350 rates. The cars perform well and ride great. Aftermarket I would take a close look at BMR handling springs as they are the highest rate linear springs without going coilovers. Obviously they need a quality set of dampers more than anything.

If you want to spend a little more talk to Terry at Vorshlag and perhaps look at their budget coilover:

H&R Street Performance Monotube Suspension Kit (S550 Mustang) - Vorshlag

He won't sell you useless parts you don't need.

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