Another Bouncy S550

[Nomad350Z]

Hi all,

I’m new to Mustang 6G but not new to cars or forums by any means. I’ll do my best to abide by the ground rules, which I’ve attempted to follow (starting with a search!)

I ordered my 2015 Oxford White GT 6MT Premium Performance Pack brand new and took shipment in April of 2015. It’s been a great car, but I’m looking to make some minor suspension improvements (the wife complains about it being choppy/bouncy, which seems to be a common thread. Honestly she’s a bit right). We recently test drove a 340i and were both blown away by how comfortable the ride was, yet sporty (albeit with more body roll than I would like).

We live in New Mexico, where road surfaces aren’t the best. I’m looking to soften the edge of the stock PP suspension but still leave the door open for some moderate track duty. I have no desire to lower the ride height (though I would live with 0.5” if needed), but am willing to adjust springs if needed. I’d prefer to have an adjustable damper (both compression and rebound), so that I can quickly adjust for track days.

From some brief research, it seems the Koni yellows come highly recommended from an adjustability perspective and performance, but have been characterized as ‘harsh’. I’ve also heard the new Bilsteins are great, but they don’t appear to have any adjustability. I also saw a ‘comfort package’ from Steeda, but would prefer not to swap springs and struts for track use.

Are there any options that meet my criteria? Anybody out there daily-ing the Koni’s with stock PP springs on soft settings through pothole ridden streets without issue? Any way I can make the S550 more appealing so I don’t have to trade it for a Bimmer?!?

Thanks in advance for your recommendations.

-Garrett

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[BmacIL]

Keep stock springs, add Bilstein B6 or Ford Performance Track dampers and enjoy significantly more controlled and less bouncy/no bounce ride. You'll have better handling to boot. Konis work but lack a little bit of compression damping, so they'll be a little harsher than necessary for a given level of rebound control. A well-tuned monotube feels great on road and track.

If you already do track days don't bother with a comfort package. There are many paths to a great dual use car that puts the stock pp to shame (happy to say I've got one).

 

[SteedaTech]

Hi all,

I’m new to Mustang 6G but not new to cars or forums by any means. I’ll do my best to abide by the ground rules, which I’ve attempted to follow (starting with a search!)

I ordered my 2015 Oxford White GT 6MT Premium Performance Pack brand new and took shipment in April of 2015. It’s been a great car, but I’m looking to make some minor suspension improvements (the wife complains about it being choppy/bouncy, which seems to be a common thread. Honestly she’s a bit right). We recently test drove a 340i and were both blown away by how comfortable the ride was, yet sporty (albeit with more body roll than I would like).

We live in New Mexico, where road surfaces aren’t the best. I’m looking to soften the edge of the stock PP suspension but still leave the door open for some moderate track duty. I have no desire to lower the ride height (though I would live with 0.5” if needed), but am willing to adjust springs if needed. I’d prefer to have an adjustable damper (both compression and rebound), so that I can quickly adjust for track days.

From some brief research, it seems the Koni yellows come highly recommended from an adjustability perspective and performance, but have been characterized as ‘harsh’. I’ve also heard the new Bilsteins are great, but they don’t appear to have any adjustability. I also saw a ‘comfort package’ from Steeda, but would prefer not to swap springs and struts for track use.

Are there any options that meet my criteria? Anybody out there daily-ing the Koni’s with stock PP springs on soft settings through pothole ridden streets without issue? Any way I can make the S550 more appealing so I don’t have to trade it for a Bimmer?!?

Thanks in advance for your recommendations.

-Garrett

You will be extremely happy with the Steeda Pro-Active shocks or dampers! Several PP1 owners have switched over with positive results. This is by experience, not opinions by people with no experience with this set up!
Steeda Tech
https://www.steeda.com/steeda-555-8423-s550-front-rear-shocks-struts

 

[Nomad350Z]

Keep stock springs, add Bilstein B6 or Ford Performance Track dampers and enjoy significantly more controlled and less bouncy/no bounce ride. You'll have better handling to boot. Konis work but lack a little bit of compression damping, so they'll be a little harsher than necessary for a given level of rebound control. A well-tuned monotube feels great on road and track.

If you already do track days don't bother with a comfort package. There are many paths to a great dual use car that puts the stock pp to shame (happy to say I've got one).

thanks for the quick reply! Even without the adjustability, you’re confident the Bilsteins will be more compliant and a better track car? That’s impressive. Any preference between Ford Performance and the B6s?

 

[Nomad350Z]

Looks like there are a few recommendation for the Steedas - I’ll start researching them now. Thanks guys!

 

[BmacIL]

thanks for the quick reply! Even without the adjustability, you’re confident the Bilsteins will be more compliant and a better track car? That’s impressive. Any preference between Ford Performance and the B6s?

Yes.
Up until quite recently I'd have recommended the FP nearly exclusively, having tried a variety (stock pp, steeda fixed pro action, koni and now the FP track, although all with stiffer than stock springs). The ride with the FP track is really quite excellent and there are a lot of happy people on this forum with them paired with stock or very near stock spring rates. The Bilstein rears finally became available within the last few months so now I'd slightly favor them over the FP. People whom I trust, and who have used both the FP track and Bilstein on the same rate springs have slight preference for the Bilstein. Everything just a bit better. You wouldn't go wrong at all with the FP track though.

If you want something that will surprise you for the ride given it's handling abilities, either of those damper sets with the BMR SP083 or GT350R springs is really very good. Firmer than the pp for sure but way, way more controlled.

 

[Nomad350Z]

You will be extremely happy with the Steeda Pro-Active shocks or dampers! Several PP1 owners have switched over with positive results. This is by experience, not opinions by people with no experience with this set up!
Steeda Tech
https://www.steeda.com/steeda-555-8423-s550-front-rear-shocks-struts

hey Steeda - thanks for the suggestion. Do you mind pointing me to their feedback (or sharing some you’ve received)? I did a bit of digging and am coming up with feedback on the fixed Proactions, not the adjustable.

thanks,
Garrett

 

[SteedaTech]

hey Steeda - thanks for the suggestion. Do you mind pointing me to their feedback (or sharing some you’ve received)? I did a bit of digging and am coming up with feedback on the fixed Proactions, not the adjustable.

thanks,
Garrett

I certainly will on Monday. Matt Henschke at our GA office and Rod Williamson In our FL office have customers that have done the upgrade. Send me a pm with your contact info and I will have them reach out to you on Monday with your request.
Steeda Tech

 

[Roadway 5.0]

Hi all,

I’m new to Mustang 6G but not new to cars or forums by any means. I’ll do my best to abide by the ground rules, which I’ve attempted to follow (starting with a search!)

I ordered my 2015 Oxford White GT 6MT Premium Performance Pack brand new and took shipment in April of 2015. It’s been a great car, but I’m looking to make some minor suspension improvements (the wife complains about it being choppy/bouncy, which seems to be a common thread. Honestly she’s a bit right). We recently test drove a 340i and were both blown away by how comfortable the ride was, yet sporty (albeit with more body roll than I would like).

We live in New Mexico, where road surfaces aren’t the best. I’m looking to soften the edge of the stock PP suspension but still leave the door open for some moderate track duty. I have no desire to lower the ride height (though I would live with 0.5” if needed), but am willing to adjust springs if needed. I’d prefer to have an adjustable damper (both compression and rebound), so that I can quickly adjust for track days.

From some brief research, it seems the Koni yellows come highly recommended from an adjustability perspective and performance, but have been characterized as ‘harsh’. I’ve also heard the new Bilsteins are great, but they don’t appear to have any adjustability. I also saw a ‘comfort package’ from Steeda, but would prefer not to swap springs and struts for track use.

Are there any options that meet my criteria? Anybody out there daily-ing the Koni’s with stock PP springs on soft settings through pothole ridden streets without issue? Any way I can make the S550 more appealing so I don’t have to trade it for a Bimmer?!?

Thanks in advance for your recommendations.

-Garrett

Bottom line: the Mustang, with all the mods in the world, won’t be able to beat the refinement of the BMW. The Bimmer’s chassis and damping/spring ratio are just worlds better.

But to answer your question—yes, you can get the Mustang’s ride better and less bouncy. The adjustable Steeda dampers, which are Koni made, were tuned for a better ride in comparison to the Koni yellows and are your best bet in my opinion. Pair these up with your stock springs and you’ll be good to go.

The Bilsteins, which I’m installing next weekend, are a great option too. Or at least I hope so. I’ll let you know how it goes. Fun fact: if the ride isn’t much better after this install I’m going back to BMW. The 340i, 435i, and M235i are on my short list.

Lastly, You can dive into two-way adjustable coilovers which would give you, with OEM-ish spring rates, the best ride, but $3k versus $700 Steeda or Bilstein dampers is a tough pill to swallow.

- Mike

 

[GregO]

I ordered my 2015 Oxford White GT 6MT Premium Performance Pack brand new and took shipment in April of 2015. It’s been a great car, but I’m looking to make some minor suspension improvements (the wife complains about it being choppy/bouncy, which seems to be a common thread. Honestly she’s a bit right). We recently test drove a 340i and were both blown away by how comfortable the ride was, yet sporty (albeit with more body roll than I would like).

Here’s the story,
Ford Performance Track Damper Kit.
Why, where else are you going to get a proven complete kit with new OEM strut mounts and bearings, jounce stops and rear shock mounts for a little over $500.00 bucks.
I’ll wager you’ve accumulated a few miles since new and it’s a good idea to swap out the mounts and strut bearings.

As far as Mono vs Twin and adjustable vs non-adjustable. All I’ll say is the Ford Performance Track Kit flat out works it’s ass off, install it, forget about it and drive the crap out of it. If your into playing with adjusters and fiddling around trying to find that euphoric sweet spot then get the adjustable.

Domestic Muscle vs Euro Autobahn ?
Lock out the rear cradle, install linear springs (Steeda Ultralite Linear or BMR) paired with Ford Perf. track kit and a high quality performance street alignment.
You’ll enjoy your Domestic Muscle car again.

 

[Norm Peterson]

On damper adjustability in general . . . it doesn't take long at all to home in on settings that you're happy with. Once there, stop fiddling with the things and just enjoy the ride until you actually do notice that the ride has become a little less well controlled.

Constant fiddling is for actual racers who need to use all of the handling tuning tools to optimize performance when running against all the other racers who will be doing the same, where they'd be tweaking things as conditions vary. If that's not you, adjustability is set and forget where you get to find your own 'set points'.


With either adjustables or non-adjustables, seal friction/stiction may cause a little more initial harshness than will be there after a few hundred or a thousand miles. Something to be aware of.


Norm

 

[o-man]

I've got a non PP 2015 GT. Have the GT350R springs matched with the Steeda adjustables. Its definitely stiffer than stock but not unbearable, and lowers car about 3/4 of an inch. Car is not a daily driver due to small parking spaces at work, but would have no problem driving it daily. Used for autocross and HPDE and driving on the weekend and trips

 

[Nomad350Z]

The Bilsteins, which I’m installing next weekend, are a great option too. Or at least I hope so. I’ll let you know how it goes. Fun fact: if the ride isn’t much better after this install I’m going back to BMW. The 340i, 435i, and M235i are on my short list.

Hi Mike,

thanks for the input. Do you mind following up after your install? I’m not in a particular rush, and would certainly value more input on the subject.

thanks,
Garrett

 

[BmacIL]

With either adjustables or non-adjustables, seal friction/stiction may cause a little more initial harshness than will be there after a few hundred or a thousand miles. Something to be aware of

@Roadway 5.0 definitely give it some time for this. I know the FP track take a few days of driving.

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