Base GT suspension upgade

[OSBRanger]

I need some help choosing a suspension upgrade for my GT. I want to gear it toward circuit racing. I am thinking Steeda Progressive springs but I honestly don't know a lot about suspension parts.

What do you guys think?

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[Performance nut]

Nothing against Steeda or their products but I would never put progressive springs on a car I planned on road course race. My preference is putting the stiffiest linear spring I can tolerate on the road and run with that on the track.

With that said, all the choices available improve upon the non-PP suspension. So no matter what, we will improve (I'm in the same boat as you). I have narrowed my options down but I haven't committed 100% to any of them yet. I'm really picky about suspension modifications.

Coilovers: I'm torn between Ridetech and Ground Control. Ridetech has multiple reviews on this forum that show great results with their kit (substantially changed handling, rumored increased space for wider wheels in the rear), Ground Control is newer but have some features I find interesting (the most significant for me is the wide range of height adjustment range). Both offer custom spring rates and have adjustable shock/strut (Ridetech has a rebound only and rebound/compression adjustable version, Ground Control offers rebound only adjustment or a spring only package).

Budget friendly springs and shocks/struts: BMR tech Kelly has a recommendation to run the Ford track pack (not his favorite but is budget friendly) with a few aftermarket mods. Forget the thread name but if you do a search, I'm sure you will find it. There is also an interesting thread on GT350 springs and, in that thread, there is a really cheap suspension mod that has positive reviews already. If memory serves, it is GT350 front springs and shock, rear BMR drag springs with a fixed rate aftermarket strut.

Springs and shock/struts: My personal favorite right now is what one of the local guys is running which is Steeda linear springs with Steeda spacers in the rear. Drop isn't excessive, looks really good, and it isn't teeth rattling stiff on the road. But there are tons and tons of threads on these combos and all based on whatever flavor you want and willing to run on your car.

 

[NightmareMoon]

FWIW, Most people seem to prefer linear springs over the progressives for serious work.

If you're targeting a specific activity. Usually the best thing is to get your feet wet first, then decide what upgrades to make later, based on some first hand experience with actual need. Plus you can see first-hand what your fellow competitors are running.

Spending a bunch of money up front is a good recipe for buying the wrong stuff.

 

[Rebellion]

I'd say to clear up your objectives 1st, do you want the car to be circuit racing only, partial street/track, or daily driving with the intent to eventually make it to racing.

A full race setup is very different from a street one...so it all depends on what you want to achieve.

 

[OSBRanger]

To clear up my objectives: I'll want it to be for partial circuit and daily driving. I'll keep looking into the forum and see what people have done. Thanks for the advice on using a stiffer spring in the back.

 

[Bluemustang]

I set out with the same objectives as you. My extremely amateur advice: use parts that work well together and find a shop you can trust if you're not installing it yourself. I set out to make my car handle better which it does, but I have been battling noise issues ever since. The parts I have were advertised as adding zero NVH and I've had nothing but that.

With that said, many folks here have had good results and my experience may be more rare than others. But be prepared. You may be lucky you may not. And I think most shops you take it to will not be familiar with the S550 suspension. Once you start mixing parts, you may not be happy with the results. Again my experience is likely rare and I know very little about the actual mechanics of all this. An experienced mechanic should be able to set you right. I've been to 3 shops and still can't solve my noise problems.

Just think about this before you overhaul your entire suspension. Edit: If you have issues from NVH it may occur from parts not being installed properly and/or clocking bushings not done properly.

 

[apex15stangPP]

If you really are serious about driving on track and street and plan on keeping the car over a year I would go with a good coilover. You will find the limits of the shock and spring combos very quickly! I would say the most popular coilover for these cars so far is the RIDETECH. Their rear coilover is magic for these cars.

 

[JamesinLittleSilver]

Here is what I did
http://www.mustang6g.com/forums/showthread.php?t=67069
This is the bible of IMHO.
http://www.mustang6g.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22036

Mine is budget minded with good track/excellent daily driving.
Firmer but still easy to drive on almost all roads.
At a reasonable price. MustangCollector's thread is just awesome.

 

[SpeedLu]

People need to stop thinking of linear and progressive springs as binary. Good springs are good springs; there are great progressive rates for track use and there are linears that don't rattle you to death on public roads. Ford Racing made their Track Pack with progressive springs, for example, and it performs dang well at the track and is a smooth ride on most streets.

 

[xXANCHORMONXx]

Linear springs.

It's worth the marginal increase in harshness

 

[D.Brown]

I'm running the Ford Racing Track Suspension with Steeda Linear springs and I love the ride it gives me on the shitty New England roads here. It also handles incredibly well at the track.

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