Daily Driver / Backroad Suspension Upgrades

[Verrind]

Hi All,

With the holiday sales coming up, I wanted to get some input on if my suspension parts lists would be fitting for what I'm trying to accomplish. Essentially I'm looking to improve the corner handling but keep the car livable for daily driving. This car will never see a track and about once a month I make it out to western NC/Tennessee for the back road driving from Charlotte.

I broke out my lists into two options since the FP Track Handling pack is OOS currently and I've been doing a bunch of research from historical forum posts. For reference, I have a 2022 A10 GT Premium non-PP with the optional 20inch wheels on the Goodyear Eagle All Seasons (265/35). Since I have 20inch optional wheels, I have the lower k brace and cowl extension from the factory and I added a strut tower brace recently. Eventually I'll do wheels and tires probably targeting a lighter set of 19's instead of 20's that support a wider tire on a square setup still given this is my daily.

Option 1 (Parts based on forum research instead of FP Track Handling):

• Ford Performance Track Shocks/Strut Kit (M-18000-F)
• BMR Lowering Springs (SP083R)
• Ford Toe Link Bearings (M-5A460-M)
• Maxim Motorsports Caster Camber Plates (Mm6CC-10)
• Steeda Stop the Hop Starter (or BMR alternative?)
• Steeda or BMR Swaybars (Front and Rear)

Option 2 (Wait for FP Track Handling to get back in stock and order...):

• Ford Performance Track Handling Kit (M-FR3A-M8A)
• Maxim Motorsports Caster Camber Plates (Mm6CC-10)
• Steeda Stop the Hop Starter (or BMR alternative?)

Please let me know if I'm going in the wrong direction or if some parts would be better in replacement for what I've listed out. I'm open to other vendors as well whether it's Steeda, BMR, or some other manufacturer. This is my first real performance car and a lot of what I've chosen is based on the hundreds of forum posts that exist already on this topic or something similar. Thank you!!

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[lo-fi]

On my base I did every suspension upgrade one by one (so I could feel each addition's effects). Strut bar Bracing, strut to cowl, Steeda IRS, (k-brace, rear brace, differential inserts), Steeda sway bars and end links, then ford performance control arm kit, and yesterday I ordered the Ford Performance Track Shocks/Strut Kit (M-18000-F), and Steeda minimum drop springs plus Ford Performance bump stops. I'll let you know how it goes.

Interesting side note. There are some that will say such and such piece doesn't make a difference. Each piece made a substantial difference. Most people do not perform each upgrade one by one which then leads to them being unable to discern what did what. Or they are applying upgrades to a M1 (I own one of those, hp), 350, 500 etc and the difference isn't as noticeable. Moral of the story, don't listen. It adds up.

 

[NightmareMoon]

Looks fine. I have a slight preference for the Steeda camber plates over the MM ones, and I like adjustable shocks like the Koni yellows or Steeda adjustable blues, but otherwise, looks like a good build.

 

[86pagt]

Had a ‘19 PP with close to your option 1..
FP track shock and struts
BMR min-drop springs.. slightly stiffer than the factory PP springs and much better stance
BMR-CB010 Cradle lockout, rear cradle centering sleeves
BMR CB762 Chassis Brace
BMR toe links and FP bearing
Steeda rear camber adjustment kit
Performance Pack rear sway bar
Steeda front camber plates
Steeda adjustable front sway bar
Steeda front tension and lateral links
BMR 4 point brace — this goes behind the factory brace..
this was in my daily driver. It was night and day compared to the factory PP. I believe this was the way a performance pack should have come. I sold the car with 62kmi around 50k with the suspension mods.. no issues.
For my 24 PP I went the pretty much the same setup except for the springs.. I did BMR SP083 and BMR rear camber arms and lockouts instead of the steeda camber adjustment kit.. the SP083s are definitely much stiffer, which I expected since it’s like a 240 front spring and a 940 rear which are much higher rate than the min-drop. The car feels great but you can definitely feel the stiffer spring.
No experience with the FP track kit, 98% sure their spring are progressive where BNR are liner. You can check out the sticky post with all the spring rates listed. Either one would probably do what you’re looking for. If you have some rough roads maybe look at the BMR min-drop spring instead of the handling but if a stiff ride doesn’t bother you than go SP083s. You can also reach out to Steeda and tell them what you’re looking for and they will recommend a set up. Good luck

 

[VictorH]

My recommendation would be to think carefully about what your goals are for your car.
What specifically are you hoping to improve as it relates to handling. At this stage a better set of tires would make the biggest band-for-the-buck improvement.
I know the roads you are talking about, I'm in SC. The roads in those areas are incredible and I've driven them in many different cars. One thing though, many of them are quite bumpy and I've found it to be more fun in a reasonably compliant suspension car, i.e. close to stock. I have a track set up Mach 1 and on those roads it's a bit rough and less enjoyable than it would have been with stock suspension.
Keep in mind (I've been down this road quite a few times), almost certainly, every time you make an aftermarket adjustment or parts change there's going to be a compromise. The big challenge is to find the best happy medium and it's easy to go too far.
Also, big point, you're talking about driving on public roads, so no one should be driving anywhere near the limits of the vehicle (or the driver's skill). Set up for vehicles to be driven at the limits of adhesion are obviously going to be substantially different than one set up to be improved for 5-6/10 driving on public roads.
If it were me, and I was certain I needed to change something, I'd consider three things as the first step.
1) Best alignment that the suspension will allow. This means as much neg camber as you can get out of the front and to some extent rear suspension (it will be modest). Zero toe up front.
2) Set of summer tires with really good summer rubber. Your weather is mild, but if you're worried about rain, then two sets of wheels.
3) Front and rear sway bars.
Would stop there and see what you think.

 

[Steeda-Sergio]

You can also reach out to Steeda and tell them what you’re looking for and they will recommend a set up. Good luck

Very true, or We will find it lol! We be Lurking.

All of these parts will make an improvement on your car. We are having our Black Friday sale currently, so best time to grab our Steeda parts!

If you need help placing and order or have some more question, I can be reached at EXT 2170 and [email protected]!


FYI, I just followed up thru the Ford Performance Portal on the M-FR3A-M8A, since I've got a few orders and the date has been pushed back a few times. It is not looking good.... as of Today, 7/31/26.

 

[MidwayJ]

I had similar goals for my car and am happy with my suspension upgrades, which are fairly similar to what you are proposing. I have BMR minimum drop springs, and I echo the other comment about the BMR handling springs. They will definitely be stiffer. I'm not sure I'd want them, but that's just me.

One other thing I did to my non performance package car is the performance pack forward front control arms. I did them separately from other upgrades, and the difference was very noticeable in tightening up the steering feel. I probably should have done the full kit with the forward and rearward control arms at the link below.

https://lmr.com/item/M3075F/mustang-ford-performance-front-control-arm-kit

 

[GrabberBargeCaptain]

There are people who have been waiting on the Track Pack from FP to go back in stock for like a year+.. so i would find an alternative. I had to piece it all together separately (didn't cost all that much more, maybe 100$?) but couldnt find the sway bars so i did the steeda sway bars which turned out fine.

These cars desperately need a stiffer spring and more controlled damper out of the box, plus the subframe lockouts. Emphasis on the subframe lockouts. I tried springs/shocks/sways without the lockouts and it helped sweeping turns but in hard 90 degree cornering the car still felt like a wallowing pig. The toe link bearings + lockouts give the rear a really solid feel from a dig, as well as midcorner acceleration, they are a must. The FP track springs are nice because they're progressive, so around town at low speed hitting bumps you don't feel that they're harsh. The dampers are excellent and should have come on the car stock. I don't know who manufactures them but they did a great job, as did FP who spec'd them.

Have never heard of the Maxim parts, i used Steeda plates which have been great, no clanking and feel just like OEM.

 

[MACHtobers Very Own]

I found the combination of softer springs plus everything else stiff got me the ideal balance.

When I had dual rates I just knew I had gone too far. It was a hoot when you were giving it the business but cruising was just too much going on. that's just me and my preferences but stopping the hop was the biggest game changer for me.

 

[S550HPP]

For back roads stock or HPP or GT PP1 takes offs are best as I learned after three damper packages that I tossed or got refunded. Falken FK510 very good quiet ride and traction in wide temp range.

 

[ahowell94]

Following - in the exact same spot on the FP Track Handling Pack. I am a base non-PP, still on stock rims. FWIW, I first started calling around back in late July/early August and was told it was on backorder until mid-October. And now it's July 2026

Is there any particular reason you're going the STH starter kit vs. street enthusiast or ultimate? I've been contemplating the ultimate, but wondering if it'll be more than what I need.

I'm also in the market for the Steeda K-brace and FP strut tower brace. I'm at ~91k miles and thinking about upgrading the control arms rather than just going to spherical bearings since the extra cost for the whole arm doesn't seem to be that much more.

 

[G.T.]

On my base I did every suspension upgrade one by one (so I could feel each addition's effects). Strut bar Bracing, strut to cowl, Steeda IRS, (k-brace, rear brace, differential inserts), Steeda sway bars and end links, then ford performance control arm kit, and yesterday I ordered the Ford Performance Track Shocks/Strut Kit (M-18000-F), and Steeda minimum drop springs plus Ford Performance bump stops. I'll let you know how it goes.

Interesting side note. There are some that will say such and such piece doesn't make a difference. Each piece made a substantial difference. Most people do not perform each upgrade one by one which then leads to them being unable to discern what did what. Or they are applying upgrades to a M1 (I own one of those, hp), 350, 500 etc and the difference isn't as noticeable. Moral of the story, don't listen. It adds up.

Interesting that you were able to do it this way, and note the differences each made.

As you said, most people do the mods in mostly one swoop. I myself would have probably done the same if I found someone local with all the parts lol!

I'm interested in your experience, as the mod path I am thinking about is very similar to what you took.

I assume you did the mods in order that you listed them? I'd love to hear the highlights of each mod as you did them.

 

[G.T.]

For back roads stock or HPP or GT PP1 takes offs are best as I learned after three damper packages that I tossed or got refunded. Falken FK510 very good quiet ride and traction in wide temp range.

Curious, what packages did you try and how did you come to settle on OE?

 

[S550HPP]

Curious, what packages did you try and how did you come to settle on OE?

HPP convertible: B6 on stock springs - wore out after 12 mths very harsh ride tossed them, Koni Special Active on stock springs first set of 4 defective with noisy valves and second set defective as well one of the four replacement has a severely bent strut shaft and valves noisy as well....total junk.

I installed myself with liftt and all the tools total waste of time and money though I got a refund on the Konis twice. At least I did not have to pay $4K for 4 installs.

Found some GT PP1 dis a direct install was better than stock HPP and better than the above by a long shot especially on bumpy roads, wash board and pot holes. I did give up some 100 mph + stability that Bilsteins are good for otherwise 99.9% of time the GT PP1 were perfect.

If you have very smooth roads everywhere the B6 are fine though not sure if and where that exists in N. America haha.

 

[High Velocity]

There are people who have been waiting on the Track Pack from FP to go back in stock for like a year+.. so i would find an alternative. I had to piece it all together separately (didn't cost all that much more, maybe 100$?) but couldnt find the sway bars so i did the steeda sway bars which turned out fine.

These cars desperately need a stiffer spring and more controlled damper out of the box, plus the subframe lockouts. Emphasis on the subframe lockouts. I tried springs/shocks/sways without the lockouts and it helped sweeping turns but in hard 90 degree cornering the car still felt like a wallowing pig. The toe link bearings + lockouts give the rear a really solid feel from a dig, as well as midcorner acceleration, they are a must. The FP track springs are nice because they're progressive, so around town at low speed hitting bumps you don't feel that they're harsh. The dampers are excellent and should have come on the car stock. I don't know who manufactures them but they did a great job, as did FP who spec'd them.

Have never heard of the Maxim parts, i used Steeda plates which have been great, no clanking and feel just like OEM.

I thought that the Track springs were linear and the street version of the springs is progressive? I'd really like to know the answer to this because I just installed the track springs and think they ride great.

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