First Step with Suspension

[Pa-fatboy]

Step 1) Address subframe deflection. BMR, Steeda, or FTBR kit's will work.
Step 2) Toe-to-Knuckle Bearing, Ford Racing or FTBR kit will work.
Step 3) Toe links, BMR, Steeda, FTBR, or Ford Racing will work

Those 3 things should make the rear end feel a lot more communicative with the ground, should be less than $400 or less.

Make sure you pre-adjust toe links (if you opt for adjustable ones) and pre-mark where the eccentric toe bolts were before removal of the OEM toe links so you do not have to realign your car immediately.

Ultimately, those will be a great start to help your rear end out

Phase 2, I would get new swaybars and springs. If you do not want to change the springs right away, find either a progressive spring or a spring with very close to OEM rates (Like the BMR performance ones). If you go with shocks/coilovers, you'd probably get good results with most combinations. Popular ones seem to include the FRPP shocks with the Steeda Linears or BMR handling springs.

Hey derieuz, thanks again for the great advice. I ended up getting ford racing versions of what you called step 2 & 3. I also found a couple guys at work willing to let me visit their home shops with the presses to be able to replace the bearings. Your advice really makes sense the more reading I did on it. Can't wait! You seriously rock bro!

I am holding off on stage 1 for now. I decided to get a full inside, outside, engine compartment and a Modesta seal on it for the Ford Nationals at Carlisle, PA in June. I'll have 2 cars in the show field.

1 x Ford Racing Mustang Knuckle to Toe Link Bearing Assembly - 2 Pack
1 x Ford Racing Mustang Rear Toe Link Kit of 2

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[Pa-fatboy]

Wow... I am still waiting for the bearings and rear toe link kit to show up. I did order a c-press to get the bearings on once they arrive. That came weeks ago. Fingers crosses.

 

[GoBlues38]

i have a non track pack GT with 20"s. I added the strut tower brace, g-track front brace and rear sub frame braces. the car was transformed . it is perfect. best $400 i have ever spent.

 

[jbailer]

i have a non track pack GT with 20"s. I added the strut tower brace, g-track front brace and rear sub frame braces. the car was transformed . it is perfect. best $400 i have ever spent.

Congrats! I know what you mean. I upgraded my suspension in phases and was amazed with every part or group of parts I added. Lowering springs are very good first of all because of the natural lower center of gravity. As mentioned in this thread, if you go with a progressive rate spring that isn't far off the rate of the factory springs, you can lower it without changing the dampers. I LOVE my Steeda progressive springs. My ride quality actually improved when I lowered it, first car ever for that to happen for me, I was shocked.

The ride for me was bouncy since day 1. I've been waiting for good quality dampers to come out. I almost went with the FRPP dampers but started hearing reports they were just ok. I ordered a set of Koni's, waiting for those. Having it to do over again, I would definitely go the same route. My ride has been better than stock and performs better since I changed the springs and waiting for the dampers.

 

[Velgen]

As suggested here springs will give you a great ride quality. I would definitely get the steeda Sway bars, it made a huge difference in the ride of the car.

 

[101charley]

My Suspension Mods:

Step 1: Lightweight Forged Wheels - ForgeStar CF5V 19x10 Front and 19x11 Rear. Saved 7 pounds per corner in rotational mass. Huge.

Step 1a: Tires. Michelin Pilot Super Sport 275/40/19 Front, 305/35/19 Rear

Step 2: Steeda Mustang GT 'Non-Performance Pack' Handling Kit (Sport Springs - Progressive 1.125" front 1" rear, Front Sway Bar, Rear Sway Bar, Adjustable Rear Toe Links, Camber Plates, Ford Performance Pack Front Struts, Ford Performance Pack Rear Shocks), Steeda Billet Front and Rear Sway Bar Mount Kit, Steeda Stage 2 Handling Pack (Strut Tower Brace, Extreme G-Trac K-member Brace, IRS Subframe Bushing Support System, IRS Subframe Alignment Kit), IRS Subframe Braces, Bump Steer Kit, 4-Wheel Alignment.

But the total is more than $400.

 

[David@Steeda]

My Suspension Mods:

Step 1: Lightweight Forged Wheels - ForgeStar CF5V 19x10 Front and 19x11 Rear. Saved 7 pounds per corner in rotational mass. Huge.

Step 1a: Tires. Michelin Pilot Super Sport 275/40/19 Front, 305/35/19 Rear

Step 2: Steeda Mustang GT 'Non-Performance Pack' Handling Kit (Sport Springs - Progressive 1.125" front 1" rear, Front Sway Bar, Rear Sway Bar, Adjustable Rear Toe Links, Camber Plates, Ford Performance Pack Front Struts, Ford Performance Pack Rear Shocks), Steeda Billet Front and Rear Sway Bar Mount Kit, Steeda Stage 2 Handling Pack (Strut Tower Brace, Extreme G-Trac K-member Brace, IRS Subframe Bushing Support System, IRS Subframe Alignment Kit), IRS Subframe Braces, Bump Steer Kit, 4-Wheel Alignment.

But the total is more than $400.

Such a stout mod list!

 

[wildcatgoal]

With $400 I'd do the following (not including shipping or tax or any anomaly as such):

- BMR Performance Lowering Springs

And I'd use a forum discount on one of the sponsors.

Basically $200. You have $200 to spend elsewhere or, what you should do, save... for now. See how I like it. I have driven in a few non-PP cars now with just conservative-rate lowering springs and it was noticeably a better ride. I wouldn't go throwing on Sportlines or Steeda Linears without shocks, personally, but the BMR springs... I would.

 

[Burkey]

PM for me too please?

 

[s550v6]

If I have a limited amount of money for suspension, what would you guys recommend as a first step for my daily driver? My GT is a non-trackPack. The only frame and suspension mods are the strut tower brace and the vowel area brace, not sure what that's called.

I was looking at updated sway bars front and rear. I would like to drop it an inch, but also want to do that right. I'm not sure just replacing the springs is a good idea without looking at shock and struts too.

Say you have $400 for suspension, what would you do? Ultimate goal is to create a canyon carver that will be at home on the track and my local highways and industrial parks.

Just to chime in here is what I'v done and am planning to do to begin my handling mods while under warrenty:

Rear IRS brace (steeda or BMR)
front upper k-member brace (ford part)
lower c (i think) brace (another ford part)
front chassis bracing (BMR CB006)

From there I'm doing brakes and bars:

GT front 4piston brakes and 14" rotors
front and rear sway bars and mounts (steeda or BMR)

Finally its shocks, struts, IRS bushings and whatever else is on your mind!

But to give some feedback as well, I am loving slowly adding bracing to this car because it has so much potential but from the factory you can feel the subframes flex on hard launches or when thrown into hard corners. Each brace I have installed has had a noticible impact on drivability for the better. I feel like it shouldve came from Ford like this! The IRS bracing (I have steeda) helped more than any other mod IMO. BMR is also a great company who know our S550s very well so any of their products are awesome additions! Any questions just ask away

 

[partyelmarty]

You can have the all the toe links, braces, etc. but if you don't replace those sloppy cradle and differential bushings you're not going to be able to put power down like you want to. Start with a strong base(the cradle) and build from there.

 

[s550v6]

You can have the all the toe links, braces, etc. but if you don't replace those sloppy cradle and differential bushings you're not going to be able to put power down like you want to. Start with a strong base(the cradle) and build from there.

What does this require parts wise and how involved is the install?

 

[partyelmarty]

What does this require parts wise and how involved is the install?

BMR Poly Bushing Kit for the differential and cradle. Install involved dropping the IRS, pressing the bushings out, installing the new ones. You can check my build thread for more details.

 

[s550v6]

BMR Poly Bushing Kit for the differential and cradle. Install involved dropping the IRS, pressing the bushings out, installing the new ones. You can check my build thread for more details.

Thanks!

 

[Tugger50H]

i have a non track pack GT with 20"s. I added the strut tower brace, g-track front brace and rear sub frame braces. the car was transformed . it is perfect. best $400 i have ever spent.

Lets go Blues!

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