Front Struts - What do These Numbers Mean

[Epiphany]

The engineer you quoted didn't *really* know what the differences were. He was guessing and trying to remember things from years ago. We're not going to do much better.

It would be silly for Ford to spec tiny differences in damper internals when the damper controller itself can account for massive ones. They don't keep a bunch of extra SKU's sitting around for fun. Chances are that they *tested* several versions, chose one and then adjusted the actual damping forces with the controller.

I _know_ the Mustang (all of them) use a certain Magneride (call Version A) spec. I'm fairly certain that the base 350 uses the same. The 350R _definitely_ uses a second spec (Version B) which is roughly twice the damping. I would suspect the 500 & 500 CFTP use the same version as the 350R. Having said that, it's entirely possible they use a third, Version C spec.

I have not found anyone at Ford Performance, Ford parts or a dealer that knows a damn thing about the Magneride. It's like an information black hole. Quizzing that engineer is you best bet.

I didn't post everything relayed to me as I didn't think it was fair to share some of the detail. The engineer I spoke with didn't go back and review his notes (AFAIK) or dig up internal communications but just gave me a quick response to point me in a certain direction. Having been the one that worked with Ford engineers on the GT350 and GT500 systems, lets just say he's very well versed when he needs to be specific. As I said, the GT350 and GT500 dampers have similar changes with respect to the slot gaps that allow fluid flow. Such that the GT350R and CFTP GT500 will provide a relative increase in "stiffness" with no magnetic field applied over the GT350 or Base versions. The rationale behind the calibration that Ford ultimately chose....only they know that.

There are a few in vehicle dynamics at Ford that could be very specific about this, except they never will publicly. And they have all moved on to other projects so as time passes the window of opportunity to obtain specifics evaporates.

And to your comment that "It would be silly for Ford to spec tiny differences in damper internals when the damper controller itself can account for massive ones. They don't keep a bunch of extra SKU's sitting around for fun. Chances are that they *tested* several versions, chose one and then adjusted the actual damping forces with the controller." Call it what you want but that is the reality. Those minor slot gap differences result in different part numbers. The results Ford/BWI achieved were a combination of software and hardware.

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[TeeLew]

I can only read what you've shared, but what you shared was a guy trying to remember about what they did to a car several years ago ("My memory of why certain gaps were picked is hazy"). I've got a really good head for these types of things (i.e. unimportant stuff) and I'd struggle to tell you about car changes from 5 years ago, so it doesn't surprise me that he does.

There are very few places to even try to figure this stuff out, but Rock Auto carries Ford Magneride struts. They have one spec for the Mustang and one for the 350R/500. The next area to investigate is to start trying to decipher Ford part numbers, but as I said before, real info doesn't even exist. I was dragging VIN numbers off Ebay cars trying to do this, because Ford makes it so difficult, but I don't know how else to try to figure it out.

 

[TeeLew]

9% is not big but neither negligible.
I just wonder if (for dual usage) a stiffer spring could be an easy upgrade?

10% is a 'normal' step, so it's along those lines, I guess. I was comparing the rate vs. what's available in the aftermarket. I think you're on to it, though. Change the front spring (300 #/in at least, IMO) and don't worry about the damper. The trick with that is getting the rate/ride height combo you want.

 

[Epiphany]

There are very few places to even try to figure this stuff out, but Rock Auto carries Ford Magneride struts. They have one spec for the Mustang and one for the 350R/500. The next area to investigate is to start trying to decipher Ford part numbers, but as I said before, real info doesn't even exist. I was dragging VIN numbers off Ebay cars trying to do this, because Ford makes it so difficult, but I don't know how else to try to figure it out.

Rock Auto is the last place i'd be going to if I wanted to verify part numbers.

Using VIN's is how you figure it out. It also helps to have the HVBOM for a given VIN for further verification and identification.

What part number are you looking for?

 

[btown93]

The question I have is what are you looking to accomplish? Ford parts cataloging is designed to get the replacement part for a given vehicle. As @Epiphany mentioned, These days catalogs use VIN numbers or is "vin driven" so to speak. This way, when you look up a replacement part for a given vehicle, it only lists the replacement for what came with that car. Sites like ford parts.com try to make buying parts like amazon, which is hard to do without proper vin filtering. If you are trying to get actual valving specifications and, to use your term "twice the damping", outside of trial and error you may have to try someone that builds or customizes magneride dampers, if such a place exists.

 

[TeeLew]

Rock Auto is the last place i'd be going to if I wanted to verify part numbers.

Using VIN's is how you figure it out. It also helps to have the HVBOM for a given VIN for further verification and identification.

What part number are you looking for?

You seem to have it all figured out. Don't let me bother you.

 

[TeeLew]

If you are trying to get actual valving specifications and, to use your term "twice the damping",

I'm talking about looking at bloody dyno curves. I'm not pulling this shit out of my ass.

 

[btown93]

I'm talking about looking at bloody dyno curves. I'm not pulling this shit out of my ass.

And you are taking issue with the fact that this forum, Ford dealers and Ford performance aren't helpful. Comments like this are an interesting way to ask for help.

 

[TeeLew]

And you are taking issue with the fact that this forum, Ford dealers and Ford performance aren't helpful. Comments like this are an interesting way to ask for help.

I wasn't asking for help, Dear, I was providing what answers I knew. So, yes, I have actual dyno curves at different input currents of base Mustang and GT350R dampers. I've also actually had both on my car. I'm *probably* the only person on the planet who has done that. I bloody well _know_ they are different and I know how much they're different. Are there other variations? I don't know, but it does seem like it would be much less of a difference than those 2 because, in general, that's how OEM's work.

 

[Epiphany]

No need to get emotional, honey. If you know "how much they're different" you sure didn't indicate as such until now.

You seem to have it all figured out. Don't let me bother you.

Eat a dick, asshole.

 

[btown93]

There are very few places to even try to figure this stuff out, but Rock Auto carries Ford Magneride struts. They have one spec for the Mustang and one for the 350R/500. The next area to investigate is to start trying to decipher Ford part numbers, but as I said before, real info doesn't even exist. I was dragging VIN numbers off Ebay cars trying to do this, because Ford makes it so difficult, but I don't know how else to try to figure it out.

You mention here you are trying to decipher ford part numbers and using vins from ebay and rock auto. I hope you find whatever it is you are looking for.

 

[19-kilo]

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