FRPP Handling Package installed and impressions

[RyanS550GT]

I finally got finished installing everything yesterday and took the car out for a drive.

The Ford Performance Handling Kit install went fairly easy. The Steeda Stop the Hop kit, not so much.

I can say that immediately the steering is much much tighter which I like. Changing the mode to comfort feels like sport used to and sport is now really tight. I also put the sway bar end links to the stiffer mounting holes front and back.

I haven't driven that much yet, but so far my impressions are good. Here are my main points on how the car feels now.

The car soaks up bumps very very well and definitely isn't harsh at all.
The bounciness from the stock PP suspension is completely gone.
There is almost no body roll now going around sweeping corners.
The car is definitely more confidence inspiring.
This should have been the PP suspension from the get go.

Anyone that is looking for a complete suspension upgrade with lowering springs and shocks/struts with upgraded sways then this is the way to go. I am really impressed with this kit.

Here are some picks of the parts side by side with stock and with my car before and after.

Before

After

Ford Performance vs Stock PP Parts

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[BMR Tech]

The Ford tech did not know how to adjust the rear camber, and said I would need a rear camber adjustment kit if I wanted it adjusted. Can you please post pictures or a description of where the slotted mounting bracket is. They said they would adjust it, if I could get a better description of where it was.

Thanks,
Brian

I don't wanna clutter up the OP's thread, but I feel this could be useful for others too.

The red circles...those mounting bolts are mounted in slotted holes in the cradle. Loosen them, adjust camber, and re-tighten.

 

[Old 5 Oh]

The red circles...those mounting bolts are mounted in slotted holes in the cradle. Loosen them, adjust camber, and re-tighten.

Seems simple enough. As my Dad told me many times, any question is easy if you know the answer, LOL.

Would be good if Ford trained the techs, though, I have to say.

 

[RouteAbel]

Today I picked up my car fresh from having the Ford Racing Handling pack and touring cutback installed. I took the car out for a spirited drive on a windy road and oh man it is so damn planted. Just carving up the corners in sport mode.

Only downside is it didn't fix the wheel hop on launch. I guess I'll look at the BMR solution for that.

 

[Bryman]

For you guys that installed, how would you compare daily driving ride quality compared to stock? I have a non-PP and wouldn't mind a little firmer but not too harsh.

 

[GrabberBlue5.0]

How's the NVH?


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[RyanS550GT]

How's the NVH?


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No real increased NVH from this suspension install, but I do have increased noises from the driveshaft and clutch from also installing the Steeda IRS and Differential bushings that I did at the same time.

I also feel like there may be extra noise from the sway bars, but that could have just been my fault. I didn't install the front sway bar exactly correct because it was off center and the end links weren't installed in the right holes in the strut. I also used the Steeda bushing grease on the ford performance sway bar bushings and I think that may have been a wrong thing to do.

I fixed the few things with the front sway bar minus trying to remove the grease, but haven't had a chance to really see if the noise I think i was hearing went away. It is also hard to differentiate from the noisier clutch and driveshaft from the steeda bushing installs.

 

[2wheels4me]

OP: Front turn-in is greatly helped by the inexpensive Steeda G-Trac brace. The Steeda vertical links and bushing support system (both part of the stop-the-hop package; these two add NO NVH) really makes the rear end stick and feel much more solid. I think these would finish your package from a handling perspective.

 

[Toothless]

I've ordered the Gtrac brace, and it will be here tomorrow. I also got more meat on the front axle now. I put Rays Gram Lights 57xtreme wheels on 19x10.5 +35 on all 4 corners with 285/35/19 Potenza S04 tires. This helped out the front grip even more. I'm going to install the Gtrac and put sways on stiffest settings, and see if I can get it even better. The BMR CB005 Cradle Brace is on order also. Then hopefully I'll be done and satisfied with the handling. Im hoping.

 

[valentinoamoro]

I've ordered the Gtrac brace, and it will be here tomorrow. I also got more meat on the front axle now. I put Rays Gram Lights 57xtreme wheels on 19x10.5 +35 on all 4 corners with 285/35/19 Potenza S04 tires. This helped out the front grip even more. I'm going to install the Gtrac and put sways on stiffest settings, and see if I can get it even better. The BMR CB005 Cradle Brace is on order also. Then hopefully I'll be done and satisfied with the handling. Im hoping.

How do you feel the FRPP system + wheels have made compared to your original post? Is the change limited to better front grip only or is there more? Thanks for sharing, I'm thinking about a similar suspension build so this helps.

How much do the wheels weigh? The stock PP wheel looks nice but is 33 pounds a piece!

Interested in what you notice post CB and then G track. Also, are you planning vertical links?

 

[Remy_reign]

subd

 

[Toothless]

Well everything finally got installed. Since the original post results. I have added or changed the following:

1. Wheels - Gram Lights 19x10.5 +35 all the way around Potenza S04 285/35/19
2. Steeda Extreme G Trac brace
3. BMR CB005 Cradle Lockout Brace
4. Moved Sway Bars to stiffer holes (2 holes only on rear and front bars)

Car is very well connected, and very tight. Steering response is very quick and the rear end seems to follow the front better. Handles very securely and doesn't drift through its intended line, like it did when stock. The push in the front end of tight turn in has been improved, albeit the rear likes to step out pretty quickly in tight 2nd gear turns, and you must be careful with throttle input. Overall it is a much more pleasing and fun car to drive now, that inspires more confidence when pushing is hard through the turns. The back seems like it wants to slide out more now that the rear sway bar is stiffer, particularly in 2nd gear. 3rd gear seems more planted, so the oversteer in 2nd maybe because of too much torque and my big right foot and not so much a handling issue. OR maybe the JMS Pedal Max that I installed.

Ill try the 3rd gear quick turn ins more and see if the rear stays planted better.

I think I am going to now refer to this setup as the Performance Package Plus. OR PPP for short. Time to change my Signature..

 

[Todd15Fastback]

Well everything finally got installed. Since the original post results. I have added or changed the following:

1. Wheels - Gram Lights 19x10.5 +35 all the way around Potenza S04 285/35/19
2. Steeda Extreme G Trac brace
3. BMR CB005 Cradle Lockout Brace
4. Moved Sway Bars to stiffer holes (2 holes only on rear and front bars)

Car is very well connected, and very tight. Steering response is very quick and the rear end seems to follow the front better. Handles very securely and doesn't drift through its intended line, like it did when stock. The push in the front end of tight turn in has been improved, albeit the rear likes to step out pretty quickly in tight 2nd gear turns, and you must be careful with throttle input. Overall it is a much more pleasing and fun car to drive now, that inspires more confidence when pushing is hard through the turns. The back seems like it wants to slide out more now that the rear sway bar is stiffer, particularly in 2nd gear. 3rd gear seems more planted, so the oversteer in 2nd maybe because of too much torque and my big right foot and not so much a handling issue. OR maybe the JMS Pedal Max that I installed.

Ill try the 3rd gear quick turn ins more and see if the rear stays planted better.

I think I am going to now refer to this setup as the Performance Package Plus. OR PPP for short. Time to change my Signature..

:cheers:

 

[Toothless]

:cheers:

Hurry up and get your wheels, and then we can make a trip to the Dragon. Then we can for surely :cheers:

Brian

 

[Old 5 Oh]

The push in the front end of tight turn in has been improved, albeit the rear likes to step out pretty quickly in tight 2nd gear turns, and you must be careful with throttle input.

Trying to evaluate from afar, I think you might try backing off one click on the rear bar and see what you think. My experience has been the Mustang, with its ample power, is better off with a touch of understeer that can be countered with throttle application. If you are too neutral, you get premature oversteer, which is not the fast way around. (Kinda fun when it's tail-happy like that, but it will be scary in the wet and will be slower overall.)

See what you think. I appreciate your detailed write-up. I agree this package sounds like an effective improvement.

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