Need help from the Suspension geeks

[Devil5oh]

Hey guys, hope everyone is staying safe and enjoying their rides during this pandemic etc.

I own a 2017 Whipple stage 2 GT automatic trans non-PP and the only suspension related modification ive done on my car are the Steeda Progressive lowering springs, which i installed before the whipple in 2018 like 10k miles ago. Although the springs honestly did improve the handling of my car, I want the handling to improve a lot more. Ive been looking at the Ford track handling pack, which based on reading on the forums seems to drastically improve the handling of the car, much more than PP cars. Do you guys think this will satisfy my needs of improving the handling a ton more? Im not trying to break the bank and spend like $3,000 on suspension. Ive also been looking at the Steeda HPDE kit on their website which is similar price to the track kit from Ford.

I would prefer a more handling orientated setup rather than a drag related setup, as I have never taken the car to a drag strip in the 3 years Ive owned it. I do want to help put the power down because its spin city even with 315's out back, but my main goal is to just get it handling a decent amount better.

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[Biggsy]

I would suggest the following:
FRPP Tack Dampers ($520)
BMR SP083 Springs($260) or keep your springs
BMR CB005( $220) or Steeda Subframe braces.
BMR SM760 (great for lowered cars as it regains shock travel)

what you need is to lock down the subframe. There are several threads on the sloppy subframe movement which is resolved by the BMR 005 or Steeda Subframe kit.

to take it up a level you can start replacing the bushings in your suspension for bearings like in the front control arms

 

[shogun32]

You definitely need to do something with the diff - be it the $50 bolt upgrade kit (what you need is really just the collar, I'm tempted to make some) or the lockout kits.

 

[thebaldlatino5.0]

Do full Steeda. Great products, all made here in the USA. I've got their dual rate springs, front adjustable struts, rear adjustable shocks, camber plates. I also have their diff bushing kit, which im gonna add the lethal performance upgrade kit to it, and their stop the hop kit. and couldn't be more happy.
If any questions contact steeda, they can get a package together for you and offer suggestions and opinions.

 

[jacknifetoaswan]

Before anyone can provide feedback, we really need to know what your goal is for the car. Is it going to see the track, or just be a street car that's set up for handling? Will you ever autocross? Do you want adjustable suspension?

I'm not supercharged, and never will be, and my car will probably rarely see a track, but I've found that supporting mods, like the Steeda IRA braces, vertical links, IRS support kit, and alignment kit have made the rear of my car absolutely awesome. I'm going to do the diff bushing kit the next time I tear into the rear end, and will install upgraded sway bar endlinks, as well. Along with the above, you might want to think about adjustable toe links and camber links, if you go any lower. The front end doesn't seem to really need much, though if you don't have a PP car, and you're planning on doing any real spirited driving, you might want to look into the PP style front lower control arms, as they have a deflector on them that redirects air from the front end over the rotors to cool them.

JR

 

[Devil5oh]

Before anyone can provide feedback, we really need to know what your goal is for the car. Is it going to see the track, or just be a street car that's set up for handling? Will you ever autocross? Do you want adjustable suspension?

I'm not supercharged, and never will be, and my car will probably rarely see a track, but I've found that supporting mods, like the Steeda IRA braces, vertical links, IRS support kit, and alignment kit have made the rear of my car absolutely awesome. I'm going to do the diff bushing kit the next time I tear into the rear end, and will install upgraded sway bar endlinks, as well. Along with the above, you might want to think about adjustable toe links and camber links, if you go any lower. The front end doesn't seem to really need much, though if you don't have a PP car, and you're planning on doing any real spirited driving, you might want to look into the PP style front lower control arms, as they have a deflector on them that redirects air from the front end over the rotors to cool them.

JR

The car is a street driven will never be running for times on a lap or Autocross events. However I live right next to a major cruising canyon in southern california where thousands of car enthusiasts take their automobiles to cruise the twisties every weekend. I want a setup that can handle these twisty corners with ease and something that just feels much better than what i have on right now (only steeda progressives). thats why i was thinking the ford performance track pack will probably satisfy my needs since its a major major upgrade over what i have now for only $1k essentially, and maybe throw in the BMR cradle lockout kit along with the steeda ultimate stop the hot kit, which will total me around $2k for everything and change the suspension and handling of the car by 200%.

But i am open to opinion and facts from those with HPDE machines and much more knowledge on this stuff than myself

 

[SteedaTech]

The car is a street driven will never be running for times on a lap or Autocross events. However I live right next to a major cruising canyon in southern california where thousands of car enthusiasts take their automobiles to cruise the twisties every weekend. I want a setup that can handle these twisty corners with ease and something that just feels much better than what i have on right now (only steeda progressives). thats why i was thinking the ford performance track pack will probably satisfy my needs since its a major major upgrade over what i have now for only $1k essentially, and maybe throw in the BMR cradle lockout kit along with the steeda ultimate stop the hot kit, which will total me around $2k for everything and change the suspension and handling of the car by 200%.

But i am open to opinion and facts from those with HPDE machines and much more knowledge on this stuff than myself

Here is a great video that demonstrates the Steeda HPDE kit

 

[NightmareMoon]

What tires are you on? That's step #1 A completely stock non-PP car with great tires and a decent driver will out handle anything on lesser tires. Tires give you mechanical grip. Nearly everything else in the suspension is some sort of tradeoff.

#2 - good shocks - After that just make sure you've got some good shocks (FRPP track pack shocks, Koni or Steeda adjustables).
#3 - slightly stiffer swaybars, don't go too crazy. Steeda or BMR front bar, and a GT350R rear bar or I like the Strano rear bar.
#4 - Handling springs - I'd probably recommend not looking at more than 3/4" or so of lowering, and look at the handling focused springs from Ford, Steeda or BMR. Actually the GT350R springs would be a great choice IMHO. They're not too low and stiffer than stock. The car will handle great with only PP springs and the other mods above. The stock non-PP springs are a bit too soft tho, so springs are worth doing in your case.

Get an alignment. A poor alignment can really destroy a car's handling. You need a good alignment to let the rest of the parts work.

#5 finally if you have addressed the more significant components above, then maybe consider rear bushings and braces in the rear suspension and subframe, but they'll do very little for actual grip.

 

[jacknifetoaswan]

What tires are you on? That's step #1 A completely stock non-PP car with great tires and a decent driver will out handle anything on lesser tires. Tires give you mechanical grip. Nearly everything else in the suspension is some sort of tradeoff.

#2 - good shocks - After that just make sure you've got some good shocks (FRPP track pack shocks, Koni or Steeda adjustables).
#3 - slightly stiffer swaybars, don't go too crazy. Steeda or BMR front bar, and a GT350R rear bar or I like the Strano rear bar.
#4 - Handling springs - I'd probably recommend not looking at more than 3/4" or so of lowering, and look at the handling focused springs from Ford, Steeda or BMR. Actually the GT350R springs would be a great choice IMHO. They're not too low and stiffer than stock. The car will handle great with only PP springs and the other mods above. The stock non-PP springs are a bit too soft tho, so springs are worth doing in your case.

Get an alignment. A poor alignment can really destroy a car's handling. You need a good alignment to let the rest of the parts work.

#5 finally if you have addressed the more significant components above, then maybe consider rear bushings and braces in the rear suspension and subframe, but they'll do very little for actual grip.

I agree with you on number 1. Tires are absolutely more important than suspension, brakes, etc.

For the springs, I believe you need different lower control arms for the GT350R springs, because they're wound opposite per side, whereas the GT has springs wound in the same direction.

JR

 

[jacknifetoaswan]

The car is a street driven will never be running for times on a lap or Autocross events. However I live right next to a major cruising canyon in southern california where thousands of car enthusiasts take their automobiles to cruise the twisties every weekend. I want a setup that can handle these twisty corners with ease and something that just feels much better than what i have on right now (only steeda progressives). thats why i was thinking the ford performance track pack will probably satisfy my needs since its a major major upgrade over what i have now for only $1k essentially, and maybe throw in the BMR cradle lockout kit along with the steeda ultimate stop the hot kit, which will total me around $2k for everything and change the suspension and handling of the car by 200%.

But i am open to opinion and facts from those with HPDE machines and much more knowledge on this stuff than myself

I'd start with tires. If you're in Southern California, you should be on a good set of summer tires, year round. They're the most important thing for handling and braking. From there, I'd do supporting mods until you find that you've hit a limit where you're losing traction. Start with the Steeda Stop the Hop starter kit, add vertical links, diff bushings, sway bars, and adjustable endlinks, then get a solid alignment done (you'll need it after you install the subframe alignment kit). Assuming you get a set of Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tires, you're going to be at about $2k in cost, and it'll handle very well.

I've got most of the above done on my Performance Pack GT, and it handles like an absolute dream. Diff bushings and adjustable endlinks are next on my list.

JR

 

[NightmareMoon]

I agree with you on number 1. Tires are absolutely more important than suspension, brakes, etc.
For the springs, I believe you need different lower control arms for the GT350R springs, because they're wound opposite per side, whereas the GT has springs wound in the same direction.
JR

Nah, you don't need control arms. I don't have the details here, (you can do a search), but IIRC you buy two of the same side to put GT350R springs on a GT and it works.

 

[AlbertD]

I second NightmareMoon's recommendations. Address items 1-4 and see how you like it after a proper alignment. You may very well be satisfied at that point for the cars use case. Anything dealing with the IRS bushings starts introducing more NVH than stock, especially so with the differential bushings... so I wouldn't do those unless you felt the need for them.

 

[Devil5oh]

I'd start with tires. If you're in Southern California, you should be on a good set of summer tires, year round. They're the most important thing for handling and braking. From there, I'd do supporting mods until you find that you've hit a limit where you're losing traction. Start with the Steeda Stop the Hop starter kit, add vertical links, diff bushings, sway bars, and adjustable endlinks, then get a solid alignment done (you'll need it after you install the subframe alignment kit). Assuming you get a set of Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S tires, you're going to be at about $2k in cost, and it'll handle very well.

I've got most of the above done on my Performance Pack GT, and it handles like an absolute dream. Diff bushings and adjustable endlinks are next on my list.

JR

What tires are you on? That's step #1 A completely stock non-PP car with great tires and a decent driver will out handle anything on lesser tires. Tires give you mechanical grip. Nearly everything else in the suspension is some sort of tradeoff.

#2 - good shocks - After that just make sure you've got some good shocks (FRPP track pack shocks, Koni or Steeda adjustables).
#3 - slightly stiffer swaybars, don't go too crazy. Steeda or BMR front bar, and a GT350R rear bar or I like the Strano rear bar.
#4 - Handling springs - I'd probably recommend not looking at more than 3/4" or so of lowering, and look at the handling focused springs from Ford, Steeda or BMR. Actually the GT350R springs would be a great choice IMHO. They're not too low and stiffer than stock. The car will handle great with only PP springs and the other mods above. The stock non-PP springs are a bit too soft tho, so springs are worth doing in your case.

Get an alignment. A poor alignment can really destroy a car's handling. You need a good alignment to let the rest of the parts work.

#5 finally if you have addressed the more significant components above, then maybe consider rear bushings and braces in the rear suspension and subframe, but they'll do very little for actual grip.

I am running 275 nitto NT555G2 tires up front with 315 of the same exact tire in the rear. Running 20x10 Project 6GR 10 spoke wheels up front and 20x11 in the rear

 

[Devil5oh]

Ive had the tires on for about 8,000 miles, so within another 5k miles im going to replace them. Ive been thinking Michelin PS4S as ive heard they are best overall performance tire and last a decent while too. I was thinking Nitto NT05R but i think these are more drag race orientated tires not handling. Cup 2 tires are phenomenal but I dont want to be replacing them every 6k miles or less. Same goes with the Toyo R888R

 

[Bluemustang]

Ive had the tires on for about 8,000 miles, so within another 5k miles im going to replace them. Ive been thinking Michelin PS4S as ive heard they are best overall performance tire and last a decent while too. I was thinking Nitto NT05R but i think these are more drag race orientated tires not handling. Cup 2 tires are phenomenal but I dont want to be replacing them every 6k miles or less. Same goes with the Toyo R888R

Go with the MP4S.

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