Suggestions and Help Please

[kroy11]

I am a base GT owner to start and am looking to start upgrading my suspension/handling. I'm new to suspension upgrades all around and I don't want to buy anything I don't need. I know not many will take the time to read the entire post but I'm trying not to mess up my car and need some help if anyone can.

I do not DD my car but I don't want to lose a whole lot of comfort because summer is coming up and I definitely will be driving it more often. I don't track the car, I occasionally take it to the strip (few times a year) to see what she will run.

I'm looking to tighten the car up because I enjoy that "on rails" feeling on spirited drives but don't want it to ride rough.

I'm wanting to get rid of the wheel gap but nothing major, don't want to risk any scraping or rubbing.

Thinking to go with this as a start but willing to listen to ANY suggestions because like I said I'm brand new to this.

I also don't want to add much NVH if possible.

Current Cart List on AM:

Ford Racing Strut Tower Brace
Steeda Extreme G Trac K Member Brace
BMR Performance Lowering Springs and Camber Bolts
Steeda IRS Differential Bushing Insert Kit

I have seen so many posts with people complaining after they do suspension mods about different problems they are having and it makes me nervous to mod the car because there is nothing "wrong" with the car as it sits just wanting to upgrade my base suspension.

Also would it be a good idea to buy someone's used PP Shocks, Struts, Sway Bars as an upgrade to my base gt? I have seen a lot of people selling them and have been close to purchasing a few times just wanna make sure.

Current mods:

Catback Exhaust w/X Pipe
275/40/19 RTR Tech 7 Square Setup on Sumi HTR Z III

Hope someone can help this newbie out! Sorry for the long post just wanted to be as detailed as possible!

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[Shouldhavegotthegt]

The suspension on this car needs a lot of work. Must haves are the subframe alignment, subframe bushings, and of course springs. That's what I did and the car handles 100x better. I'm looking at doing the subframe brace and G track down the road but aren't vital. The good thing about those other mods is no real extra work is required when installing since the a frame is dropped to put in the rear springs.

Everyone always camber plates in any type of drop. I have the steeda progressive springs and my car was able to get aligned just fine with the stock stuff. I would do the subframe bushing over the differential bushings. My car rides with the stock struts and shocks too.

 

[kroy11]

The suspension on this car needs a lot of work. Must haves are the subframe alignment, subframe bushings, and of course springs. That's what I did and the car handles 100x better. I'm looking at doing the subframe brace and G track down the road but aren't vital. The good thing about those other mods is no real extra work is required when installing since the a frame is dropped to put in the rear springs.

Everyone always camber plates in any type of drop. I have the steeda progressive springs and my car was able to get aligned just fine with the stock stuff. I would do the subframe bushing over the differential bushings. My car rides with the stock struts and shocks too.

Thanks! Are you referring to these two?

http://www.americanmuscle.com/steeda-irs-subframe-alignment-kit-1516.html

http://www.americanmuscle.com/steeda-irs-subframe-bushing-system-2015.html

 

[Hoosierdaddy27]

I have/had similar goals as you and did the following upgrades and couldn't be happier with the look and feel of the upgrades. No added NVH with the below upgrades and the car feels so planted under spirited weekend driving...

Shocks and Struts (Koni or FRPP)
BMR Performance Springs (Probably won't need camber bolts)
BMR Cradle Lockout
BMR Subframe Brace (better clearance than Steeda if you plan to add headers)

If you call and talk to Kelly at BMR and he will be very helpful in recommending upgrades based on budget and goals (hence the upgrade list I mentioned)

I have the PP so I didn't upgrade the sway bars but I'd look into it for a base model.

 

[jbailer]

I wouldn't waste your time with someone's used PP Shocks, Struts, Sway Bars as an upgrade, you'll be disappointed. Good advice from Shouldhavegotthegt. I'm not sure all of the springs are the same way but because I'm not going to track my car, I went with Steeda progressive springs. They provide a good balance of ride quality and much improved handling. Plus the appearance is much better! My ride quality actually improved after lowering my car. You can see the list of mods I've done to the suspension and I have no adverse effects. No rubbing, NVH or ride height issues. I go over speed bumps without even thinking about it. You should PM David@Steeda on the forum here. Let him know what you're looking for and budget and he will steer you in the right direction.

 

[kroy11]

I wouldn't waste your time with someone's used PP Shocks, Struts, Sway Bars as an upgrade, you'll be disappointed. Good advice from Shouldhavegotthegt. I'm not sure all of the springs are the same way but because I'm not going to track my car, I went with Steeda progressive springs. They provide a good balance of ride quality and much improved handling. Plus the appearance is much better! My ride quality actually improved after lowering my car. You can see the list of mods I've done to the suspension and I have no adverse effects. No rubbing, NVH or ride height issues. I go over speed bumps without even thinking about it. You should PM David@Steeda on the forum here. Let him know what you're looking for and budget and he will steer you in the right direction.

Quite a list you have there, bet it handles awesome! and the only reason I was going to go with the PP used setup was because I have the base and don't really have the extra cash to swing all new Koni setup or new sways, figured the PP shocks, struts, and sways would be better than my base setup and go better with the mods I'm looking to get. But I understand what your saying. Also heard linear springs are the better way to go, think I'm pretty set on the bmr performance springs for now lol

 

[kroy11]

I have/had similar goals as you and did the following upgrades and couldn't be happier with the look and feel of the upgrades. No added NVH with the below upgrades and the car feels so planted under spirited weekend driving...

Shocks and Struts (Koni or FRPP)
BMR Performance Springs (Probably won't need camber bolts)
BMR Cradle Lockout
BMR Subframe Brace (better clearance than Steeda if you plan to add headers)

If you call and talk to Kelly at BMR and he will be very helpful in recommending upgrades based on budget and goals (hence the upgrade list I mentioned)

I have the PP so I didn't upgrade the sway bars but I'd look into it for a base model.

Yeah I have heard about the cradle lockout kit most people are getting so that's on the list too, and I thought I would need the bolts or he plates to get rid of the camber agreed installing the lowing springs? Just was gonna go with the bolts since it's not a huge drop and much cheaper lol

 

[Shouldhavegotthegt]

Thanks! Are you referring to these two?

http://www.americanmuscle.com/steeda-irs-subframe-alignment-kit-1516.html

http://www.americanmuscle.com/steeda-irs-subframe-bushing-system-2015.html

Those are the ones...
I've also got the Steeda progressives. Wish I would have went with the sportlines for a bigger drop. I did this myself in the garage too. Never did suspension before. No creaks or rattles. No issues with speed bumps or anything. Ride is pretty solid with those 3 mods.

 

[kroy11]

Those are the ones...
I've also got the Steeda progressives. Wish I would have went with the sportlines for a bigger drop. I did this myself in the garage too. Never did suspension before. No creaks or rattles. No issues with speed bumps or anything. Ride is pretty solid with those 3 mods.

Can I ask why the progressives over a linear spring?

 

[Shouldhavegotthegt]

Those are the ones that Matt at steeda recommended. I have no idea what the difference is. The drop seems the same from what I read on site but more people seem to choose progressives so I did the same. I have zero plans of tracking my car and it's just a DD.

 

[kroy11]

Those are the ones that Matt at steeda recommended. I have no idea what the difference is. The drop seems the same from what I read on site but more people seem to choose progressives so I did the same. I have zero plans of tracking my car and it's just a DD.

Hmmm. I feel like I have been reading the exact opposite lol most people have been running linear springs because they are more consistent/predictable vs the progressive but I may have got that wrong, maybe someone that knows more will chime in soon lol

 

[Sub-Moa]

Linear will feel better at speed.

 

[kroy11]

Linear will feel better at speed.

Maybe that's what it was, I'll probably go with a linear spring, along with all the frame braces, and the diff and subframe bushing kits, and the cradle kit. I say as long as everything is installed correctly that should definitely make it fell more planted around the curves.

Also when you "clock" your bushings, is that just referring to loosening them once all the weight is on the car and then tightening them back down?

 

[Todd15Fastback]

The Steeda progressive springs will provide a more compliant and comfortable ride vs. their linear springs.

I ran their progressive springs for 10 months and LOVED them. I switched to their Ultralites as its a linear as I plan on tracking my car a few times a year.

 

[David@Steeda]

The Steeda progressive springs will provide a more compliant and comfortable ride vs. their linear springs.

I ran their progressive springs for 10 months and LOVED them. I switched to their Ultralites as its a linear as I plan on tracking my car a few times a year.

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