Thinking about ditching BMR springs

[BmacIL]

Cool. That is exactly what I was thinking of doing, so good to hear some confirmation. 1/8 ends up becoming a 1/4 difference in height.

The final question still remains: has anyone had any real-world experience with both the Ford track shocks/struts as well as the Steeda pro action ones? I've read independent reviews of both and everyone seems to be happy with them, but not sure if there has ever been a head2head.

Yes. The Ford racing are an excellent damper. The rear are monotube, the front may be as well (I don't remember exactly), which means more consistency and better control over a wide range of conditions. They are also capable of handling rates such as the GT350R springs or BMR Handling springs, as well as being great for something like the Ultralites. They'd probably be my go-to choice for almost everyone.

I've also owned the Steeda Pro Action (fixed valve). The front struts are still on my car. They are a great match for something like stock springs, BMR Performance or Steeda Ultralites. Much beyond that, and they don't have enough damping control to be adequate, at least in the rear. The front of the car is overall more tolerant of things. The adjustable versions would be fine, though, and have enough range for many springs. For you and the spring choices you're looking at, either option would be a good choice.

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[sy1462]

Hope I'm not hijacking... but would the Ford Racing dampers be too much damper for the BMR performance springs such as the SP763 minimal drop set? I know they are a good match for the SP83 handling springs ... anyone tried this combo?

 

[BmacIL]

Hope I'm not hijacking... but would the Ford Racing dampers be too much damper for the BMR performance springs such as the SP763 minimal drop set? I know they are a good match for the SP83 handling springs ... anyone tried this combo?

Not personally tried but I know [MENTION=9985]BMR Tech[/MENTION] has and they should work fantastic. They're not a harsh damper even for near-stock rates.

 

[EFI]

If you get FRPP dampers, they can be had for about $550 from Don Wood Ford (or Summit Racing as they will price match).

 

[BmacIL]

If you get FRPP dampers, they can be had for about $550 from Don Wood Ford (or Summit Racing as they will price match).

Whitebear Lake Ford also has an incredibly good deal on them too. $515 last I checked.

 

[wildcatgoal]

Red flag:

Kelly from BMR said their springs probably aren't the way to go if I am more interested in aesthetics than performance

That's f'in fresh... I actually had a giggle.

I've personally had Steeda Ultralite Linear, Swift Spec R, and now Steeda's Dual Rate Comp springs all with Steeda's Pro-Action Adjustable dampers and man, I gotta say, I haven't felt I've been shorted performance because my springs weren't BMR. I've installed and/or driven cars with Steeda, Eibach, Vogtland, and BMR springs. Odd... the ones that seemed to have the most performance increase (to my taste, which is handling-oriented) didn't have a raked drop, but instead a more even drop, or just slightly more up front.

If I were you, I'd get Steeda Pro-Action Adjustable or Fixed dampers + Swift Spec R springs (which are linear,; I had them, I called them and asked... I did not rely on the internet). That combo, on my car, was supremo awesome for an all-around capability car. The Steeda Ultralite springs had a little better feel on track due to the higher-rate rear spring, though.

Fact is, a rake will shift a good amount of weight from the rear to the front of the vehicle. I suppose there could be pluses to doing so from a performance perspective, depending on application, but these cars already come with a front weight bias, especially the GT. But as I've learned more about suspension design, I wonder why you would shift weight to the front of the vehicle, but offer an also significantly lowered spring height with a rate very close to stock (vs. increasing that rate to accommodate the added weight and shorter travel). The BMR Performance springs are aesthetically very nice to my eyes on most cars with them. And, when I got my first set of springs, I had to decided between BMR Performance and Steeda Ultralite Linear - and that was hard to do. I made the right decision.

But to imply that all other springs are not performers and "just for aesthetics" is a load of hot, steaming dinosaur dung (aka, bonifide misinformation).

 

[whalesalad]

@wildcatgoal I was hoping you would chime in on this thread. Thanks for the detailed response.

My only question is: what makes you suggest Swift vs the Ultralite? Anecdotally it appears they have very similar characteristics. Are you suggesting they both look the same but one (steeda) will be more aggressive on street?

(Based on the Google Doc that has been shared):

Ultralite Linear: 200/800 F/R spring rate, 1.125"/1" F/R drop.
Swift Spec-R: 279/782 F/R spring rate, 1.1"/1" F/R drop.

I ask because there is really limited knowledge out there in the community on the Swift springs. I haven't been able to see pictures to really see what they do to the stance.

I guess the most significant difference is that extra 79lbs in the front rate.

 

[wildcatgoal]

The Swift springs stiffer front rate was nice for steering response feel, but oddly the rear felt softer than the numerical difference would imply. I actually put the Steeda front springs and Swift rear springs in for a while, and that was a really nice combo, but obviously you're not going to buy both sets to mix and match, haha. Ultralites rear drop feels a little lower than 1", if I'm being honest, but the intent of the Steeda Ultrlite Linear springs is to even out the weight distribution of the car and improve performance without jacking up spring rates to oblivion, and THAT made the handing feel better (to me) on track than the Swift Springs overall. For the street, either are fine although the Swifts will be a little bit stiffer up front so you should expect a little more road feel coming up through the car when going over bumps. It was noticeable, not severe or terrible, for me. I thought the front springs on the Steeda felt better on the street.. They look similar on paper but they felt and look different in real life. I liked them both a lot; I preferred the Swift as an all arounder for handling and aesthetics; I preferred the Steeda for overall handing. I like my Dual Rate spring even more and I wish I just started with them (but I don't daily my car). Again, I recommend the Steeda shocks but just get something better than stock for linear lowering springs, please. It makes a difference. A big one.

 

[BmacIL]

It's been confirmed by a Ford Vehicle Dynamics engineer that the rear geometry change (particularly the roll center and camber gain) is significantly more than the front for the same amount of lowering front and rear. Take that for what you will.

 

[Bluemustang]

Lol x 2

 

[wildcatgoal]

It's been confirmed by a Ford Vehicle Dynamics engineer that the rear geometry change (particularly the roll center and camber gain) is significantly more than the front for the same amount of lowering front and rear. Take that for what you will.

Precisely why this was created... by a company that employs actual vehicle dynamics engineers who have worked at or at least worked directly with Ford and Ford Performance, plus actual race car drivers to test (go figure...):
https://www.steeda.com/Steeda-S550-...sion-Links-w-Bearings-2015-2018-_p_14093.html

A 4 point scale vehicle scale will show an approximate 100 lbs. weight transfer to the front of the car when you lower the front 1.2" and the rear only .5". Nose heavy cars don't need to become more nose heavy, IMO.

 

[BMR Tech]

Wow.

To clarify when I say that our springs are designed for performance, not aesthetics:

We do not design our springs based on looks. If someone wants to base their spring choice on looks and are not happy with the aesthetics of our products, then BMR is simply not their best choice. That is pretty simple and clear, and I do not think people should look further into it than that.

As for raking the front of the car down, people should not forget about the big picture as ANY ride height change will have pros and cons. We have not seen any issues with our ride-heights, and to be honest, we have seen reduced brake dive in testing with springs that are 100% match to OE rates...by simply lowering the front of the car down a larger amount than the rear. Crazy isn't it?

OP, the SP083 Handling Springs paired with the Ford Performance Track dampers are worth a look. ;)

 

[whalesalad]

Thanks Kelly. Also want to add that I definitely did not intend to start a war here on the forum!

 

[BmacIL]

Precisely why this was created... by a company that employs actual vehicle dynamics engineers who have worked at or at least worked directly with Ford and Ford Performance, plus actual race car drivers to test (go figure...):
https://www.steeda.com/Steeda-S550-...sion-Links-w-Bearings-2015-2018-_p_14093.html

A 4 point scale vehicle scale will show an approximate 100 lbs. weight transfer to the front of the car when you lower the front 1.2" and the rear only .5". Nose heavy cars don't need to become more nose heavy, IMO.

You just linked a part...that corrects the side of the car that has the least geometry change. Nice. It's a good part for a good reason, but it doesn't address the rear.

Show me the scales and documentation on that one. Sounds like propaganda to me.

 

[Bluemustang]

The new SP083 handling springs are amazing. Matches very well to the Ford Racing Track dampers.

BMR might as well call them “super” handling springs. Or at least that’s why I am calling them.

FWIW, the stance is amazing and befitting of the car IMO your mileage may vary. A very SLIGHT rake not very noticable from a distance. The stance is better than the 1” all around drop of the Ford Racing springs go figure. I keep looking back at it cuz I love how it looks. I didn’t buy it for that. I bought it for ride and handling which far exceed my expectations.

5/5 Stars

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