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Old 09-20-2002   #1 (permalink)
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Question Suspension Mods...... What do you recommend?

I have a '97 GT (Look Below For My Mods) and i was wondering what type of suspension everyone does. I am definatly in the market for buying subframe connectors. I know that has nothing to do with suspension. To be honest with everyone, i really do not no a whole lot about suspension on cars. so if anyone can, can you tell me what suspension parts make up the Mustang? I mean by lower controll arms, you know stuff like that. and the mustang has posi traction or limited slip? whatr is the difference?


thanks in advance

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Old 09-20-2002   #2 (permalink)
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If you've got the money... get a full coil over kit... ~ $1500

It'll make your car hug the corners like you're in a wet dream.

Otherwise... get some Koni or Tokiko adjustable strut/shocks and some Steeda or Eibach springs. Caster camber plates are cool....

Steeda makes suspension packs... you may want to take a look at those.
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Old 09-20-2002   #3 (permalink)
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can someone give me the links to a suspension web site like Steeda that will have all the prices on them?



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~1997 Mustang GT Laser Red w/2000 GT Rims~
5 speed HURST
Bassani O/R X Pipe w/Borla Mufflers
Home Made Ram Air/Cold Air
Removed Air Silencer
K & N Air Filter
NITTO EXTREME ZR 555- 245/45/ZR17
Removed MAF Post
3.73 FMS
Center Force II Clutch
MSD 8.5mm Wires
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Old 09-20-2002   #4 (permalink)
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Here's a whole list of them, including Steeda .. just check our Suspension and Chassis Links Section.
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Old 09-20-2002   #5 (permalink)
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I highly sugjest going with maximum Motorsports epuiptment, not only do they have some of the best parts out there, I can say that they have the best customer service! A few years ago they took a LX to Buttonwillow Raceway on a tuners day and ran quicker than any other Mustang and quite a few exotics. They had the third fastest car there, never ran a lap without a passenger, and the only modifications to the car was suspension, and it had the least amount of power.
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Old 09-25-2002   #6 (permalink)
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Yeah, there are tons of stuff out there for Mustang suspensions. You have to do some investigation. You have to decide what you're trying to do--street performance/comfort vs. max track performance--and what kind of compromise you're willing to make between them.
And how much money you have.
A good place to start is chassis bracing (ie, subframes) then lowering springs & new shocks/struts. There's still plenty of choices to make here.
Max Motorsports & Griggs are considered the top companies in late-model Mustang suspensions kits. Check out their web sites.
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Old 09-25-2002   #7 (permalink)
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Twister.....you sound like a ad I read in MMFF.


Rear lower contol arms...........and springs

And yes subframe connectors are a help in suspension....reduction in body flex during hard acceleration and cornering. Getting mine VERY soon.

check out the writeup from Rob in tech section....I did it and love it.
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Old 09-25-2002   #8 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally posted by Emery
Twister.....you sound like a ad I read in MMFF.
lol, I don't read MM&FF! I am just a Stangoholic and I worked in a Mustang shop for 3 years, I like to know what is out there
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Old 09-25-2002   #9 (permalink)
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Emery, Rob's article you are referencing is somewhat dated. While the installation information provided, regarding the Global West's rear lower control arms is indeed correct, there are several claims made regarding Global West's rear lower control arms that are no longer accurate and Rob is in the process of updating it.

Meanwhile here is some food for thought:

Global West rear lower control arms does actually cause suspension bind when pushed to their limits. For those looking to simply improve the street handling capabilities of their stang, this is not really an issue since they are a considerable improvement over stock arms and realistically, would never be pushed to the limit on the street. For this purpose they are actually a very cost effective, best bang for the buck suspension upgrade because their unique design allows them to perform the function of rear lower control arms and that of a panhard bar. This same unique design that allows them to do a decent enough job performing both roles, is also the very same reason which limits their performance capibilities. Specifically, the stiff delrin aluminum front bushings.

As already stated, and as Emery indicated in his post, they do a decent enough job functioning as both rear lower control arms and panhard bar but it is definately a compromised approach. Running a set of quality rear lower control arms and separate panhard bar solution, such as those offered by Maximum and Griggs is more expensive but also superior. Due to their unique design, you cannot run a separate panhard bar with Globals rear lower control arms. This is the only downside I see to going with the Global West solution up front. If you decide later to further upgrade to a separate panhard bar, you would first have to replace your Global West control arms with a set like those offered by Maximum and Griggs.

Another point worth considering is that Global West does not offer a complete Mustang suspension solution, like those offered by Maximum, Griggs and Steeda.

While Twister's post may sound like an advertisement, he is absolutely correct in what he stated. Maximum's componenets are among the best and most functional on the market today. As Twister also pointed out, they have also been proven as a top performer.

With regard to jonastang4.6GT's original question, I also recommend Maximum Motorsports but also would consider Griggs or Steeda. Start off with full length subframes and have them welded in. Maximum offers a very nice and reasonably priced kit that includes their full length subs, you might want to take a look at.

Next, I would suggest upgrading your springs, struts and shocks. Coil overs would be ideal but a nice set of Tokico's or Konis would also work well. As far as spring selection, progressive rate springs would be a very good choice for your application.

I also suggest you call both Maximum and Steeda to discuss what package they offer, that best suits your application.

Hope this is of some help and we will let you know as soon as Rob has completed updating the Global West Tech Article. While Global West does make a very nice set of rear lower control arms, it is by no means the best solution available.


Cheers,
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Last edited by ScottHalliday; 09-25-2002 at 10:12 AM.
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Old 09-25-2002   #10 (permalink)
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in addition to Scott's post, MAC rear control arms bind allot!
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Old 09-26-2002   #11 (permalink)
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twister....not givin you a hard time just commenting that it almost exactly what the ad reads....it has impressed me too.

Scott....I have heard the stuff about GW also. I may in the future go the road race way but till then I have been impressed by the mod and 4 years of fun. Thanks again Rob for the idea.
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Old 09-26-2002   #12 (permalink)
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The GW article has been updated, so in practice the GW is a good Street-Road Racing setup, but not the best for RR.

Personally i dont like Panhard setups, they are pretty stiff and not easy to setup right: Could be good at the track and actually destroy your teeth on the street.

I raced a Fox with a full panhard/torque arm setup and was able to beat him in cornering, he had just too much oversteer and that was because his suspension was not tuned right (needed adjustable struts/shocks).

One note is that GW LCA's CAN BE USED with panhards, but such a setup needs very stiff rear springs, while GW LCAs "alone" need VERY SOFT springs.

GW vs MM LCA design is basically the same, except that the MM setup uses their spherical bearing on the Axle side, while GW uses it on the frame side, and MM uses some stiff urethane while GW uses DELRIN (stiffer).

Both provide lateral axle location, but the GW LCAs will be a bit better due to the rigidness of delrin.

And there are also some other things to consider, using LINEAR or PROGRESSIVE rate springs, i definately like the Linear rates more. They are PREDICTABLE while most Progressives such as Eibachs tend to be inconsistent on hard cornering.

Anyway, this is a subject that makes for a very lengthy discussion.

lets keep it rolling
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Old 09-26-2002   #13 (permalink)
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Global west had the best product 10 years ago, and I feel that Maximum Motorsports panard bar with their LCA's is fantastic. I have driven both and I prefeer MM parts, plus the panard bar has never hurt my back or kidneys. I plan to get MM's torque arm, panard bar, and LCA's as soon as I can afford them
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Old 09-27-2002   #14 (permalink)
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oh, almost forgot...how come the best Mustangs in NASA's Camaro/Mustang Challange run Maximum Motorsport's stuff?
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Old 09-27-2002   #15 (permalink)
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100% agree with you on MM, but the important point is:

"If you use a panhard make sure you tune it right!"

1. Get all the parts from MM or Griggs
2. Use the springs, struts & shocks they recommend
3. DONT mix brands.
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