What's the best suspension mod

[electricstang]

I want to improve the handling of my car, but dont have a lot of money. Are springs the best suspension mod for the money, or is there something better in the $100-$200 range. By the way, I have a v6, so it is obviously pretty far off the ground.

Also, I if I got springs, I would probably go with the ford c springs because they seem inexpensive and I dont want to drop the car more than an inch. I see where people cut the c springs... is that because they want it even lower, or because it is necessary? thanks

[Danger Dude]

All 94-04 stangs with the exception of the Bullitt and the Mach 1 are all pretty far off the ground. For a good drop Ford C spring can be had fpr a little over $100 new. I would also suggest getting a rear Swaybar. after 97 they stopped putting them on V6's. One can be had for under $50 if you shop around or go get one in a junk yard. These are a couple of mods that will show the greatest improvement for the least amount of money. If you want just a inch drop dont cut the rear C spring. You will typically end up with a 1.1 to 1.25 front drop and a 7/8 to 1inch rear drop. The car will have more pronounced front rake which people seem to like

[electricstang]

thanks a lot. how hard is the install of springs? easy enough for me to figure it out if ive never done it?

[SpectorV]

spring install is pretty darn easy with the ford C springs. There is a how to on the forum if you want to look it up and read about it.

[electricstang]

Does a strut tower brace work as well as those?

[lowflyn]

A strut tower brace would honestly be a waste of your money if you're wanting to feel a difference. It's normally put on after the rest of the suspension as something to complement the rest of it. To be honest, the strut towers really don't have much flex on the 99-04 unless you are really pushing it, which you can't do with the stock suspension.

[97Stallion]

Also, you're gonna need better shocks and struts for the springs. SUbframe connectors made a world of difference on my car as well.

[lowflyn]

I think the most noticable suspension mods I've done to my car so far is the rear sway bar and subframes.

[Dom]

I think he is looking for the Bullitt Suspension Kit.

[lowflyn]

Quote: Originally Posted by Dom I think he is looking for the Bullitt Suspension Kit.

Not in the 1 to 200 range.

[Dom]

Might as well save and do it all at once.

[DarkShadow]

I need to find some good sub frames...

[Danger Dude]

Please read his situation. He has a couple hundred to spend what can he get for that money. Sure it would be nice to get Swaybar, Springs, Struts, shocks and Subframes all at once but with a limited budget. Springs and sway bar are dollar for dollar the best return and handling improvement for the money. The last suspension improvement I did was subframes. They do provide and improvement but the addition of a rear swaybar on a V6 is vastly more of a impact. Springs are also wimpy on a V6 providing to much body bounce. I would however make the next mod when you have the cash on a set of Struts and shocks. Ford Bullitt/Mach 1 Tokicos are a excellent choice and really unbeatable for performance struts and shocks

[cash05_mustang]

i have been thinking about the bullitt suspension kit. is it a good kit to buy or a waste. also if i were to get that kit and istall it, does anything else need to be done too?

[Danger Dude]

Quote: Originally Posted by cash05_mustang i have been thinking about the bullitt suspension kit. is it a good kit to buy or a waste. also if i were to get that kit and istall it, does anything else need to be done too?

That is a good kit providing it is a good price. Where did you see this kit

[cash05_mustang]

Rd Motorsports and GEF Racing are a little bit better in price

[lowflyn]

I bought mine from rdmotorsport, he's a great guy with great prices.

[Danger Dude]

Quote: Originally Posted by lowflyn I bought mine from rdmotorsport, he's a great guy with great prices.

Rob is a most excellent guy

[cash05_mustang]

does anything else need to be done when this is istalled?

[lowflyn]

If you don't cut the springs, you most likely won't need anything. However, you might need c/c plates after everything settles out. It's hit and miss for most ppl.

[Danger Dude]

Quote: Originally Posted by lowflyn If you don't cut the springs, you most likely won't need anything. However, you might need c/c plates after everything settles out. It's hit and miss for most ppl.

That is correcto mundo. I have C springs and after settling I needed C&C plates and again RDmotorsport is the place to get them

[WhiteStang99]

I only have C springs (cut coil), rear sway bar, and CC plates.

The springs and rear sway bar made it feel like a new car to drive.

[electricstang]

so what happens that makes you need the cc plates? and should i even bother getting c springs if im not planning on getting new shocks/struts?

[Dom]

When you lower your car the tires will either toe in or toe out. The CC Plates put the tire flat again on the pavement.

Atleast I think.

[Danger Dude]

Quote: Originally Posted by Dom When you lower your car the tires will either toe in or toe out. The CC Plates put the tire flat again on the pavement. Atleast I think.

That is about it. when you lower the front of the car the lower tire and wheel kick out. The stock plate provide little or no adjustment. So you get C&C plates. But here is the kicker. It could take a few months before you will need them. My car settled after about 4-5 months and I need C&CV plates

[232stang01]

the stock plates only allow for caster adjustment(not alot at taht either). Aftermarket CC plates add camber adjustment ability, and add a bearing at the top of the strut instead of a rubber bushing.

[WhiteStang99]

Quote: Originally Posted by electricstang so what happens that makes you need the cc plates?

If you drop your car past a certain point, your front wheels look like this:

/---car---\

so the insides wear disproportional to the outside. The stock suspension setup doesn't allow for enough adjustment to correct it, so new caster/camber (aka "cc plates") are needed.

[Brent]

You and your /---car---\ example

[electricstang]

that was a pretty good example... i completely understand now

[electricstang]

ok... so i get the c springs, then i will probably need to get cc plates as well. Should i also plan on needing the shocks and struts? lol you cant do one thing without doing ten others.

[WhiteStang99]

Quote: Originally Posted by Brent You and your /---car---\ example

You see this Brent? \/

Quote: Originally Posted by electricstang that was a pretty good example... i completely understand now

so here ya go Brent!
:fu3:

[Dom]

Quote: Originally Posted by electricstang ok... so i get the c springs, then i will probably need to get cc plates as well. Should i also plan on needing the shocks and struts? lol you cant do one thing without doing ten others.

Get springs and shocks and do that at once. 6 months later or when they settle, get CC plates and have it all aligned.

[97Stallion]

Thanks for all the nice comments guys!! If you want that Bullitt package, I the best I can do is $525 shipped. The price has gone up slightly since I updated the websight last. That should be the best that anyone can do. Let me know if you're interested. This kit would pretty much give you everything you're looking for, tokico shocks, tokico struts, springs and front and rear sway bars.

[BigL34461]

i'm going the ebay route......so far i have mach 1 springs and control arms. I just need the shocks, struts and rear sway bar. Will this setup be a better improvement over my stock 2001 v6 conv.?? And if i don't go with the mach 1 shocks/struts what other brand is out there that is good with those brings that don't cost a arm and a leg

[Brent]

Quote: Originally Posted by WhiteStang99 You see this Brent? \/ so here ya go Brent! :fu3: