S197 Suspension: Which brands are best?

[05RedDevil]

You can see that I am another new guy to this and I have recently added Saleen shocks, struts and lowering springs. The car is lowered by 1.25" all around. I want to change out my panhard bar and lower control arms but have not been able to decipher which brands are good and which to stay away from. Any help is appreciated.

[SpectorV]

Ive always liked maximum motorsports or griggs. I would see what they offer and how it compares in quality/performance to others.

[fear1]

How about the lower control arms for a GT-500? How do they stack up when installed on a stock GT? Will they stop the wheel-hop issues? Sorry, I don't mean to hijack this thread, but this may be another option for you.

[lowflyn]

What are you wanting to build the car for? Recommendations for drag racing are totally different than what I would recommend for handling. You can build it for both, but it won't excell in either then. I would take a look at what you are wanting, a canyon carver or a straight line demon and build from there.

[05RedDevil]

The goal is to have a nasty mustang for the road. I've only had it for three months and I am trying to make it a head turner on the roads and be able to handling my late night driving as well. The Borla c/b gets some attention and I will continue to finish out my intake with a new throttle body and my exhaust with a Bassani x-pipe and undetermined shorty headers then get it retuned. I'm having enough trouble with traction as it is and I want to upgrade the suspension before more power goes in. I do know that I will need new wheel and tires. . . those will be the graduation gift in June.

[SpectorV]

do you want to corner carve or hook up and go when you get on it. Both call for different setups.

[05RedDevil]

I'd have to go with cornering. I know that I should get an adjustable panhard bar but from where? I am also thinking of lower control arms but if you have better suggestions, that's why I'm posting. . .

[lowflyn]

In that case look for a good adjustable set of lower control arms with delrin or aluminum bushings (aluminum being the harsher ride of the two) to eliminate binding there, also, a panhard bar would probably help you out with the 3-link setup as it will help keep the diff planted in the center, giving you more predictabe handling. Those two items alone will allow you to push harder with a more predictable result in the rear suspension.

[05RedDevil]

Sweet. I wasn't even thinking of adjustable LCA's. Are there any brands to stay away from?

[lowflyn]

Quote: Originally Posted by 05RedDevil Sweet. I wasn't even thinking of adjustable LCA's. Are there any brands to stay away from?

You could always go with a solid setup, I just prefer being able to do minor adjustments.

I don't really know of anyone to stay away from...just make sure you go with a company that you have actually heard of.

[JROC]

Griggs, Steeda, Maximum Motorsports, Agent 47, etc all make great suspension pieces for Mustangs.

[SpectorV]

adjustable stuff generally never gets adjusted once on there fyi only to get it setup right then it remains the same 90% of the time especially for DD cars (not track duty)

[lowflyn]

Quote: Originally Posted by SpectorV adjustable stuff generally never gets adjusted once on there fyi only to get it setup right then it remains the same 90% of the time especially for DD cars (not track duty)

Unless you want to swap between drag and handling. You can take an adjustable lower and basically turn it into a lift bar if need be for track duty then change it back for normal driving. I have a friend that does this and it works out pretty well for him.

[05RedDevil]

Would there be any problems if I get non-adjustable lower control arms for my 1.25" lowered GT? I don't plan on changing between drag and handling. I just want a well-corning daily driver which, you know, does get pushed to the limit occassionally.

[lowflyn]

There's no problem going with solid LCA's, just throwing the idea out there.

[SpectorV]

i would call maximum motorsports and talk to a tech that knows 05+ setups. I remember them saying a few things about some of the upgraded components on the market not doing anything and are a waste... so research it before you spend a ton.

[Thomas91169]

go with a nice corner carving setup. everyone goes with drag setups and to me its a waste, why have a car thats only fun for 13 seconds at a time and a fat pig the rest of the time, when you can have a setup that makes the car fun 100% of the time? even a "corner carving" setup will be a bit better than stock suspension in a drag scenario, however the other way around doesnt work out to well (IE a drag setup wont be better than stock setup in the twisties).

id do what spec said, give MM a call and see what they recommend for your needs and goals with a setup that would fit your budget.

[retr05]

So what is a good "drag" set-up. I wanna hook. Already have Steeda billet LCA's, LCA relocation kit, Nitto 305 45/18 drag radials, Roush springs/shocks. Can't hook for nuthin' and I am N.A.

[Y2E0L0L5OGWT]

^What kind of power are you making?

[retr05]

385 at the wheels. Building BB stroker short block now. will be close to 450 when done.

[lowflyn]

For that much power I might look elsewhere for a dr...that nitto won't hook very well above the 400 mark if you're pushing it.

You running an auto or manual? Either way you need something that'll load up well for you and lift...

[rtracer408]

BMR All the way