Hey all,
Have been lurking around this forum for a couple of years now, all I can say is thank you to all the members that post on this forum! I have learned a ton from here, and have (hopefully) applied what I have learned to my build up that I'm about to begin.
As of right now, my boss is mostly stock. Has ARH longtubes with the 3" x pipe with provisions for retaining the side pipes. It also has '10-'12 GT500 axle backs, and the QTP electronic cutouts for the side pipes. I have a tune from Shaun at AED (93 octane), a stainless steel clutch line, and an MGW shifter.
Goals for my build/vehicle usage: I drive this car in the summer on nice days on the street. Here in Michigan (Detroit area), the roads are pretty abysmal, so ride quality is a key factor for me, as well as ride height. I put between 2500 and 5000 miles a summer on it. I also autocross it 1 to 2 times a summer. I do it more for fun and to compete against friends than for FTD or anything along those lines.
So, with those goals in mind, I started accumulating parts to enhance the suspension on my car. I'm content with the ride quality of the factory suspension, but I would like to fix a couple of weak points that I have identified.
A. I'd like to reduce the amount of axle hop the car has on hard acceleration
B. Leveling the ride height front to rear has been on my to-do list for a while. More of an aesthetic thing than anything else
C. I have found that with the stock tires and suspension setup, the car understeers at the limit when autocrossing. I'd like to dial that out and get the car closer to neutral handling characteristics.
Parts acquired to meet my goals:
1. Ford Performance M-5300-T boss 302 specific lowering springs - These seemed to be the best balance of ride and lowering height from what I have seen to fit my goals. I will be re-using the factory boss 302 struts.
2. Ford performance M-5570-A bump stop kit - I got this kit since the used T springs I bought didnt come with them. As far as I can tell, this is what should have come with that spring kit from the factory.
3. Whiteline KTA195 adjustable rear lower control arms with MAX-C bushings - I bought these in hopes that they strike a good balance between NVH and helping to reduce the axle hop under acceleration. Since they are an elastomer bushing, I don't think they will clunk and squeak like spherical bearings do. Also, they are adjustable so they should allow me to dial pinion and driveshaft angle back in once I re-assemble everything.
4. Maximum Motorsports Mm5RLCA-57 lower control arm relocation brackets - should help me ensure that the lower control arm angle is correct once I lower the car. I chose these over the whiteline ones due to the better design/increase adjusability. Hopefully they play nice with the whiteline LCA's...
5. Maximum Motorsports Mm5PBAR-3 adjustable panhard bar - this has spherical bearings on it, I'm hoping I dont run into too much clunk/squeak behavior since it will only be (theoretically) traveling in one plane of motion.
6. Maximum Motorsports Mm5CC-6 caster camber plates - to help dial in the front caster and camber alignment
7. Vorshlag S197 Stainless steel brake lines and motul RBF-600 fluid - I'd like to get a bit better brake feel as well while I'm at it.
So, with those items in mind I'm hoping to achieve my goals outlined above. I'll be digging in over the next couple of weeks, so I'll keep everyone updated. If anyone has comments/concerns/hints/tips to share, please feel free! I'm going to start with the following steps:
Step 1: Measure pinion and driveshaft angle before tearing everything apart
Step 2: Measure axle location side-to-side before beginning
Step 3: Measure stock ride height for a comparison to once I am done
Last note: The plan is to move to a 19x10 square wheel setup with 285/35/19 PS4S (or equivalent) tires once I am finished with the suspension work. This should further help dial out the oversteer from the factory setup.
Have been lurking around this forum for a couple of years now, all I can say is thank you to all the members that post on this forum! I have learned a ton from here, and have (hopefully) applied what I have learned to my build up that I'm about to begin.
As of right now, my boss is mostly stock. Has ARH longtubes with the 3" x pipe with provisions for retaining the side pipes. It also has '10-'12 GT500 axle backs, and the QTP electronic cutouts for the side pipes. I have a tune from Shaun at AED (93 octane), a stainless steel clutch line, and an MGW shifter.
Goals for my build/vehicle usage: I drive this car in the summer on nice days on the street. Here in Michigan (Detroit area), the roads are pretty abysmal, so ride quality is a key factor for me, as well as ride height. I put between 2500 and 5000 miles a summer on it. I also autocross it 1 to 2 times a summer. I do it more for fun and to compete against friends than for FTD or anything along those lines.
So, with those goals in mind, I started accumulating parts to enhance the suspension on my car. I'm content with the ride quality of the factory suspension, but I would like to fix a couple of weak points that I have identified.
A. I'd like to reduce the amount of axle hop the car has on hard acceleration
B. Leveling the ride height front to rear has been on my to-do list for a while. More of an aesthetic thing than anything else
C. I have found that with the stock tires and suspension setup, the car understeers at the limit when autocrossing. I'd like to dial that out and get the car closer to neutral handling characteristics.
Parts acquired to meet my goals:
1. Ford Performance M-5300-T boss 302 specific lowering springs - These seemed to be the best balance of ride and lowering height from what I have seen to fit my goals. I will be re-using the factory boss 302 struts.
2. Ford performance M-5570-A bump stop kit - I got this kit since the used T springs I bought didnt come with them. As far as I can tell, this is what should have come with that spring kit from the factory.
3. Whiteline KTA195 adjustable rear lower control arms with MAX-C bushings - I bought these in hopes that they strike a good balance between NVH and helping to reduce the axle hop under acceleration. Since they are an elastomer bushing, I don't think they will clunk and squeak like spherical bearings do. Also, they are adjustable so they should allow me to dial pinion and driveshaft angle back in once I re-assemble everything.
4. Maximum Motorsports Mm5RLCA-57 lower control arm relocation brackets - should help me ensure that the lower control arm angle is correct once I lower the car. I chose these over the whiteline ones due to the better design/increase adjusability. Hopefully they play nice with the whiteline LCA's...
5. Maximum Motorsports Mm5PBAR-3 adjustable panhard bar - this has spherical bearings on it, I'm hoping I dont run into too much clunk/squeak behavior since it will only be (theoretically) traveling in one plane of motion.
6. Maximum Motorsports Mm5CC-6 caster camber plates - to help dial in the front caster and camber alignment
7. Vorshlag S197 Stainless steel brake lines and motul RBF-600 fluid - I'd like to get a bit better brake feel as well while I'm at it.
So, with those items in mind I'm hoping to achieve my goals outlined above. I'll be digging in over the next couple of weeks, so I'll keep everyone updated. If anyone has comments/concerns/hints/tips to share, please feel free! I'm going to start with the following steps:
Step 1: Measure pinion and driveshaft angle before tearing everything apart
Step 2: Measure axle location side-to-side before beginning
Step 3: Measure stock ride height for a comparison to once I am done
Last note: The plan is to move to a 19x10 square wheel setup with 285/35/19 PS4S (or equivalent) tires once I am finished with the suspension work. This should further help dial out the oversteer from the factory setup.