Suspension Dilemma

[lemmer]

I guess I should start from the beginning, I do think that my stock 08 GT handles pretty good for roads, and not too bad on the track.
HOWEVER, I've been itching on getting suspension upgraded, unfortunately I do not know much about it.

What I was looking to get is:
Eibach Pro Kit Spring Set
http://www.americanmuscle.com/eibach...ings-2005.html

and
Tokico D-Spec Adjustable Strut & Shock Kit
http://www.americanmuscle.com/tokico...trut-0509.html


That's what I want to do (among many other things).

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Dilemma comes from my experience with my Stingers cat-back, where it doesn't align right, slips out from factory connectors and similar nightmare.
I also do not want to keep stock suspension.

I guess what I would REALLY like to know is:
1) if anyone had done this specific combo?
2) Is there a better setup?

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Additionally searching through forums I found:

**Internal Linking (Threads)

**Internal Linking (Threads)

And Smokey07 has an awesome looking set up, which at first scared me that with lowered car, I'd be scraping that on the ground, until I turned my brain on)))


3) Does anyone know a good mustang oriented shop near East Brunswick, NJ 08816?
I would need to do complete alignment, fix problem with a rear wheel wiggle and properly set up my exhaust.


Lastly, I would like to mention that I have $200 gift certificate from AmericanMuscle.com, however, if there is a definitelly better setup/deal out there, I'd use $200 on something else at AM.


Please, help

[lemmer]

P.S. still looking through stuff on Club Discounts))) But questions 1, 2 and 3 still apply.

You should contact sam strano, he is the man for all things suspension and will not sell you something that you dont need and something that costs you more money. stranoparts.com is his site. He personally recommended steeda sport springs with Koni STR dampers for me because I didnt want to go too low due to driveway issues and I still want the car to be resonably comfortable while daily driving. My setup is the best you are going to get if you care about comfort while still having amazing handling. I hear FRPP handling products ride like crap, and I know a lot of people get D speecs because they are the cheapest adjustables but if you really need adjustables I suggest Koni Yellows, though a little more money they are just a better product then D specs. Anyway in addition to the dampers and springs you will most likely want a adjustable Panhard Bar to make your rear wheels centered again. They move over to the left slightly after lowering. Also you will proably need camber bolts for alignment after lowering. Hope this helps.

[lemmer]

Originally Posted by 10V6Stang

You should contact sam strano, he is the man for all things suspension and will not sell you something that you dont need and something that costs you me. stranoparts.com is his site. He personally recommended steeda sport springs with Koni STR dampers for me because I didnt want to go too low due to driveway issues and I still want the car to be resonably comfortable while daily driving. My setup is the best you are going to get if you care about comfort while still having amazing handling. I hear FRPP handling products ride like crap, and I know a lot of people get D speecs because they are the cheapest adjustables but if you really need adjustables I suggest Koni Yellows, though a little more money they are just a better product then D specs. Anyway in addition to the dampers and springs you will most likely want a adjustable Panhard Bar to make your rear wheels centered again. They move over to the left slightly after lowering. Also you will proably need camber bolts for alignment after lowering. Hope this helps.

Thank you very much, that is one of the reason I posted, because I was afraid that I'd have to get camber plates, just forgot to mention it.
and really thank you for letting me know about adjustable Panhard Bar, I'll check the website once I get home, later at night. Thanks.

[NJSPEEDER]

Originally Posted by 10V6Stang

You should contact sam strano, he is the man for all things suspension and will not sell you something that you dont need and something that costs you me. stranoparts.com is his site. He personally recommended steeda sport springs with Koni STR dampers for me because I didnt want to go too low due to driveway issues and I still want the car to be resonably comfortable while daily driving. My setup is the best you are going to get if you care about comfort while still having amazing handling. I hear FRPP handling products ride like crap, and I know a lot of people get D speecs because they are the cheapest adjustables but if you really need adjustables I suggest Koni Yellows, though a little more money they are just a better product then D specs. Anyway in addition to the dampers and springs you will most likely want a adjustable Panhard Bar to make your rear wheels centered again. They move over to the left slightly after lowering. Also you will proably need camber bolts for alignment after lowering. Hope this helps.

I can attest to Sam being the man. I have done business with him for more than 10 years and he has never steered me wrong.

I am not a big believer in adjustable shocks personally. Unless you have the knowledge and skill, and get a lot of track time you will never take advantage of them.

If you see a lot of track time and intend to make and test adjustments every session out you can learn them, but if you generally cruise the car and only hit the track/autox a few times a year you may do better to save the money with straight rate shocks.

-Tim

Yes I agree with the above also^ which is why I got the non adj. Koni STR (Orange), I would never have adjusted the koni yellows if I got them, just a waste of money for me. The Koni Oranges are great for DD also. I also wouldnt suggest buying a suspension kit, even decent ones still have some parts that could be better.

[gtncpa]

I have the Roush suspension. I take my car on road courses 4 or 5 times a year and I am able to hang in the corners with the Euros. I am very happy with it.

[mrnoodley]

I have the FRPP springs (which are rebranded ProKit springs) and D-specs.

Spend the money on the Konis.

This is an oversimplification, but my biggest issue is that with the Konis the adjustment changes your rebound settings leaving compression alone, and the Tokicos adjust the compression and rebound together.

On the street, there's no need for higher compression settings and can make the ride very harsh.

Buy the FRPP strut mounts. They can not be reused, so you need to buy new ones. The FRPP's are less than half the price of new Motorcraft parts, and are the same parts in a different box. DO NOT try to reuse yours. I did, figuring my car only had 400 miles on it at the time, and they couldn't be worn. They only lasted about 2000 miles before they were making horrific noises. The FRPP replacements have 20k on them now and are fine.

No need for the camber plates with FRPP or ProKit springs, it's not lowered to the point of needing that much camber correction.

I've bought from Sam Strano before and there is noone better. The FRPP parts I purchased from Rick at Downs Ford though. I like the instant gratification of handing over cash and walking away with my parts right away. I'll buy from Sam in the future though.

Let me know if you'd like to check out my car to see what the ride's like before you make the jump.

Thats weird because downs told me that I needed caster bolts and I only lowered an inch with steeda sports and all those above are lower.

[mrnoodley]

Originally Posted by 10V6Stang

Thats weird because downs told me that I needed caster bolts and I only lowered an inch with steeda sports and all those above are lower.

He may need the bolts, but they're WAY less expensive than the adjustable camber plates and a lot easier to install.

I have neither and I'm sure I have a little more negative camber than ideal for the street, but I'm a cornering kind of guy and the tires seem to wear evenly and I haven't had any issues at all.