help me pick a suspension setup?

doctor Stevil

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I have a GT convertible that I'd like to do a complete suspension overhaul on. The stock ride height is laughable, the ride is really harsh and would like to improve it if I can. Can anyone point me in the right direction? I'm really not very knowledgeable with suspensions in general, not to mention the products available for the SN95's, so I'd like order everything and have a local speed shop install it in one fell swoop.

I don't want a slammed car buy any means... perhaps maintaining a 2 finger gap from the top of the tire to the wheel well?

Along with lowering it, I really want to make it a more comfortable car to drive. With living in the north, the roads are horrendous after the winter and makes me not even want to drive the car until late in the year. Being a vert doesn't help either. With that said, what can I do to soften the ride up a bit or make it feel a little more modern?

I don't do any sort of racing with it... maybe the occasional trip to the drag strip but that's about it. It's a street only car. So comfort is a bigger priority than performance.

what would you go with in my situation? Also, are bumpsteer kits and CC plates required for a lowered sn95? Would I be wise to do all the bushings while I'm at it?
 

Mustanger

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Sounds like you need to go with a complete Air Ride suspension especially if you think the stock ride is too harsh. Check out American Muscle .com for the air ride kits. Not cheap by any means but will be adjustable & ride like you want. Any other lowered suspension will ride somewhat harsher over sharp bumps & give you a jolt in the butt. Most enthusiasts don't mind the extra firm rides & the jolts because the trade offs for flat cornering, better race type handling & cool good looks are worth it.

If air bags are not doable check out the complete Roush suspension or any setup using Bilstein or adjustable Koni shocks & struts, These setups will give a silky smooth ride on most roads but still a jolt over large bumps or deep potholes...I have no experience with the Tokico shocks & struts but they may be viable also.

Remember a lowered suspension does not have the full travel available as the stocker. Around 1.5" is a nice drop IMO The variable rate Eibach springs gave me that all around ...those springs or the H&R ones plus Bilsteins work nice but my favorite ride is still the Roush setup...engineered to work together I find that it rides perfect for me...silky smooth over the small imperfections in the road, firm but very controlled ...then a smooth but harder jolt on a bigger bump. The Roush setup gives you 1.0+G's ability with good tires in the corners. Definitely a race car suspension.

1.5" drop & most folks recommend adding the CC plates for ease of alignments. I did the Steeda plates ...either those or the Maximum Motorsports one are excellent quality. I have not done the Bump Steer addition & have no issues with mine so it's up to you. I'd wait & see how your car feels.

As for all the front end bushings ...tie rod end etc. depends on the mileage of your car...it is a darned good time to get this done while your under there for just a little more. That alone can keep you from needing the bump steer kits I think.

Good luck & have fun...just keep your old parts if you don't like the changes!
 

Ferocious

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-H&R Supersports
-Bilsteins all around
-new bushings depending on milage
-MM caster camber plates

That should be a great stance and ride quality will be quite nice.
 

SVTstang96

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-H&R Supersports
-Bilsteins all around
-new bushings depending on milage
-MM caster camber plates

That should be a great stance and ride quality will be quite nice.

^ What he said! Also a bumpsteer kit if your giong for a nice cruiser
 

OnyxCobra

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I'd hold off on the bumpsteer kit, I didn't feel the need for them when I had H&R SuperSports. Also subframe connectors are a must if you don't have them already. Maybe shorter sway bar end links too.
 

GMSMOKR

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Hey DS... Not sure how long you had her... But I noticed you said she is at stock hgt... But she rides harsh... Before you go with the big over haul.. How's the rear bushings on upper and lowers.. Some odd reasons the verts trend to wear out quicker on the rear end... I would hate for buy a lot of new parts .. When the rear end bushings could be bad or gone...
 

RichV

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Budget will dictate which way you go. The OEM springs and shocks are about as cushy as you can get, and with them being almost 20 years old, it should be downright sloppy.

If you want to do a complete overhaul I would start with replacing the bushings, or replacing all the parts that have bushings. Front and rear control arms, all bushings in the steering and control arm department. Use the MOOG replacements for low NVH. Then select a spring and shock combo that fit your budget. For springs I would go with a progressive set, this will allow a softer spring with a drop. I have a set of Eibach progressives on my SVO and would recommend them all day long. But there are others out there just as good. They will be rated in LBS, progressive will have 2 #s, a low and a high. They start low and as they compress they go to the high setting. Here is a list of spring rates I've compiled through the years:


SPRING FRONT REAR
--------------------------------------------------------
Stock GT 400-500 165-265
Stock Cobra 400 160
Eibach ProKit coupe 460-570 200-250
Eibach ProKit vert 460-570 (1.5") 170-310
Eibach Sport (2") 660 260
FMC "B" 425-530 200-300
FMC "C" 650 200-300
FRPP "R" 700-880 200-260
Global West 800 160
Global West drag 680 ???
Global West comp 1000 ???
Griggs front coil-overs 400 n/a
H&R sport 490-575 205-250
H&R sport conv. 490-575 250-285
H&R super sport 600-720 205-250
H&R super sport conv. 700-760 275-300
H&R race 750-850 260-280
H&R super race 950-1050 260-300
Jamex (1.5") 450-550 170-220
MAC 600,680,700,800,925 160,170,190,215
Susp Tech street 725 230
Susp Tech comp 850 280
Steeda sport(1") 650 200-250
Steeda comp/street 700-850 (1.25") ???
Steeda full comp 850-1050 (1.35") ???
Susp Tech street 725 230
Susp Tech comp 850 280
CCM Race 750-850 200-300
CCM HD Race 950-1050 200-300

I would stay under 600LB for a street comfy ride, and select a good set of street shocks. A OE Bilstein or Tokico from Cobra/Mach would probably be just fine if you can find a used low mile set, or a new set.
 

OnyxCobra

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where did those numbers come from? from everything I've found it says the rear H&R race springs are not as stiff as the H&R SS rear springs.
 

Ferocious

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where did those numbers come from? from everything I've found it says the rear H&R race springs are not as stiff as the H&R SS rear springs.

I can second this.

H&R SuperSportSprings |700-760lb/in|275-300lb/in|Progressive|1.75in|1.60in|

H&R RaceSprings |750-850lb/in|260-280lb/in|Progressive|1.25in|1.00in|

 

RichV

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I just keep a list and add to it as I find info, not sure where the specific H&R info came from. I think it may have been from MM before they took it down.

The list says the SS conv. springs are 275-300 for the rears.

A quick look at MM's site states the 94-5 Coupe springs are p/n 51651.77 and the Conv springs are 51658.77 for the SS springs, so there is a difference. Maybe this is older info and part #s have changed. But I dunno why the rear springs would be stiffer unless there is more weight like a vert. My rears are 415LB, but it's because I have a PHB.
 

Redford

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I would stay under 600LB for a street comfy ride, and select a good set of street shocks. A OE Bilstein or Tokico from Cobra/Mach would probably be just fine if you can find a used low mile set, or a new set.

The 94-98 Cobras have factory Bilsteins, correct? Any difference with the factory Mach I shocks/struts?
 

Musturd

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No 96-98 cobras didn't have bilsteins 03/04 did
 

Mustang Mark

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Don't forget about a panhard bar, these cars really should have had one from the factory.
 

RichV

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Don't forget about a panhard bar, these cars really should have had one from the factory.

Meh, not so sure it makes a huge difference unless you have a T/A and dump the UCAs. I've experimented with my PHB and the stock 4 link and get mixed results.
 

RichV

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i thought machs and bullitts had special struts but i'm unsure of brand, wasn't bilstein though.

Not sure on the Bullitt, but the Machs had Tokicos. IIRC some of the Cobra Rs had Tokicos as well.
 

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