Hi all, new here had a question

Dr.Scientist · Apr 3, 2011

I'm so glad I found this place, as I am and have always been in love with the SN-95 mustang. Ever since it came out in 94 when I was 14 I have loved this car. I got a 94 GT as a teen and I did not know what I was doing with it. I used substandard parts and just plain did things wrong. Because I was young. I ended up selling the car for various reasons, even though I never wanted to. But now, I have another chance. I have acquired a 1995 Silver GT. At last, I have another one. So I think I've come to the right place.

I have a question though, regarding wheels. What is your opinion, of the 18" wheel, on a 94-98 Mustang? Is it feasible? Does it make dealing with future suspension upgrades a pain in the rump? I would like to lower the car about 1.5" all the way around, and have it sitting on 18" wheels. Is there any reason I should not do this?

Thanks, - Justin

duh09 · Apr 3, 2011

Nearly everyone on here runs 18's with them in all forms of lowered, you'll have absolutely no problem running 18's so long as they're the correct offset and you shouldn't have any problems with that. 18"s look perfect on our cars.

Dr.Scientist · Apr 3, 2011

Awesome thanks man. Now I'd like to ask about suspension kits. Which complete kit would you go with? I'd like to do a complete suspension overhaul on the car as well as lower it about an inch and a half. But if possible, I don't want my ride quality to go just completely down the toilet. I'd like to have some semblance of ride quality left. Is this possible? I have heard there are coil over spring kits for the front as well as the rear. Is that something that I should consider?

duh09 · Apr 3, 2011

Check out Maximum Motorsports: http://www.maximummotorsports.com/store/

They are generally the go-to place for Mustang suspension parts. My car is going to be setup as a track-only car eventually but I'm planning on going with front and rear coilovers along with some Koni adjustable shocks so I can firm them up for the track and soften them up for the ride to events. And after that, I will eventually be adding the torque-arm/panhard bar setup and more goodies.
How much are you wanting to spend on the car? Are you wanting to just have new stuff on the car, or are you wanting to overhaul it in terms of taking it apart and changing the setup? What are you planning on doing with the car? Driver, drag, autocross? Basic stuff would be just springs, shocks, caster camber plates. If you wanted a little more, you could add lower control arms and a good set of subframe connectors and you'd have a nice handling car. You can go further and add a torque-arm setup, coilovers for adjustability of the ride height, tubular k-members and a few other options.

Dr.Scientist · Apr 3, 2011

I don't really ever want to race the car. I mean maybe see what my times are at the drag strip. Or take on the occasional camaro or something at the drag strip, but I'd like it to be a driver. I'm not going to drive it daily, as I want it to be a coveted, well taken care of weekend car. I want to restore it to near brand new condition, if possible. I'd like to slap some of that dynamat sound deadener stuff in, so it has quiet road manners. I guess I sort of want a show car, in a way. But a show car that handles, and hauls @$$ LOL. I intend to keep this car until I die of old age. Or whatever else kills me heh

Sparkle and shine, that's what I want. With performance. I absolutely love these cars, and so I want mine to be in mint condition. But I'm not opposed to heavily upgrading it.

Aww man, I totally didn't notice that I was posting this in the wrong forum. Can a mod maybe move it for me?

duh09 · Apr 3, 2011

I'm sure it will get moved once someone notices it.

My suggestion would be to go with springs, shocks, caster camber plates, subframes, and lower control arms. They'll all help the handling of the car and give you the look you want without going so far as to start adding noise and discomfort to the car. As far as which springs to go with, look around at the stance they produce and people's reviews about them. For shocks, I'd go with the best you can afford. Everything else, MM.

Dr.Scientist · Apr 4, 2011

Thanks man, you've been a real help. If you feel like answering more questions, I've got a couple more.

1. Which springs would you go with for a 1.5" drop? Is there any reason to not just buy the correct set of Eibach's from the summit racing website?

2. What is the relationship of shocks/struts to lowered springs? Do you have to get special shocks, since now your lowered springs are no longer sitting at the factory ride height? Seems like the shock makers would be thinking about factory ride height. This is something that I never was able to figure out.

3. I notice that you keep recommending MM for most of my suspension needs. I am way out of the loop when it comes to all this stuff, but are they like the top dog when it comes to mustang suspension now? Back in the early 2000's, I remember it was Eibach or Eldelbrock that people ordered whole kits from. Just wondering what the difference is I guess. From all the other big suspension kit makers.

Dalamar · Apr 4, 2011

I agree with Duh's recommendations.

MM's suspension parts are just really well made and the work correctly.
they're not really that much more when you compare and get into the nitty gritty of how the parts are made.

If I were in your shoes, i'd start with lowering it and go from there.
see what other suspension parts are worn or you want to upgrade.

you'll be happy with how much better your car will handle lowered, with good tires.

duh09 · Apr 4, 2011

Maximum Motorsport sells practically all the name-brand stuff, Eibach, Koni, H&R, along with parts they make like their CC plates and LCAs. They also are a treasure trove of information. I've sent no telling how many emails figuring out exactly where I wanted to go with my car. Honestly, I can't recommend any spring over another. If you look around on here, you can find the stance you want and ask the owners which springs they have although I think they started a thread just with pics and info on their suspension setups. Shocks/struts have come up in conversation a lot. A lot of people say to go with Fox-length struts for lowered cars because they won't bottom out as soon but I can't say for certain that a SN95 strut won't work just as well. It's one of those things that people have said so many times that I couldn't tell you if there is a like of performance difference in installing either one. I've never heard anyone complain about using regular SN95 length struts so there really shouldn't be much of any issue.

Slykin · Apr 4, 2011

I think budget is something you should look really hard at too, because if you have the budget, you can do it right the first time... As in a coil-over setup which really seems like the way to go as far as the best of both comfort and performance. But, it all depends on if you're willing to spend the dough on it. The first thing i'd do though is just make sure all the basics as far as bushings, tie-rods, balljoints, steering rack/shaft etc etc are all in tip top shape before you throw money at lowering it. That will give you a better idea of what you need instead of what looks pretty. I have problems with getting distracted by the pretty stuff lol.

Dr.Scientist · Apr 4, 2011

All right thanks guys I really appreciate all the help!

But er, from reading the replies let me see if I have this right. Basically, there is no particular shock/strut for "lowered" vehicles. The ones that they make are just made well enough that they still function well at a lower suspension geometry. That sound about right?

As for coil over kits, I never knew they actually improved ride quality. Nice to know, as I've always wanted coil overs. I thought all they did was improve handling a bit.

Slykin · Apr 4, 2011

Well, when I say the best of both I guess I should have said the best compromise. You can get adjustable shocks/struts which will help with both comfort and performance. But, even then if you tune it for performance then it won't be as comfortable. Should be more comfortable than lowering springs/struts would be though. Another plus for coil-overs is that you can adjust your height how you want it.

Dr.Scientist · Apr 5, 2011

Ok well money really isn't an issue here. I'm going to do this right the first time, so I'll be doing a coil over kit then. Should be pretty fun. Just out of curiosity though, how do you actually adjust the ride height setting? Never knew that was possible outside of bags.