suspension/shocks Help

[aceblaster]

First off just going to let everyone know I don't know much about this category so please be gentle with the replies to my stupid questions... Thanks

Ok, I'm wanting to upgrade my shocks/coilovers/springs/struts.

I have yet to decide if I want to lower or not so just throw out what ever you think, but please specify if what you suggest will lower or not and any other information I would need to know.

This is for a daily driver not a track car. I just want a better handling/cornering experience.

I do race on the streets, so I don't want something purely for appearance if that even matters...

Thanks for the help, Feel free to throw in the "Duh" facts... I really do know very little on the subject.

 

[mortimersnerd]

A sense of your budget will really help. Coilovers are best if you have the money. They'll give you the greatest adjustability and generally the best handling. Otherwise a good aftermarket spring and strut combo will make a big difference. Do you want to lower the car (sounds like it, just confirming).

 

[hugador]

I also think my car is missing something(stock exterior). I live in a busy city so I hear lots of whaaaaaawhaaaaaaa. It's annoying so a CBE is not it. Then I thought how about a tint, but how much performance do I get out of that?zero. I came with the conclusion of lowering with H&R springs. Not only will the car look good but you'll gain performance. I should get them some time this week. Not like there is anything wrong with the stock suspension, I just think it's a nice and cheap upgrade for a DD.

 

[aceblaster]

A sense of your budget will really help. Coilovers are best if you have the money. They'll give you the greatest adjustability and generally the best handling. Otherwise a good aftermarket spring and strut combo will make a big difference. Do you want to lower the car (sounds like it, just confirming).

Well I was planning on budgeting depending on what was suggested. The way I see it is if I'm spending money to make it better I might as well do it right... I'm indecisive if I want to lower or not, I like the look of the lowered ms3's but I live in an area where that might be a bad decision with body damage... I was hoping just to find out what would be best lowered or unlowered. And weigh the pro's/con's of each.

I have heard that the H&R Springs have been popular lately but I also heard that the ride is stock feeling. What is the advantage of getting them?

And if I did go with a spring/strut combo what would be best? and would that lower the car, if so how much?

Sorry, if these are dumb questions, I'm still trying to learn...

 

[BigDaddyMS3]

Canyon Carver

I have coilovers on my Roush Mustang. There is no doubt in my mind how much they love really smooth tracks. Riding around town over speed bumps, pot holes and such, the ride feels harsh! Especially the rears and I have the rebound adjusted to almost full soft.
For your purposes I would go to a wider wheel tire combo like a 18 x 8.5/9 and maybe 235/35/18s or whatever you and your local tire shop decide which is best for your area.
If you needed more, then I would go to a set of Koni struts, (Yellow or FSDs).
If more, then try Cobb or Hotchkiss sway bars. (many people just change the rear for a noticeable handling difference).
If more, then Cobb, Eibach, H&R or KW springs.
If you are still not happy then I suggest a Lotus Exige or a Porsche Caymen.

 

[aceblaster]

I have coilovers on my Roush Mustang. There is no doubt in my mind how much they love really smooth tracks. Riding around town over speed bumps, pot holes and such, the ride feels harsh! Especially the rears and I have the rebound adjusted to almost full soft.
For your purposes I would go to a wider wheel tire combo like a 18 x 8.5/9 and maybe 235/35/18s or whatever you and your local tire shop decide which is best for your area.
If you needed more, then I would go to a set of Koni struts, (Yellow or FSDs).
If more, then try Cobb or Hotchkiss sway bars. (many people just change the rear for a noticeable handling difference).
If more, then Cobb, Eibach, H&R or KW springs.
If you are still not happy then I suggest a Lotus Exige or a Porsche Caymen.

Alright that helps a lot.

My next question is, say for the springs. Is there a difference between the different manufacture or is it just a preference?
Same question with sway bars and struts

 

[ohioan]

TIRERACK.COM

Click that and scroll down to the springs. That's what's going to lower your car. It tells you how much each set will lower your car by. Try to think about your area. How many times do you have to think "do I have enought height to get in this driveway/ over this bump/" etc.

Hope that helps a little.

 

[BigDaddyMS3]

Springs & Sways

Springs are one of the most common suspension tuning purchases. Basically speaking, there are lowering springs and performance springs. Lowering springs are meant to reduce your cars ride height, (mainly looks). Performance springs are meant to optimize the handling of your car. If you do most of your performance driving while cruising then get lowering springs. If you track your car, then get performance springs. Sounds like your in the market for lowering springs. Whatever you do, please do not not cut your springs as this will result in spring rates that are impossible to determine.

Sway bars. These are probably the biggest bang for your buck in suspension tuning. Basically speaking, by using larger sways than standard, your car is able to lessen the amount of body roll, (lean). The stiffer the sway bar the flatter the cars cornering response will be. The rear sway on our cars is easy to change. A suspension shop should probably handle the front.

One important note. The sway bars, shocks, springs, tires and wheels all effect ride and handling. Only when these are carefully tuned to work with each other do you get the best results.

Ideal order of suspension improvement by price: Rear sway bar, springs, struts, four tires & four wheels. As far as brands its your choice. I think that you can get sway bars and springs from Cobb, (one stop shopping on an entire kit). I like Konis because of my past, personal experience with them, (especially the adjustable Yellows).

Have fun!

PS. A good reference source is " How to Make Your Car Handle" by Fred Puhn, HP Books.

 

[skallen]

^ Wow...Excellent write-up...Alot of good info in there...If you follow that info, you should have an extremely well handling car