|
|
Post by cr89x on Oct 22, 2009 9:07:33 GMT -5
Alright mustang fanatics and all knowledgeable people. I could include Miata drivers in this also very easily.
I've tried doing some research already and have some ideas. I need some more difinative answers though. I'm trying to start planning ahead for Vanessa's new car. She recently got rid of that disasterous Pontiac and now has another Mustang. She got an '01 Mustang Prem. , a V6 5spd. Yes eventually it will be a massive engine swap but would like to start with setup.
I need suspension setup advice. What spring rates or manufacture, what size front sway bar, etc ...
I need help. Going to a totally different realm of car than I'm used to and want to help her set this car up right. Not too sure what class we want to run it in yet. I just want the car to be safe more than anything. If you've ever driven a mustang, especially a stock 99-04, you know how much body roll they have.
Thank you in advance for any tips and advice that will be offered.
|
|
|
|
Post by cb7tuner on Oct 22, 2009 10:26:45 GMT -5
Get independent rear suspension from the Cobra.
|
|
|
|
Post by wcox32408 on Oct 22, 2009 13:23:31 GMT -5
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO....... Dont go MOD. First off. go stock with a set of adjustable shocks on it. Learn to drive it, then when you know exactly what class you want to run in, then start prepping from there. Here is WHY,,,
1: gives you a good base line on the car and starts improving your driving.
2: gives you time to figure out what class you want to end up in.
3:gives you LESS to play with while you are learning the car.
Thats my 2 cents
By the way, I GOT HOOSIERS hehehehehe
|
|
|
|
Post by cr89x on Oct 22, 2009 15:09:45 GMT -5
Gary, that has been a thought. I'm not too sure as to how beneficial, at least autox, going away from sold rear would be. Believe me cobra IRS has been a thought.
Bill, congrats on the hoosiers. Thank you for your input as I just hung up the phone with you. Hope everything goes well with the wife and you have a new child soon.
Here is what all I have found but i'm looking for more specifics. We don't know what class we want to run yet, but any information for the future would be great.
Shocks first, YES! Then a bigger front bar would more than likely be very beneficial. Those are the quick easy stock modifications.
Later down springs may be in thought. Expertise is what i'd look for in that area as far as spring rates and all. Size of a front bar is what I need information on also. Mach 1 or Bullit springs and shocks are a first thought. IRS from cobra is a thought also. Cobra braking system is the BIG thought. Of course alot of this all depends on classing in the end.
Someone please define to me, and describe in looks and function, ..... a panhard bar??!! like cuss cuss idk what i'm reading elsewhere on that.
|
|
|
|
Post by soloracer on Oct 22, 2009 19:24:12 GMT -5
I would go with wider horseshoes and a English saddle. Make sure the blinders are of an adequite size. Wrap the rear legs to prevent sandburn. Braid the mane to pevent blinding of the driver.
hope this helps,
James
or, seriously contact me and we will talk.
|
|
|
|
Post by philip1 on Oct 22, 2009 20:38:12 GMT -5
I will stand on this recommendation Talk to james Look at Jeanies car and Jame's Merkur do what they have done. Then Drive it like it's dads hotrod and the folks are out of town for a week. hehehe
On a serious note tires are a big thing too. All the suspension tuning in the world is useless if you cant grip in the corners. if you run in stock class (F stock I think) you can run R compound tires. otherwise look into some sticky street tires.
|
|
|
|
Post by cr89x on Oct 22, 2009 22:08:33 GMT -5
I'm sure a good grooming would make it better too lol.
Bill looked it up for me, v6 will be GS. Yea tires are always nice. I have a sneaky feeling that it may stay a street tire wonder lol. I know how good tires can be, will definately be looked at.
Uh oh. Don't think it can be a stock car. Have to look into the v6 stock wheel size. I believe it came with polished cobra wheels.
|
|
|
|
Post by cb7tuner on Oct 22, 2009 23:12:44 GMT -5
Remember, after this year Mini Cooper S is no longer in GS. Just food for thought.
But anyways, just a sidestory, the only reason I dislike the mustang so is the lack of IRS. Last month I happened to be at a party at a certain university in a state that is directly to the south of this great state. Started talking cars with some guy in the frat (turned out to be the leader or something) and he tried to tell me that all fox body mustangs had IRS and they did away with it in '05. I lost all respect for him and that organization right then.
|
|
|
|
Post by scockrell on Oct 23, 2009 9:35:24 GMT -5
I would get adjustable shocks, caster/camber plates and hoosier R 6's; brembo's or willwood brakes to start with. Drive it until you get use to it and go from there. Lighten up all the unsprung weight you can. swaybar size would depend on the size of future engine swap. I use my r6's on the street some as well not great in rain though. check and see if koni has a shock app. for your year.
|
|
|
|
Post by cr89x on Oct 23, 2009 9:49:12 GMT -5
The last thing you said is a very good point that I have totally forgotten.
As far as I know, not a mustang fanatic so could very well be wrong, IRS didn't even start until the cobra in 03 for mustangs.
Thank you all that have posted so far.
|
|
|
|
Post by MrsVlad on Oct 23, 2009 18:46:27 GMT -5
I love Mustangs. Short, muscular, plenty of stamina, a mind of their own, and not afraid of anything.
If you feed it good, love and respect it, he'll be your friend for life. But once you miss handle him, look out, you're in for trouble.
|
|
|
|
Post by cb7tuner on Oct 23, 2009 21:35:22 GMT -5
The last thing you said is a very good point that I have totally forgotten. As far as I know, not a mustang fanatic so could very well be wrong, IRS didn't even start until the cobra in 03 for mustangs. Thank you all that have posted so far. Yes, and I think it was only the '03-'04 ones as well. When they changed the body I don't think they ever put IRS in again. So finding one may be hard. With the exception of people who buy a cobra to drag. |
|
|
|
Post by cr89x on Oct 24, 2009 11:56:24 GMT -5
Sounds all correct Gary. I need to brush up on some of the new stuff also now.
Jeannie, very true.
I was driving it last night and realised my biggest problem is going to be the fwd to rwd driving style. I'll say that for all you fwd racers, try a rwd one time. Even if it is on the streets. Getting out of the lift with understeer habit and instead hit the throttle. The feeling of hitting the throttle and the car turning is SOOO much fun. I was practicing it some last night. Felt so cool.
One thing I thought of .... mustang tire pressures? especially for street tires. And a good street tire that mustangs like?
|
|
|
|
Post by loves2turn on Oct 24, 2009 18:17:37 GMT -5
Sounds all correct Gary. I need to brush up on some of the new stuff also now. Jeannie, very true. I was driving it last night and realised my biggest problem is going to be the fwd to rwd driving style. I'll say that for all you fwd racers, try a rwd one time. Even if it is on the streets. Getting out of the lift with understeer habit and instead hit the throttle. The feeling of hitting the throttle and the car turning is SOOO much fun. I was practicing it some last night. Felt so cool. One thing I thought of .... mustang tire pressures? especially for street tires. And a good street tire that mustangs like? You just havent driven an extremely loose FWD car yet ;D My car..and Casino's Miata feel almost identical..i just cant give it AS much gas in turn. |
|
slobra
Junior Member
Posts: 92
|
Post by slobra on Oct 25, 2009 7:20:55 GMT -5
I've got a pair of Bilstein Struts somewhere in my garage that would fit. They're not adjustable, but most likely better than stock. I also have a set of 17x9 wheels with some very used up Kumho 710's. These are off my 03 Cobra. If you are on a budget, these would be rather inexpensive. The wheels would move you out of stock. Also FYI the IRS was the weak link in the Cobra drive line and there are likely 100's of them for sale on the used market and in scrap piles due to breakage. I cracked mine at an autox and Ford was nice and replaced it.
|
|
|
|
Post by cr89x on Oct 25, 2009 9:17:27 GMT -5
Chad, believe me I know what your talking about lol. The feeling in rwd is better tho lol.
What wheels are they?? Wouldn't mind seeing pics. I have a feeling that we are already out of stock class because of wheels. I haven't confirmed it yet, but I believe we bought this car with polished cobra wheels on it.
If you don't mind slobra, could you elaborate more on the IRS weakness?
|
|
|
|
Post by loves2turn on Oct 25, 2009 11:51:16 GMT -5
I guess to each his own. Both have their advantages and disadvantages.
|
|
slobra
Junior Member
Posts: 92
|
Post by slobra on Oct 25, 2009 19:01:36 GMT -5
I don't have a picture of the wheels to post but they are these wheels www.tirerack.com/wheels/WheelCloseUpServlet?target=wheelCloseUp&wheelMake=SVT&wheelModel=03+Cobra&wheelFinish=Silver+Machined+w%2FClearcoatThe main problem with the Cobra IRS is the fact that the car was never designed to have an IRS. The IRS was designed to fit in the exisiting chassis and there had to be a lot of design compromises due to this. Most if not all problems can be addressed with aftermarket parts, like mounting bushings, braces, stronger axles, etc. The ride is very good with the IRS and the handling is good, but in my opinion not that much better than a good live axle setup. I have two sets of the wheels and I don't remember if the set with the kuhmos is the set that came on my 03 or the set that I bought. The struts came off the car when I put Koni DA on it. I have the rear Bilsteins, but they only fit an IRS. Bruce |
|
|
|
Post by cr89x on Oct 25, 2009 20:35:12 GMT -5
LOL go figure, go ford. Thank you for the details. I'll say that i'm not familiar with RWD. Of course as always, I'm very willing to learn just about anything I can.
|
|
|
|
Post by tedebayer on Dec 5, 2009 9:54:13 GMT -5
I love James. Short, muscular, plenty of stamina, a mind of his own, and not afraid of anything. If you feed him good, love and respect him, he'll be your friend for life. But once you miss handle him, look out, you're in for trouble. Fixed...  ;D ;D James ..you wicked handsome stud you... |
|
|
|
Post by MrsVlad on Dec 5, 2009 19:46:11 GMT -5
Now Teddy, don't be tellin my secrets
|
|
|
|
Post by soloracer on Dec 17, 2009 22:27:10 GMT -5
A.J. come visit me, we will talk.
704-212-7099
|
|
|
|
Post by infernoz28 on Jun 1, 2010 7:59:10 GMT -5
As far as suspension parts. I really like the Griggs racing and Maxim Motorsports for those year Mustangs. There stuff is a little pricey but some of the best out there. As far as the IRS I wouldn't say its worth it from a $ and weight stand point. The 03-04 cobra was really heavy that's why they had a hard time in fs. And a solid axle car with the right springs and big enough tires in the rear drives just as well on a relatively smooth track.
|
|
|
|
Post by C4Shane on Jun 14, 2010 18:48:12 GMT -5
BTW - having multiple mustangs of various vintages, I recall a great article in Grassroots Motorsports (Probably 3 years ago or so) about how to get a Mustang to handle. Interesting enough, they had a sidebar article on removing the IRS from Cobras to get a good road racing setup under the tail end. The guy who did the work claimed improved lap times w/o the IRS (and fewer taxes), claiming it was great for street use, but not a real benefit on the track. I don't know if anyone can find that set of articles for you, but it had a lot of info on setting up Stangs of various types.
|
|
|
|
Post by cr89x on Jun 19, 2010 8:36:35 GMT -5
Mr. Findlan, AWESOME! Greatly appreciate that. I'm sure those articles would have all kinds of info that I'm looking for. Now to locate them lol.
|
|
|
|
Post by slostang on Nov 25, 2010 18:17:01 GMT -5
Good tires, Springs, cc plates, LCA's, sways, tower brace and sub frame connectors S&S's or just get IRS from cobra it really depends on how much you want to spend
|
|
;D 
