What is a better suspension

[08MustangGT/CS]

Hey all, wondered if anyone would tell me (maybe from experience) what suspension I should go with. Roush Stage 3 or Ford Racing?

[Blackjack]

Just my personal opinion, but I'd go Maximum Motorsports all the way!!!

[Blackout_03]

what are you wanting to do with the car?

[Bigjht]

what are you wanting to do with the car?

+1, Are you looking at just springs to lower are do you want to go as far as control arms, shocks, struts, springs, etc.?

[08MustangGT/CS]

I want a whole system. Sway bars, shocks stuts, springs. Everything. For better handling in corners and putting the power to the ground. There were the only two full kits I could find. And Roush claims 1g on their course w/ their kit.

[Bigjht]

From my research you can find better than both, but maybe not as an entire package. I would suggest to look up posts by Sam Strano on http://forums.themustangsource.com/.

[08MustangGT/CS]

Ok, I will have to start doing some research. Thank you for everything.

[Blackout_03]

are you planning on road racing or auto-x ing it? If not I would just get a good set of springs with good shocks/struts. Add a set of Full Length Sub Frame connecters. Up grade to a good set of Hawk Brake pads and spend the money on good set of tires...nitto NT05's. Come out alot cheaper and the car will handle better and look good!

[Bigjht]

are you planning on road racing or auto-x ing it? If not I would just get a good set of springs with good shocks/struts. Add a set of Full Length Sub Frame connecters. Up grade to a good set of Hawk Brake pads and spend the money on good set of tires...nitto NT05's. Come out alot cheaper and the car will handle better and look good!

+1 except you won't need subframe connectors on your s197. You may also need an adjustable panhard rod depending on how far you lower it. Some will say control arms as well but that would be a personal preference depending on how extreme you want to take it.

[08MustangGT/CS]

I won't mind an inch lower. But no farther. I still want to clear bumps and stuff. I want to drag my car and I might want to road race it. But, I just want better handling over all. I want to keep up (I mean try) to keep up with the independent suspension cars in the corners.

[dadejack]

I like the FRPP 1in drop kit myself. No experience with it but looks good to me.

[Bigjht]

Actually, unless it's a new kit, the FRPP springs will drop the car 1.5". They are the same as the Eibach Pro Kit.

[stang man]

Actually, unless it's a new kit, the FRPP springs will drop the car 1.5". They are the same as the Eibach Pro Kit.


1.5 in the rear and 1 in the front to level it out. FRPP are my first choice and what I will go with when I get there. They have the most comprehensive kit and are, of course, a FORD product.

[08VAPORGT]

Well I would have to say that a mixture of both Eibach and FRPP have worked wonders with both of my S197's. Springs, shocks, rear sway, panhard rod, and good tires have done the trick for my coupe and just make sure that you don't put on a chin spoiler that is lower than the front of the factory bumper, (that is if you plan on puttin one on.) They can get pretty beat up on the roads. I love my suspension and I get multiple uses out of it. Good luck with it...

[08MustangGT/CS]

I was looking at the Steeda suspension also. I see they have stage 1 thru 3 on several different kits. Not sure what way to go.

[Weapon]

Double check the specs on the Roush Stage 3 before you buy it - if I recall correctly, that is the Roush suspension that is custom tuned for a S197 that is equipped with the Roushcharger and the extra weight it places under the hood. The one used for normally aspirated S197 Mustangs is the Roush Stage 2.

As for other options, I have seen a lot of positive reviews of the Tokico D-spec adjustable strut and shock kit when paired with the Eibach Pro Kit springs. I have not jumped on those yet but I have been seriously considering it. The only problem seems to be you can run into alignment issues once you go for more than a 1" drop and the Tokico/Eibach drops the front 1.3" and the rear 1.4". That could possibly require a caster/camber plate kit (~$230-$320 for a good C/C kit) unless you want your tires to wear unevenly and an adjustable panhard bar (~$120-$200) to make sure the back end is nicely centered over the axle.
Lastly, if you go with more than a 1.5" drop, you will possibly run into space issues if you ever jump up to 20" wheels.

[08MustangGT/CS]

Yeah, I am just going to go with the 1.5" rear and 1" front drop. And that is it. I am going to upgrade to 20" bullits. But, I see Saleen has a new fully adjustable suspension and I really like the stage 1-3 of the Steeda. So, I am not sure what I want to do yet. Still trying to do some research on this end.

[Weapon]

I just checked with the local Ford dealership and the shop manager said the 1.5" drop FRPP springs do not cause any alignment problems. The shop manager said they have installed a lot of them both with and without the factory handling pack and they have never had a problem getting the alignment right so long as the drop was not more than 1.5". I may have to have them put on a new set of springs for me this week and then have some Tokico D-Specs and larger anti-sway bars installed later.