Calling all suspension experts to reverse engineer a Dark Horse suspension setup

[MCS]

Ok, so here is the backstory (bare with me here folks - it's a read but I need to set context for the internet detectives to do their thing)

• Got my 2024 Dark Horse with Handling Pack. AWESOME
  • Installed some Steeda Sport Progressives (555 8242) on the car. Also AWESOME
  • Installed some 20x10 and 20x11 Velgan VF10 on the car. Super AWESOME
• Kept popping the fender flares. Thought it was the 285/35R20 fronts on the 20" Velgens
• Sold the Velgens and bought a set of LMR SVE DHP1
  • DHP1 running 305/30R19 and 315/30R19 tires (basically same as stock DH with HP)

Guess what?

• Fender flares still popping. Turns out Ford installed them incorrectly and wind pressure was popping them.
  • Another M7G member provided me the manual. Had them installed correctly. No more popping! AWESOME AGAIN!

Now, I'm low (just under 4" from splitter to ground - a bit lower with the skid plate).

• Getting in and out of parking lots in my area is anxiety inducing as all hell.

Fast forward a year and Richard Hammond finally does some work on his Non-HP Dark Horse. His front end clearance seems to be far better than mine.

• He basically bought all the aesthetic parts to make a handling pack?

So, my research began.

Reached out to APEX and he's running VS-5RS in 20x10 ET35 and 20x11 ET52 with 285/35R20 and a 315/35R20 tires (thanks JJ)

But when it came to springs? More challenging than the wheels. There is some confusion on the springs he is using.

Hammond states that MAP replaced the front springs so I reached out to them

• Was told the kit was here: MAP X BMR Mustang Magneride Lowering Spring Kit for Supercharged Applications - Motorsport and Performance(thanks Marc)
  • Product description says this is the front springs only?
• MAP does not ship to Canada so I'm checking the BMR site myself.
  • I THINK it's the SP089 (minimum drop) as the spring rate seems to match at 170 lb/in and is for boosted applications and doesn't say NOT FOR MAGNARIDE VEHICLES
    • Product located here: Shop Details | BMR Suspension - Performance Racing Suspension & Chassis Parts | BMR Suspension

Looking to see what folks think is being done here.

Is this the BMR SP089 front with a stock Non-HP rear spring? If so what would my HP rear springs mess up the stance?

MY FRONT END (with 19" and Steeda Sport Progressives)

HAMMOND'S FRONT END (with 20" and BMR Suspension of some kind)

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[Fusion Training Systems]

I had Steeda’s progressives on mine and changed them out because they dropped the car much further than they advertise.

 

[MCS]

I had Steeda’s progressives on mine and changed them out because they dropped the car much further than they advertise.

What did you swap out to?

 

[Fusion Training Systems]

The minimum drop. And it was Perfect.

 

[MCS]

The minimum drop. And it was Perfect.

The Steeda Ninimum Drop for S650 lowers the front almost the same as the Sport Progressives no? 0.75” vs 0.80”

 

[Yamazuki]

MY FRONT END (with 19" and Steeda Sport Progressives)

Guess I need to re-check mine...
Last I looked, I was right at 4" on the Sport Progressives.

 

[MCS]

Guess I need to re-check mine...
Last I looked, I was right at 4" on the Sport Progressives.

if you aren’t supercharged that might explain the RCH of a difference here.

im looking to get up around the 5” area like I believe Hammond is sitting at. While
It’s not strictly performance geared it certainly reduces anxiety driving around the Toronto area lol

 

[BimmerDriver]

Granted that everything Ford does is a compromise of some sort, they do put a lot of effort into making sure that it all works.

This thread is a good argument for why you should just leave it all stock. No offense intended.

 

[Fusion Training Systems]

The Steeda Ninimum Drop for S650 lowers the front almost the same as the Sport Progressives no? 0.75” vs 0.80”

Trust me they don’t. It’s one of the reasons why I took the progressives off. They lowered it too much. I even sent Steeda pics asking if the part numbers were correct.
Then after 3 months I replaced them with the minimum drops and I’m very happy with them.

 

[MCS]

Trust me they don’t. It’s one of the reasons why I took the progressives off. They lowered it too much. I even sent Steeda pics asking if the part numbers were correct.
Then after 3 months I replaced them with the minimum drops and I’m very happy with them.

thanks for the feedback! Do you have any pictures of the front like the above? Details on your wheels and forced induction?

 

[exm]

Granted that everything Ford does is a compromise of some sort, they do put a lot of effort into making sure that it all works.

This thread is a good argument for why you should just leave it all stock. No offense intended.

My original plan was to keep 19" wheels and lower the car. After some of the stories, I simply upgraded to 20" and it looks fantastic. Bonus point is 0.5" of clearance or so. Not sure why OP wanted to lower his car with the 20s, and if was worth the trouble....

 

[MCS]

My original plan was to keep 19" wheels and lower the car. After some of the stories, I simply upgraded to 20" and it looks fantastic. Bonus point is 0.5" of clearance or so. Not sure why OP wanted to lower his car with the 20s, and if was worth the trouble....

The car looked pretty sweet lowered with the Velgens (20") but then I went down to 19s as the story in the OP said and I'm finding it a bit low so looking to change things up.

I have my original Handling Pack springs so can always go back to those if required and add a 20" rim. I'm debating on either going with a Steeda MINIMUM DROP (for Magneride) at all 4 corners or going with the stock REAR DH HP springs and the BMR front springs for supercharged cars. I'm just not sure how that combo would pair.

Going to be doing some research later today. Just got back from a Ford dealership where the Supercharger Recall PCM update failed so they had to reach out to Ford Technical Support.

 

[MCS]

WARNING: This next part is for the Min/Max nerds out there like me. This is theory crafting out loud before I pull the trigger and order things. If that isn't your thing, close this now!

I spoke to Glen (sp) at BMR. Very helpful dude. Answered a ton of my stupid questions. (Thanks Glen).

After that conversation I'm thinking...

REAR: Reinstall my factory DH Handling Pack rear springs

• Would raise back up to stock HP height (about 0.8" to 1.0" from what it is with Steeda Sport Progressives)
  • Wheel gap would still close a bit due to the 20" rim with a 315/35R20
    • As shown by @exm 's post with his non-hp DH.
    • Remember, DH HP is a bit lower due to HP springs and "suspension tuning"

FRONT: Use a set of BMR SP089 (Minimum Drop Spring for supercharged MagnaRide cars)

• Would raise my front end up about 0.5" to 0.75" from what it is now (4" from ground) however wheel gap would still close a bit due to the 20" wheel and tire (285/35R20)

NOTES:

• The front end and back ends would be raised another 0.5" or so when going from a 19" to a 20" wheel/tire

So if my math is right here (and it usually never is)

The front would be 5.0" to 5.5" from ground to chin splitter. MUCH more drivable around these parts.
The rear would be stock DH HP ride height + 0.5" for going to a 20" rim

I wonder if there are others out there who have done something like this with a DH HP car and 20" rims. Time to really put Copilot to good use LOL

 

[exm]

My clearance with my HP splitter, 20" wheels and factory springs is just below 5 1/2". Figured to share.

 

[Paul's stable]

Ok, so here is the backstory (bare with me here folks - it's a read but I need to set context for the internet detectives to do their thing)

• Got my 2024 Dark Horse with Handling Pack. AWESOME
  • Installed some Steeda Sport Progressives (555 8242) on the car. Also AWESOME
  • Installed some 20x10 and 20x11 Velgan VF10 on the car. Super AWESOME
• Kept popping the fender flares. Thought it was the 285/35R20 fronts on the 20" Velgens
• Sold the Velgens and bought a set of LMR SVE DHP1
  • DHP1 running 305/30R19 and 315/30R19 tires (basically same as stock DH with HP)

Guess what?

• Fender flares still popping. Turns out Ford installed them incorrectly and wind pressure was popping them.
  • Another M7G member provided me the manual. Had them installed correctly. No more popping! AWESOME AGAIN!

Now, I'm low (just under 4" from splitter to ground - a bit lower with the skid plate).

• Getting in and out of parking lots in my area is anxiety inducing as all hell.

Fast forward a year and Richard Hammond finally does some work on his Non-HP Dark Horse. His front end clearance seems to be far better than mine.

• He basically bought all the aesthetic parts to make a handling pack?

So, my research began.

Reached out to APEX and he's running VS-5RS in 20x10 ET35 and 20x11 ET52 with 285/35R20 and a 315/35R20 tires (thanks JJ)

But when it came to springs? More challenging than the wheels. There is some confusion on the springs he is using.

Hammond states that MAP replaced the front springs so I reached out to them

• Was told the kit was here: MAP X BMR Mustang Magneride Lowering Spring Kit for Supercharged Applications - Motorsport and Performance(thanks Marc)
  • Product description says this is the front springs only?
• MAP does not ship to Canada so I'm checking the BMR site myself.
  • I THINK it's the SP089 (minimum drop) as the spring rate seems to match at 170 lb/in and is for boosted applications and doesn't say NOT FOR MAGNARIDE VEHICLES
    • Product located here: Shop Details | BMR Suspension - Performance Racing Suspension & Chassis Parts | BMR Suspension

Looking to see what folks think is being done here.

Is this the BMR SP089 front with a stock Non-HP rear spring? If so what would my HP rear springs mess up the stance?

MY FRONT END (with 19" and Steeda Sport Progressives)

HAMMOND'S FRONT END (with 20" and BMR Suspension of some kind)

Sponsored