DH (w/HP) Owners with Superchargers Installed: who has done stiffer front springs?

[mks]

Not long after my SC was installed, I could immediate feel (maybe I mean imagine, IDK) the difference in the front-end behavior: car felt heavier under braking, and I was scraping in places where previous I had not.

Now, I’m x2 as cautious as was previously just on daily drives.

I don’t race, track, or drag, and don’t want to go any lower than stock ride height. So, I am looking for a solution to stiffen up the front end. I’m currently in contact with AJ Hartman, Steeda, and my local Ford accessory/customs shop in the hope of finding a workable solution.

Not even sure if there are stiffer front springs compatible for my situation. Internet says the front spring for the DH is 211 lb/in (by comparison, the 2020 GT 500 is 251 up front). I’ve yet to find a spring that might work. But, if there is, I’m guessing something in the range between 250 and 300 would suffice.

Experiences, insights, and, of course, solutions welcome—thanks a bunch in advance.

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[Ninjak]

Morning.

I am running Steeda Ultimate dual-rate MagnaRide lowering springs. I am lower, but the dual rates are great. I would suggest finding a stock ride height spring that is stiffer. Steeda would probably have something for you along those specifications.

 

[mks]

I am running Steeda Ultimate dual-rate MagnaRide lowering springs. I am lower, but the dual rates are great. I would suggest finding a stock ride height spring that is stiffer. Steeda would probably have something for you along those specifications.

I was thinking the same thing. If you don't mind me asking, despite being lowered a bit (1"?) in the front, how's your daily drives? I live in CO, so I contend with lots of road and driveway challenges--ugh.

 

[Ninjak]

I was thinking the same thing. If you don't mind me asking, despite being lowered a bit (1"?) in the front, how's your daily drives? I live in CO, so I contend with lots of road and driveway challenges--ugh.

The ride is great. You would not know I had these suspension mods; well, you know because of the height of the car... LOL. But the wife approves, so that tells you the ride is good.

The dual rates will ride normally in the normal mode, but once I go to sport and track, and the suspension tightens up, you will know. If I push hard, the suspension responds.

These springs were more money, but they were worth every penny IMO. Pic so you can see just how low you can go!

 

[mks]

At first glance, that doesn't look as low as I feared. BTW, incredible DH--love that color.

 

[Sofa King]

If you just want to raise the front a bit without a spring swap, Steeda sells some spacers that can raise it some.

 

[mks]

If you just want to raise the front a bit without a spring swap, Steeda sells some spacers that can raise it some.

Spacers, interesting, hadn't considered that. Sounds like it would be a cheaper solution.

Edit: I was a bit skeptical of this idea, but I checked out steeda's spacer kit for the S5/650s, and it appears that w/the shims you can get to 1/2"--which may be just enough.

Maybe not the total solution...but for $200, maybe worth a shot.

 

[MCS]

So I just went through this same dilema on my DH w/HP.

I had Steeda Sport Progressives on when I first got the car (I also had 20" rims and tires - I'm back to 19" for now). Spring sag was a thing after the SC install. I had less than 4" of clearance from road to splitter and was constantly in a state of anxiety LOL

I swapped from Steeda Sport Progresives to Steeda Minimum Drop springs as that is what they recommend for supercharged street cars. The front springs have a 200 lb/inch rating.

I went from this

To this

After it settled it gave me back about 0.25 - 0.30" in clearance on the front splitter. The PLAN is go back to 20" wheels this winter time.

 

[BrownsReds]

Not long after my SC was installed, I could immediate feel (maybe I mean imagining, IDK) the difference in the front-end behavior: car felt heavier under braking, and I was scraping in places where previous I had not.

Now, I’m x2 as cautious as was previously just on daily drives.

I don’t race, track, or drag, and don’t want to go any lower than stock ride height. So, I am looking for a solution to stiffen up the front end. I’m currently in contact with AJ Hartman, Steeda, and my local Ford accessory/customs shop in the hope of finding a workable solution.

Not even sure if there are stiffer front springs compatible for my situation. Internet says the front spring for the DH is 211 lb/in (by comparison, the 2020 GT 500 is 251 up front). I’ve yet to find a spring that might work. But, if there is, I’m guessing something in range between 250 and 300 would suffice.

Experiences, insights, and, of course, solutions welcome—thanks a bunch in advance.

How much weight does the SC add?

 

[MCS]

How much weight does the SC add?

I was told the net weight addition on the whipple is roughly 125-150lbs. I didn't bring the scale down from the bathroom to check

 

[mks]

How much weight does the SC add?

I don't have an exact weight, but based on what I've read, at least 100lbs. That (to me) is a significant weight gain in the front should have concerned the engineers at Ford / Ford Performance. Not complaining, just seems like a lack of holistic oversight when it come to the effect such an addition would have on the rest of the platform.

 

[mks]

@MCS, thanks for the real-world measurement. I'm sticking w/my 19s, but I can see how your gain + the 20s would help you out.

Aside, I get the feeling enough of us have put some genuine pragmatic / heuristic effort into solving this issue--which is really about throwing off the balance of the car. In other words, I feel it's more than merely the direct issue of the additional weight, but how it affects the entire dynamics of the car's drivability.

 

[Sofa King]

You could also drop half that front end weight with a battery relocation to the trunk... just a thought...

 

[mks]

You could also drop half that front end weight with a battery relocation to the trunk... just a thought...

I did think about moving some weight, mainly because I heard (I think) that someone makes a lighter bumper / bumper bar. But something about the effort/process to achieve that weight shift kinda turned me off.

 

[robvas]

You could also drop half that front end weight with a battery relocation to the trunk... just a thought...

Battery is only 30lbs

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