Help with springs/dampeners

[Laker701]

I have been considering a spring and possibly dampener upgrade to my base GT mustang. Only current mods are a 285 square tire set up and a strut tower brace. I have Steeda irs subframe and k braces that I’ll be throwing on when I have some free time over the holidays. the mustang handles pretty good but I’d like to try to reduce the floaty feeling and excess body motion when pushing the car on back roads. The car will never see a track and is mostly a DD for me(have a truck for snow and when the roads are covered in salt)so I’d like to keep it streetable and keep the drop to a minimum. I wanted to ask for feedback on everyone’s experiences if springs would be a worth while upgrade. I was considering either ford performance track springs or Steeda minimum drop but I’m open to suggestions.
My next question would be if I’m doing springs should I do dampeners as well. I don’t mind spending the additional money if it’s worthwhile. I was considering bilstein b6 here but again would like any feedback.

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[MAT1955]

@Laker701 ..... not to answer your question but to compliment your wise choice of adding a strut tower brace. I'm guessing you spent less that $100 and even if a bit more IMO that will be the most important mod you make as it really ties the front end together for such a low cost.

 

[robvas]

Thought about swaybars?

Edit: read this before you waste more money on strut tower and K member braces...

https://www.s197forum.com/threads/bmr-k-member-brace.141927/#post-2548582

 

[MAT1955]

@Laker701 ....by all means click on the link for a super dose of BS. I'd say in 2024 there was a great piece about frame stiffening on Mustang GTs on a Ford Mustang site ...maybe allfordmustangs? EVERY one tested made a difference and is was quantifiable and in the cases of the Mustang GT convertible (I've had a few) the distance is measurable - as in several mm less travel, reduced torsional movement - you name it. My friend who I sold a Mustang convertible added several braces (trunk and frame as I already had the strut tower brace on it). I have only added a tower brace to a mustang convertible and you didn't need caliper or laser to measure the reduced travel. My 2014 convertible came with a strut tower brace as did my 2024 GT premium convertible and my 2026 GT Premium convertible. This was one mod you could really feel - in all driving conditions. Everyone is entitled to their opinions but I call the opinions on that link pure BS.

 

[Laker701]

Thought about swaybars?

Edit: read this before you waste more money on strut tower and member braces...

https://www.s197forum.com/threads/bmr-k-member-brace.141927/#post-2548582

i was planning on looking at sway bars after I do springs and dampeners. It’s my first time doing suspension work to a mustang so I’m trying to do things incrementally. Just want to make sure I can get a feel for how each mods effects the car.

 

[Laker701]

@Laker701 ....by all means click on the link for a super dose of BS. I'd say in 2024 there was a great piece about frame stiffening on Mustang GTs on a Ford Mustang site ...maybe allfordmustangs? EVERY one tested made a difference and is was quantifiable and in the cases of the Mustang GT convertible (I've had a few) the distance is measurable - as in several mm less travel, reduced torsional movement - you name it. My friend who I sold a Mustang convertible added several braces (trunk and frame as I already had the strut tower brace on it). I have only added a tower brace to a mustang convertible and you didn't need caliper or laser to measure the reduced travel. My 2014 convertible came with a strut tower brace as did my 2024 GT premium convertible and my 2026 GT Premium convertible. This was one mod you could really feel - in all driving conditions. Everyone is entitled to their opinions but I call the opinions on that link pure BS.

It did feel like the front end was “stiffer” after I put the strut tower brace in, but I’m also pretty far from being a great track driver so it could easily be placebo effect. At least it wasnt expensive, installed easy, and looks good when I pop the hood.

 

[Silverstone]

@Laker701 Which tower brace did you get?

 

[Laker701]

@Laker701 Which tower brace did you get?

Steeda - got it on sale and install took all of 20 minutes

 

[Jekyll_Hyde]

I have been considering a spring and possibly dampener upgrade to my base GT mustang. Only current mods are a 285 square tire set up and a strut tower brace. I have Steeda irs subframe and k braces that I’ll be throwing on when I have some free time over the holidays. the mustang handles pretty good but I’d like to try to reduce the floaty feeling and excess body motion when pushing the car on back roads. The car will never see a track and is mostly a DD for me(have a truck for snow and when the roads are covered in salt)so I’d like to keep it streetable and keep the drop to a minimum. I wanted to ask for feedback on everyone’s experiences if springs would be a
worth while upgrade. I was considering either ford performance track springs or Steeda minimum drop but I’m open to suggestions.
My next question would be if I’m doing springs should I do dampeners as well. I don’t mind spending the additional money if it’s worthwhile. I was considering bilstein b6 here but again would like any feedback.

Based on ur goals, bilstein b6 and ford performance track springs may give u a rougher ride than u want. I’d look at Steeda min drop springs and Steeda struts based on ur performance/ comfort objectives, they have several to consider.

 

[tj@steeda]

Offer still stands if you want me to put you in contact with one of our build experts to discuss short/long term goals & maximizing your suspension upgrades!

Best,

TJ

 

[Laker701]

Offer still stands if you want me to put you in contact with one of our build experts to discuss short/long term goals & maximizing your suspension upgrades!

Best,

TJ

I would appreciate that - thanks TJ

 

[LouG]

I had adjustable Koni dampers (not dampeners) on an MX5. Being able to adjust rebound/compression is a big help in set up.
I'll be looking for adjustable units when I replace the stock ones on mine. It feels like rebound damping is too soft at the rear.

 

[86pagt]

Ford Performance Track struts and shock… BMR min-drop spring or the Steeda version.. Would be a step up from what came on the performance pack cars, good upgrade, not too low and good ride.. If you want something a little stiffer look at Steeda or BMR Handling spring or Ford Performance Track springs…. M6G forum under suspension has a sticky thread that list the spring rates of various manufacturers and the S550 OEM rates, not sure the rates on the S650… currently I have FP struts and struts with BMR handling springs, Steeda f & r swaybars and Steeda camber plates.. handles great but is stiff which is to be expected... Had BMR min-drop on an S550 with FP struts and shocks and it was not as stiff but still could tell the difference from the oe PP stuff

 

[Laker701]

Ford Performance Track struts and shock… BMR min-drop spring or the Steeda version.. Would be a step up from what came on the performance pack cars, good upgrade, not too low and good ride.. If you want something a little stiffer look at Steeda or BMR Handling spring or Ford Performance Track springs…. M6G forum under suspension has a sticky thread that list the spring rates of various manufacturers and the S550 OEM rates, not sure the rates on the S650… currently I have FP struts and struts with BMR handling springs, Steeda f & r swaybars and Steeda camber plates.. handles great but is stiff which is to be expected... Had BMR min-drop on an S550 with FP struts and shocks and it was not as stiff but still could tell the difference from the oe PP stuff

Thanks for the information. Just one follow up question, did you have any issues with the FP struts and shocks on the s650. Just curious as ford lists them only for the s550, but several retailers list them as s550 and s650.

 

[86pagt]

Thanks for the information. Just one follow up question, did you have any issues with the FP struts and shocks on the s650. Just curious as ford lists them only for the s550, but several retailers list them as s550 and s650.

No issues. I don’t know why some places don’t list 24 and up, Lethal Performance they list it 2015-2026 other might be not updating their websites.

https://www.lethalperformance.com/f...-mustang-track-strut-and-shock-kit-coupe.html

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