Soon-to-be Dark Horse owner - suspension and stop the hop upgrade path

[Dark Sprite]

Hi everyone

With the departure of performance focussed V8s from the wider market, getting one now seems like a 'now or never' moment for me and the time is almost here (I have been waiting for stock to come in since last August), with my car due to arrive next month I am beyond excited! I've been drooling over the Dark Horse for the past 2 years (and Mustangs in general for much longer than that!) and I have newly joined the forum but have been researching on here for a while, managing to pick up some really useful info.

Use Case - The DH will be my daily driver and once-a-month track car (occasionally drift meets too), doing lots of highway miles - the roads are in mostly very good condition (smooth, no potholes, no rain, always warm-hot). I will drive it stock for a while, so that I have a reference point to compare the upgrades to, but fairly soon I want to make the following upgrades:

The Upgrades -(i) lower the car for a more aggressive look and to improve handling on the circuit/reduce sway, etc. (handling pack is not available here, so I might order the HP splitter too) and (ii) install a "Stop The Hop" kit to help with launches and to improve track handling. I am aware that these upgrades improve grip/traction so might be counterintuitive when it comes to drifting but as that is purely a recreational/occasional thing for a bit of sideways fun, we can ignore that.

The Parts -

Steeda Mustang MagneRide Sport Progressive Lowering Springs - I've decided on these over the dual rates, as the car will be my daily driver, so I don't want to compromise road comfort in any material way. I've read that it is recommended to get the Steeda Mustang Camber Plates if making this upgrade, is this actually necessary and do Ford auto service centres typically know how to install and adjust them, or will I need to find a specialist auto centre to do it? I don't have the equipment or experience (or time!) to raise the car at home to work on it myself.

Steeda 'Stop The Hop' Kit - I don't know which one is right for me, at a minimum I want to install Steeda's Street Starter Kit but I would also want to get the improvements from a more enthusiast-focussed kit if it doesn't compromise daily driver comfort too much or increase NVH. First question on this upgrade, as the car is a DH am I limited to the Steeda kits that state they are "w/Brembo" - in which case I think it's a choice only between the "Steeda Mustang w/ Brembo 'Stop Hop' Ultimate Street Kit" and the Steeda Mustang w/ Brembo 'Stop The Hop' Ultimate Handling Kit (the difference being that the latter just adds their Adjustable Differential Bushing Insert System). So second question on this mod, does the bushing insert materially increase NVH?

Spacers - I might upgrade to wider wheels after some time but not right away, so if keeping the stock wheels would you recommend adding spacers to improve the car's stance with the lowered setup?

Others - Any other upgrades you would recommend (keeping in mind it's a daily driver)? And no, I don't want a supercharger...

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[bountifulgoose]

Oil catch cans, think auto air filters, carbon trap delete, h pipe/x pipe or full catback(awe,borla, corsa.

 

[Dark Sprite]

@bountifulgoose are oil catch cans actually worthwhile if it doesn’t have a supercharger?

 

[kylesteeda]

Steeda H-pipe to help get that deeper muscle car tone. I would also look into a cold air intake and a tune. I would also definitely go with some camber plates to address your front camber after lowering. Especially if you plan on tracking the car.

I would also consider the Steeda strut tower brace as well as the front and rear sway bar kit with adjustable end links.

I think once you lower the car you will probably want to go with spacers to get the stance right. Depending on tire size, you may have to go with spacers to prevent rubbing. If you need anything, we are available here at Steeda. Just give us a call!

 

[bountifulgoose]

@bountifulgoose are oil catch cans actually worthwhile if it doesn’t have a supercharger?

Yeah, they definitely work. I check mine once every 1k miles and will get like half a shot glass worth of oil out of em.

 

[Dark Sprite]

Yeah, they definitely work. I check mine once every 1k miles and will get like half a shot glass worth of oil out of em.

Thanks, I'll do a bit of research on catch cans. Would it be either of these ones:

- Steeda Mustang 5.0L Premium Oil Separator (2024-2025) SKU: 555 3727 | MPN: 555-3727
- Ford Performance Supercharged Mustang 5.0L Air/Oil Separator Kit - Left & Right (2024-2026) 161 M-6766-A50DSC
- Plug N Play™ SC Oil Catch Can Separator (fits 2024 Mustang GT) UPR 1 review Vendor: UPR Products SKU: 5028-292

The Ford one is double the price of the other two. Saw a really simple install video for the UPR!

 

[bountifulgoose]

I went with Ford because I used some point to knock a couple hundred off the price. But UPR is awesome too.

 

[BimmerDriver]

... the roads are in mostly very good condition...

Where is "GCC"?

I suggest that you stay stock (as you mentioned) as long as possible before spending all of that time and money. The car is pretty darn good right out of the box.

You could perhaps improve the sound system, if that's of any interest.

 

[tj@steeda]

Hi everyone

With the departure of performance focussed V8s from the wider market, getting one now seems like a 'now or never' moment for me and the time is almost here (I have been waiting for stock to come in since last August), with my car due to arrive next month I am beyond excited! I've been drooling over the Dark Horse for the past 2 years (and Mustangs in general for much longer than that!) and I have newly joined the forum but have been researching on here for a while, managing to pick up some really useful info.

Use Case - The DH will be my daily driver and once-a-month track car (occasionally drift meets too), doing lots of highway miles - the roads are in mostly very good condition (smooth, no potholes, no rain, always warm-hot). I will drive it stock for a while, so that I have a reference point to compare the upgrades to, but fairly soon I want to make the following upgrades:

The Upgrades -(i) lower the car for a more aggressive look and to improve handling on the circuit/reduce sway, etc. (handling pack is not available here, so I might order the HP splitter too) and (ii) install a "Stop The Hop" kit to help with launches and to improve track handling. I am aware that these upgrades improve grip/traction so might be counterintuitive when it comes to drifting but as that is purely a recreational/occasional thing for a bit of sideways fun, we can ignore that.

The Parts -

Steeda Mustang MagneRide Sport Progressive Lowering Springs - I've decided on these over the dual rates, as the car will be my daily driver, so I don't want to compromise road comfort in any material way. I've read that it is recommended to get the Steeda Mustang Camber Plates if making this upgrade, is this actually necessary and do Ford auto service centres typically know how to install and adjust them, or will I need to find a specialist auto centre to do it? I don't have the equipment or experience (or time!) to raise the car at home to work on it myself.

Steeda 'Stop The Hop' Kit - I don't know which one is right for me, at a minimum I want to install Steeda's Street Starter Kit but I would also want to get the improvements from a more enthusiast-focussed kit if it doesn't compromise daily driver comfort too much or increase NVH. First question on this upgrade, as the car is a DH am I limited to the Steeda kits that state they are "w/Brembo" - in which case I think it's a choice only between the "Steeda Mustang w/ Brembo 'Stop Hop' Ultimate Street Kit" and the Steeda Mustang w/ Brembo 'Stop The Hop' Ultimate Handling Kit (the difference being that the latter just adds their Adjustable Differential Bushing Insert System). So second question on this mod, does the bushing insert materially increase NVH?

Spacers - I might upgrade to wider wheels after some time but not right away, so if keeping the stock wheels would you recommend adding spacers to improve the car's stance with the lowered setup?

Others - Any other upgrades you would recommend (keeping in mind it's a daily driver)? And no, I don't want a supercharger...

Give me a shout - let's set-up a consultation & decide what your current/future plans are & what kit will be the best for you - you can reach me at [email protected].

Have a great night.

TJ

 

[tj@steeda]

Here are some of the upgrades mentioned:

 

[MCS]

I second the Steeda H Pipe.

As a fellow DH owner it changed the experience of driving the car. Add a blower on it and get ready to get sideeye from eye cop in the city.

I run a YouTube channel where I do silent vlogging of my life and any time I have posted clips of my DH driving people have asked about the exhaust system cause they can hear it wind out. It sounds glorious.

 

[Dark Sprite]

Where is "GCC"?

I suggest that you stay stock (as you mentioned) as long as possible before spending all of that time and money. The car is pretty darn good right out of the box.

You could perhaps improve the sound system, if that's of any interest.

Gulf countries. I went to the dealership to check out the car, as they finally had some Dark Horses in stock and I hadn't seen one up close yet, and pictures do not do this car justice, it looks so damn good even at its stock setting!

Give me a shout - let's set-up a consultation & decide what your current/future plans are & what kit will be the best for you - you can reach me at [email protected].

Have a great night.

TJ

Thanks man, will do.

Here are some of the upgrades mentioned:

I've watched a bunch of Steeda videos and this is what sold me on the necessity for the STH kit! But there are so many different grades of the kit I don't know which one is right for me.

 

[jml]

hi,
After lowering my 650 the front suspension geometry was apparently impacted, the front became too vague curbing at higher speeds, specially when going downhill.
So I’m looking into installing the Steeda bump-steer kit 555-8179
and the Steeda Front Lateral Links w/ Extended Ball Joint 555-4919.
Not inexpensive parts, but for the type of drive you are mentioning, if you lower the car I’m guessing you will have the same issue.
Stop the hoop kit is an absolute must.

 

[Dark Sprite]

hi,
After lowering my 650 the front suspension geometry was apparently impacted, the front became too vague curbing at higher speeds, specially when going downhill.
So I’m looking into installing the Steeda bump-steer kit 555-8179
and the Steeda Front Lateral Links w/ Extended Ball Joint 555-4919.
Not inexpensive parts, but for the type of drive you are mentioning, if you lower the car I’m guessing you will have the same issue.
Stop the hoop kit is an absolute must.

Can you explain a bit more what you mean about the impact lowering your suspension had? What springs did you use and did you change anything else? GT or DH?

 

[jml]

Hi,
GT PP magneride.
But it doesn’t matter, the DH will have the same issue. It’s a front suspension geometry issue that impacts the front roll center of the car and makes it more prone to it (I’m not an expert). When you lower the car it always happens but it seems the 650 is more sensitive to it than the 550.
This is why Steeda (and others) make these parts, just in the 650 they are VERY expensive because the front suspension Lateral Links are made of alu

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