suspension advice needed
#1
Legacy TMS Member
Thread Starter
suspension advice needed
Hi guys,
I have a 2012 GT, that I put Koni orange into in order to improve the back and forth sway on the highway when going over dips. That did improve.
This summer I bought a 2016 Golf GTI. It handles sooo much better than my Mustang, and is more fun. My Mustang I am keeping, but want it to handle more like my Golf GTI.
What can I do to make it feel more connected to the road? I already have the Koni orange. I do NOT want to lower the car, so lowering springs are out.
Someone mentioned replacing all bushings with polyurethane and to replace the sway bars with stiffer ones. Coilovers were mentioned too, but pricey.
Advice?
I have a 2012 GT, that I put Koni orange into in order to improve the back and forth sway on the highway when going over dips. That did improve.
This summer I bought a 2016 Golf GTI. It handles sooo much better than my Mustang, and is more fun. My Mustang I am keeping, but want it to handle more like my Golf GTI.
What can I do to make it feel more connected to the road? I already have the Koni orange. I do NOT want to lower the car, so lowering springs are out.
Someone mentioned replacing all bushings with polyurethane and to replace the sway bars with stiffer ones. Coilovers were mentioned too, but pricey.
Advice?
#2
Legacy TMS Member
You mentioned the things that would help. Also, changing to wider/lighter wheels and stickier tires should be on the list. I'd throw some LCAs and maybe an UCA/UCA mount to the mix too. Finally, for appearance sake, the "55D springs" are an option that would lower the rear end 1/2" so to level it out with the front. Roush also sells lowering springs that only lower the car 3/4" front and rear, which have a bit higher spring rate. Roush even sells a package that includes almost all of those items together, including the 3/4" springs.
#4
Legacy TMS Member
Originally Posted by jim010
Long time no see Laser! Been awhile since I have been on here.
What is LCA and UCA?
What is LCA and UCA?
The following users liked this post:
jim010 (1/15/17)
#5
Legacy TMS Member
Thread Starter
My driving is strictly street, with some spirited driving on the twisty mountain roads. Budget would be no more than a grand or so, I think (Canadian dollar is really crappy right now). CHanging the control arms would be more than I need, I think.
Panhard bar. I have seen adjustable Panhard bars. What can that do for me?
Panhard bar. I have seen adjustable Panhard bars. What can that do for me?
#6
Hi guys,
I have a 2012 GT, that I put Koni orange into in order to improve the back and forth sway on the highway when going over dips. That did improve.
This summer I bought a 2016 Golf GTI. It handles sooo much better than my Mustang, and is more fun. My Mustang I am keeping, but want it to handle more like my Golf GTI.
What can I do to make it feel more connected to the road? I already have the Koni orange. I do NOT want to lower the car, so lowering springs are out.
Someone mentioned replacing all bushings with polyurethane and to replace the sway bars with stiffer ones. Coilovers were mentioned too, but pricey.
Advice?
I have a 2012 GT, that I put Koni orange into in order to improve the back and forth sway on the highway when going over dips. That did improve.
This summer I bought a 2016 Golf GTI. It handles sooo much better than my Mustang, and is more fun. My Mustang I am keeping, but want it to handle more like my Golf GTI.
What can I do to make it feel more connected to the road? I already have the Koni orange. I do NOT want to lower the car, so lowering springs are out.
Someone mentioned replacing all bushings with polyurethane and to replace the sway bars with stiffer ones. Coilovers were mentioned too, but pricey.
Advice?
#7
Yeah a mild drop spring will give you a great foundation for handling & stance - here is a video showing the before & after of a Steeda suspension ... which won't jeopardize ride quality:
We can help build you a package that fit your needs ... happy to help!
You can email me at tim@steeda.com.
Best Regards,
TJ
We can help build you a package that fit your needs ... happy to help!
You can email me at tim@steeda.com.
Best Regards,
TJ
#8
Legacy TMS Member
I'd highly recommend the Steeda Sport springs.
Along with the Koni Yellow struts/shocks, on my car they eliminated the dive/squat that the factory suspension "offers", and any front/rear bobbing on the highway hasn't been noticed since the spring/strut install either.
It's an inch drop. Not a huge deal, it makes the car look better, and certainly handles/rides better.
Only thing will be that once the car is lowered on factory wheels/tires, the inward-fitting wheels will look odd. You'll want spacers or new wheels that have different offset to fit a little more flush
Along with the Koni Yellow struts/shocks, on my car they eliminated the dive/squat that the factory suspension "offers", and any front/rear bobbing on the highway hasn't been noticed since the spring/strut install either.
It's an inch drop. Not a huge deal, it makes the car look better, and certainly handles/rides better.
Only thing will be that once the car is lowered on factory wheels/tires, the inward-fitting wheels will look odd. You'll want spacers or new wheels that have different offset to fit a little more flush
#9
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Join Date: August 2, 2013
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Definitely springs and sway bars. Plus a panhard. Your Koni's are already valved for stiffer spring rate. I think if you go ~1.0" or so with the drop it will give you a better selection of springs. There are very few brands which make springs with almost no drop, and Lasered already named them.
I would also dial the camber to -1 deg or so to help with cornering grip.
I would recommend at least the front sway. I love my current Steeda/Koni set up. It made the car handle so much better than it did before. It stays flat and I can take corners at ludicrous speeds and not worry about understeer. Car is quite well balanced too. Good luck! You'll be wondering why you didn't do suspension sooner!
I would also dial the camber to -1 deg or so to help with cornering grip.
I would recommend at least the front sway. I love my current Steeda/Koni set up. It made the car handle so much better than it did before. It stays flat and I can take corners at ludicrous speeds and not worry about understeer. Car is quite well balanced too. Good luck! You'll be wondering why you didn't do suspension sooner!
#12
GT Member
Roush makes springs that lower the car 1/2" front and back. I have them combined with the Koni Orange. The amount of squat and dive has been reduced by a lot. It seems almost a consensus that springs are the way to go.
http://www.roushperformance.com/part...2005-2012.html front
http://www.roushperformance.com/part...2005-2012.html rear
While you're at it, you might consider cc plates because you might be pushing the camber limits.
So I have the least amount amount of lowering and maintaining the rake, which I like. You'll also be within budget I think
The biggest cost is the labor to mount the front springs because they will have to take apart the whole assembly again. That's why I'd recommend cc plates otherwise you'd have to take things apart a 3rd time.
When I bought the car, it bobbed up and down like a Galaxy 500.
Looks like this: (The pic has been posted elsewhere here so sorry to those who have already seen it.)
ps: I don't think anything will approximate the ride of your GTI imo. It handles like a top. I have a Fiesta ST and no way in he11 will my Mustang's ride can come close. Cheers.
http://www.roushperformance.com/part...2005-2012.html front
http://www.roushperformance.com/part...2005-2012.html rear
While you're at it, you might consider cc plates because you might be pushing the camber limits.
So I have the least amount amount of lowering and maintaining the rake, which I like. You'll also be within budget I think
The biggest cost is the labor to mount the front springs because they will have to take apart the whole assembly again. That's why I'd recommend cc plates otherwise you'd have to take things apart a 3rd time.
When I bought the car, it bobbed up and down like a Galaxy 500.
Looks like this: (The pic has been posted elsewhere here so sorry to those who have already seen it.)
ps: I don't think anything will approximate the ride of your GTI imo. It handles like a top. I have a Fiesta ST and no way in he11 will my Mustang's ride can come close. Cheers.
Last edited by 14BlackGT; 1/15/17 at 10:27 PM. Reason: added content
#13
Legacy TMS Member
Thread Starter
I do have the GT500 mounts for my Koni orange, but this is all that is done so far.
As for not wanting to drop the ride height, it is for clearing the curbs and my driveway incline.
half an inch may not be so bad.
No one mentioned replacing the bushings?
TJ, I will e-mail later today.
As for not wanting to drop the ride height, it is for clearing the curbs and my driveway incline.
half an inch may not be so bad.
No one mentioned replacing the bushings?
TJ, I will e-mail later today.
Last edited by jim010; 1/16/17 at 08:34 AM.
#14
Legacy TMS Member
Originally Posted by jim010
I do have the GT500 mounts for my Koni orange, but this is all that is done so far.
As for not wanting to drop the ride height, it is for clearing the curbs and my driveway incline.
half an inch may not be so bad.
No one mentioned replacing the bushings?
TJ, I will e-mail later today.
As for not wanting to drop the ride height, it is for clearing the curbs and my driveway incline.
half an inch may not be so bad.
No one mentioned replacing the bushings?
TJ, I will e-mail later today.
I would do the Roush springs, BMR LCAs and UCA (solid, non adjustable parts - you only need adjustable if you were going to drop it more than 1") and MAYbe BMR adjustable panhard bar. The PHB locates the axle left to right. From the factory, the axle is usually shifter over to one side maybe 1/4", which isn't a big deal. Sometimes when you lower, it'll shift to one side more. The new PHB will also have polyurethane bushings, so it could help in making the car feel "tighter" through turns. All of these parts are relatively inexpensive, but when combined they'll greatly add to the surefooted planted feeling of the car.
#15
Legacy TMS Member
Thread Starter
Thanks Laser.
I will price it out. If this will get me to Golf GTI handling, then I am happy.
So on the list:
non adjustable fatter antisway bars
non adjustable control arms
non adjustable panhard bar
maybe higher rate springs if ride height is not dropped much
I will price it out. If this will get me to Golf GTI handling, then I am happy.
So on the list:
non adjustable fatter antisway bars
non adjustable control arms
non adjustable panhard bar
maybe higher rate springs if ride height is not dropped much
Last edited by jim010; 1/16/17 at 01:05 PM.
#16
Legacy TMS Member
I have my OEM panhard bar available if you're interested, as I'm sure a few other hundred guys on here might.
But you probably meant adjustable bar, so you can center the rear axle ...
#17
I do have the GT500 mounts for my Koni orange, but this is all that is done so far.
As for not wanting to drop the ride height, it is for clearing the curbs and my driveway incline.
half an inch may not be so bad.
No one mentioned replacing the bushings?
TJ, I will e-mail later today.
As for not wanting to drop the ride height, it is for clearing the curbs and my driveway incline.
half an inch may not be so bad.
No one mentioned replacing the bushings?
TJ, I will e-mail later today.
#19
#20
Mach 1 Member
i have a 2012 gt brembo with Koni orange, gt500 mounts on stock springs and was thinking about SR lowering springs 1.5 front and rear drop with an adj panhard bar,anyone using these springs? Not looking to go more than 1.5 on the drop,daily driver,just want to get rid of the fender gap with as good or better than stock ride with better handling!Have a Roush uca with a fpp lca that got rid of my wheel hop.