Rog13GTCS

I am finally getting around to lowering my car this spring, and the parts are almost all in. Waiting on the GT500 strut mounts, hopefully they will arrive tomorrow. I've learned a lot over the past 2 years reading all of the different posts, and living vicariously through all of you reading all of the great things you've done modding your cars. I"m totally envious.

The Parts list: Steeda Sport Spring, Panhard bar and Brace, and the Billet LCA's - these are a thing of beauty. GT500 strut Mounts, Koni STR.T (orange), and Whiteline LCA relocation brackets. I think thats all.

I decided to tackle this project myself. Thus far I've installed the Panhard bar and brace, and LCA's and Relocation Brackets. I found that trying to torque the bolts to 129 ft/lb while on your back under jack stands is a PITA. Lol. For me it was difficult trying to get the right amount of leverage. And in the process of torquing that last bolt down, being tired, I was careless, and my wrench slipped off and not only did I smash the crap outta my middle finger I broke the the tip of it. It's all swollen and bruised. I have to keep it elevated. lol. Anyway, I finally prevailed and I torq'd that bolt down. With that said, typing is really difficult with a splint.

I took her on a 20 mile or so trip to test, and I can tell a difference in the rearend. I'm attributing it to the new LCA's. They really feel solid and push the car forward. I wont be able to tell how much they help with wheel hop until it rains. I've only experienced it during wet weather.

No NVH!! Or any noticeable NVH. I had the radio off was listening for any new squeaks or other noises. Nothing. I'm thrilled about that.

I'm hoping I can get the shocks and springs installed next weekend to finish out this phase.

Speaking of shocks. I was going to replace the washers and bushings for the rear shocks as seen in the picture. Where should I get new ones? There weren't any that came with the rear shocks. Wasnt sure of part numbers or quality ones to purchase.

Special thanks to the TMS community for a great place. Jay at Hypermotive. He/they are everything you've read in other posts Products were well packaged and delivery was quick, and he's very helpful. In the words of the Terminator, Jay. I'll be back. Thanks to Mr. V for his build thread and answering my Q's.

Mr. V

I'm glad everything is turning out so far! I can't wait to see your pics.

Jay@Hypermotive

Thanks brother, let us know if you have any questions at all during your install

CiniZter

post pics when u r done..

lakeguy77

Sounds like a great package, can't wait to see it.

Rog13GTCS

I had the struts shocks and springs installed yesterday, and it looks good. I'm working on detailing the car this afternoon, since we've had rain past 3 days. Today 50 and sunny. I'll work on posting some pictures later.

I didnt notice this yesterday, but today I'm hearing a vibrating/rattling in the rearend. I'm only hearing it if I go over a bump, or uneven road surfaces. At first I thought I was throwing rocks, or gravel in the wheel well or undercarriage. But it has a metal sound to it.

I'll check the bolts to see if they are torqued correctly, but I am thinking it might be the springs. On smooth even surface it is quiet, only when the rear has to articulate is the noise present.

Any one else have a similar issue after you lowered, or would you have an idea where/what I might look for? Help would be appreciated. Because this is going to drive me nuts.
Thanks.

MustangDude

I just placed an order with Steeda for my suspension. Ultralite springs, Panhard bar, sway bar set, struts/shocks, UCA and bracket and LCA's with relocation brackets. Complete Steeda makeover for my 2014 GT. I will follow your posts here to see how it turns out for you. I will post when I get my parts. I also am going to install there CAI with tune. Like the fact that with the Steeda suspension, I am reducing unsprung weight.

Rog13GTCS

Some Pictures of her lowered. Washed and did some detailing. Not my best effort, but I figure something is better than nothing. The Springs did a good job of leveling the car out. One inch doesnt sound like much of a drop but it is noticeable. It isnt so low that I've encountered any issues like bottoming out scraping etc.

I took a 25 mile ride, and I didnt hear the noises I heard earlier. There may have been a couple, but nothing like this morning. Hoping that was attributed to them settling in. Going to keep an eye out for this.

The ride over all is not bad. It is more firm than stock. It isnt going to knock a filling out or bruise my kidneys. By the time it breaks in , I'll be used to it. I spent the last 2 years on stock suspension. Now I cant wait for a track day!

lakeguy77

That looks lower than I was expecting on those springs. Did you by chance measure before/after to see what your actual drops were, or do the 05-09 style struts with GT500 mounts drop the car a little further than the spec on the springs themselves?

MustangDude

The sport spring lowers 1" front, 1.25" rear.

Your car looks great lowered. Did you think the ride what harsher than you expected?

MyStang2010GB

looks really good lowered

lakeguy77

I know what the Steeda spec is, but reality is often different from the number in the catalog. I'd like to know what his true drops are, if measured. Plim posted his after pics last night in his thread, same dampers, same mounts, but Eibach springs instead. They say 1.0/1.5 but both front and rear look higher than this Steeda setup. Plim measured before and after, I'm asking because I'd like to know if it's a lighting/camera issue or if this thing is in fact lower than expected.

Rog13GTCS

No, I didnt. I forgot to measure the before. I do have the after. After measure LF 28 3/16, LR 28 1/4, RR 28 3/8 RF 28 5/16 The right side seems slightly higher (1/8 inch) than the left. Could be attributed to me not being 100% accurate in my measuring. I am not able to tell or see the difference. I was using a plumb to get the tape measure lined up correctly.

When I took the pictures I was down at eye level or close to it. Some of the other lowered pics from other members they appear to be standing so I think they look different showing their gap.

I do not know the answer to the GT500 mounts with the Koni's it that drops it more. It shouldnt.

The wheels/tires are 19 245 45 to give you some additional perspective.

Is the ride more harsh than I expected? I was driving the "Dad Minivan" before the Mustang. Our past few cars were family cars with a softer ride. Going from the minivan to the Mustang, I thought the stock was firm, but I quickly got used to it.

Comparing stock to new, it is more firm, I would not say harsh. I'm still getting used to it. I went on a drive this morning on the Highway and it was smooth not unruly. I did hit a spot where the concrete dipped in one section. I was driving 75-80 and I definitely felt it. The car didnt float like it would have with the stock suspension.

I also went over speed bumps in a parking lot and I didnt scrap, touch or anything so I'm happy about that. I am going to need to watch when pulling into parking spots with a curb not to pull too far forward or it is going to have bad consequences.

I hope that helps. I am not unhappy at all with the ride so far. I'll update after I've had a chance to get more mileage on them, and a chance to drive it daily and on some trips.

I do think that camera angles, wheel/tire sizes play a role in the pictures and what the gaps are showing. It is difficult to tell on the internet, without seeing it in person and riding in a car how much more firm the ride will be.

If you havent looked at them you might want to check out BMR springs. They give the 1 in front 1.25 rear drop, but they are close to the stock ride from what I've read. Depending what you want to do with your car they may or may not work. I've read they arent the best for Auto-x, or road courses, a little too soft. I think they are great for DD and the guys who drag seem to like them as well.

I decided on this set up after talking with a couple member and Jay at Hypermotiveperformance. I would like to do a couple track days a year, and couple Autox events. I want to work up to the Texas mile and try a Open road event.

Rog13GTCS

Here is the best shot I could find before the lower from the side. Taken last year. Double click image to enlarge, and it will give you an idea on the rear wheel gap.

lakeguy77

It must be a combination of the CS rims and the color of your car or shadows or something, I'm just not seeing as big wheel gaps on the stock photo...and your measurements are slightly less drop in the front than Plim got, and about the same in the rear, but Plim's also taken his for a good long drive already and that would have got some settling happening. Will be interesting to see how much yours settle.

Either way, you guys aren't making my decision making process any easier.

Stage_3

Car looks killer Roger!

M88K

Looks great! I lowered my '13 GT little over a year after buying it. I went with the Hotchkis springs and LCAs, with the whiteline relocation brackets. After about 6 months, I started hearing a pop coming from the rear whenever I back out of a parking spot and start to drive away. Going over bumps doesn't replicate the pop, but I'm taking it in tomorrow to see if Ford can find the pop coming from the rear.

Rog13GTCS

Ok so the noise I experienced Saturday reared its head again on my drive home. Between my Sunday 35 mile drive and my 15 mile to work commute it was quiet.

On my drive home it started making the chattering or buzzing noise from the rear end again on certain road conditions, rough pavement, or dips around expansion gaps, the bumps between concrete pads.

I didnt check anything since it was quiet on Sunday thinking it was the springs settling in. Since it came back I'm not sure.

If anyone has run into something similar advice would be appreciated on what to check. If I cant figure it out I'll need to take it back to the shop, which is somewhat inconvenient.

M88K

Hey guys,
I just wanted to post an update on the noise I was experiencing. I took it into the dealer to have them put it on the lift to see if they could pinpoint the popping noise. They came back to me and said it was definitely the modified suspension pieces.

I decided to put the car on the ramps and loosen every component, and re torque everything. Sure enough, when I backed out of the driveway, the pop was gone. It's been a month now and it's still perfect.

My car is a daily driver, I hit three sets of speed bumps going into the parking garage at work, and I never hear a squeak anywhere.

If anyone is considering lowering, I'd highly recommend the Hotchkis springs, coupled with the rear LCA's and Whiteline relocation brackets. I know its not the best as far as performance, but it gives the Mustang an even wheel well gap in the front and rear.

2007s197

It's been close to a year so how do you like the suspension mods now?
How was your alignment with the GT500 mounts?
Ever find the source of the rear noise?