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you don't NEED all that stuff. Wade just has an addiction like the rest of us
For lowering the car you only need the springs, shocks/struts, adjustable panhard rod (sometimes), and some heavier duty upper strut mounts (the original GT ones are infamous for distorting under the force of lowering springs which makes them "pop" over big bumps).
Then there are optional things to correct your suspension geometry, like long stem ball joints (i.e. steeda X5), bumpsteer kits, control arm relocation brackets, adjustable control arms (easiest if you just go with the adjustable UCA). Depends on what you want your car to do. If its doing track duty, you'll probably want some of the optional items. If its just cruising on the street, save your cash for something else.
See that's what all I've learned, but when I learned it was with intentions of putting the steeda ultralites on my car. Now I've decided they won't be low enough, but I've always heard if you go lower than 1.5" then you open another can of worms with all the above mentioned stuff. And I'm sure I could just add it after I get it lowered if I need all that. Thanks for clearing that up!
But I do still wonder... If being lowered that much will wear your front suspension out making the ball joints and etc. where they need to be replaced
I'd try to keep it down to as few alignments as possible for $$$ reasons. Every time you take apart the front suspension (struts, ball joints, upper strut mounts, tie rods, control arms) you basically have to get the car aligned, so I would do everything you're going to do to the front end all at once. Or in two year increments when your car would be due for an alignment anyway <time between alignments may vary>.
Durability I couldn't really say. I've had my suspension for 50k mi or so and I did have to replace the ball joints once (40k aft install, steeda x5's I installed when I lowered the car), but i don't know if I used too much force when I pressed them in the factory control arms.
I'd try to keep it down to as few alignments as possible for $$$ reasons. Every time you take apart the front suspension (struts, ball joints, upper strut mounts, tie rods, control arms) you basically have to get the car aligned, so I would do everything you're going to do to the front end all at once. Or in two year increments when your car would be due for an alignment anyway <time between alignments may vary>.
Durability I couldn't really say. I've had my suspension for 50k mi or so and I did have to replace the ball joints once (40k aft install, steeda x5's I installed when I lowered the car), but i don't know if I used too much force when I pressed them in the factory control arms.
Hmm those are two good things to consider. I had heard about do it all at once, but I hadn't considered that I'd have to get an alignment every time I do something after that.
Thanks for the very helpful input cavero! These are good things to think about. Usually people don't really help with suspension advice, so its much appreciate. I'll let you know what I end up doing.
Here is the latest on my "restoration". I am mostly going back to a stock look for Whinnie. Just got my replacement flat spoiler back from the paint shop today.
I had put a GT style pedestal spoiler on in 2011. One of the allen head bolts had gotten stripped. It was a real panic moment then, my kind neighbor came to the rescue!
Next come the rocker panel stripes and the silver Bullitt rims. And, repainting my V6 wheels silver again.
Last edited by unnoticedtrails; 3/6/14 at 07:58 PM.
Just brought this '06 home last week as a project to keep me out of the wife's hair. And her being the good sport she is, I got her blessings on the purchase. What a woman. 89K 5 speed, and purrs like a kitten.
Very nice! Everything looks all neat and tidy. Car looks very clean. So what are you planning in your project? Other than the mileage what needs to be done? So mods? It looks like it is ready for a car show.
Shane, right now it's just the usual maintenance items, tires, battery, cleaning this & that, etc. I had all sorts of plans before I bought this one, but it's so nice and stock I may just go with a few cosmetics items to start, hood/side scoops, maybe a nice set of strips, or new wheels. I gave it a good detailing yesterday, and was surprised at how the TG reacted to the light. I will be taking it on sea trials tomorrow. Taking it to Myrtle Beach SC for a few weeks should give me a good idea of it's true merits.
Finally an update. After taking "GreyKar" on it's sea trials (that went well) she's had all the fluids changed, TB & MAF cleaned, new tires & brakes, serpentine, fuel filter, and a set of new plugs. The only mod so far is a set of FR500's that sound great. The little thing runs so good I'm leaving it stock for now, but if and when the time comes all bets are off the table.
2/20/13, 07:38 AM
