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I have done some mods to my car (Tune, CAI, Driveshaft and Axel Back Borla) and I think I'm pretty good for now.
I would however like to look at suspension as I can't stand the fender gap anymore. My question is, is that I know the Brembo package has a beefier suspension on it.
Would it make sense to upgrade? I've been looking at Koni shocks/struts and Eibach springs. I know I need a Panhard bar etc. I also see sway bars and other replacement parts.
Can anyone offer any advice into what I should be looking at? I don't want to get too crazy but would like to lower it and improve it if I can.
I think the Brembo package included slightly stiffer and shorter springs than the regular GT, but the difference is so small that you might not even be able to tell.
A moderate lowering of about 1" in the front and 1.25 or so in the back (to reduce the downward rake) is generally pretty reasonable, reduces the fender gap and tightens things up a bit without causing any major issues. It is always a trade off; lowered car means less suspension travel which requires stiffer springs, and a lower car is more likely to hit stuff, nothing you can do about that.
Beware that some of the Eibach springs are very stiff, or so I have read; so be aware of which ones you are getting. The matched sets of struts/springs are nice because they are pre-assembled, but they do limit your choices.
Thanks Bert, duly noted. I have been researching and reading reviews for months, totally overwhelmed. There's so many options and of course all the reviewers like their purchases so I try to take them with a grain of salt. If the Eibach's are stiff I'll focus on the STRs then. I did want to keep it OEM like but I guess that is not possible.
Also, maybe I will look past the kits and buy individually if I have to. I would love it if someone just said 'buy these' lol.
My car is on Vogtland Springs with Koni Sport Struts and Shocks, not OEM but I actually like to Corner. Years ago Vogtland actually sold a leveling Kit that was .8/1.2 but I do not see it listed for the GT anymore. They are very stiff though
You could also look at Roush, but I would talk to someone there since the Roush is 1/1 and more like a .5/.5 on yours since Roush says .5 on the 11-14 on the front and the Brembo GT I thought was .50 lower than the stock GT
Mine with the Vogtland and 255/40 19 front and 295/35 19 rear (same height)
Very nice! I'd be ecstatic if mine turned out like that. Ok, based on what I see maybe I should go with Koni's and STR springs. When I said OEM I didn't mean it had to be just that I like the ride but a little stiffer wouldn't be that bad. I think I'm going to forgo the sway bars and lca for now but from what I read I need an adjustable Panhard bar as well.
I'm pretty sure that "STR" is the name of the Koni struts, also known as "Koni Orange" ; I don't know of springs by that name, but I could have missed them.
A pretty good set-up for what you want is: Steeda Sport springs on Koni STR struts and shocks. The Steeda Sport springs lower the car about 1" in the front and 1.25" in the back (based on standard GT springs). The springs are a little stiffer than stock, but not a lot stiffer.
You should probably replace the upper strut mounts with the GT500 mounts at the same time; if you do that, then you want the struts and shocks that are for the GT500 or the pre-2011? GT.
Mild lowering like this will give you some negative camber (in the front), probably around -0.7 degrees which is borderline for the factory alignment spec. This "might" cause some uneven tire wear, but most likely no issue. They say you can reverse the upper mounts to reduce this, but I haven't tried it myself.
The rear axle likely will be a little off-center. If you look at it right now, it is probably a little off center. This can be corrected with an adjustable panhard bar if it bothers you.
There are a few other modifications that can also be done to "optimize" the whole set-up, but generally aren't really "needed."
Yeah I was thinking about SR springs you are correct. I'm not sure about the mounts? One is $500 and the other $300 but are they necessary?
I also don't understand what you mean by the GT500 mounts. I remember seeing a comment about them not being needed, only if you were putting on pre '10 Konis?
Yes the GT500 mounts are if you use the 2010 back Struts, I went with the Boss 302 Mounts on mine since the Strut mounts are notorious for falling apart when removing them.
the key thing with the mounts, is they have to be matched to the struts and springs
The "GT500 upper strut mounts" are the mounts that were used on GT500; heavier duty upper strut mounts, compatible with the 2005-2010 GT's; recommended replacements for the original 2005-2010 mounts, which were known for premature failure and "popping."
I believe the "GT500" mounts are compatible with 2005-2010 struts and springs; the Boss 302 mounts would be for 2011-2014 struts and springs. I guess the Boss 302 are probably the same as the GT500 mounts, except packaged with a different depth for different strut length. Pretty sure the difference between the years on the struts is the length, to be compatible with the mounts.
