Recently picked up a 2005 Mustang GT with 38,000 miles. I want her to handle better overall, corner better without dipping so much but of course without it being too harsh, mostly daily driver and would like to use for some entry level, beginner weekend warrior track work / road racing. I have done tons of research and this is what I have come up with, let me know if this makes sense:
1.Steeda Sport or BMR Springs.
2.Koni SRT Shocks, I have been told that Steeda and Eibach Shocks are not as good, too harsh, true?
3.BMR adjustable Panhard bar.
4.BMR camber bolts, good enough or imperative to use caster camber plates, some venders say bolt are sufficient.

I originally was going to get rear / front sway bars but now I am not so sure if this is necessary, overkill?
* I am getting lots of conflicting information, recommendations regarding front / rear sway bars.
Local Mustang advanced road racer told me a couple of days ago for me to do above but not mess with front / rear sway bars because he feels that the 05-on Mustang GT has more than adequate sway bars especially since the car pushes 300 hp.
He also told me something about the rear due to being a stock axle needs to articulate, etc, something like that.
I was going to go with Steeda or BMR sway bars, what do you guys think?
Of course decent tires and going to go with Hawk HPS brake pads on stock rotors. Thanks, Ger.

 

I think you have the right parts on your list and are on the right path with NOT getting the sway bars. I have basically the same set up your talking about doing and I am very happy with it.

 

Congratulations on your new Mustang! Post up some pictures, we'd love to check it out.

I'm glad to see you're going to build your car to be a road racing car, that's really cool. This isn't as common as it should be since so many Mustangs are built into drag strip cars and trailer queens! You've definitely done all the right research and it sounds like you've narrowed it down some great parts.

1. Both of these springs are going work fine. Depending on the drop you're after, you may want to look into a set of H&R Race Springs, SR Performance Springs or Eibach Pro-Kit Springs. All of these will do the trick!

2. Koni SRT Struts/Shocks are definitely one of the best options on the market for you today. They're affordable and will perform better then most peoples expectations. I don't think you'd have any problems with Eibach Struts/Shocks either, they're not too harsh.

3. BMR makes a good pan hard bar. You definitely want adjustable so that you can re-center your rear after the car is lowered. BMR, Whiteline and J&M all make great adjustable pan hard bars!

4. Weather or not you need camber bolts, plates, alignment or anything at all will depend on your drop. If you don't go lower than 1.5" in the front, you won't need any of the above. You could just get a quick alignment and you'd be good to go. However, anything over that I'd look into a set of camber bolts. They'll definitely be sufficient enough for what you're after!

I don't think a set of Front and Rear sway bars are over kill. The stock sway bars on the 05+ Mustangs are actually pretty thick and aren't really that bad. However, the after market sway bars are far superior over any stock component. It won't hurt you if you keep the stock set up but you'll definitely notice a large difference from an aftermarket set of sway bars.

I hope this information helps you out! Please let me know if you have any questions or need some assistance in the near future.

-Dan

 

Your list looks good. Steeda sport springs and koni str.t s are a really popular combo. Only thing id recommend is drop the camber bolts and get steeda HD adjustable strut mounts. From what I've heard the camber bolts are liable to break if you push the car hard.

 

I don't mean to question what you have heard but I have never heard of a camber bolt breaking. I used them for several years and they showed no sign of wear or stress.

OP No matter how much your dropping your car I would at the very least get the camber bolts. The insides of the tire tend to wear before any drop at all and it will get worse with any kind of a drop. Just be sure to tell the alignment shop you have them so they can adjust things properly.

 

Wow I am still confused whether or not aftermarket sway bars are a benefit or a liability for what I am trying to do. I get conflicting info from even the pros. Geez. Thanks for your help. Ger.

 

Hey Glen,

So you are running stock sway bars? If so, with the Koni SRT and lowering springs are you getting less body roll, dipping when cornering? Stock it dips too much when taking turns. Thanks, Ger.

 

Whoops, I meant Glenn. Thanks, Ger.

 

From what I have learned over the past 7 years if your not going to go with after market springs then yes get the sway bars. I wanted my car to take turns at the speed limit what ever that happened to be, and with my setup I am very happy with the outcome. I am not a race car driver I don't go to the track and I usually don't drive like a insane lunatic.

I do like to drive in a spirited manner and I usually don't slow down a whole for turns. I had the pro springs on with the Tokico shocks and struts. Hated the ride. They make you feel every pebble and crack in the road. It handled well but wasn't worth the loss of a nice ride I have now.

I would only add sway bars if I got them for like 75% off list price.

 

Which Tokico shocks did you have? I'm debating on D-Spec or Koni adjustable. I want a good ride on the street but I might be taking her to the track next year occasionally.

 

I had the non adjustable hp's.

Call this guy he is a racing champion/ driver/ knows his stuff first hand and a mustang guy to boot. Don't know how competive his prices are but parts are worth a few buck more when they come with advice from a guy like Sam
Sam Strano http://www.stranoparts.com/

 

Let us know if we can help you out, we've tested all the suspension parts we sell to offer a good experience and recommendation for what your goals are. We have multiple cars ranging from 400hp Boss mustangs to 900hp GT500's on our staff. We've tested anything you can think of and all of us have different driving characteristics We know what works not only on the track and drag strip but most importantly, on the street as well. My line is always open

Jason
734 306 5231