Coilovers in a convertible install

[steinbergjonny]

I have a 2008 GT convertible - California special package.

I had two questions I'm looking for input on:
1) I've heard there some extra complications of installing coil overs on a convertible, but can't seem to find any details or videos of what those are - anyone know of any or have any first hand experience?
2) knowing my goals for the project, what would you do differently?

The old girl has 130k on her and I think the suspension is tired and ready for a replacement. I'm planning on doing a coilovers kit, as I want to lower the car ~1 inch. I'm looking at the v1 SP performance kit on American muscle.

Goal for the build are to increase handling and reduce body roll, and a sportier look, while still being a comfortable daily driver. Being a convertible this is just a fun weekend cruiser, never going to see the track.

I'm going for some of the lower spring-rates so it's not too stiff, and I'm not planning on upgrading the sway bars as I don't plan to head to the track and don't see the need, but would love to hear others experience.

Pictures for fun....

 

[JC SSP]

Good looking convertible.

Just get quality coil overs.

 

[86GT351]

Oly change is some extra under vehicle bracing.

 

[stkjock]

there is some extra bracing as Jeff mentioned above, I had BMR Subframes added to mine and this required modification of the factory braces, the factory braces you can see in these pics, worst case is you will have to remove/reinstall them but I don't think you will

 

[GriffX]

Comfort is mainly the compression and rebound dampening and less the coil. I have Tokicos with stock springs and I on the firm setting, suspension is undrivable hard on full soft also undrivable. You must find some balance.

 

[steinbergjonny]

Good looking convertible.

Just get quality coil overs.

Thanks!

Any recommendations? A few sets I've been looking at people say the spring rates are too high and it's uncomfortable for daily use... The V1 sr performance ones are lower spring rate which is what drew me to them.

Comfort is mainly the compression and rebound dampening and less the coil. I have Tokicos with stock springs and I on the firm setting, suspension is undrivable hard on full soft also undrivable. You must find some balance.

Thanks.... Greatly appreciated. I'll plan to play around with it or see if there's a recommendation from the manufacturer on where to start.

 

[GriffX]

Nice video about suspension set-up

 

[JC SSP]

Thanks!

Any recommendations? A few sets I've been looking at people say the spring rates are too high and it's uncomfortable for daily use... The V1 sr performance ones are lower spring rate which is what drew me to them.

I don’t have coil overs on my mustang but Steeda sells quality stuff.

2005-2010 Mustang Adjustable Coilovers | Steeda

Looking for the best in 2005-2010 Mustang Adjustable Coilovers for your S197? Look no further than the experts at Steeda to help make your dream Ford a reality. Shop at Steeda today!

www.steeda.com

 

[86GT351]

Contact Steeda and ask to speak to Rodney. Tell him Jeff from Ford told you to call. He will get you situated. 1-800-950-0774 or [email protected]

He has been with the company for many years and his knowledge of chasis and suspension is top notch.

 

[DieHarder]

For what you're using the car for coil overs are overkill. They're primarily meant for track/extreme handling. I think you're going to find they're rather harsh for day to day driving. I'd suggest better shocks/struts and go from there. Many have had good success with Bilstein, Roush, Koni, FRPP, QA1, etc. The best combination I've found for the street are Bilstein B6 Struts/Shocks; Roush springs and GT500 Strut Bearings. Lowers the car about 1/2 to 3/4 in, still compliant while providing a better ride/handling.

Coilovers Explained: What They Do, Benefits, How to Install & Adjust | Low Offset

Coilovers are a popular modification for improving automotive handling. We explain how coilovers work, their benefits and how you can easily adjust them.

low-offset.com

 

[vnikGT]

jonny -thanks for asking the question and also everyone for good responses.
Nice California Special it looks well taken care of.

I am on the same path as jonny.
I have an 08 GT Delux convertible and similar driving habits as jonny.
I just want better handling and a bit of a lowered look and some long distance comfort and the ability to drive on the peppered city streets here in Seattle to get out to the nice country roads.

I hope to accomplish a 1" lower as well.

I read that an adjustable Panhard bar is needed to re center the rear axle after its lowered.
I looked a a lot of posts and reviews on shocks and I decided on the Strange 6 position adjustable rear shock.
(Summit Racing has them and not only were they very customer friendly but shipped my shocks overnight from Reno to Seattle with free shipping).
Not bad.

I found the least amount of negative reviews and some really good reviews on the Strange suspension.
I also read where the Pedders lowering springs worked well for a 1" lower.
I am doing more research on the Pedders which are now toward the top of my list but nothing purchased yet.

I was interested in the Bilsteins but to many have reported a harsh ride.
(My 62 year old bones having had a life full of adrenaline sports require a little more comfort these days)

Some have posted the Roush shocks lack the necessary hardware to install the shock. That is just not acceptable for a brand name like Roush.
These days its a bit of a gamble purchasing on-line sight unseen.
It's great to read the reviews of the products and the detailed reviews are appreciated.
"Back in the day" of analog clocks and analog audio (you may need to Google what Analog is) one could walk into a fully stocked autoparts shop and actually look at the part and see if it actually fits one's car. What a concept.

I also read that bump stop hardware was needed to keep the front end of a lowered car from loosing it's line after hitting a pot hole or road imperfection.
You might look into those, but I don't have first hand experience to report yet.

The front suspension will also be the Strange since I am already in at this point.

That's all I got for now.
I will post my results with the Strange rear shocks as soon as possible.

Not bad for a 16 year old

 

[steinbergjonny]

jonny -thanks for asking the question and also everyone for good responses.
Nice California Special it looks well taken care of.

I am on the same path as jonny.
I have an 08 GT Delux convertible and similar driving habits as jonny.
I just want better handling and a bit of a lowered look and some long distance comfort and the ability to drive on the peppered city streets here in Seattle to get out to the nice country roads.

I hope to accomplish a 1" lower as well.

I read that an adjustable Panhard bar is needed to re center the rear axle after its lowered.
I looked a a lot of posts and reviews on shocks and I decided on the Strange 6 position adjustable rear shock.
(Summit Racing has them and not only were they very customer friendly but shipped my shocks overnight from Reno to Seattle with free shipping).
Not bad.

I found the least amount of negative reviews and some really good reviews on the Strange suspension.
I also read where the Pedders lowering springs worked well for a 1" lower.
I am doing more research on the Pedders which are now toward the top of my list but nothing purchased yet.

I was interested in the Bilsteins but to many have reported a harsh ride.
(My 62 year old bones having had a life full of adrenaline sports require a little more comfort these days)

Some have posted the Roush shocks lack the necessary hardware to install the shock. That is just not acceptable for a brand name like Roush.
These days its a bit of a gamble purchasing on-line sight unseen.
It's great to read the reviews of the products and the detailed reviews are appreciated.
"Back in the day" of analog clocks and analog audio (you may need to Google what Analog is) one could walk into a fully stocked autoparts shop and actually look at the part and see if it actually fits one's car. What a concept.

I also read that bump stop hardware was needed to keep the front end of a lowered car from loosing it's line after hitting a pot hole or road imperfection.
You might look into those, but I don't have first hand experience to report yet.

The front suspension will also be the Strange since I am already in at this point.

That's all I got for now.
I will post my results with the Strange rear shocks as soon as possible.

Not bad for a 16 year old

View attachment 101503

Love yours too!

I ended up going with:
SR performance coil overs from American muscle. I talked with one of the sales agents and these had lower spring rates than others models and would be better for daily driving. Probably overkill, but the ability for adjustment and Id like to think I could autocross it down the road and this would allow that. Also didn't want to mess with spring compressors for the install and i like to do my own wrenching when I can.

Adjustable pan hard bar, might as well while I'm at it

Adjustable camber bolts - recommended by the guy at American muscle to help with getting the wheels closer to stock alignment for daily driving and can always mess with the camber plates if I do go to the track.

Parts are on they're way, and planning to do the installation over Thanksgiving week!

Now just to get the the valve covers painted and new plugs and coils in before the next batch of parts arrive

 

[GriffX]

I read that an adjustable Panhard bar is needed to re center the rear axle after its lowered.
......

I also read that bump stop hardware was needed to keep the front end of a lowered car from loosing it's line after hitting a pot hole or road imperfection.

View attachment 101503

No to the Panhard bar. It's an apple orange compare. From the geometry standpoint an adjustable Panhard is not necessary but they come with PU bushings with less deflection and you should go on a 4 post lift to adjust the length correctly. (or, adjust the length 3 mm longer than the OEM for a 1 inch drop)

The FR bump stops are softer and you get rid of the harsh kick in the rear axle when you hit a pot hole in a corner, I would recommend them.
Very nice car!

My 2 cents

 

[07 Boss]

No to the Panhard bar. It's an apple orange compare. From the geometry standpoint an adjustable Panhard is not necessary but they come with PU bushings with less deflection and you should go on a 4 post lift to adjust the length correctly. (or, adjust the length 3 mm longer than the OEM for a 1 inch drop)

The FR bump stops are softer and you get rid of the harsh kick in the rear axle when you hit a pot hole in a corner, I would recommend them.
Very nice car!

My 2 cents

I think he meant bump steer kit for the front, not bump stops for the rear axle.

Yes returning steering rods to their original geometry will help with that but I haven't noticed too much bump steer after lowering. But my car handles like a pig in corners anyway as it is set up to go in a straight line so cornering is nothing impressive to begin with.

 

[vnikGT]

Love yours too!

I ended up going with:
SR performance coil overs from American muscle. I talked with one of the sales agents and these had lower spring rates than others models and would be better for daily driving. Probably overkill, but the ability for adjustment and Id like to think I could autocross it down the road and this would allow that. Also didn't want to mess with spring compressors for the install and i like to do my own wrenching when I can.

Adjustable pan hard bar, might as well while I'm at it

Adjustable camber bolts - recommended by the guy at American muscle to help with getting the wheels closer to stock alignment for daily driving and can always mess with the camber plates if I do go to the track.

Parts are on they're way, and planning to do the installation over Thanksgiving week!

Now just to get the the valve covers painted and new plugs and coils in before the next batch of parts arrive

 

[vnikGT]

Jonny
LMK how the install goes.
I hope it sits just right.

 

[steinbergjonny]

Well I finally finished up the job in the last few weeks....

In hindsight - it was more work than I really appreciated. Getting the coilovers set up to the right height was a lot of work - jacking up by hand and removing the wheels each time to make an adjustment was the hardest part.

It's a little too stiff for my liking, even on the softest setting. The car corners amazing - all the massive body roll from before is gone, bit, In hindsight I wish I went for struts with lowering springs, at least for now. I'll see if the loosen up some more as they get broken in, but my wife isn't a fan of the harsher ride quality.

I .ade one very critical error in the original install - I tightened the bolts from the coilovers to the lower control arm with the car still on stands. This caused the lower control arms to basically sieze in place and took some researching to figure out what I did wrong. After releasing the bolts and retorquing with the car on the ground things are MUCH better.

I think I'll go another inch or so lower in the front, but with summer here I'm not making any more changes and I'm just enjoying the car as is.

 

[MrBhp]

My car rides infinitely better with coil overs. I was coming from the original Shelby GT suspension, which is way too harsh. I personally love the set-up. I keep the front on the 5 setting, of 12 I think. The rears are set on 2. But I've heard people complain about the harsh ride of their set-up. Maybe that was in comparison to the stock GT dampers.

 

[steinbergjonny]

I was going to try messing around with some of the different settings on the coilovers to see if that changes the ride quality at all.

The other thing that I'm realizing is that my rear suspension is quite squeaky, so I'm guessing all of the suspension bushings are shot too....

But that seems like a nice project for the next winter.

 

[Autokyrios]

Going to coilovers doesn't mean putting up with harshness. There's no reason you can't have a good ride on coolovers on the street. Assuming you have the right springs and the rest of your suspension is setup right, you should be able to dial it in for the street. If anything, coilovers can make it easier to go to far either way (soft/hard).