Looking for sharper turning response

[Kaldar142]

So far I feel like my car is pretty solid as far as the chassis/suspension setup is but the steering response is still sloppy to me.

I'm on stock tophats, eibach prokit, d-specs, frpp f+r sways, rear endlinks....etc

I still have the stock front endlinks, would upgrading these help with better steering response?

Also, has anyone had any experience with steedas front control arm bushing? It's cheap and looks like a easy way to improve steering.

Maybe I'm just used to my WRX or the z06 but the stang still doesn't feel very responsive.

 

[mykim72]

subscribing

 

[SoundGuyDave]

The three biggest things that gave me positive effect on turn-in were, in order:

1) Tires: stiffer sidewall, and sticky! (less carcass deflection and slip angle)
2) Alignment: Instead of 1/16" toe-in, run neutral or up to 1/8" toe-out. Adjust to taste. Also, run as much negative camber as you can, it will help overall.
3) Steeda bushing inserts: I ran the black (hard), but it did have a harshness effect. In general, get rid of as much bushing compliance as possible, on both ends of the car.

I haven't played around with spring and bar rates yet, that's slated for next year, after I re-do my suspension for the third time...

My opinion only, YMMV, batteries not included, etc.

The stock endlinks are by no means the weakest link in the suspension. The adjustables are awesome if you can corner-weight the car with shims or coilovers, but that's about it. The stock endlinks, especially up front, have no rubber bushings in them, they're ball-joints at both ends, and bolt directly to the strut and bar. I would take that one off the list.

 

[Kaldar142]

im running the Nitto NT05 285/35s so the sidewall is pretty low and seem stiff to me, i run 35psi all around.

My alignment is -2.0 camber and 0 toe, so thats covered... the car is also my daily driver, what toe would you recommend to start with? i have never messed with toe settings before.

The car has changed dramatically since i put these tires on, but it still needs more improvement... i think i'm going to try the steeda bushings, is it hard to do?

-Joe

edit:

i will be upgrading to coilovers soon (been meaning too for a while) so with stiffer springs and camber plates it should help firm up the steering response a bit too, but i'm just talking from previous experience

 

[SoundGuyDave]

Joe,

It certainly looks like you have the tire and alignment issues settled pretty well. For track useage, I would think hard about running some toe-out, it REALLY helps with turn-in, and if you "count the turns," it's pretty easy to go back and forth between neutral and toe-out. Just crack loose the jamb nuts, spin both tie rods OUT "X" number of turns, and lock them down. After the track session, spin the tie rods back in the same number of turns, and you're done. A dab of paint as a reference mark will work wonders. Finding the right amount of toe-out is a little tricky, but start with 1/16" out, and then compare the turn-in quality with high-speed stability. The more toe-out you run, the less stable you are at high speeds. You'll find a balance pretty quickly. Small changes. Test. Repeat.

Google "string alignment" for how to measure toe at home, it'll save you a bundle on alignments going between track and street settings, and while experimenting.

The Steeda bushings are probably the simplest mod I've done on the car. Cram some Naval Jelly into the steel cup in the lower control arm bushing and let sit for a while to scour out the rust, then clean it out, buff out the cup with emery cloth, and push the bushing setup onto the end of the factory piece. Lock down with an allen key, and you're done. No alignment work required, no special tools, and it can be done without removing ONE SINGLE THING from the car.

I'm doing coilovers over the winter myself. Most likely the Ground Control kit (track/school ride stiffness). What are you looking at for your car? Mine's not a DD, but I do drive it to and from the track, so I don't want to go overboard on spring rates just yet.

 

[Kaldar142]

Hmm... looks like something to experiment with, hehehe.

I actually work at a shop so the whole alignment thing is free, but its still a PITA to go up and down on the alignment rack

I may try the steeda bushings, although i have been considering upgrading to the BMR A-arms which i believe wouldn't need to use that bushing anymore, right?

I'm wondering which would actually be better for performance handling-wise.

I'm actually looking at the same exact coilover setup dave, i run Sparco EVOs in my stang with my D specs on full stiff... in other words i don't give a shit about ride quality and practicality/comfort LOL

 

[SlideWRX]

I may try the steeda bushings, although i have been considering upgrading to the BMR A-arms which i believe wouldn't need to use that bushing anymore, right?

I'm wondering which would actually be better for performance handling-wise.

I think the BMR arms would be better; lighter and the bushing is probably stiffer than the stock bushing with the black insert.

I think whiteline has a complete rear busing replacement out now as well.

 

[Kaldar142]

Hmm, ok i'll probably just go for the BMRs then

 

[SD07GT]

Hmm, ok i'll probably just go for the BMRs then

P.M. marksti about the BMR arms he had them on his car before he switched to the Griggs SLA .


He was using the Griggs/Ground Control coilovers in the front with the BMR arms poly version

 

[Kaldar142]

Looks like i'll be picking up a BMR K-member with BMR A-arms and steeda balljoints this weekend.

Driving impressions to follow...

 

[foolio2k4]

Cant wait to see the notice in differences.

 

[EagleStroker]

Looks like i'll be picking up a BMR K-member with BMR A-arms and steeda balljoints this weekend.

Driving impressions to follow...

Damn, your the guy getting those! He was going to meet me half way between Bristol in a few weekends....

 

[Kaldar142]

LOL!! Sorry

 

[Pony DNA]

Kaldar,

What wheels and tires are you running? Please post wheel sizes and tire make model.

Cheers!

So far I feel like my car is pretty solid as far as the chassis/suspension setup is but the steering response is still sloppy to me.

I'm on stock tophats, eibach prokit, d-specs, frpp f+r sways, rear endlinks....etc

I still have the stock front endlinks, would upgrading these help with better steering response?

Also, has anyone had any experience with steedas front control arm bushing? It's cheap and looks like a easy way to improve steering.

Maybe I'm just used to my WRX or the z06 but the stang still doesn't feel very responsive.

 

[Kaldar142]

18x10 +41 all around with 285/35s

Black roush wheels

 

[Sleeper_08]

18 x 9.5 +45 mm Offset Steeda Ultralites with 285/40/18 KDW2s all round