Roush Mustang V6 Lowering Springs

[Yevgen]

Hello everyone!

I'm looking for some advice on upgrading the suspension on my 2008 Mustang V6. I want to improve the handling without making the ride too stiff or lowering it too much. I'm considering installing OEM Mustang GT shocks and struts (F: AST385, R: AST223) along with Roush coil springs to reduce body roll (planning to add a Ford Racing sway bar kit later on).

However, I'm a bit concerned that the Roush springs might make the car too stiff, given that the V6 is lighter than the GT. I've heard that the springs may lower the car by around 0.5 inches, but some say it could be closer to 1.5 inches, which I'm not sure is worth it. I've also read that the Bullitt suspension could be a good option, but it seems to be discontinued.

I'd really appreciate hearing your thoughts or experiences, and if anyone has photos of a similar setup, that would be awesome! Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[DieHarder]

Good choice on springs. The Roush springs will lower the car about an inch. OEM struts/shocks are fine but if you can afford it I'd go for a Bilstein B-6 setup.

 

[Yevgen]

Good choice on springs. The Roush springs will lower the car about an inch. OEM struts/shocks are fine but if you can afford it I'd go for a Bilstein B-6 setup.

Thanks for the reply! So, the Roush springs will lower the car by about an inch, even with the lighter weight of the V6? In that case, would I need a Panhard bar? I'm also trying to stay within budget and can't afford the B-6 setup.

 

[JimC]

When you swap the rear springs be sure to either swap to the shorter Ford Performance bump stop on the rear or cut the top "nipple" off the stock bump stop. If you don't do that it will give really harsh ride.

 

[Yevgen]

When you swap the rear springs be sure to either swap to the shorter Ford Performance bump stop on the rear or cut the top "nipple" off the stock bump stop. If you don't do that it will give really harsh ride.

Thank you for the replay and advice. Do i need to do it even it will lower about half inch or so?

 

[86GT351]

Contact Rodney ate Steeda 954-960-0774. He should be able to give you some direction.

 

[GriffX]

The Ford Performance bump stops are softer and I would recommend them in every case. You don't get that harsh kick from the rear axle anymore.
For me as a party crusher, you never need a shorter panhard bar if you lower the car, the new offset is only a few millimeter. Adjustable panhard bars usually comes with polyurethane bushings which makes it more precise.

PS: If you want to go cheap get some take-off sway bars from the GT, AFAIK the Pony Package had the GT bars.

 

[Juice]

Having run the stock V6 suspension, and the Roush blue shocks and springs in HPDE track days with the 5.0 swap, I offer my review:

The stock V6 stuff is not bad at all. (the Coyote and the 4.0 weigh essentially the same) It performed surprisingly well actually with upgraded front and rear sway bars. (Eibach kit) The Roush stuff is a bit stiffer, but not bad at all for the street.

My current combo, I am running the stock front sway bar that comes with the Pony package, but replaced the rear sway bar with one from a 2013 GT. Good street/HPDE combo for the cost, and lowered the car less than an inch. (The Eiback sway bars moan and groan, had to grease it every other month or so, total PITA.)

 

[JimC]

Thank you for the replay and advice. Do i need to do it even it will lower about half inch or so?

Short answer, yes. If you lower at all and don't replace or shave the bump stops the axle will hit hard and the ride will be harsh.

 

[Yevgen]

Contact Rodney ate Steeda 954-960-0774. He should be able to give you some direction.

Thank you for the replay and contact!

 

[Yevgen]

The Ford Performance bump stops are softer and I would recommend them in every case. You don't get that harsh kick from the rear axle anymore.
For me as a party crusher, you never need a shorter panhard bar if you lower the car, the new offset is only a few millimeter. Adjustable panhard bars usually comes with polyurethane bushings which makes it more precise.

PS: If you want to go cheap get some take-off sway bars from the GT, AFAIK the Pony Package had the GT bars.

Thanks for the reply, got it. I've never noticed any harsh kicks from the rear axle myself. My main goal is to reduce body roll and improve handling, so I'm considering the Ford Performance sway bar kit. I'll also check out the stock rear GT sway bar.

 

[Yevgen]

Having run the stock V6 suspension, and the Roush blue shocks and springs in HPDE track days with the 5.0 swap, I offer my review:

The stock V6 stuff is not bad at all. (the Coyote and the 4.0 weigh essentially the same) It performed surprisingly well actually with upgraded front and rear sway bars. (Eibach kit) The Roush stuff is a bit stiffer, but not bad at all for the street.

My current combo, I am running the stock front sway bar that comes with the Pony package, but replaced the rear sway bar with one from a 2013 GT. Good street/HPDE combo for the cost, and lowered the car less than an inch. (The Eiback sway bars moan and groan, had to grease it every other month or so, total PITA.)

Thanks for the reply. What do you think about pairing stock GT shocks and struts with Roush coil springs? I'm noticing a lot of body roll on the stock suspension (could be due to wear). Someone mentioned they didn't feel much difference after installing the same setup, but it was from an '05 GT(not from 2013), so that could explain it. That's why I'm considering adding the Ford Performance sway bar kit. I attached the photo with my car. Front seems a bit lowered because of ages

 

[Yevgen]

Short answer, yes. If you lower at all and don't replace or shave the bump stops the axle will hit hard and the ride will be harsh.

Ok, thanks will do

 

[48prerunner]

Ive run the roush springs for years now. Is great on the highway i have gt take off sway bars and brakes. Is a little stiff on some of the rough back roads after 4 hr road trip. I have koni struts and shocks. have to readjust headlights after lowering springs

 

[Yevgen]

Ive run the roush springs for years now. Is great on the highway i have gt take off sway bars and brakes. Is a little stiff on some of the rough back roads after 4 hr road trip. I have koni struts and shocks. have to readjust headlights after lowering springs

Thanks for the response! It's a bit disappointing to hear that the Roush springs are stiffer than I expected. I remember taking my Mustang on a long cruise—over 1,000 km —and the ride was pretty comfortable. I was hoping for something with a bit more balance between stiffness and comfort for long trips. Do you have any recommendations for a setup( maybe only coil springs without Koni?) that's a bit more forgiving on rough roads without sacrificing too much performance?"

 

[GriffX]

Change the sway bars first and then decide afterwards.

PS: I see often cars with Ukraine numberplates in my small town, almost much newer cars than my fellow countrymen can afford, especially compared to cars from Bulgaria or Romania.

 

[Yevgen]

Change the sway bars first and then decide afterwards.

PS: I see often cars with Ukraine numberplates in my small town, almost much newer cars than my fellow countrymen can afford, especially compared to cars from Bulgaria or Romania.

Hey, thanks for your feedback about the car! Interesting observation. A lot of Ukrainians have been relocating due to the war and other circumstances, and many bring their cars from home. Cars from different regions can vary in price, but I guess people prioritize different things when moving abroad. It's always curious to see the variety of vehicles on the road these days!

 

[Yevgen]

Change the sway bars first and then decide afterwards.

PS: I see often cars with Ukraine numberplates in my small town, almost much newer cars than my fellow countrymen can afford, especially compared to cars from Bulgaria or Romania.

one more. I've had a leaking rear shock absorber and sagging front springs for over a year now. I'm thinking of first repairing the suspension. The question has just come up about which springs to install.

 

[Juice]

Thanks for the reply. What do you think about pairing stock GT shocks and struts with Roush coil springs? I'm noticing a lot of body roll on the stock suspension (could be due to wear). Someone mentioned they didn't feel much difference after installing the same setup, but it was from an '05 GT(not from 2013), so that could explain it. That's why I'm considering adding the Ford Performance sway bar kit. I attached the photo with my car. Front seems a bit lowered because of ages

View attachment 100379

I think that would be fine. I would think the GT shocks are 'in between' the Roush and V6 shocks.

 

[Yevgen]

I think that would be fine. I would think the GT shocks are 'in between' the Roush and V6 shocks.

Thank you for the replay!