Shocks/Struts mandatory with spring change?

[US-1]

Remember, the GT500KR suspension package is designed to support the much heavier 5.4L cast iron engine vs. our much lighter 4.6L aluminum block.

That was my first thought.

 

[gtcs07]

i just swapped out a friends bone stock suspension for the gt500 dampners the gt500 not the kr stuff but im sure they arent far off and was very dissapointed in the setup ive dont alot of research and you can ask most gt500 owners they say their stock suspension sucks... for 200 to 300 more you can get something like dspecs or konis and know you are getting the proper damning for the weight of the motor

 

[GI Joe]

As I said...The springs and shocks/springs are all on my sons car now as i said and its a tremendous improvement. Not a stiff ride at all . In fact its the KR spring that was built with the KR weight in mind...not the struts/shock. Their valving was specifically built for sport handling...
The $209 is for the complete package which is why I said its a great buy

 

[gtcs07]

oh no doubt an improvement gijoe i completely agree its good for the money but might not be enough for some.

 

[GI Joe]

heres some more info on the older and newer KR 500 and what the learned...but the interesting thing is that just as with the Bullet and FRPP stuff these are made by Tokico so should be decent stuff...
http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/news/preview-concept/4301464

 

[GI Joe]

oh no doubt an improvement gijoe i completely agree its good for the money but might not be enough for some.

yea my commet was not directed at you...not at anyone really...just saying to the guy "yes I can vouch" for them

 

[GI Joe]

oops here is the other link

http://www.svtperformance.com/forums/shelby-gt500-150/689714-bits-pieces-kr-more.html

 

[firestang70]

I had Steeda Ultralite springs 1" or less in the front to 1-1.25" on the rear with stock shocks and struts. My car was run at the 1/4 mile alot. I pulled low 1.6s on the 60. The cars ride went away and would hop around. The rear shocks started to leak at less than 30k on the odometer. My car was a manual. That was my 06.

On my 11 I am adding the Roush Springs I will be upgrading the shocks and struts and the 11 is an auto. SD I would upgrade at the same time. the stock shock and springs are not valved to handle the lowered suspension and will handle like a grain truck after those components get taxed.

 

[retfr8flyr]

SD I also have the Steeda Ultralite springs on mine but with the D-Specs. Koni wasn't making shocks for ours when I got mine but I would recommend going with the Koni if you decide to do shock and struts. Most of the guys I know of that didn't get new shocks and struts ended needing them after a while, the stock stuff can't handle the shorter throw on a long term basis. If you are still thinking about selling it I would just use the stock stuff for now.


Earl

 

[GI Joe]

Wheeler...D spec are what on mine as well...with steeda sports..

agree depends on how long you need to wait...its not like the older car where putting afox body strut accidentally on a sn95 will bust the bottom out right away...they will just start to go away premature..

 

[gtcs07]

no problem GIjoe didnt take it towards me at all. i have steeda sports with the frpp shocks and struts and i love em

 

[rojizostang]

i'm just speechless, honestly. SD asking instead of answering a question. where's my calender?

 

[US-1]

i'm just speechless, honestly. SD asking instead of answering a question. where's my calender?

Pure drag race car shocks/springs.....I don't have to ask. I know how to do that. Street car shocks/springs or road race stuff.....I know when to ask questions.


Essentially what I'm trying to create is a more updated Shelby GT-style ride. I had a great time driving the two GT-H cars. Great on the street, very good handling (for what I was used to anyway), easy to stage and cut a good R/T with at the dragstrip. That's what I'm after with Butch these days. Just doesn't make sense to get rid of him now with the little time I have left on the payments only to replace him with another (possibly bigger) payment. Mid-12's will be just fine for this car and I can drive it anywhere I need or want at a moment's notice. Once the payments are done that is another $550 a month I can sink into the Fairmont. With that thing.....I won't be worried about fast street cars.

 

[rojizostang]

Pure drag race car shocks/springs.....I don't have to ask. I know how to do that. Street car shocks/springs or road race stuff.....I know when to ask questions.

in that case, i vote for d specs and the pro kit, even though your question was about keeping the stockers, that's my input.

 

[retfr8flyr]

With that in mind talk to Sam Strano and get some Steeda Ultralite's and Koni shocks and struts.


Earl

 

[frank s]

Wheeler...D spec are what on mine as well...with steeda sports..

agree depends on how long you need to wait...its not like the older car where putting afox body strut accidentally on a sn95 will bust the bottom out right away...they will just start to go away premature..

I ran the stock dampers with Steeda Sports for a couple of months on a 13,000-mile car. It was not bad, even though the originals were that old. When I put the D-Specs on I wished I hadn't waited that few months: the change was remarkable and all good. D-Specs - or practically any upgraded dampers - are sooo much better than even good stock items, I wouldn't suggest anyone who pays attention to car performance should hesitate to make the change.

One thing: if you are deciding between D-Specs and Koni Sports, the Tokico folks have a less-good reputation if warranty matters arise. Make that two things: the D-Spec adjustment tool is much, much nicer than the Koni; an order of magnitude nicer, my view.

 

[BMR Tech]

I've searched for two hours today reading various spring threads and didn't really find an answer. I'm wanting to change out the Cobra Jet springs for the FRPP "K" springs since Butch doesn't have turbos anymore. Mid-high 12's won't "require" a CJ spring either so I want to lower the car a little to make it sit better.

Several people have suggested changing shocks and struts with lowering springs. Is this just absolutely necessary or will the stock shocks/struts be fine? Does the ride quality suffer that bad when using stock stuff and lowering springs?

To answer your question.

You do not need to change your shocks.

We have some customers going MUCH faster then what you will, with our lower springs and stock shocks.

As far as ride quality...alot of that depends on the springs. Our springs offer lowering, without sacrificing much ride quality.

I have no personal experience of the "K" springs, but I cannot imagine them offering a "great" ride.

 

[Gray Ghost GT]

So, these would not be a good combo on our cars with the K springs? I was going to get D-Specs initially when I needed a set, but I've decided with my driving needs I probably don't need an adjustable setup.

I wouldn't use the GT500KR setup even if it was given to me for free because you'll be very dissappointed. If you plan to keep your car as a daily driver that might do some drag racing - I would use the setup I recommended to SD. However, if you plan to do some road racing - then I would recommend a slightly different setup. I agree with NastyStang113 - I would drop the Tokico D-Specs and get the Koni STR.T non-adjustables if you feel you don't need an adjustable setup. Vogtland makes the Steeda Sport springs - excellent company that supports many professional racing teams!

 

[GI Joe]

So, these would not be a good combo on our cars with the K springs? I was going to get D-Specs initially when I needed a set, but I've decided with my driving needs I probably don't need an adjustable setup.

Where are you living...I'm leaving Ala headed to Danville. Will be there tomm nite. Could meet you near VIR and let you judge for yourself how well the KR500 work...

 

[AndrewNagle]

I wouldn't use the GT500KR setup even if it was given to me for free because you'll be very dissappointed. If you plan to keep your car as a daily driver that might do some drag racing - I would use the setup I recommended to SD. However, if you plan to do some road racing - then I would recommend a slightly different setup. I agree with NastyStang113 - I would drop the D-Specs and get the Koni STR.T non-adjustables if you feel you don't need an adjustable setup. Vogtland makes the Steeda Sport springs - excellent company that supports many professional racing teams!

+1 on the Koni/Vogtland setup ! !

Andrew