Hi there
Since making the Mustang blown it has given issues with putting the power down with poorer weather and not the best road conditions, however this is to be expected with any high powered car, so nothing to out the ordinary there.
When its dry its better but the low temperatures can still cause the odd traction issue, no doubt in Summer things will be a lot better. Still powering out of a corner especially one with awkward cambers can result in having to feather the throttle and correct it on the steering, this is mainly down to the live axle in the rear I believe.
Now on a Saleen car they modify the stock suspensions with improved struts, shocks and springs based on the tokico D-Spec stuff. Saleen also add a front sway bar that greatly improves steering response. This basically greatly improves the handling and steering response, basically similar to what Roush do with their cars. However when you lower a Mustang the rear-end tends to go off centre slightly, but still within factory specification, this obviously does not help handling.
From looking around the US sites and asking questions it seems there are a few further modifications out there for these cars that can really transform the suspension, handling abilities of these cars and help with traction too.
The most contributing additional suspension parts/upgrades that can be fitted are the following:-
Lower Control Arms for the rear
From my understanding these replace the factory parts to help prevent wheel hop and help give better traction. Here are some links to products:-
J&M Lower Control Arms
BMR Suspension parts
CHE Lower Control Arms
Upper Control Arms for the rear
Again these replace the factory part and help further reduce wheel hop and give the car a tighter feel and more confidence at high speed, again some links:-
BMR Suspension parts
CHE Upper Control Arm
Re-Location brackets for lowered cars
Now as the Saleen suspension on my car lowers it I am led to believe I need re-location brackets so that the suspension alligns and can be set correctly plus these further help with traction:-
Re-Location brackets
Now the above 3 products are bolt in replacements that should in theory give an overall improvement to the car for very little cost. I need adjustable versions of all the parts so to clear my lightweight driveshaft and to get my suspension set perfectly due to my car been lowered.
Do I get an adjustable Panhard bar or Watts-Link?
However my car still has the issue that the factory panhard bar is no doubt off centre due to the Saleen mods lowering the suspension as Saleen don't correct it from the factory.
Replacing the panhard rod with an adjustable piece solves this issue and is again suppose to give a huge improvement to handling. Plus you can also further add an axle brace and panhard brace to further improve the tightness of the cars rear-end.
Links to these products:-
Adjustable Panhard Bar
Panhard Brace
Axle Brace
My other option is a Watts-Link as seen in the Saleen Parnelli Jones edition car. Saleen don't yet sell this part but will do soon but at the moment a Fays2 Watts-Link is available for my car.
Here is more information on a watts-link:-
Evaluation of prototype unit on a 2005 Mustang
The final product!
Now from looking at the watts-link it looks to be a superb device. When asking in the US about this product not many knew as to be blunt most of those guys have no interest in corner speed. However the few guys who do road courses etc. have said the difference is night and day. Now from my understanding this device would be ideal for our roads and certainly allow for better corner exit speeds and a smoother ride. What do you guys think?
Question is if I went for a Watts-Link then I obviously no longer need an adjustable panhard bar, but can I still fit a panhard brace and axle brace, if so are they required though?
Sorry for such a long thread, but if anyone has time to check through the links and knows a thing or two about suspension it would be appreciated. I have asked the same questions to the US guys but getting a 2nd oppinion especially from you guys is never a bad thing.
At the moment my understanding is I think the following my be my best bet:-
1. J&M Lower Control Arms (poly bushes)
2. CHE Upper adjustable control arm (poly bushes)
3. CHE Anti-Squat re-location brackets
4. Fays2 Watts-Link
What do you guys think?
Then there is such modifications as bump steer kits but I can't see what these would do or improve as my car has the most precise steering I have ever experienced, so do I need these?
This is pretty much the final modification, I am happy with how the car drives but as always you think you car is great until you know it could be night and day better.
After this the only way to further improve traction and handling plus performance would be some ultra-light and wide 18" wheels with some Pilot Sport2 tyres on them.
Since making the Mustang blown it has given issues with putting the power down with poorer weather and not the best road conditions, however this is to be expected with any high powered car, so nothing to out the ordinary there.
When its dry its better but the low temperatures can still cause the odd traction issue, no doubt in Summer things will be a lot better. Still powering out of a corner especially one with awkward cambers can result in having to feather the throttle and correct it on the steering, this is mainly down to the live axle in the rear I believe.
Now on a Saleen car they modify the stock suspensions with improved struts, shocks and springs based on the tokico D-Spec stuff. Saleen also add a front sway bar that greatly improves steering response. This basically greatly improves the handling and steering response, basically similar to what Roush do with their cars. However when you lower a Mustang the rear-end tends to go off centre slightly, but still within factory specification, this obviously does not help handling.
From looking around the US sites and asking questions it seems there are a few further modifications out there for these cars that can really transform the suspension, handling abilities of these cars and help with traction too.
The most contributing additional suspension parts/upgrades that can be fitted are the following:-
Lower Control Arms for the rear
From my understanding these replace the factory parts to help prevent wheel hop and help give better traction. Here are some links to products:-
J&M Lower Control Arms
BMR Suspension parts
CHE Lower Control Arms
Upper Control Arms for the rear
Again these replace the factory part and help further reduce wheel hop and give the car a tighter feel and more confidence at high speed, again some links:-
BMR Suspension parts
CHE Upper Control Arm
Re-Location brackets for lowered cars
Now as the Saleen suspension on my car lowers it I am led to believe I need re-location brackets so that the suspension alligns and can be set correctly plus these further help with traction:-
Re-Location brackets
Now the above 3 products are bolt in replacements that should in theory give an overall improvement to the car for very little cost. I need adjustable versions of all the parts so to clear my lightweight driveshaft and to get my suspension set perfectly due to my car been lowered.
Do I get an adjustable Panhard bar or Watts-Link?
However my car still has the issue that the factory panhard bar is no doubt off centre due to the Saleen mods lowering the suspension as Saleen don't correct it from the factory.
Replacing the panhard rod with an adjustable piece solves this issue and is again suppose to give a huge improvement to handling. Plus you can also further add an axle brace and panhard brace to further improve the tightness of the cars rear-end.
Links to these products:-
Adjustable Panhard Bar
Panhard Brace
Axle Brace
My other option is a Watts-Link as seen in the Saleen Parnelli Jones edition car. Saleen don't yet sell this part but will do soon but at the moment a Fays2 Watts-Link is available for my car.
Here is more information on a watts-link:-
Evaluation of prototype unit on a 2005 Mustang
The final product!
Now from looking at the watts-link it looks to be a superb device. When asking in the US about this product not many knew as to be blunt most of those guys have no interest in corner speed. However the few guys who do road courses etc. have said the difference is night and day. Now from my understanding this device would be ideal for our roads and certainly allow for better corner exit speeds and a smoother ride. What do you guys think?
Question is if I went for a Watts-Link then I obviously no longer need an adjustable panhard bar, but can I still fit a panhard brace and axle brace, if so are they required though?
Sorry for such a long thread, but if anyone has time to check through the links and knows a thing or two about suspension it would be appreciated. I have asked the same questions to the US guys but getting a 2nd oppinion especially from you guys is never a bad thing.
At the moment my understanding is I think the following my be my best bet:-
1. J&M Lower Control Arms (poly bushes)
2. CHE Upper adjustable control arm (poly bushes)
3. CHE Anti-Squat re-location brackets
4. Fays2 Watts-Link
What do you guys think?
Then there is such modifications as bump steer kits but I can't see what these would do or improve as my car has the most precise steering I have ever experienced, so do I need these?
This is pretty much the final modification, I am happy with how the car drives but as always you think you car is great until you know it could be night and day better.
After this the only way to further improve traction and handling plus performance would be some ultra-light and wide 18" wheels with some Pilot Sport2 tyres on them.
