Author Topic: Pretty Basic Suspension Questions.... (Read 583 times)

BlackBullitt22 · « **on:** February, 03, 2010, 11:39:31 AM »

Alright so about a month ago now I aquired a 1969 Fastback... nothing special just an old I6. I plan to drop in a 351W.... at the moment I am still in the process of removing rust and repaiing panels... but the time to start putting it back together will be here soon I hope and I just want to be prepared.

So I can give you guys an idea of what I want out of the car... I have a 2008 Bullitt Edition Mustang, I would be ecstatic if I could get the 69 to handle as well or even slighty better then that car. I assume it won't be too hard... but you know what you do when you assume..

Since all of my old suspension bits are beat up/old/rusty.. I just want to replace everything... but not with just a resto suspension... I have seen that Laurel Mountain Mustangs sells a full suspension restoration kit on e-bay for not too much.. I guess what I am asking is... is there anywhere that sells a full suspension resto kit that will improve handling to the point I desire without a price-tag over... lets says... $2,000?

Thanks for any help you guys can give, I have heard good things about the people over here and look forward to your advice.

silverblueBP · « **Reply #1 on:** February, 03, 2010, 12:55:41 PM »

You should contact John at ORP, he could set you up with the parts you'll need to make it handle close to what a new one will. John has his own little world here: http://www.stangfix.com/testforum/index.php/board,45.0.html

New upper & lower roller A arms, roller perches, adj. strut rods, good shocks are just a few things you'll need.

BlackBullitt22 · « **Reply #2 on:** February, 03, 2010, 01:37:05 PM »

Will do, thanks for the help, much appreciated =).

AtlantaSteve · « **Reply #3 on:** February, 03, 2010, 03:33:03 PM »

+1.

The best thing about John is he's one of the few out there that tries really hard to work with your budget, and helps you get the absolute most bang for whatever buck you have to work with.

BlackBullitt22 · « **Reply #4 on:** February, 03, 2010, 04:05:49 PM »

Yeah after reading into everything it definitely seems like the best way to go for the Front Suspension... but I didn't notice aything for the rear? Am I missing it or does he not carry anything for the rear suspension?

silverblueBP · « **Reply #5 on:** February, 03, 2010, 05:25:05 PM »

There's not alot to do back there! You could buy new springs or build a spring pack ala John's advice. Add poly bushings in the back, maybe a panhard bar and good shocks.

These are all things that I've done to my 66, not sure if they will all carry over to a 69 though.

Starfury · « **Reply #6 on:** February, 12, 2010, 07:50:09 AM »

I hate to burst your bubble, but it's going to be nearly impossible to make your '69 handle like an '08 Bullitt, especially if you want it to be streetable. There's 40 years of technology difference there, and it really counts. The newest generation of Mustangs ('05+) are doing very well in autocross and on the track, much better than the sn95's.

A full TCP conversion, front and rear, might get you there, but it's going to cost you a hell of a lot more than your $2k cap. As an alternative, you can get your car close with what others have recommended for a lot less money than a TCP setup.

When I'm done with my car, I hope to have a full ORP front end and a panhard bar for the rear, and I expect it to be perfectly suited to street and light track duty. As of right now I'm running the Shelby drop on stock style suspension with new springs and a larger front sway bar and I'm very happy with the handling compared to stock. It won't touch a new Mustang (I've tried), but it's a lot better than it was when I got it.

johnpro · « **Reply #7 on:** February, 13, 2010, 11:23:51 PM »

+1 on what Starfury said. You can make them handle a lot better for 2k, but not out do the '05/later.

Grabber70Mach · « **Reply #8 on:** February, 14, 2010, 05:22:14 AM »

Quote from: AtlantaSteve on February, 03, 2010, 03:33:03 PM

+1.

The best thing about John is he's one of the few out there that tries really hard to work with your budget, and helps you get the absolute most bang for whatever buck you have to work with.

+3 Talk to John.

Sluggo · « **Reply #9 on:** February, 14, 2010, 06:17:37 AM »

John is awesome. You can't go wrong spending your money with him.

Just FYI, About a year ago I put all new repop front end parts on my car and I still hate it.

I did upgrade to the larger front sway bar, 620 drop coils, Arning drop, and Grab-a-Trak 5 leaf mideyes in the back. No rear sway bar.

These upgrades helped considerably with body roll.

I have Opentracker's roller upper control arms, roller lower control arms, and roller spring perches sitting in the den waiting to go on the car. I'm going to put adjustable strut rods on it also.

As soon as I get the strut rods and shock tower reinforcement kit, I will put it all on. I plan to shim the front side of the upper arms to gain some positive caster without putting so much tension on the lower arms with the strut rods.

I expect it to be quite a bit better handling wise, but doubt it will be comparable to a late model or even a SN95. We'll see soon enough. :scar

gt289 · « **Reply #10 on:** March, 02, 2010, 07:44:01 AM »

I was in the performance aftermarket suspension industry for several years.
You can get what you want done (better handling ability than the Bullitt) but it won't happen
with $2000 in parts. About $5000 (plus tires & wheels) will get you there. You can actually
get to around 1g lateral and still be streetable.
As others have recommended, you'll probably want to talk to Opentracker. It won't be hi-zoot
tubular control arms and such, but you'll get to your goal and it'll be a bit more economical.
Once again, don't neglect the tires. It's the only contact you have with the road. In the end,
they will make or break what you're trying to accomplish.