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» Northern California Ford Owners     » Automotive   » Road Racing, Auto X & Drifting   » best mod (Page 1)

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Author Topic: best mod
9cobra9
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i have a basically stock 99 cobra(suspension wise) what would be the best bang for the buck mod(s) that i should to to get the best cornering abilityies. midiocre budget, around 300. thanks

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Red 1999 Cobra #1227
cai, bbk headers, offroad h-pipe, short shifter, 3.73's, magnaflow mufflers, LTW flywheel and 04 cobra clutch,
co-owner of PWA

Posts: 1145 | From: Fremont | Registered: May 2004  |  :
Coupe
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around $300 I would say invest into track time ie better driver [patriot]
Posts: 284 | Registered: Jun 2003  |  :
1Sicgt
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Well Coupe is correct in many aspects, more driving time helps you become a better driver always. But if you wanna buy suspension stuff, well first a few questions. Do you have drop springs, if so who's? Do you have Subframe Connectors?

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14 Focus TS ST3 full Stg3, ready for bigger Turbo
2003 Cobra Track Car

Posts: 8145 | From: Hitting the Apex | Registered: Jan 2002  |  :
9cobra9
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no springs no connectors, just a completerly stock suspension.

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Red 1999 Cobra #1227
cai, bbk headers, offroad h-pipe, short shifter, 3.73's, magnaflow mufflers, LTW flywheel and 04 cobra clutch,
co-owner of PWA

Posts: 1145 | From: Fremont | Registered: May 2004  |  :
1Sicgt
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Go get some subframe connectors. Altered Speed and Apex both have killer specials on getting s set installed. Are you looking to seriously track the car, or just have fun here and there?

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14 Focus TS ST3 full Stg3, ready for bigger Turbo
2003 Cobra Track Car

Posts: 8145 | From: Hitting the Apex | Registered: Jan 2002  |  :
LuvMy04GT
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quote:
Originally posted by 1Sicgt:
Go get some subframe connectors. Altered Speed and Apex both have killer specials on getting s set installed. Are you looking to seriously track the car, or just have fun here and there?

hey jon are the maxspeed springs at apex for 90 bucks any good?

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who

Posts: 369 | From: Milpitas, CA | Registered: Aug 2004  |  :
1Sicgt
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they would be ok if you just wanna drop the car. I wouldn't say go race on them. They probably aren't the spring rates you would want to open track on.

[ May 10, 2005, 10:23 PM: Message edited by: 1Sicgt ]

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14 Focus TS ST3 full Stg3, ready for bigger Turbo
2003 Cobra Track Car

Posts: 8145 | From: Hitting the Apex | Registered: Jan 2002  |  :
kpl
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I'd also vote for more track time, but if you want to do something I'd say get some Bilsteins, but that's beyond $300 unless you can find some used. The stock dampers are crap. For $300 you can get some camber-caster plates, Al rack bushings, and a good alignment...helps with steering response and tire wear.

[ May 11, 2005, 09:29 AM: Message edited by: kpl ]

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Kevin

Posts: 83 | From: SF Bay Area | Registered: Sep 2002  |  :
Jim Wood
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I would vote for subframe connectors. I have MM Full length subframe connectors, and am very happy with them. You only need baremetal in CA, so thats less, and just spray paint them after they are installed. I noticed a difference in cornering on the track. Or at least I think I did.

I have heard that lowering the car with springs can actually hurt the geometry of the suspension. Something you may want to look into, I dont know if it does or doesnt.

Posts: 53 | From: Orangevale | Registered: Apr 2005  |  :
89 FAKE SNAKE
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quote:
Originally posted by 9cobra9:
i have a basically stock 99 cobra(suspension wise) what would be the best bang for the buck mod(s) that i should to to get the best cornering abilityies. midiocre budget, around 300. thanks

run from tha cops a few times..then ur drivin will be up.. [Big Grin] [Razz] ..but ya...id get some subframes...i felt a diff on my car...there worth it

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90 COUPE
01 R1 (stock)
04 XR-50(stroked)
06 TT-R50E
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Posts: 3075 | From: san jose | Registered: May 2004  |  :
9cobra9
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im definately am not going to be going to the track every weekend. its just that i was really into streetraces but not so much anymore so, im changing race styles, its not worth getting caught and i want to be able to hand with my friends 98 m3 around the corners. btw: he has a stage three dinan setup. so... it looks like connectors would be the best bang for the buck. what about hr springs with a higher spring rate than my cobra?
ty [patriot]

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Red 1999 Cobra #1227
cai, bbk headers, offroad h-pipe, short shifter, 3.73's, magnaflow mufflers, LTW flywheel and 04 cobra clutch,
co-owner of PWA

Posts: 1145 | From: Fremont | Registered: May 2004  |  :
1Sicgt
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Well honestly, save up and do it right, go coilovers or go home. Too much work swapping the IRS springs, easier to go coilovers.

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14 Focus TS ST3 full Stg3, ready for bigger Turbo
2003 Cobra Track Car

Posts: 8145 | From: Hitting the Apex | Registered: Jan 2002  |  :
03smknsvt
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subframe connectors will help you take those turns. iam very happy with my subframes [patriot]

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03 silver cobra #3461 out of 8394
96 gt supercharged
03 mach 1
93 cobra
99 black bird
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step"

Posts: 1535 | From: san jose | Registered: Mar 2005  |  :
9cobra9
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we can tell engine upgades eork by the hp gains, what about suspension parts. with connectors will the g # go up significantly, or at all? sry noob to track stuff.

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Red 1999 Cobra #1227
cai, bbk headers, offroad h-pipe, short shifter, 3.73's, magnaflow mufflers, LTW flywheel and 04 cobra clutch,
co-owner of PWA

Posts: 1145 | From: Fremont | Registered: May 2004  |  :
1Sicgt
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Cars with IRS really need the subframes, do to the extra suspension twist. Its one thing you should always do first.

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14 Focus TS ST3 full Stg3, ready for bigger Turbo
2003 Cobra Track Car

Posts: 8145 | From: Hitting the Apex | Registered: Jan 2002  |  :
9cobra9
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sounds goo. i guess subframes is whats comming next. so, when is the next auto x near the bay area?

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Red 1999 Cobra #1227
cai, bbk headers, offroad h-pipe, short shifter, 3.73's, magnaflow mufflers, LTW flywheel and 04 cobra clutch,
co-owner of PWA

Posts: 1145 | From: Fremont | Registered: May 2004  |  :
Blind
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www.americanauto-x.com

5/14 I think? Its about 2 hours from san jose, totally worth the drive [Big Grin]

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89 LX Notchback ex 4cyl, 14psi
02 Harley F150, 15psi

Posts: 8521 | From: Fairfield | Registered: Jul 2003  |  :
9cobra9
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i think there was a post on this, but i cant find it. im planning on getting the mm subframes, but how much for the instalation alone? and is anyone familier with Maier Racing Enterprises in hayward?

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Red 1999 Cobra #1227
cai, bbk headers, offroad h-pipe, short shifter, 3.73's, magnaflow mufflers, LTW flywheel and 04 cobra clutch,
co-owner of PWA

Posts: 1145 | From: Fremont | Registered: May 2004  |  :
Blind
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quote:
Originally posted by 9cobra9:
Maier Racing Enterprises in hayward?

Mike Maier races out at the american auto-x every race, best place you can go in the bay area for suspension or advice HANDS DOWN

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89 LX Notchback ex 4cyl, 14psi
02 Harley F150, 15psi

Posts: 8521 | From: Fairfield | Registered: Jul 2003  |  :
9cobra9
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ok, i will call them tmro. does it make a diffrance on the brand subs i buy? bc i found some on e-bay for around 60, but id rather spend 30 more and get mm connectors insted of buying crap and then buying new ones anyway. ty for all the help.

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Red 1999 Cobra #1227
cai, bbk headers, offroad h-pipe, short shifter, 3.73's, magnaflow mufflers, LTW flywheel and 04 cobra clutch,
co-owner of PWA

Posts: 1145 | From: Fremont | Registered: May 2004  |  :
Blind
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get Mike's advise.

buy once, buy right.

buy shit, buy twice [Roll Eyes]

I've stuck with maximum motorsports/bilstein/fms with my suspension mods

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89 LX Notchback ex 4cyl, 14psi
02 Harley F150, 15psi

Posts: 8521 | From: Fairfield | Registered: Jul 2003  |  :
kpl
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if you are interested in auto-x you should figure out what class you want to run in before doing any mods. i.e. welded in subframe connectors automatically bump you up into SM in SCCA where you'll be hopelessly outclassed.

Having owned 3 SN-95s and modded each of them in a different order I still think that subframe connectors are a dumb first mod expecially when you are still running the stock worthless dampers. To each his own. The car will feel better under heavy braking, but you'll really feel how poorly the suspension is working with the subframes on though.

On Maier, good luck, on two occassions I tried to get him to do some work for me a few years ago and he never returned any phone calls. Maybe by now he figured out how to run a business. Try GR Mustangs in Redwood City, 650-299-9406.

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Kevin

Posts: 83 | From: SF Bay Area | Registered: Sep 2002  |  :
cvr 5.0
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call GR Mustangs in Redwood City, 650-299-9406.
it a good shop

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-89 MUSTANG 5.0 lx vert (sold as of 2-10-08 for $8K)
-Ford F-100 with blown chevy 502
2004.5 dodge ram, 500hp and 1100tq
-84 yoda on 39s

Posts: 977 | From: Fremont ,ca | Registered: Jun 2003  |  :
9cobra9
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so, if i get some h&r race springs that wouldnt help my cornering? and possibly damage it bc of the change in the cars geometry? damn pretty hard choices when working with a low budget,

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Red 1999 Cobra #1227
cai, bbk headers, offroad h-pipe, short shifter, 3.73's, magnaflow mufflers, LTW flywheel and 04 cobra clutch,
co-owner of PWA

Posts: 1145 | From: Fremont | Registered: May 2004  |  :
9cobra9
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Member # 4470

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ooh yea, what about front and/or rear strut tower braces?

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Red 1999 Cobra #1227
cai, bbk headers, offroad h-pipe, short shifter, 3.73's, magnaflow mufflers, LTW flywheel and 04 cobra clutch,
co-owner of PWA

Posts: 1145 | From: Fremont | Registered: May 2004  |  :


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