This is topic best mod in forum Road Racing, Auto X & Drifting at Northern California Ford Owners  .


To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://californiafords.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=7;t=000214

---

Posted by 9cobra9 (Member # 4470) on :
 
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
 

---

Posted by Coupe (Member # 3001) on :
 
around $300 I would say invest into track time ie better driver
 

---

Posted by 1Sicgt (Member # 714) on :
 
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?
 

---

Posted by 9cobra9 (Member # 4470) on :
 
no springs no connectors, just a completerly stock suspension.
 

---

Posted by 1Sicgt (Member # 714) on :
 
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?
 

---

Posted by LuvMy04GT (Member # 4791) on :
 

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?

---

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.. ..but ya...id get some subframes...i felt a diff on my car...there worth it
 

---

Posted by 9cobra9 (Member # 4470) on :
 
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
 

---

Posted by 1Sicgt (Member # 714) on :
 
Well honestly, save up and do it right, go coilovers or go home. Too much work swapping the IRS springs, easier to go coilovers.
 

---

Posted by underconstructionlx (Member # 5514) on :
 
subframe connectors will help you take those turns. iam very happy with my subframes
 

---

Posted by 9cobra9 (Member # 4470) on :
 
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.
 

---

Posted by 1Sicgt (Member # 714) on :
 
Cars with IRS really need the subframes, do to the extra suspension twist. Its one thing you should always do first.
 

---

Posted by 9cobra9 (Member # 4470) on :
 
sounds goo. i guess subframes is whats comming next. so, when is the next auto x near the bay area?
 

---

Posted by blind (Member # 3052) on :
 
www.americanauto-x.com

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

---

Posted by 9cobra9 (Member # 4470) on :
 
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?
 

---

Posted by blind (Member # 3052) on :
 

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
 

---

Posted by 9cobra9 (Member # 4470) on :
 
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.
 

---

Posted by blind (Member # 3052) on :
 
get Mike's advise.

buy once, buy right.

buy shit, buy twice

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

---

Posted by kpl (Member # 1879) on :
 
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.
 

---

Posted by cvr 5.0 (Member # 2962) on :
 
call GR Mustangs in Redwood City, 650-299-9406.
it a good shop
 

---

Posted by 9cobra9 (Member # 4470) on :
 
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,
 

---

Posted by 9cobra9 (Member # 4470) on :
 
ooh yea, what about front and/or rear strut tower braces?
 

---

Posted by 88gt (Member # 579) on :
 
Where in Redwood City is GR Mustangs located? Is it a new place?
 

---

Posted by kpl (Member # 1879) on :
 

quote:

---

so, if i get some h&r race springs that wouldnt help my cornering?

---

quote:

---

and possibly damage it bc of the change in the cars geometry?

---

quote:

---

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

---

maybe when you run out of other things to do. I can think of better ways to spend my money, like more track time.

[ May 19, 2005, 12:08 PM: Message edited by: kpl ]
 

---

Posted by 9cobra9 (Member # 4470) on :
 
ok, this is not a daily driver, i guess i wouldnt want to compete against pro drivers in an sutox event b/c of subframes. however i dont have money for coilovers. only springs. would some highly rated springs with stock shocks&struts(for now stock) improve my cornering any where near the subframe connector level or will it just make my ride look nice. once again, not a daily driver, thats why i have a 26mpg camry. sory for all q's but. ty for patiance with me
 

---

Posted by r3dn3ck (Member # 3192) on :
 
if you want to stick your 99 on the track... don't bother with minimalist mods. Save the money up and get the things that will really make a difference. A full Max Grip pack from Maximum motorsports will have you carving with the best of them.

FWIW... I run an 03GT with a mildly modified 99 IRS. If I had it to do over again, I do (in order):
Brakes (you have good ones... need better rotors and pads and some SS lines)
Griggs in floor Subframe connectors.
Delrin/Aluminum rear control arm bushings.
Poly-Urethane IRS cradle bushings
MM F&R bilstein coil over conversion (w/ CC plates, strut tower brace, rear shock tower brace and bumpsteer kit)
MM K-Member
MM A-Arms
Roll Cage
MM front and rear IRS Diff mount bushings
9" rims for more tire on the road.
Gears.
Tune
X pipe
Cat back
MM wheel spacers in back
Rear seat delete

The car will be a bit less streetable and will ride rougher but it'll out handle most cars on the road with ease.

All in... you're looking at about 7-9K for all that. After that...it'll be a rompin stompin road course machine.
 

---

Posted by 04Z06 (Member # 2309) on :
 
Are you going to just do track days or what type of racing are you going to do? This will make it a bit easier to give any help.. If you plan on doing any Autocrossing then you will need to decide what class you wantto be in before you touch anything..

E
 

---

Posted by 9cobra9 (Member # 4470) on :
 
ok, i am not going to be a hard core auto x member. for now, at least until school is over. what got me into this suspension frinzy was a few rides in my friends(as mentioned last page) dinan preped m3. i felt no body roll, any flying through turns having full control of the car gave me a feeling that streetracing never did(please dont tell any of the ppl on the streetracing section i said that ) so, i figured itl be safer and more of a rush if i stayed off streetracing and on the track, or maby a curvy road or two for fun. so, i am planning on possibly going to an auto x like once a month or two, and staying in a moderatly low,not lowest class(i wouldnt want to be a pain for better racers/cars). my budget doesnt seem to look very good for the future either, my parents got me the car, and are now allowing(making) me grow up and pay for everything of mine, gas, insurance, ooh yea and my future school. not to bad a trade for when i was 16. but any way, im going to have her for a while so i plan on taking my time but getting it done right the first time. so, i am going to be a very moderate auto xer, but would love to prove to imports that domestics can hang round corners with them. so, key points. hang with m3 sometimes auto x, much stiffer suspension, and for now a 300-400& max ty. hope that helps at all.
 

---

Posted by blind (Member # 3052) on :
 
it really sounds like you just need to go out to the next auto-x event and drive your car to see if you like it.

dont worry about mods yet, you should still be able to run in F-stock or Street Tire as you sit, and dont worry about being in too high of a class because of mods, only 1 car is on the track at a time in auto-x, no one will be stuck behind you (unless you run in front of mike maier, lmao, he'll catch you)
 

---

Posted by Coupe (Member # 3001) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by blind:
(unless you run in front of mike maier, lmao, he'll catch you)

---

Or his wife
 

---

Posted by kpl (Member # 1879) on :
 
It'll never handle, and at the same time have a nice quiet and comfy ride like that M3, no matter what you do to it.

For the money you could probaly find someone with a set of used H&R race springs and bilsteins in your price range. Since you are buying them used you won't lose much if anything if later you decide to sell the springs and go back to stock or go the coil-over route. Don't just change the springs, the stock dampers won't be able to handle them. You can still run in the stock category, the car will handle better than it does now, and not have the stock Subaru stance.

[ May 20, 2005, 12:22 PM: Message edited by: kpl ]
 

---

Posted by 9cobra9 (Member # 4470) on :
 
wow, a lot of posts, to finally come to this simple conclusion. i really like your idea and will probably work with that. so, ty everybody for your input, and i hope this was of use to others as it was for me. once again, ty.
 

---

Posted by blind (Member # 3052) on :
 
yea, I bought both my FMS 'B' coils and bilstein shocks/struts for $100 ($200 total) in the fordsale, the springs were unused and the bilstein's have a lifetime warranty
 

---

Posted by 04Z06 (Member # 2309) on :
 
With your engine mods and gears you would be in one of the SM classes. With that said, I would get a set of good sub-frame connectors. This will really help the car in the long run. It may not make the largest change right now but after a few miles your frame will be straighter adn will be ready for any future mods. The next this would be wider tires and wheels. Just going to 9" with 275's will make a big difference. Then work on the suspension. Be carefull with coilovers on a Mustang. It is a unibody and they really do not like the extra stress. Head over to Corner-carvers.com and do some searching. DO NOT POST!!!!! Everything you will ever want to know right now has been posted and is avail in the search. If you post you better be damn sure it has never been posted before and a good question or you will get the hell beaten out of you on that sight. Also, read the winki sight first. Every word of it. If you don't follow the above instructions, don't say I didn't warn you.. Good luck young padawon...

E
 

---

Posted by 9cobra9 (Member # 4470) on :
 
ok, should i excpect much improvement if i get 03 struts/shocks with springs?
 

---

Posted by 04Z06 (Member # 2309) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by 9cobra9:
ok, should i excpect much improvement if i get 03 struts/shocks with springs?

---