need new shocks & struts

afeezor97 · 07-27-2003, 12:03 AM

Looking for opinions on what the best Strut & Shock combo is...

I have a '97 GT Conv. with Intrax 2" lowering spring, BBK CC plates, and a smaller urethane axle bump stop.

The car rides like crap, very rough, and the rear jumps around. Corners great, but everything else is unbearable. I need your opinions on what Struts and Shocks would be the best choice for my set up. I like a frim, sporty ride. (previous car was a vette). And go to the drag strip occasionally.

All opinions welcome.... Good or Bad.

afeezor97 · 07-27-2003, 01:41 PM

Anyone try the Tokico Hi-Performance Struts & Shocks or the Tokico Illumina 5-way adjustable Struts and Shocks sold on the Steeda website??
How about Bilstein, anyone using them?

I really need a good set of Struts and Shocks, my lowering springs killed my stock ones. Now I have to drive from New Orleans to Las Vegas in August, and to tell you the truth, I would rather sell my car, then have to make that trip again.

Anyone wanna buy a '97 Gt conv. with only 52k miles for about $11500. thats just to payoff my loan????

pics and info

blue00gt · 07-28-2003, 12:26 PM

For the springs that you have I would recommend either the Tokico 5-ways or the Bilsteins. I have the Tokicos on my '00 with pretty stiff coilovers and the Bilsteins on my '79 with H&R Race springs and am happy with both. Koni adjustables are great, too, but cost more and are not necessary for the springs that you have. Also, if your car is lowered 2" get the '87-93 front struts as they are better matched to lowered SN95's and will allow for more travel and longer life.

91LX2Bfast · 07-28-2003, 03:17 PM

I have Bilstein's w/ Eibach pro kit springs on my daily driver Tbird and they are perfect for a street car. Ride is nice and tight, but never harsh or jumpy. You can have Bilstein custom valve them to your setup also, and it doesn't cost a whole lot more money.
Very soon my brother is going install an Eibach and Bilstein combo on his 99GT, and once they're on, I'll be able to report back my impressions.

afeezor97 · 07-29-2003, 05:37 AM

Will the '87-93 Struts bolt right in, or will it need some modification? I'm guessing they would work better because they are shorter in length? Or is it the valving for a different wieght?

GaryDawg · 07-29-2003, 11:23 AM

I can't speak for any other combo but I have the Bilsteins with my H&R Supersport springs (and urethan isolators)...

They are a bit bouncy at lower speeds (less than 25 mph) but above that they aren't too bad.

In some cases they feel better than stock... in some cases they don't. It's hard to explain.

blue00gt · 07-29-2003, 02:03 PM

Yes, the '87-'93 struts are a bit shorter and they will bolt right in.

afeezor97 · 08-17-2003, 07:10 PM

Well, it took me a while to buy them but I did it. I installed a set of Tokico Illumina 5-way adjustable Struts and Shocks this past Friday.

Thanks for the help guys....

GodStang · 08-17-2003, 08:24 PM

Got to Love Bilstien. (Have then on my 1994 with H&R lowering springs)

07-27-2003, 12:03 AM	#1
afeezor97 GRNSNAK Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Slidell Louisiana Posts: 65	need new shocks & struts Looking for opinions on what the best Strut & Shock combo is... I have a '97 GT Conv. with Intrax 2" lowering spring, BBK CC plates, and a smaller urethane axle bump stop. The car rides like crap, very rough, and the rear jumps around. Corners great, but everything else is unbearable. I need your opinions on what Struts and Shocks would be the best choice for my set up. I like a frim, sporty ride. (previous car was a vette). And go to the drag strip occasionally. All opinions welcome.... Good or Bad. __________________ 1997 Cobra SVT & 2012 Shelby GT500

07-27-2003, 01:41 PM	#2
afeezor97 GRNSNAK Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Slidell Louisiana Posts: 65	Anyone try the Tokico Hi-Performance Struts & Shocks or the Tokico Illumina 5-way adjustable Struts and Shocks sold on the Steeda website?? How about Bilstein, anyone using them? I really need a good set of Struts and Shocks, my lowering springs killed my stock ones. Now I have to drive from New Orleans to Las Vegas in August, and to tell you the truth, I would rather sell my car, then have to make that trip again. Anyone wanna buy a '97 Gt conv. with only 52k miles for about $11500. thats just to payoff my loan???? pics and info __________________ 1997 Cobra SVT & 2012 Shelby GT500

07-28-2003, 12:26 PM	#3
blue00gt Mustang Addict Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: McKinney, TX Posts: 1,294	For the springs that you have I would recommend either the Tokico 5-ways or the Bilsteins. I have the Tokicos on my '00 with pretty stiff coilovers and the Bilsteins on my '79 with H&R Race springs and am happy with both. Koni adjustables are great, too, but cost more and are not necessary for the springs that you have. Also, if your car is lowered 2" get the '87-93 front struts as they are better matched to lowered SN95's and will allow for more travel and longer life. __________________ Strike down the unroadworthy! 2000 GT Atl. Blue: '03 Cobra motor - 465rwhp/473rwtq, T-56 6-speed, full MM TA/PH & tubular K-member suspension, Saleen body, 17" Torq-Thrust II's, M/T ET Street radials, and lots more '94 Rio Red Cobra: All the bolt-ons, 3.73s

07-28-2003, 03:17 PM	#4
91LX2Bfast Registered Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Warrington, PA Posts: 694	I have Bilstein's w/ Eibach pro kit springs on my daily driver Tbird and they are perfect for a street car. Ride is nice and tight, but never harsh or jumpy. You can have Bilstein custom valve them to your setup also, and it doesn't cost a whole lot more money. Very soon my brother is going install an Eibach and Bilstein combo on his 99GT, and once they're on, I'll be able to report back my impressions. __________________ '97 T-bird LX 4.6L 2V, auto SVO heads/intake, Vortech T-trim, front mounted intercooler, blower cams, Cobra crank, Manley H-beam rods, JE pistons, Aeromotive fuel system w/ 42# injectors, and much more No times yet

07-29-2003, 05:37 AM	#5
afeezor97 GRNSNAK Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Slidell Louisiana Posts: 65	Will the '87-93 Struts bolt right in, or will it need some modification? I'm guessing they would work better because they are shorter in length? Or is it the valving for a different wieght? __________________ 1997 Cobra SVT & 2012 Shelby GT500

07-29-2003, 11:23 AM	#6
GaryDawg Registered Member Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 202	I can't speak for any other combo but I have the Bilsteins with my H&R Supersport springs (and urethan isolators)... They are a bit bouncy at lower speeds (less than 25 mph) but above that they aren't too bad. In some cases they feel better than stock... in some cases they don't. It's hard to explain. __________________ '98 Rio Red Mustang GT 'vert (clicky) See my "User Ride"...

07-29-2003, 02:03 PM	#7
blue00gt Mustang Addict Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: McKinney, TX Posts: 1,294	Yes, the '87-'93 struts are a bit shorter and they will bolt right in. __________________ Strike down the unroadworthy! 2000 GT Atl. Blue: '03 Cobra motor - 465rwhp/473rwtq, T-56 6-speed, full MM TA/PH & tubular K-member suspension, Saleen body, 17" Torq-Thrust II's, M/T ET Street radials, and lots more '94 Rio Red Cobra: All the bolt-ons, 3.73s

08-17-2003, 07:10 PM	#8
afeezor97 GRNSNAK Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Slidell Louisiana Posts: 65	Well, it took me a while to buy them but I did it. I installed a set of Tokico Illumina 5-way adjustable Struts and Shocks this past Friday. Thanks for the help guys.... __________________ 1997 Cobra SVT & 2012 Shelby GT500

08-17-2003, 08:24 PM	#9
GodStang College Stanger Join Date: May 1999 Location: Aiken,south carolina, usa Posts: 1,097	Got to Love Bilstien. (Have then on my 1994 with H&R lowering springs) __________________ 2003 Sonic Blue Cobra

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