Lowering the Pony

arivera · 03-28-2003, 07:26 AM

Okay, I have about $500.00 to work with and would like to lower my 1997 mustang (I could probably squeeze more from the wife if needed) . I was wondering what is the best kit to buy and what other options I had.

Also, is there anything else I need to do when I lower it? I have heard rumors that lowering it will cause some alignment problems? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

cgrant26 · 03-28-2003, 08:50 PM

It sounds to me like your taking a good approach to this, the first thing anyone should do when planning an upgrade is decide "How Much" you have to spend. Your budget is definatly a workable one. Before you start looking for parts, you need to ask yourself a couple of questions. Are you going more for appearance or for performance? Is this going to be a daily driver or a weekend warrior? Is ride quality an issue? (I.E how are the roads where you live) What are your long-term goals?
Without knowing the answers to these questions, I can tell you a few things your going to want reguardless. First off, with ANY drop your going to want a set of castor/camber plates. I have MAC aluminum plates on my 96' and they work pretty well for me. The MAC plates use urathane bushings which give a little bit more absortion of vibration but can bind up in extreme cornering. If you want to go a step better than MAC, I would reccomend Maximum Motorsports or Steeda CC Plates.
Something else you will need to take into consideration; if you go for a set of high rate springs, you will probably need to upgrade your struts. Your OEM struts may work fine for a while, but under high spring rates, they WILL go bad.
As far as springs, I have a set of Jamex springs and rear struts which drop the car 2" on all 4 corners. The car handles 300% better than stock with this combo but my ride quality has really gone to ****. In retrospect, I would have gotten progressive rate springs. I think for the CC plates and springs I paid about $250 by getting them on ebay. One thing I really would like to stress, buy reputable brands. I know too many people who ended up with shitty no-name stuff in the name of saving a buck. I hope this info helped you out. Let me know more specifically what you are going for and I can give you a little bit better direction.

GodStang · 03-29-2003, 08:46 AM

Mine was 750ft/Lb progressive rate. I paid $250 + $50= $300
for everything includig alignment.

03-28-2003, 07:26 AM	#1
arivera Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Woodbridge, VA, USA Posts: 29	Lowering the Pony Okay, I have about $500.00 to work with and would like to lower my 1997 mustang (I could probably squeeze more from the wife if needed) . I was wondering what is the best kit to buy and what other options I had. Also, is there anything else I need to do when I lower it? I have heard rumors that lowering it will cause some alignment problems? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks! __________________ '97 V-6 Stang: Custom Catback Exhaust System w/2 Flowmaster 40 series dual-chamber mufflers [True Dual Exhaust] w/ 3-1/2 inch tips, DenseCharger Cold Air Induction, Taylor 8mm Ignition Wires, PIAA hyperwhite headlights, Carbon Fiber Dash Bezel, Econ Front and rear drilled and slotted rotors.

03-28-2003, 08:50 PM	#2
cgrant26 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Florida Posts: 5	Suspension Tech 101... It sounds to me like your taking a good approach to this, the first thing anyone should do when planning an upgrade is decide "How Much" you have to spend. Your budget is definatly a workable one. Before you start looking for parts, you need to ask yourself a couple of questions. Are you going more for appearance or for performance? Is this going to be a daily driver or a weekend warrior? Is ride quality an issue? (I.E how are the roads where you live) What are your long-term goals? Without knowing the answers to these questions, I can tell you a few things your going to want reguardless. First off, with ANY drop your going to want a set of castor/camber plates. I have MAC aluminum plates on my 96' and they work pretty well for me. The MAC plates use urathane bushings which give a little bit more absortion of vibration but can bind up in extreme cornering. If you want to go a step better than MAC, I would reccomend Maximum Motorsports or Steeda CC Plates. Something else you will need to take into consideration; if you go for a set of high rate springs, you will probably need to upgrade your struts. Your OEM struts may work fine for a while, but under high spring rates, they WILL go bad. As far as springs, I have a set of Jamex springs and rear struts which drop the car 2" on all 4 corners. The car handles 300% better than stock with this combo but my ride quality has really gone to ****. In retrospect, I would have gotten progressive rate springs. I think for the CC plates and springs I paid about $250 by getting them on ebay. One thing I really would like to stress, buy reputable brands. I know too many people who ended up with shitty no-name stuff in the name of saving a buck. I hope this info helped you out. Let me know more specifically what you are going for and I can give you a little bit better direction.

03-29-2003, 08:46 AM	#3
GodStang College Stanger Join Date: May 1999 Location: Aiken,south carolina, usa Posts: 1,097	Mine was 750ft/Lb progressive rate. I paid $250 + $50= $300 for everything includig alignment. __________________ 2003 Sonic Blue Cobra

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