Which rear suspension package?
 

Drudis,

I am getting ready to buy the rest of the supension for my '00 GT and I am having a hard time deciding whether to go with a heavy-duty torque arm and panhard bar type rear setup from Griggs or Maximum Motorsports, or whether to get the Steeda 5-link. Other than the added cost of getting a side exhaust to go with the 5-link to maintain smog legality in CA (doesn't work with tailpipes and turndowns are not legal here), it looks like they cost about the same. Have you seen or had any experience with cars with the 5-link setup? I am leaning somewhat towards the 5-link because it has a bit more ground clearance and the roads around where I live are pretty bad, but I've only ever seen T/A & panhard suspended stangs run before and am not sure of the performance and difficulty to setup of the Steeda kit.

Thanks,

Kevin

TELLING you what suspension to get is like telling you which set of heads to get. Each has their own merrit, and they each have their pros/cons...
I personally have my own built t-arm/panhard suspension, so I am partial to the Griggs units.
Other local Ford employees actually developed the Steeda 5-link, and I run with them at the local track...
[36Meg video] http://www.dariusrudis.com/videos/foursome.asf

Its a matter of personal preferance, and its sounds like you are leaning to Steeda. Go for it, you wont be disappointed!

Well, I think I've decided to go with the Maximum Motorsports heavy duty torque arm and panhard bar package. After talking to Steeda about qualified installers in my area, it doesn't sound much like the folks around here are too familiar with installing or setting it up. Also, since I have the Saleen body kit, side exhaust will be a pain in the *** as I will either have to cut my side skirts or buy a kit that has it's own side skirts. Either way that would cost me in paint work on top of the price of the side exhaust.
There is a shop around here that does a lot of torque arm installs on stangs. (I don't have welding equipment)
Since you've seen both types of suspensions run, Drudis, and it sounds like you are not biased either way, would you say that they both give about the same overall level of grip on the track?

Yes, all the kits give HUGE performance increases. Some a wee bit better in one aspect or another...
Look up American Iron series. Griggs was THE dominant car, until Maximum Motorsport "bought" (sponsored) the winners of last year to switch and run their equipment this year...
Either way, both now have a huge following, and will be able to ask for local help in tuning your combo.

WHOA! I got a little dizzy from watching it! What fun that is! i wish i could do that!:(