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Foxbody Front Suspension Upgrades Part II

Part II: Building a track monster

In the previous section, we examined upgrading Foxbody front suspension to maximize comfort and performance without modification of the stock suspension geometry. That was good for mild street builds. Now, we're onto bigger and better things – an all out track maniac. First of all, the stock geometry is certainly less than optimal, the main problem being a lack of adjustability. Stock suspension members simply do not allow enough flexibility with the components to make adjustments and correct these geometry issues. It is time the mighty Fox reclaims new territory; it is time to conquer the curve. With some choice aftermarket coil-over kits, no longer will the Fox fear the curve; the curve will fear the Fox!

The basics

As always, there are a few basic entities that first must be addressed. In this case, there are two modifications that MUST be done before installation of anything else. In fact, even if you prefer to run a stock Fox over a turn-eating behemoth, these two modifications are still highly recommended.

  1. Caster Camber Plates: A major problem with the Fox generation is they came out of the factory with very limited ability to adjust wheel camber and no ability at all to adjust wheel caster. The stock slotted plates atop the front strut towers do not offer enough camber adjustment to prevent the front tires from pointing in towards each other as the car and its components age. The lack of caster provisions prevent the wheels from remaining level when the suspension is under turning loads, thus inducing further tire wear. The solution to this is, like always, available through the Mustang aftermarket. Maximum Motorsports, Steeda, QA1, J&M and BBK all offer precision-engineered pieces to repair this problem. Many coil-over kits specify that these systems must be used to accommodate their parts. Caster camber plates definitely are a must have. Using them guarantees proper front-end alignment for your car.
  2. Bumpsteer kit:  An issue when modifying suspension (especially when the car is riding lower than stock) is bumpsteer. Bumpsteer occurs when there is a geometry mismatch between the outer tie-rod end and steering rack (typically occurs with lowered vehicles). Essentially what happens is that due to this mismatch of angles, when the car hits a bump, the tire will move in an extended arc and may at some point lose contact with the road. When the tire loses contact with the road, it will turn in the direction in which the last force acted upon it, thus the wheels turn involuntarily and the driver momentarily loses control. Steeda and Competition Engineering have devised effective and easy-to-install kits to restore proper geometry within the steering and suspension components. This too is a necessary piece when installing aftermarket coil-over sets. The coil-overs will change the geometry such that bumpsteer will be prevalent.

Laying the foundation – proper suspension members

All right, now that we have covered the basics of bumpsteer and front end alignment, we can get on to the good stuff; it’s time to get seriously into our suspension.

 First off, most coil-over kits require aftermarket control arms to be installed and sometimes even a new K-member. The reason being is the stock pieces do not offer the right geometry for proper fitment (again, going fast and turning well is all about the calculus!), never mind added performance. Aftermarket pieces correct the issues and usually offer weight-savings and increased strength.

Control arms & K-members

QA1 control arms are a great choice when adding a coil-over setup to your ‘Stang. They offer greater strength over the stockers and have been engineered to optimize performance with coil-overs (you can see they lack the spring perch found on regular control arms). Furthermore, not only are these pieces stronger, they are also lighter. A bonus power-to-weight gain to boot! The main advantages of these pieces are to work in harmony with the coil-overs and to properly secure them in their correct position to enhance the handling characteristics of the vehicle.

Dependent on how serious you are with racing and exactly what your coil-over kit specifies, a new replacement K-member may be on the list to get. QA1 again comes up with a perfect solution, presenting us with their tubular K-member. It is manufactured to bolt right in with no hassle or modification. Like the control arms, added benefits are lighter weight and greater torsional strength.

Coil-over kits

Eibach’s Pro Street coil-over kit is a stupendous way to maximize your Foxbody’s cornering behaviour. An estimated average Joe afternoon install time later, and these coils will have your Pony carving through the curves. The coil-overs are designed for maximum track AND street performance with full adjustability. This way you can drive the car to the track, make a few quick adjustments, thrash around at high speeds for a while and then saunter back home without causing your delicate derriere any unnecessary pain. Performance wise, better-turn in response, improved handling and increased cornering-grip can all be expected when running the Pro Street kit. It’s a good thing we covered bumpsteer kits earlier, because these springs will lower the car between 1”-2.5”, depending on how they have been adjusted.

The conclusion

To wrap everything up, a good coil-over kit essentially rectifies all the weak points originally found in the stock suspension architecture. Coil-overs are certainly more costly than standard strut/shock replacement, but their distinct performance advantages certainly make them a must for any Foxbody owner wishing to squeeze every last bit of performance out of their pony.

Written by: CMC (www.fiveohinfo.com)