Let's stiffen this thing up....

Topic: Let's stiffen this thing up.... (Read 2805 times) previous topic - next topic

Let's stiffen this thing up....

Reply #15 – February 26, 2010, 08:53:39 AM

Yeah, poly front control arm bushings aren't for those with delicate "sensibities", or who like to preserve the ride feel. As mentioned, you will feel every hair on the road you run over.

The "B" & "C" kit rear springs have no place on a Tbird/Cougar, so don't use them. They are far too weak. The "C" kits fronts are a good choice, and I use them all the time. The "B"s belong in the trash. As discussed, Mach 1 or Bullitt springs are a good choice.

Jerry, SFCs are never overkill on a Fox.

To the OP, search around. We've discussed suspension stuff quite a bit here, so you're not covering new ground.

Let's stiffen this thing up....

Reply #16 – February 26, 2010, 10:52:22 AM

Some Mach 1 springs are going to be the next thing I acquire...I love to hear that it'll ride like a Stock Car....I give 2 shiznits less about ride quality. I have a Caprice that's like driving the couch to town, if I need a butt cushion with a steering wheel attached.... :hick:

FloridaCougar, stay tuned for those part #'s....I just woke up :hick:
(i work second shift)

Let's stiffen this thing up....

Reply #17 – February 26, 2010, 02:35:15 PM

Here's what I have.
End links: ES part # 98119
front lower arm: #43123
I'm looking for spring isolators, and since I was on their site, here's the page for '88 Tbirds:
http://www.energysuspensionparts.com/products.asp?cat=Ford+Thunderbird+1988

Enjoy...and you're welcome!

Let's stiffen this thing up....

Reply #18 – March 24, 2010, 04:00:46 PM

Daminc, I am new to this thread, but I am wondering where you got the subframe connectors you pictured in one of your previous posts. Were they custom made?

Let's stiffen this thing up....

Reply #19 – March 24, 2010, 04:45:36 PM

He made them himself.

Let's stiffen this thing up....

Reply #20 – March 24, 2010, 07:13:03 PM

yes, I made them. I also have the plans if you want them.

Let's stiffen this thing up....

Reply #21 – March 24, 2010, 08:38:49 PM

You can make simple sub-frame connectors that are cheap and easy.

I used a bar of 1 1/2 inch by 1 1/2 inch and some flat stock and welded it in. If I did it again I would use 2x1 or 1 1/2 and it would be a bit easier to line up.

These make a big improvement in stiffness. You can jack up the car on one corner and the doors still work great.

TED

Let's stiffen this thing up....

Reply #22 – March 24, 2010, 09:34:43 PM

Here you go edgar_g1

here's the weld along the entire frame and inner rocker and seat braces. I actually replacer the seat bolts with grade 8 bolts washers and nuts when I installed the seats. I also used larger diameter bolts on my seats. I think I used 5/8" or 3/4"

cut through the floor, welded and seam sealed

Here's the car being jacked up by the 1" outer rail under the rocker lip. (doors still worked fine)

Let's stiffen this thing up....

Reply #23 – May 14, 2010, 10:28:16 AM

Quote from: Thunder Chicken;311575

I have done to my car what you want to do to yours: the poly front bushings, CHE adjustabnle rears, TC front and rear say bar, 3.55 8.8" TC rear, 11" front brakes, subframe connectors, all new shocks and struts (stock type) and Mach 1 springs. I love the stance, I love the way it handles, but I hate the ride. I went too far with stiffening and made it way too rough (you can run over a dime and tell whether it's heads or tails). I will someday take the front end apart and install stock style busings in the control arms to get my ride back. I may try adding some sound deadener to see if that helps (I think most of the roughness is perceived through noise). Either that or I'll pray that they repave the road I live on.

...

I am pondering...is ride quality mostly determined by springs or bushings?

I am considering polyGRAphite bushings, but I dont want harshness as bad as you have. My springs will be MOOG 8600 or 8598's with Tokico blues.

Let's stiffen this thing up....

Reply #24 – May 14, 2010, 05:10:02 PM

I'm thinking bushings are the major factor. My springs are stock Ford pieces (albeit for a Mach 1). I've also heard of others who have used bone stock springs with poly bushings and had noisy results.