Tech question, 88 GT 440hp 500ft/lbs of torq

I need some feedback on what changes you would make to the suspension on my GT so that it will handle some of the power. Right now its stock, I enjoy driving it on the street and want to keep some of the handling but I also want to get as much of the power as I can to the ground when running in a straight line.

I have some ideas but would like to hear what all of you think?

Thanks

 

It depends on what type of driving your gonna do. If the car is just for drag then get some 90/10's 50/50's and drag springs. That'll really get some weight transfer. Or if u want a road race suspension then get some adj tekicos(sp?) or bilsteins(sp?) shocks and struts. I'm sure a auto x'er will chime in and give ya more tips about turning. But what do I know I'm just a knuckle dragger!. -Mark

 

Yeah, it depends on what you mean by handling. It's really gonna be hard to find something that performs well in both a straight line and in the twisties. Everything with a car is a compromise, you give a little here to gain a little there. Can't really tell you anything about the twisties but for straight line, you need some good upper and lower control arms as well as purpose built springs and shocks like the 90/10's and 50/50's in combination with something like Eibach drag launch springs with an air bag. They let the front pop up quickly and go down slowly to transfer weight to the rear tires for max traction.

I've been driving around on the street with that setup (including no front sway bar) and have had no problems at all. Incidentally, my entire suspension setup will be coming off probably this week and will be for sale at spectacular savings.

 

Heh, just noticed your HP and TQ numbers. The Dirtmobile was almost a carbon copy before I started disassembling it...444 RWHP and 501 TQ. Pretty close. What's your best time in the 1/4?

 

Thanks you knuckle draggers j/k

Im thinking I am going to have to hitch a ride one day with a few of you guys to see how the car's ride on the street with the 90/10s. I dont take many turns @ 80 mph so I will prolly lean alittle more towards a stright line setup. I just dont want to be stuck creeping around corners at a snails pace.

The car has never been to the track and prolly wont be for awhile until I take care of a few things so I cant give you any #s. Technically? 442/508 so yea thats dam close.

I wasnt sure what kind of #s you were putting down Dr. but now that I know its about the same, I have to ask this. Did you run your t5 at the track with 500ft lbs torq? hehe I have nightmares at this point about shattering my t5 into a zillion pieces on the street let alone the track

What are your future plans Dr.? another stang? or you gonna sell out to a f body? lol just curious

Thanks again guys, this info helps allot.
Keep it coming

 

the only way to get a mix of the two is to do coilovers and adjustable shocks.... they cost a bit extra but if you want the best of both worlds that is the only way to get close to it !

 

LOL, no, unfortunately, I disintegrated my T-5 somewhere around the time the car was running 12.0's. I sapped in a Tremec but then the ol' knees finally got tired of pushing in a clutch to in went the C-4 w/ 3500 stall. That did the job just fine. The trip to the trac was a little painful. I'd just set it on 3000 rpm and plod along at about 65 mph. I'd just shake my fist at everybody who passed me and yell something about getting even once we got there.

Future plans are to first see if I can break the record for the world's oldest new father. If that doesn't work out, I'll be back a little sooner, most likely sporting some old '60s iron again. Or, if they get the retro thing right and at least a 5.0 engine back...who knows.
Edit: BTW, when the T-5 went, it was on a normal shift pulling away from a light on the way to work. Third gear just decided to disentegrate in the middle of 118th Ave.

 

90/10s on the street are a little scary. i'd go with 70/30s and 50/50s out back or adj. coil overs like everyone else has mentioned.
friend has a 95gt that pulls 1.5x 60' times with 70/30s and 50/50s on ET streets...
enjoy!

 

In my old car I had a pretty funky setup that gave the best of both worlds. everyone who rode in my car told me that it handled really well and launched really hard. I had frpp c-springs, tokico sp* shocks and struts, steeda cc plates, subframes, chassis engineering lift bars, adjustable uppers. I could leave at 4k on the spray on really shitty roads with nitto's, thats with a sway bar. Ask modular matt how my car was