Handling Mods

[Cobra40]

I haven't seen much talk on handling.

Anyone out there more into road racing as opposed to 1/4 mile?

I enjoy handling performance and driving several miles at a time rather than the short trips. With the HP on the stock car and factory suspension, lap times DRAMATICALLY increase with performance driving education. Add to that suspension mods that take you to the the car's performance limits, we're talking serious lap times that Z06's and Vipers (and dare I mention Porshes) can't come close to. Look at the focus...because of the handling characteristics, on short curvy tracks, beat the vettes and vipers by many seconds a lap (I witnessed 10 seconds/lap faster at TX Motor Speedway road course).

SVTOA - we need more performance driving events w/ performance driving education.

So, anyone making suspension mods? Is KB, Roush, or, Steeda better? Anyone else making suspension mods better than these guys?

The floor is open...

[spiced]

Griggs racing specializes in building performance street and track mustangs. They are located at what used to be Sears Point now called Infineon Racway, www.griggsracing.com I've been to thier shop, the parts I've seen are quality stuff.

[trmn8er]

Hey Cobra40!

What have you been smoking?

The Cobra's are fast, have a lot of HP and a lot of weight.

I run SCCA SoloII autocross with my '03. This past summer the '03 was classed against Z06's and Ziper's and last generation Mazda RX-7's plus others.

The Z06 out handles everything in its class, whether it be stock or modified. The Viper's and Mazda's give the Cobra a good wipen also.

The SCCA, based on the '03 Cobra's performance this past year, has dropped it down a class. From Super Stock (SS) to A Stock (AS). It no longer has to compete with the Z06 or the Mazda.

This was done, not as a slam against the Cobra, because the SCCA clearly sees the stock Z06 in a class by itself.

Remember, we are talking about power and handling here!

The '03 Cobra should be a killer in the A Stock class this coming year. I'll let you know how I do!

I the mean time, pay the Z06 a little respect. And don't get into a "Deadman's Curve" race with one!

[Beabout]

Cobra40, I notice that you are in a vert. I'm not sure mind you but, it seems to me that a coupe would lend itself more to road course competition or any competition for that matter. I think Ford put softer suspension ( spring rates ) on the verts due to body flex. Just guessing here:huh:

[Cobra40]

Correct, the converts do have softer spring rates than coupes.

But, I'm not interested in competing at a serious level. Just want to enjoy SVTOA performance driving events and the company of other SVT owners. Great bunch of people. But am interested in knowing what to do at the competitive level. Will make the mods that fit my purpose. Not just modify something to say that I did. Addressing driving skills (because lack of kills), handling, sound, and ride quality, in that order is my intent.

So my convert will do me just fine and look great going down the road and around road courses at SVTOA events.

[Steve Bassen]

Throw on some MaxMotorsports full-length subframe connectors to start. After that, your mods should be "seat time, seat time, seat time". Get used to the car, feel it's limits. Don't throw any suspension parts in until you know the car like the back of your hand.

THEN, call up either Griggs or Maximum Motorsports. Tell them you've got an 03 Cobra 'vert, and that you're looking to get started with suspension mods. Start simple with caster/camber plates (dial in max caster, -1.5 camber, 1/16 toe-in) and coil-over kits for your factory Bilsteins all around, and ask what they'd recommend for spring rates for your application. Now drive your car through a few more events, and your handling should be significantly improved. You can also try some Steeda rear diff bushings, and some Griggs delrin IRS bushings, this will tighten up the rear. Also, a set of high performance brake pads wouldn't be out of the question.

The final step would be switching to a griggs or mm k-member and control arms. This will shave a ton of weight on the front end, and also give a significant improvement in suspension geometry over the stock "McUndersteer" setup. If KB ever gets around to engineering some IRS control arms that don't have a habit of breaking under load, you might consider those high-dollar parts when they come to market as well. These will shave more weight from the rear and slightly improve the rear suspension geometry.

[habu03]

Hey Cobra 40

I also have an '03 vert. I have KB subframe connectors, extreme matrix braces, and jacking rails in hand, and lined up an installer I trust, but don't have on yet since I am waiting on a couple of other things I opted for after my initial order. I am going for coilovers on front (figure to save a little, not a lot of, weight). I don't plan to road race, but just wanted to improve handling a tad. Will let you know when installed if I think I see an improvement or detriment.