Kirk! We're under attack!! Suspension help.

[cycleguy55]

Originally Posted by RedHawk

Time to upgrade Suspension and and ready to shell outbthe dough.

Hey CR owners I'm fairly new to the club and I am thoroughly enjoying the ride, well not exactly.

When cruising I'll see a bump coming and its like a scene from Das Boot where they have to brace for a depth charge or better yet when Kirk and the crew have to brace on the bridge for a Klingon attack. I come upon the bump and grit my teeth and squint my eyes and bam!. I quickly take crude inventory of whether I see parts flying off from the rear etc... Its even worse when I have a passenger.

Anyway I have been reading any thread I can find on the subject and I have narrowed it down to the solution. I just need some final advise as to any reccomened specs and or missing items.

Current set up.1997 CR
*mustang 2 Front year? and 8.8 rear. Pictures attached.
*351W. 15"with avon 245 and 295.Love the avons
* 11" wilwood front brakes installed and drums on the back.
*Front sway bar no rear.

I want a hybrid ride with 30% track time and 70% street. When on street I am not just drag racing but taking corners too and of course cruising. I also want to hopefully bolt on and go.

What I know or think I know is the following:
I want the best quality for performance. Price is secondary or not a major concern.

*Install QA1 12 way adjustable coilovers in the rear with what lb spring 250-300lb? Should I leave spring that is currently installed? (some have mentioned that here)
*Replace front A arms with tubular but what kind Heidts, as already mentioned I have a wilwood front setup? So many options my eyes glaze over. I want the best. QA1 adjuatable coil overs in front? Spring rate front?
*FYI, Phase 2 I plan on upgrading to Ididit steering column and steering gear for more precise input.
*Not an expert at all so anything else I should do on this first phase or things to be aware of like replace bushings, fabrication(I will but would prefer not to have to weld brackets?)

P.S. Just want to send a shout out to Texas Snake.This forum has been very helpful in that I lost a spinner awhile back and Texas Snake came to the rescue.

Thanks!!

I have a very similar suspension in my West Coast Cobra (original Mustang II front end, Ford 9" live axle in the back). The WCC is heavier than your CR2, plus a slightly longer WB (96") - so keep that in mind. Mine is running QA1 single adjustable coil-overs in the front with 465 lbs/in springs, and the rear is 400 lbs/in coil springs with QA1 single adjustable shocks. IIRC, front shocks are set at position 5 (4 clicks up from softest setting), while the rears are set at 4. There are no real ride quality issues, no clenching of teeth when hitting bumps, and I can adjust them from very soft to rock hard just by reaching under the car and twisting dials.

BTW, mine has both front and rear sway bars, but I don't see any sign of a rear bar on yours.

I have looked at going to tubular control arms for my Mustang II front end, but haven't yet seen enough value in making the change. Perhaps others could shed some light on the benefits.

BTW, here's a thread you may want to check out: Frustrated Canuck in need of suspension help!!

[RedHawk]

Originally Posted by cycleguy55

I have a very similar suspension in my West Coast Cobra (original Mustang II front end, Ford 9" live axle in the back). The WCC is heavier than your CR2, plus a slightly longer WB (96") - so keep that in mind. Mine is running QA1 single adjustable coil-overs in the front with 465 lbs/in springs, and the rear is 400 lbs/in coil springs with QA1 single adjustable shocks. IIRC, front shocks are set at position 5 (4 clicks up from softest setting), while the rears are set at 4. There are no real ride quality issues, no clenching of teeth when hitting bumps, and I can adjust them from very soft to rock hard just by reaching under the car and twisting dials.

BTW, mine has both front and rear sway bars, but I don't see any sign of a rear bar on yours.

I have looked at going to tubular control arms for my Mustang II front end, but haven't yet seen enough value in making the change. Perhaps others could shed some light on the benefits.

BTW, here's a thread you may want to check out: Frustrated Canuck in need of suspension help!!

Yeah I read that Thread. Still leaves me with questions which is why I posted this thread. I suppose I should take DV's advise and just call QA1 and Heidts and ask. Figured I would ask the forum comminty first. Love this forum.

Also from some of my other reading it states tubular is for looks. I've talked with Shell Valley and I can get QA1 reolacement for the MII i currently have.

[CobraEd]

I took both the front and rear bars off years ago and the car runs beautifully without them. Nice crisp handling along with a great ride. Not harsh anymore.


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