Are coilovers worth it on a foxbody? I don't know what to get.
So I am going to be doing quite a bit of front suspension work on my 87 cougar here starting this weekend. I am putting on slightly larger spindles and brakes from a turbocoupe. However, the shocks and springs are stock, and the bushings are worn and need replacement to realign the car again. I am torn between what path to take.
I can replace the shocks, springs, and bushings with stock parts for about $250 and be left with stock suspension. But, if I want adjustable ride height and more control, I would need coilovers and caster camber plates, which would run me up near $800! While I’m in there, should I do tubular A-arms too? Bigger swaybar?
So I want to know if dropping the extra dough into a nice aftermarket setup had any real benefit for a street-driven vehicle. Power upgrades are to come later on it. Or, are there more unforseen drawbacks?
Also, as a side note, all 87-93 5.0 ‘stang front end parts are identical to my cougar. The only exception is a-arms that match the 94-95 mustang (1/2” longer). Maximum motorsports do make caster camber plates for the cougar too.
Comments
I’ve been thinking about the same thing lately on my 95. I decided, for cost reasons because I’m a single dad, to do some ford racing c springs from a buddy and a set of kyb shocks and struts and gonna go with urethane bushings around the front for now, back later when i do the control arms. Reason is cost is much lower, i don’t change my ride height ever, and it’ll handle way better than it ever did stock. If you did want adjustability, you could upgrade to adjustable shocks instead of just new shocks. They make a huge difference. Just my .02
That makes sense to me. Sounds much more cost effective. I’ll see what other spring and shock options are available.
I think it would be worth it. I really want to get some kind of upgraded springs/ suspension just to give the car more of a sporty feel. Another thing that helps is getting full lenght subfram connectors, bolt in or weld in. From what I hear they really stiffen the chassis up.
Yeah definitely should be high on the list for fox guys
I have some from Maximum Motorsports. Best mod you could possibly do to the car for the money.
I really need to know if it is worth it. I want that extra grip achieved with coilovers. But if there are cheaper high performance options for non coilovers i rather that
Unless you are really trying to perfect your cornering, coilovers are not needed. Especially on a Foxbody.
Yeah, the most I might do is some light autocrossing on rare occasion. Thats kinda what I figured.
I would say coilovers are worth it just for the adjustability. They can play a vital role in setting your ride up for anything whether it’s track racing or straight line launches.
I’ll always choose adjustability over not.
That is the biggest plus, full adjustability. It would be nice to tweak everything to be just right. I just don’t know if that is enough of a bonus to constitute almost 4 times the cost.
Go for it. Coils make a huge difference. To the people who are saying it’s not worth it on a Fox, why not improve a weak aspect of the car “the suspension”.
Foxes can have some wheel hop issues as well, and coils along with upgraded components will help that tremendously.
yeah, I have seen the notorious wheel hop before. I’m not putting enough power to the ground to have that problem (yet), but I will certainly keep it in mind.
Make sure your strut towers are strong, all that weight I’ve seen them snap the tower and go through the hood.
I think I have decided to not go with coilovers. You’re right, the strut tower was never intended to bear the weight of the car. I’ll just put in some beefier springs and lift the car from the K member.
I have the coilover kit and tubular a arms from UPR, and the maximum motorsports caster camber plates. I have been really happy with them, and I noticed a huge difference once they were installed. My car is street only, and it just adds so much to the car. I plan on adding the tubular K member from UPR later this summer. It’s good stuff. And it’s cheaper than a lot of the other stuff out there.
I also recommend, coilovers or stock springs, to get a shock tower brace, one that ties into the firewall as well. Stiffens everything a ton, and also helps stop some squeaks and rattles from our old cars. Subframe connectors too!
I installed my strut braces before I had my coilovers. It quieted things down, especially on rough roads. (I live on a gravel road). I don’t doubt your information, I just know my experience.