GT Performance Mods 2005+ Mustang GT Performance and Technical Information

Koni STR.T shocks and struts installed

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Old 1/17/10, 06:44 PM
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Koni STR.T shocks and struts installed

Hey guys, spent the weekend installing a set of Koni STR.T shocks and struts and Steeda's Sport springs. I also replaced the factory strut mounts with Steeda's heavy duty mounts. The Steeda mounts made the alignment a piece of cake. I'm really pleased with the results. I may not even need to replace the factory sway bars. Kudos to Sam Strano for helping me pick out the parts. Here are some pics. For comparison purposes, the first pic is from when I bought the car.
Attached Thumbnails Koni STR.T shocks and struts installed-dans-07-mustang-gt-017.jpg   Koni STR.T shocks and struts installed-01.17.2010-0021024x768.jpg   Koni STR.T shocks and struts installed-01.17.2010-0081024x768.jpg   Koni STR.T shocks and struts installed-01.17.2010-0051024x768.jpg   Koni STR.T shocks and struts installed-01.17.2010-0061024x768.jpg  

Old 1/17/10, 09:29 PM
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Looks really good. How is the ride?
Old 1/18/10, 05:51 PM
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Actually better than stock. Didn't realize how bad the stock shocks and struts had gotten after 35K miles. Really good setup for the price.
Old 1/18/10, 06:28 PM
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Are the Koni STR.T's non-adjustable dampers?
Old 1/18/10, 06:35 PM
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The STR.Ts are not adjustable. The adjustable Koni "yellows" are adjustable (and cost a lot more, too). I have the same set-up as the OP (STR.Ts and Steeda Sport springs). I couldn't be happier with the ride and handling. Previously I had stock shocks and Eibach Pro Kit springs. I think both changes have been positive, particularly the shocks/struts. The rear is more planted, the ride is a lot less harsh, and the rear has much less tendency to skip sideways when hitting bumps during a turn.
Old 1/18/10, 08:51 PM
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How is the weight transfer with those shocks/struts and springs?
Old 1/19/10, 05:57 PM
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Originally Posted by upstateGT
The STR.Ts are not adjustable. The adjustable Koni "yellows" are adjustable (and cost a lot more, too). I have the same set-up as the OP (STR.Ts and Steeda Sport springs). I couldn't be happier with the ride and handling. Previously I had stock shocks and Eibach Pro Kit springs. I think both changes have been positive, particularly the shocks/struts. The rear is more planted, the ride is a lot less harsh, and the rear has much less tendency to skip sideways when hitting bumps during a turn.
Thanks for the update, Mark. Do you still have the stock panhard bar in the rear?
Old 1/21/10, 01:51 AM
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If you dont mind, how much did this all cost you? In parts?
Old 1/30/10, 03:43 PM
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$987 shipped. I used to get a lot of wheel hop with the stock suspension and now I don't get any. The car just plants and goes. No traction problems at all. There wasn't a noticeable shift in the rear end with lowering the car, so I didn't need the adjustable panhard bar. Thanks again to Sam for telling me to wait on ordering the adjustable panhard bar until I saw how much the rear shifted. I'm really happy with the setup. Actually a better ride than stock.
Old 1/30/10, 06:43 PM
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I am thinking about making some suspension modifications as it is getting time to replace the factory shocks and struts. I've got over 45K on the clock.

I am looking at the sport springs too and was also looking at the steeda nonadjustable dampers. I've been trying to figure out what parts will do the best job for the money and would like to only do it once while I have things tore apart.

Your post makes me think I could be going overkill but the price on all that is about 1,500.
I am looking at:



555-8120 - Heavy Duty Upper Strut Mounts - Street - S197

555-8405 - Steeda Pro-Action Shocks & Struts $399.95

555-8216, Sport Springs (set of four) $259.95

555-2555, HD Race Panhard Bar Brace $89.95

555-2551, Street Panhard Bar $159.95

555-1057 - Steeda Competition Rear Swaybar w/ End Links $329.95
Old 1/30/10, 11:22 PM
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Dan, glad to hear you like the setup. That's one of the setups I've been thinking about when I get around to doing my suspension.
Old 1/31/10, 05:55 AM
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Very nice. Question, do you have a strut tower brace? If so, will it work with the Steeda HD mounts?
Old 1/31/10, 08:35 AM
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did you have to reuse your stock dust boots and jounce bumpers with the new struts?
Old 1/31/10, 08:50 AM
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Sweeeet!
Old 1/31/10, 12:20 PM
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Yes, I have the Roush single bar strut tower brace. It really wasn't a problem with the Steeda HD mounts, but the larger nuts that come with the Steeda HD mounts barely fit with the strut tower brace. It all fit though.

I reused the stock dust boots and bumpers. I also reused all of the stock fasteners, except for the ones that came with the Steeda HD mounts.
Old 1/31/10, 12:57 PM
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I've not worked on the mustang but other cars I've worked with had some lock washers it seems like. Did you encounter any fasteners meant for one time use? Did you use any loctite?

Originally Posted by Jaden
Yes, I have the Roush single bar strut tower brace. It really wasn't a problem with the Steeda HD mounts, but the larger nuts that come with the Steeda HD mounts barely fit with the strut tower brace. It all fit though.

I reused the stock dust boots and bumpers. I also reused all of the stock fasteners, except for the ones that came with the Steeda HD mounts.
Old 1/31/10, 01:04 PM
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Ford says they are all one time use, but I didn't encounter any torque to yield fasteners.
Old 1/31/10, 01:35 PM
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I just noticed your comment on wheel hop. That is cool.

As for the alignment, did you have it done at a shop with an alignment machine? Have you checked out the pinion angle?

Just to verify the suspension mods you have made: Steeda Sport Springs, Steeda HD Strut Mounts, the strut brace, and the Konis.
Old 1/31/10, 07:04 PM
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Yes, I had to get an alignment. No, I didn't check the pinion angle. Yes, those are my suspension mods.
Old 2/5/10, 06:49 PM
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Originally Posted by Jaden
$987 shipped. I used to get a lot of wheel hop with the stock suspension and now I don't get any. The car just plants and goes. No traction problems at all. There wasn't a noticeable shift in the rear end with lowering the car, so I didn't need the adjustable panhard bar. Thanks again to Sam for telling me to wait on ordering the adjustable panhard bar until I saw how much the rear shifted. I'm really happy with the setup. Actually a better ride than stock.

Glad I could help, and that you like the results.

FWIW, that setup now is actually about $40 less (sorry Jaden). Koni SRT.T went on sale 2/1 for that much off. If I had known, I've have let you know.

Notice the part about the car not wheelhopping? That's pretty normal when you lower these things, so I recommend to my customers unless you have a lot of power and/or drag race to wait on LCA's and such to see if you need them. Most don't and are happy that I didn't just take their money.... At least I hope they are.


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