Suspension on 2010 GT500

So I recently splurged on a set of Shelby Signature Wheels, 20x9.5 front and 20x11 rear on Continental Extreme Rubber. Loving the look so far. That being said, I believe I really need to drop the car to compliment these new wheels. Been thinking about doing this for quite some time. That being said, a couple of questions.

1. I want a mild drop. I don't want the wheel well looking like its almost touching the tires. Would Steeda Sport springs, lowering 1" in the front and 1.2" inch in the rear look good? Anyone have another set of springs they would recommend?

2. I read and spoke to a few folks that said the stock shocks/struts could handle the drop these springs provide. Is it really ok to use the stock parts as opposed to getting a set of Bilsteins? I want the most comfortable ride possible. Would going aftermarket give me that or I can get that with the stocks?

3. What other parts would you suggest I install other than camber bolts for the front and adjustable panhard bar in the rear?

4. Do I need rear lower control arms?

Deleted

Here’s my setup: Ford racing’s springs, yellow koni shocks & struts, bmr caster camber bolts, bmr adj panhard bar, bmr panhard bar brace, bmr Lca, bmr reloc bracket, adj bmr uca, a alignment from a shop.

sonicx said:

Here’s my setup: Ford racing’s springs, yellow koni shocks & struts, bmr caster camber bolts, bmr adj panhard bar, bmr panhard bar brace, bmr Lca, bmr reloc bracket, adj bmr uca, a alignment from a shop.

Click to expand...

Thanks. I dont track the car or anything. I am really doing this just for the aesthetics. That being said, do I need to go as far as you or can I get away with a minimal setup? Did you do the install yourself and you had an alignment shop do that? I was going to do this myself as well.

I did the exact setup as sonicx mentioned above but if I recall, I kept the factory shocks. If you have the skills, you can do it yourself. I had a shop install mine. It looks way better lowered, & the ride/handling is great.

celticfdguy said:

Thanks. I dont track the car or anything. I am really doing this just for the aesthetics. That being said, do I need to go as far as you or can I get away with a minimal setup? Did you do the install yourself and you had an alignment shop do that? I was going to do this myself as well.

Click to expand...

Suspension is fairly straightforward. I do my work in the garage on jack stands and non- air tools. I get the homie discount at a alignment shop.

COOL COBRA said:

I did the exact setup as sonicx mentioned above but if I recall, I kept the factory shocks. If you have the skills, you can do it yourself. I had a shop install mine. It looks way better lowered, & the ride/handling is great.View attachment 1741449

Click to expand...

@COOL COBRA sharp

Thanks for the feedback. Has anyone heard of folks on a 2010 GT500 keeping stock struts/shocks? I dont track the car so my research thus far says I can use them with lowering springs? Any downside doing so?

celticfdguy said:

Thanks for the feedback. Has anyone heard of folks on a 2010 GT500 keeping stock struts/shocks? I dont track the car so my research thus far says I can use them with lowering springs? Any downside doing so?

Click to expand...

You can, plenty of people do. The ride might be bouncy but you won't die. You can always do the struts and shocks later. Plus it's easier the second time you take it all apart!

The smoothest riding S197, is a 13/14 Shelby with Performance Pack imo. I have had an 11 and a 12. No out of box components will come close. I wasted a lot of money in my "car modding travels".

Here's my recommendation

Keep Factory Struts and Shocks (I wasted money on an 11 not doing so)
Eibach Pro Kit
Upper Control Arm w/ mount
Adjustable Lower control arms with relocation brackets. (Poly / Rod ends)
Adjustable Panhard Bar

Go poly end on everything unless otherwise noted. This diagram depicts what you will be able to accomplish; better traction and tighter feeling car

I use BMR

With Eibach Pros

1Kona_Venom said:

The smoothest riding car is a 13/14 with Performance Pack imo. I have had an 11 and a 12. No out of box components will come close. I wasted a lot of money in my "car modding travels".

Here's my recommendation

Keep Factory Struts and Shocks (I wasted money on an 11 not doing so)
Eibach Pro Kit
Upper Control Arm w/ mount
Adjustable Lower control arms with relocation brackets. (Poly / Rod ends)
Adjustable Panhard Bar

Go poly end on everything unless otherwise noted. This diagram depicts what you will be able to accomplish; better traction and tighter feeling car

I use BMR

Click to expand...

Thank you for the detailed information!!!!! That is a pretty aggressive drop. 1.5" front and 1.70" rear. You dont have any rubbing of any sort? What size are your tires? I am running 265/35/20 on the front and 305/35/20 rear. I would be ok going 1" in the front and 1.2" rear, no? Current looking at Steeda springs. Thanks again!!

Edit: Looks like you have a 2013 with these springs. That only drops your car 1" front and 1.2" rear.

celticfdguy said:

Thank you for the detailed information!!!!! That is a pretty aggressive drop. 1.5" front and 1.70" rear. You dont have any rubbing of any sort? What size are your tires? I am running 265/35/20 on the front and 305/35/20 rear. I would be ok going 1" in the front and 1.2" rear, no? Current looking at Steeda springs. Thanks again!!

Edit: Looks like you have a 2013 with these springs. That only drops your car 1" front and 1.2" rear.

Eibach 2007-2014 Shelby GT500 Pro Kit Lowering Springs

Eibach 2007-2013 Shelby GT500 Pro Kit Lowering SpringsLowers 07-2010 GT500 Coupe:1.50" Front1.70" RearLowers 07-2010 GT500 Convertible:1.20" Front 1.80" RearLowers 2011-2013 GT500 Coupe:1.00" Front 1.20" RearThe Eibach PRO-KIT is the perfect answer for most frequently-driven street cars. It's...

www.lethalperformance.com

Click to expand...

That was roughly what I was running in terms of tire vs drop on my 13. The drop is going look better but be tougher if you’re going across bad roads constantly hence why I recommend doing some adjustment yellow Koni to stiffen or loosen up the rise quality. Never used steeda springs on a s197 but enjoyed them on a new edge. See enough setups with. Steeda that I think you’re ok similar or the ford racing springs.

1Kona_Venom said:

With Eibach Pros





View attachment 1741468


View attachment 1741469

Click to expand...

That looks great! What wheels are those @1Kona_Venom.

sonicx said:

That looks great! What wheels are those @1Kona_Venom.

Click to expand...

They look like my dream wheels Shelby Alcoa's.

If you are going through the process of changing springs, might as well do the shocks while you in there. You have to remove them anyway, and why not just freshen up everything while you can, your talking about 12 year old shocks and struts.

@celticfdguy
On the blue one, Shelby Alcoas, 20x9 and 20x10 275/35 & 285/35, respectfully.
On my '13 20x9.5 and 20x11 275/35 & 305/35, respectfully.

The offset and backspacing of a wheel will factor into whether it will rub or not.
However, when I went from stock and lowered my car(s), you could easily tell that the rear axle was not centered. It presented itself as one wheel was sticking out further, hence why the adjustable panhard bar is required to re-center the axle.

I have never had rubbing issues on any of my cars going back to my Terminator days. There are enough "spearheaders" who have blazed the path to ensure mistakes aren't made. I just took that approach.

I also agree with @Kevinbonds to freshen everything up. I installed Koni Yellows on my blue Shelby but they are limited in what can be adjusted. Some shocks/struts only allow for rebound adjustment, whereas, others you can adjust both compression and rebound; viking.


I think for a street car, my aforementioned approach in post #9 and I really like BMRs customer service. Deion is the man down there for mustang platforms and likes to help. @Van@RevanRacing can also get you your stuff. Again, great customer service.

Steeda, I live 2 hours from them and I wont use them or any of their products.

I had Eibach Sport line coils with stock shocks and struts , and they were Great. Since I don't track my car or daily drive it and only really drive it occasionally to a car show or around town, I installed coilovers to be able to adjust the ride height to exactly where I wanted it.

That being said, I thing you should Google some images of different suspension setups to get a better idea of what you'll end up with before you throw your wallet at it. Depending on intended use, suspension can be quite the money pit lol


Sent from my SM-N975U1 using the svtperformance.com mobile app

Parts are ordered! I can't wait. My car is going to look so sweet.

-Steeda Sport Springs. 1.2" drop on the front and 1.5" drop on the rear
-Bilstein B6 Shock
-Bilstein B6 Strut
-BMR Adj Panhard Bar
-Jounce Bumper Kit
-Eibach Camber Bolts

Here’s my 2010 on Steeda sport springs #555 8217 just for reference…
FYI wheels are 20x9 & 20x11




Sent from my iPhone using svtperformance.com

celticfdguy said:

Parts are ordered! I can't wait. My car is going to look so sweet.

-Steeda Sport Springs. 1.2" drop on the front and 1.5" drop on the rear
-Bilstein B6 Shock
-Bilstein B6 Strut
-BMR Adj Panhard Bar
-Jounce Bumper Kit
-Eibach Camber Bolts

Click to expand...

If you still have time drop the eibach for bmr bolts. Those eibach aren’t usa made. At the time of me buyin BMR they were made here in the USA. That why I went that way, when it comes to bolts I don’t want foreign pop metal. Oh well if it’s too late but if not, I would switch.

Zedeater said:

Here’s my 2010 on Steeda sport springs #555 8217 just for reference…
FYI wheels are 20x9 & 20x11

Sent from my iPhone using svtperformance.com

Click to expand...

Looks amazin!! Are you happy with it? From my research I did not hear about any rubbing of any sort. Do you have any rubbing?