98 Cobra Suspension Overhaul Help?

[rmf57]

Hello,

I picked up my 98 cobra a few years ago. I've driven it without any major issues since then, but it's approaching 140k miles and to my knowledge it's still running entirely on the original factory suspension. The shocks and struts are in desperate need of replacement, but I was considering overhauling the entire suspension instead. My goal would be to increase handling while retaining as much ride quality as possible since I drive the car regularly. I wanted to get a few more opinions on the component's I've chosen before pulling the trigger and doing the install. I have moderate mechanical experience, but any advice on the install process or additional/alternate parts would be greatly appreciated. My selections are as follows:

Eibach Pro-Street Coil Over Kit - http://www.americanmuscle.com/eibach-prostreet-coilover-7994.html
Maximum Motorsports Caster Camber Plates - http://www.americanmuscle.com/maximum-motorsports-caster-camber-plates-94-04.html
Steeda Bumpsteer Kit - http://www.americanmuscle.com/stbukit94b.html
Steeda X2 Ball Joint Kit - http://www.americanmuscle.com/stx2bajokit.html
New Inner Tie Rods - http://www.americanmuscle.com/mustang-inner-tierod-9404.html
Eibach Sway Bar Kit - http://www.americanmuscle.com/eibach-swaybar-94-04-mustang.html
Prothane Total Bushing Kit - http://www.americanmuscle.com/pmc-total-bushing-kit-9498.html
Maybe BBK Fixed Rear Upper and Lower Control Arm Kit - http://www.americanmuscle.com/bbk-uplow-controlarm-7998.html
Maybe OEM Front Control Arms? Open to suggestions

*Note* The control arms would add close to $550 to the build, bringing the total to around $3k. I'm not sure if their cost is justified by their performance??

While I'm at it, I was also considering throwing in an SR Performance Short Throw Shifter - http://www.americanmuscle.com/stack-racing-short-throw.html

I want to keep the ride height as close to original as possible. I estimate this build will only drop it by roughly 1." I'm also trying to complete this project over a three day weekend if possible, so any tips on the optimal order of installation would be extremely appreciated! I've read through the install manuals for everything, but it's tough trying to make it all come together as efficiently as possible.

Thank you to anyone that takes the time to read and respond to this post. I'd love to hear about your cars and experiences!

-Richard

 

[2DXTRM]

List looks good. However I would suggest some changes.

The Eibach ProStreet coilover kit is very nice. I had this as my 1st setup in my old 95 along with the Eibach sway bars. Very smooth and compliant ride.
If you are going to use the MM Caster Camber plates, you will HAVE to get the Eibach 5.1018K bearing adapter plate to use with the CC plates.

I dont think you will really need the X2 Ball joint kit if you dont plan to lower the car very much.
The Prothane Bushing kit might leave you with left overs if you plan to upgrade the rear control arms or front control arms.

I would do this from this list:
Eibach Coil over kit
Eibach Sway bars
MM C/C plates
Bumpsteer kit
New inner tie rods

Then add:
MM Rear lower control arms (or J&M)
Keep the stock rear upper arms if the bushings are still good, if they're toast, then go with another set of oem arms.
Check and replace the bushings on the rear differential if they are cracked with OEM style replacements.
You can refurbish your current front control arms or find a set of stockers that someone is selling for cheap (to minimize downtime) and go with urethane bushings and a Moog or Motorcraft replacement ball joint.
You can check the condition of the steering rack bushings while youre under there, if they look toast, then a set of non-offset urethane bushings would make good replacements.


As far as the shifter goes, Id rather have a stock shifter over that SR unit that looks like a Pro 5.0 shifter. I personally run a Hurst Billet Plus on my Cobra. No problems.

If you dont already have a set of subframe connectors, then add that to the list as well. Stifflers, Maier, MM or Steeda in the full length variety.

 

[wmfateam]

Are you set on coil overs? Eibach also has a suspension kit without coil overs, http://www.maximummotorsports.com/Pro-System-Plus-Kit-1994-2004-V8-inc-Cobra-Not-Conv-P943.aspx
Seems like over kill if you do not plan on tracking the car. It also has the swaybars. I would not personally suggest a full poly kit. Possibly in the front control arms, and I suggest the 03-04 front control arms. Spring isolators will raise the vehicle slightly over the spring drop. I have J&M uppers and MM heavy duty lowers with spherical upper axle bushings. Little aggressive nvh wise, but there is no binding. My coming up daily set up is going to be whiteline uppers and lowers. MM caster camber plates are to notch as well. The SR short shifter is just a copy shifter, I personally love both my Steeda tri axle units, but the people's favorite appears to be the MGW. The X2's are over kill for only an inch drop, but then again I have them on both my cars.

 

[rmf57]

2DXTRM,

Thanks for the advice. I figured the X2 Kit would be overkill, but since it isn't terribly expensive I was going to go ahead and throw it in there in case I wanted to lower the car further in the future. I'll check out the MM Rear Lower control arms and price the bushings individually. The shifter was more of an afterthought; my primary focus is the suspension right now. As far as subframe connectors go, I've read they make a big difference, but I'm not sure if I want to tackle welding them in place.

wmfateam,

Thank you as well. I've seen that kit before and seriously considered it. I agree that the Coilovers are probably not necessary, and frankly they would be more for bragging rights than anything else. Good call on the spring isolators; I'll research them further.

You both made great suggestions on the control arms, and I am going to look at them all more closely to come up with a final solution.

Thanks,

-Richard

 

[wmfateam]

I believe there is an Eibach rebate thing going on right now, like 10%. Can't remember exactly, it was in an email that I skimmed through.

 

[cbrown9064]

All the above is God advice. Just for comparison, I have Bilsteins from MM and they rode very nice, before I put H&or Super Sports on. Then things got a little stiff, as the car dropped 1.5".

With Bilsteins in front, I did not have to do anything special with the MM CC plates.

Finally, I highly recommend the MM adjustable LCA. Allows you to set ride height (really there for weight jacking) in the rear.

Get a MGW shifter, only way to go IMHO.

Best advice I can offer if buy the stuff from MM. Call them up and let them give you advice. They know Mustang suspension...

 

[deadernie]

I would definitely consider adding full length sub frame connectors. I did the full matrix kit from Kenny Brown and it eliminated a lot of squeaks and rattles and the car feels much better.

 

[GRUSE]

Full length weld in SFC should be top on the list.Give Maximum Motorsports a call and they can recommend a package deal to best suit your needs,their products are top quality.

 

[Blown_By_You]

2DXTRM,

Thanks for the advice. I figured the X2 Kit would be overkill, but since it isn't terribly expensive I was going to go ahead and throw it in there in case I wanted to lower the car further in the future. I'll check out the MM Rear Lower control arms and price the bushings individually. The shifter was more of an afterthought; my primary focus is the suspension right now. As far as subframe connectors go, I've read they make a big difference, but I'm not sure if I want to tackle welding them in place.

wmfateam,

Thank you as well. I've seen that kit before and seriously considered it. I agree that the Coilovers are probably not necessary, and frankly they would be more for bragging rights than anything else. Good call on the spring isolators; I'll research them further.

You both made great suggestions on the control arms, and I am going to look at them all more closely to come up with a final solution.

Thanks,

-Richard

I'd skip the X2's and just get a set of 03 Cobra front control arms.. They'll already have new balljoints and bushings, which will be shot on your car..