SN95 Rollercoaster

[Real98roush]

Midday Saturday I was bored... went into the garage and put the car on jack stands. Grabbed the engine support and started pulling apart the front end

The old junk

MM K- member
Non-offset A-arms
03/04 Steering Rack
Spherical tie-rods
Solid Rack bushings
Oil filter relocation kit
Bilstein shocks with MM coil over kit

IG: @sn95mystic

SVTP: SN95 Rollercoaster

 

[Real98roush]

Started with the oil filter relocation.

First time working with Fragola push lock fittings. What a pain! Failed to get the fittings in the first 2 attempts using motor oil and trying to muscle them in the tubing. Couldn’t get further than 75% of the fitting seated.

Boiled water put some grease on the fitting and got them installed.

If you use this method, let it sit in the water 3-4 minutes, pull the tubing out of the water (wear gloves) and ram the fitting in the tubing. Don’t stop until it’s fully seated. I stopped the first time and had to work really hard to get it fully seated.

the kit moves the filter to the front above the drive side fog light.

IG: @sn95mystic

SVTP: SN95 Rollercoaster

 

[Real98roush]

The car didn’t handle bad, the coil overs made noise, but I’m excited to see how it handles when I’m done because I found the motor mounts and ball joints were trashed.

Motor mount

Ball joint (both looked like this)

IG: @sn95mystic

SVTP: SN95 Rollercoaster

 

[Real98roush]

IG: @sn95mystic

SVTP: SN95 Rollercoaster

 

[Real98roush]

Replaced the motor mounts and bolted in the k-member. Set the rear points to square the k-member. Then called it a night

Found the easiest way to mark the point is to put a dot on the tape before putting the tape on the ground. Line it up and stick it directly below the plumb bob point. It’s critical that the points are set exactly the same. Using the rear control arm bolt, drape the string over the top and let it hang. You may have to bend some metal to ensure nothing is touching the string. If you hang the bob to the front of the bolt, you must do the exact same thing in the other side. The spec is within 1\8”, so take your time setting the points.


IG: @sn95mystic

SVTP: SN95 Rollercoaster

 

[Tillerman77]

Great progress - thanks for the update.

 

[Real98roush]

Haven’t been able to work on my car after work due to poor lighting in the garage.

Got home from work on Friday and the doorbell rang. FedEx dropped a package. Figured it was something my wife ordered, but I noticed my name on the label :what’s in the box: a good friend sent me a gift...

(6) 48” LED Lights. Plug style that daisy chain together like Christmas lights! So badass! Couldn’t be more grateful!

Went out with the wife for Valentine’s Day dinner, so I didn’t touch the car. Like a kid before Christmas, I didn’t sleep well, because I was so excited to get into the garage and button up the front suspension.


IG: @sn95mystic

SVTP: SN95 Rollercoaster

 

[Real98roush]

Saturday morning I rush into the garage to square up the k-member. While I was setting the front point I realized my jack stands were in between my front and rear points. :facepalm: I didn’t think about this when I initially started the project. Moved the jack stands to allow for measurements and reset all my points.

Took measurements and found I was in luck. Front to back was 1/16” proud on the drivers side and dead nuts side to side.

Torqued the k-member, lowered the motor and torqued the motor mounts. Took measurements again to ensure nothing moved during the process. :allgood:

IG: @sn95mystic

SVTP: SN95 Rollercoaster

 

[Real98roush]

k-member, a-arms, and steering rack with solid rack bushings installed. Relocated the driver side brake line and ground that were in the way of the new k-member.

The MM outer tie-rods require drilling the spindle to 5/8”. Needs to be done with a drilling machine or a press. Didn’t have either, so I went on a goose chase this afternoon.

Bought a cheap drill press at Harbor Freight but I was unable to secure the spindle.


IG: @sn95mystic

SVTP: SN95 Rollercoaster

 

[96GT226410]

k-member, a-arms, and steering rack with solid rack bushings installed. Relocated the driver side brake line and ground that were in the way of the new k-member.
View attachment 1552280


The MM outer tie-rods require drilling the spindle to 5/8”. Needs to be done with a drilling machine or a press. Didn’t have either, so I went on a goose chase this afternoon.

Bought a cheap drill press at Harbor Freight but I was unable to secure the spindle.


IG: @sn95mystic

SVTP: SN95 Rollercoaster

Nice progress! I drilled out my spindle in a bench vise with an electric drill. I also had to open mine up to 5/8" for the MM bumpsteer kit.

Sent from my SM-N960U using the svtperformance.com mobile app

 

[Real98roush]

Nice progress! I drilled out my spindle in a bench vise with an electric drill. I also had to open mine up to 5/8" for the MM bumpsteer kit.

Sent from my SM-N960U using the svtperformance.com mobile app

I smoked 3 $18 Dewalt drill bits so far. I’m going slow using oil. So frustrating

What’s the secret?


IG: @sn95mystic

SVTP: SN95 Rollercoaster

 

[98 svt]

Slow and steady. Dont force the bit. That's all I can say.

 

[Real98roush]

Called a friend for advice. He told me to come over if I want my problem solved. Lends me a reamer bit. Cut right through the spindle in less than 30 seconds

IG: @sn95mystic

SVTP: SN95 Rollercoaster

 

[98 svt]

Called a friend for advice. He told me to come over if I want my problem solved. Lends me a reamer bit. Cut right through the spindle in less than 30 seconds

View attachment 1552384View attachment 1552385View attachment 1552386


IG: @sn95mystic

SVTP: SN95 Rollercoaster

Hell yeah. That'll do it.

 

[Real98roush]

Purchased used CC Plates but didn’t get the spacers.

A little paint and fresh hardware.

Went to Lowe’s and found some spacers I thought might work.

They were close but wouldn’t fit on the shock shaft, so I busted out my new favorite tool; the precision reamer! Fit on the shaft perfectly. Cut a few down to size and installed the coil overs

The the bump steer

IG: @sn95mystic

SVTP: SN95 Rollercoaster

 

[98 svt]

Purchased used CC Plates but didn’t get the spacers. A little paint and fresh hardware. View attachment 1552647

Went to Lowe’s and found some spacers I thought might work.

View attachment 1552648

They were close but wouldn’t fit on the shock shaft, so I busted out my new favorite tool; the precision reamer! Fit on the shaft perfectly. Cut a few down to size and installed the coil overs


IG: @sn95mystic

SVTP: SN95 Rollercoaster

That reamer = tool of the week

 

[Real98roush]

Bought a poor mans big brake kit a few years ago.

S197 calipers, 14” GT500 rotors, pads and FTR brackets.

Next to the stock Cobra brakes

FTR bracket to raise the caliper up

Unfortunately the caliper was about 1/4” too low. The caliper bracket wouldn’t clear the rotor. Opened the bracket holes a bit. It allowed me to get the bracket on but it still sat on the rotor.

Cool in theory but wouldn’t work. Not sure if I got a bad batch.


IG: @sn95mystic

SVTP: SN95 Rollercoaster

 

[96GT226410]

Nice job on the stepper bit. I was going to say that I used three or four drill bits to accomplish the task.

Sent from my SM-N960U using the svtperformance.com mobile app

 

[96GT226410]

Bought a poor mans big brake kit a few years ago.

S197 calipers, 14” GT500 rotors, pads and FTR brackets.

Next to the stock Cobra brakes
View attachment 1552655

FTR bracket to raise the caliper up
View attachment 1552656

Unfortunately the caliper was about 1/4” too low. The caliper bracket wouldn’t clear the rotor. Opened the bracket holes a bit. It allowed me to get the bracket on but it still sat on the rotor. View attachment 1552657
View attachment 1552658

Cool in theory but wouldn’t work. Not sure if I got a bad batch.


IG: @sn95mystic

SVTP: SN95 Rollercoaster

Maybe grind down the bracket a little bit...?

Sent from my SM-N960U using the svtperformance.com mobile app

 

[Real98roush]

All done with the front suspension! Next week I’ll get the SFC’s installed so I can install the TA & PHB. Did a shade tree alignment with strings and jack stands. It’s drivable, but needs a professional alignment. Tracks slightly right and the steering wheel is slightly cocked right. I assumed this would be the case with all new parts.

IG: @sn95mystic

SVTP: SN95 Rollercoaster