Evaluation time.
The suspension is the biggest wow. It delivered everything I wanted in spades.
Front end arrow sharp now.
Bounciness or excess rebound in the rear is completely eliminated.
Beautiful stance as well.
The thing is a go cart now, and the ride is still quite good.
Not harsh at all. My wife even noticed the difference from the passenger seat and she had NO complaints at all.
We had been out together for about 100 km before the mods and the trip to PEI.
That gave her enough seat time to make the distinction.
Even with all the hype about the new platform in 2015 and the IRS, base Mustangs don't have good handling from the factory.
I mention it a lot to people who ask or display curiosity but I feel they don't believe me.
I suspect some think I'm exaggerating.
I've used this expression on this forum before: people simply "don't know what they don't know".
I say this objectively and light heartedly. I'm not trying to convince anyone to do something they are not ready for.
I describe it like this to fellow owners who have had power adders done but no suspension work.
You know the standard go to's: CAI, Throttle bodies, Gears, Headers, Tunes, even Forced Induction setups.
I bring them back to the feeling they felt when they drove their car for the first time after getting that power work done...
I tell them to remember that feeling of "WOW", of euphoria they had, "you know the one?", I ask.
The smile on your face. That feeling of "I can't believe the difference..."
When they acknowledge that feeling, then I reveal to them that doing a full and good suspension job will have them relive that same feeling all over again.
The only difference is that it will be over the suspension improvement, not the power improvement.
I think that's the part many people have trouble believing.
And that's fine. If they enjoy their car the way it is, that's the important part as enthusiasts.
There are already a few who have tasted the cool-aid on the forum, and a few who know this from experience.
Max (S197CS) is one of the recent converts and, from all accounts, is very pleased with the suspension work he has done to his very nice Mustang.
I suspect the next one to taste the cool-aid will be Aaron (PEI guy) with his beautiful Coyote powered S197 convertible.
He has all of his suspension build parts sorted out for next spring.
You will have "that feeling" all over again Aaron. Enjoy it.
The CAI and tune delivered as well. Pretty standard and popular mods for several owners.
This one is no different. As mentioned above, the tune was not maximized because I had less than optimal gas in the tank.
However, there is improvement in power and torque, as well as throttle response and shift points with the automatic gearbox.
All expected and all achieved.
The exhaust is only marginally louder than stock because I retained the stock mufflers.
However, the deep rumble of the H pipe is noticeable.
I'm also pleased it allows the engine to breath better with improved flow over the stock resonator.
Despite not getting the Brembo brakes installed, my brakes are now better than before.
Notably the pedal feel and ability to modulate is much improved with the stainless steel lines.
I'm very pleased with all the work done so far...
Although, like the cool-aid analogy above, I pretty much knew what to expect since I had already done all of these mods to my 2006 prior.
I was very pleased then and expected a similar level of satisfaction here.
Goal achieved. Results meet or exceed expectations.
The difference in the suspension never ceases to amaze me.
This should be pretty much it for this thread until next summer.
Thank you for the compliments so far, Max, Fred, Trevor and others.