Rear Suspension Modifications and Improvements

[Madlock]

I couldn't keep from laughing after reading the following article when researching Watts link suspension mods. Given what happened to me the night I drove my new GT500 home from the dealer, I would have sworn the author must've been riding shotgun.

 

http://www.musclemustangfastfords.com/tech/mmfp_0806_saleen_s197_watts_link_rear_suspension_install/index.html

 

With my GT500 being my first Mustang, my first month of ownership has been a tremendous learning experience in terms of becoming familiar with the live axle configuration and especially how the car handles during various conditions with the SVTPP suspension setup and the F-1 G: 2 tires in particular - which I've grown to love and hate equally. My GT500 becomes a very different car depending upon temperature and road conditions. And as I've recently discovered when filling my tires with nitrogen for winter storage, the difference in handling with just a 1-2 lb variation in tire pressure is substantial.

 

I realize I'm always going to be subject to certain "givens" because of how the SVTPP tires behave and perform. But if there were any one thing I'd like to modify or improve about my GT500, it would be to make it handle more "predictably" without neutering it to the point of diminishing driving fun or taking away any of the need to be engaged which helps to make driving my GT500 so much fun. After doing much reading and research, a Watts link seems to be one of the best and most cost-effective modifications toward what I hope to achieve.

 

Although I love the Saleen W/L setup as described in the article because of how truly integrated with the vehicle it seems to be, I'd be more likely to choose the Shelby W/L product - largely because of a basic preference I have for brand consistency. I'm hoping to find some insight and experience from fellow 2011 GT500 owners who may have added W/L suspensions to their cars before pulling the trigger.

 

At the same time I was looking through the Shelby catalog, I also noticed an "Anti-hop" kit from Shelby. If it's able to do anything its name implies, it seems like it might be one of the best $150 mods I could make. I realize a live axle car will always behave like a live axle car, but I'd appreciate any experiences from others who've added any of the more popular "Anti-Hop" kits to their S197 vehicles - and whether or not its worthwhile.

 

Thanks in advance.

[1badshelby]

I couldn't keep from laughing after reading the following article when researching Watts link suspension mods. Given what happened to me the night I drove my new GT500 home from the dealer, I would have sworn the author must've been riding shotgun.

 

http://www.musclemustangfastfords.com/tech/mmfp_0806_saleen_s197_watts_link_rear_suspension_install/index.html

 

With my GT500 being my first Mustang, my first month of ownership has been a tremendous learning experience in terms of becoming familiar with the live axle configuration and especially how the car handles during various conditions with the SVTPP suspension setup and the F-1 G: 2 tires in particular - which I've grown to love and hate equally. My GT500 becomes a very different car depending upon temperature and road conditions. And as I've recently discovered when filling my tires with nitrogen for winter storage, the difference in handling with just a 1-2 lb variation in tire pressure is substantial.

 

I realize I'm always going to be subject to certain "givens" because of how the SVTPP tires behave and perform. But if there were any one thing I'd like to modify or improve about my GT500, it would be to make it handle more "predictably" without neutering it to the point of diminishing driving fun or taking away any of the need to be engaged which helps to make driving my GT500 so much fun. After doing much reading and research, a Watts link seems to be one of the best and most cost-effective modifications toward what I hope to achieve.

 

Although I love the Saleen W/L setup as described in the article because of how truly integrated with the vehicle it seems to be, I'd be more likely to choose the Shelby W/L product - largely because of a basic preference I have for brand consistency. I'm hoping to find some insight and experience from fellow 2011 GT500 owners who may have added W/L suspensions to their cars before pulling the trigger.

 

At the same time I was looking through the Shelby catalog, I also noticed an "Anti-hop" kit from Shelby. If it's able to do anything its name implies, it seems like it might be one of the best $150 mods I could make. I realize a live axle car will always behave like a live axle car, but I'd appreciate any experiences from others who've added any of the more popular "Anti-Hop" kits to their S197 vehicles - and whether or not its worthwhile.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

 

I run the Fays Watts link with fixed lca's and and adjustable uca. Made the rear of the car very predictable and eliminated all wheel hop. You won't be dissapointed, and now the Fays Watts link is availible though Shelby at a reasonable price.

 

Mike

[2011SVT]

I couldn't keep from laughing after reading the following article when researching Watts link suspension mods. Given what happened to me the night I drove my new GT500 home from the dealer, I would have sworn the author must've been riding shotgun.

 

http://www.musclemustangfastfords.com/tech/mmfp_0806_saleen_s197_watts_link_rear_suspension_install/index.html

 

With my GT500 being my first Mustang, my first month of ownership has been a tremendous learning experience in terms of becoming familiar with the live axle configuration and especially how the car handles during various conditions with the SVTPP suspension setup and the F-1 G: 2 tires in particular - which I've grown to love and hate equally. My GT500 becomes a very different car depending upon temperature and road conditions. And as I've recently discovered when filling my tires with nitrogen for winter storage, the difference in handling with just a 1-2 lb variation in tire pressure is substantial.

 

I realize I'm always going to be subject to certain "givens" because of how the SVTPP tires behave and perform. But if there were any one thing I'd like to modify or improve about my GT500, it would be to make it handle more "predictably" without neutering it to the point of diminishing driving fun or taking away any of the need to be engaged which helps to make driving my GT500 so much fun. After doing much reading and research, a Watts link seems to be one of the best and most cost-effective modifications toward what I hope to achieve.

 

Although I love the Saleen W/L setup as described in the article because of how truly integrated with the vehicle it seems to be, I'd be more likely to choose the Shelby W/L product - largely because of a basic preference I have for brand consistency. I'm hoping to find some insight and experience from fellow 2011 GT500 owners who may have added W/L suspensions to their cars before pulling the trigger.

 

At the same time I was looking through the Shelby catalog, I also noticed an "Anti-hop" kit from Shelby. If it's able to do anything its name implies, it seems like it might be one of the best $150 mods I could make. I realize a live axle car will always behave like a live axle car, but I'd appreciate any experiences from others who've added any of the more popular "Anti-Hop" kits to their S197 vehicles - and whether or not its worthwhile.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

 

I have both a Saleen Watts link and a J&M UCA and LCAs on my '07 GT.

 

What a huge difference the Watts Link makes. My 2011 GT500 SVTPP reminded me of how a non-Watts SRA car jumps all over the place in a corner with any kind of uneven surface. Yuck.

 

One of my first mods next season is putting a Watts on the Shelby. Probably go with a Fays for the adjustable rear roll center. As expensive as the GT500 is, it ought to come with a Watts from the factory!

[kahmann]

Save yourself a lot of money in the long run by doing it right the first time out

http://www.grigg ing.com/product_info.php?cPath=4332_4309_4320_3685&products_id=443

[Madlock]

I have both a Saleen Watts link and a J&M UCA and LCAs on my '07 GT.

 

What a huge difference the Watts Link makes. My 2011 GT500 SVTPP reminded me of how a non-Watts SRA car jumps all over the place in a corner with any kind of uneven surface. Yuck.

 

One of my first mods next season is putting a Watts on the Shelby. Probably go with a Fays for the adjustable rear roll center. As expensive as the GT500 is, it ought to come with a Watts from the factory!

 

 

Thanks a bunch for the first-hand insight - especially given that you also happen to own a 2011 GT500 SVTPP - with presumably precisely the same vices I'm trying to overcome. Being my first Mustang, let alone GT500, I don't have a baseline to compare it to in terms of how much misbehavior is due to the tires in any given situation, but it makes me all the more determined to provide them the best-behaving rear end I can, which I also want to do before deciding to do anything further like investing in a different set of wheels and tires or making further modifications which would take it farther away from "stock", and make it harder to attribute the type and amount of benefit to a specific modification.

 

I wholeheartedly agree that a Watts link should have been integral from the factory. This isn't the kind of mod one would make to personalize a car's performance or make it behave this way or that - it compensates for the live-axle's inherent weaknesses which is something the GT500 should absolutely include for the price - as a panhard bar simply isn't up to the kind of demands Ford and Shelby claim the GT500 to be capable of creating.

 

Before adding control arms to the equation, what would your opinion be of the various "anti hop" kits? I realize a Watts link will deliver its best benefits when cornering, but if I can make the ride a bit more compliant without sacrificing performance - I'd like to do that too. Any thoughts?

 

Thanks again!

[Madlock]

Save yourself a lot of money in the long run by doing it right the first time out

http://www.grigg ...products_id=443

 

 

I absolutely agree. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

However, as good a solution as it may be, it's not really what I'm looking for. I'm very much more of a "less is more" person in all respects, and if I can achieve my desired outcome with the addition of a simple Watts link set up and anti-hop hardware, I'd much rather - even if the packages you've suggested are capable of delivering greater overall performance potential. It would also make it difficult for me to learn precisely which modification is providing how much of what benefit - something I want to be careful to do as this is my first performance car of any kind.

 

I also noticed that the package you've recommended includes a super heavy-duty panhard configuration. As useful as it may be, and even perhaps able to cope with and correct the unruly rear end I'd like to tame, everything I've read makes the Watts link more capable by nature (and science), so it's the route I'm most likely to follow - even at the additional expense that's likely to come with it.

 

Thanks again for your input. Any thoughts about anti-hop kits would be equally welcomed!

[Revan Racing]

I absolutely agree. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

However, as good a solution as it may be, it's not really what I'm looking for. I'm very much more of a "less is more" person in all respects, and if I can achieve my desired outcome with the addition of a simple Watts link set up and anti-hop hardware, I'd much rather - even if the packages you've suggested are capable of delivering greater overall performance potential. It would also make it difficult for me to learn precisely which modification is providing how much of what benefit - something I want to be careful to do as this is my first performance car of any kind.

 

I also noticed that the package you've recommended includes a super heavy-duty panhard configuration. As useful as it may be, and even perhaps able to cope with and correct the unruly rear end I'd like to tame, everything I've read makes the Watts link more capable by nature (and science), so it's the route I'm most likely to follow - even at the additional expense that's likely to come with it.

 

Thanks again for your input. Any thoughts about anti-hop kits would be equally welcomed!

 

 

 

Just the addition of the following will make a world of difference.

 

Griggs Torque Arm (Eliminate upper 3rd link)

Griggs Lower Control Arms (Single Adjustable)

Griggs Lower Control Arm Relocation Brackets (in concert with the above helps to correct anti-squat geometry)

 

Even with these minor pieces you will notice a huge improvement overall in rear stability and the elimination of wheel hop.

 

I would also recommend doing shocks and springs and doing it right the first time.

 

Griggs / Koni Coilovers. Completely adjustable even to stock ride height.

Then you will need an adjustable pan hard bar but then the car will out corner a lot of cars. I know it will out corner a Fays Watts as I have driven cars with both. The Fays works for the way it is designed however the Griggs Racing Torque Arm and the other pieces I mentioned are a significant improvement to handling without breaking the bank.

 

Van

Revan Racing

[2011SVT]

Thanks a bunch for the first-hand insight - especially given that you also happen to own a 2011 GT500 SVTPP - with presumably precisely the same vices I'm trying to overcome. Being my first Mustang, let alone GT500, I don't have a baseline to compare it to in terms of how much misbehavior is due to the tires in any given situation, but it makes me all the more determined to provide them the best-behaving rear end I can, which I also want to do before deciding to do anything further like investing in a different set of wheels and tires or making further modifications which would take it farther away from "stock", and make it harder to attribute the type and amount of benefit to a specific modification.

 

I wholeheartedly agree that a Watts link should have been integral from the factory. This isn't the kind of mod one would make to personalize a car's performance or make it behave this way or that - it compensates for the live-axle's inherent weaknesses which is something the GT500 should absolutely include for the price - as a panhard bar simply isn't up to the kind of demands Ford and Shelby claim the GT500 to be capable of creating.

 

Before adding control arms to the equation, what would your opinion be of the various "anti hop" kits? I realize a Watts link will deliver its best benefits when cornering, but if I can make the ride a bit more compliant without sacrificing performance - I'd like to do that too. Any thoughts?

 

Thanks again!

 

 

I would say the SVTPP already has a pretty capable suspension under it with the advantage of not being harsh or noisy. Since I am not getting any wheel hop, I am leaving well enough alone (except for the Watts Link as previously discussed).

 

My '07 is more of an uncompromising road racer. Springs, wheels, tires, adjustable struts, caster/camber plates, solid front strut mounts, watts link,bigger stabilizer bars... blah blah. And I paid for it with ride quality and suspension noise (and loved every minute of it).

 

The Shelby isn't going to be that kind of car for me.

 

If you are having the dreaded wheel hop problem consistently, then I'd go to the Watts Link first and see where you are sitting before ripping into that fancy suspension package you just paid extra for