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Topic: Anyone use stock Mach 1 springs on a Thunderbird? (Read 6902 times) previous topic - next topic

Anyone use stock Mach 1 springs on a Thunderbird?

Reply #15 –
I actually bought new ones, and used them. so yes, I did retain isolators.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Anyone use stock Mach 1 springs on a Thunderbird?

Reply #16 –
For me the stance Vinnie's car has is on the money.  I like just a tad of rake from front to rear.

Just to add to this discussion in a technical way the spring rates on the SN95 do vary.  Here are some of the possible rates by year and car model where the first rate is the front (lb/in) and the second rate is the rear (lb/in):

'94-95 Mustang Cobra - Front 400 / Rear 160
'95 SVT Cobra R - Front 700 to 850 / Rear 200 to 260
'96-98 Mustang Cobra - Front 400 to 505 / Rear 165 to 265
'99-04 Mustang V6 - Front 400 / Rear 190
'99-04 Mustang GT - Front 450 / Rear 210
2000 SVT Cobra R (Eibach) - Front 800 / Rear 750 [COLOR="#FF0000"](IRS)[/COLOR]
2001 SVT Cobra - Front 500 / Rear 470 [COLOR="#FF0000"](IRS)[/COLOR]
2001 Bullitt - Front 600 / Rear 250
2003 Mach 1 - Front 600 / Rear 250
2003 SVT Cobra (Conv.) - Front 500 / Rear 470 [COLOR="#FF0000"](IRS)[/COLOR]
2003 SVT Cobra Coupe - Front 600 / Rear 600 [COLOR="#FF0000"](IRS)[/COLOR]

So with that if Vinnie knows which model of '99 car his came off that would give you a good idea as to what springs you need to run with an aluminum headed 302 car with an AOD.

Darren

83 351W TKO'd T-Bird on the bottle


93 331 Mustang Coupe - 368 rwhp

Anyone use stock Mach 1 springs on a Thunderbird?

Reply #17 –
Quote from: vinnietbird;429918
Here's mine with SN-95 springs on it (all from a '99 Mustang)....



I bought front and rear springs from a 94-95 Mustang gt and I'd like to get your height Vinnie.  It's not crazy low, and its not 4x4.  I'm installing them this Saturday and I'll try to get pictures up.
'88 Thunderbird LX
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Engine:  FR B303 cam, GT40P heads w/ Trickflow valve springs, Explorer upper/lower intake, SR cold air intake w/ MAF
Exhaust:  shorty headers, BBK O-R X-pipe, glasspacks w/ turn downs
Misc:  8.8 rear, Saleen SC replicas 17x8/17x10, Mach 1 front springs/SN95 rear springs
&
'74 F100 Custom 351W

Anyone use stock Mach 1 springs on a Thunderbird?

Reply #18 –
My uncle swears up and down that I need a camber kit if I put 94-95 Mustang GT stock springs on my Bird, or else my tires will wear out much faster.  Thoughts? 
I don't really know a whole lot about it and I'd like to hear from you guys.
'88 Thunderbird LX
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Engine:  FR B303 cam, GT40P heads w/ Trickflow valve springs, Explorer upper/lower intake, SR cold air intake w/ MAF
Exhaust:  shorty headers, BBK O-R X-pipe, glasspacks w/ turn downs
Misc:  8.8 rear, Saleen SC replicas 17x8/17x10, Mach 1 front springs/SN95 rear springs
&
'74 F100 Custom 351W

Anyone use stock Mach 1 springs on a Thunderbird?

Reply #19 –
CC Plates are a must either way!!! Only way to get the alignment correct and or if you want better numbers!!
I spend money I don't have, To build  cars I don't need, To impress people I don't know

HAVE YOU DRIVEN A FORD LATELY!!

Anyone use stock Mach 1 springs on a Thunderbird?

Reply #20 –
You can take a chance and put the springs in and see if an alignment shop can bring it within spec.  If not then typically you are out the alignment charge and get to tear back into it to install CC plates.  The one thing for sure is you will never get the caster setting out of the stock setup that you can get with the MM CC plates. IMO the CC plates are worth every penny.

Darren

83 351W TKO'd T-Bird on the bottle


93 331 Mustang Coupe - 368 rwhp

Anyone use stock Mach 1 springs on a Thunderbird?

Reply #21 –
I have heard guys use SN95 springs w/o CC plates and had good results, While others have used the CC plates....I have to agree with Aerocoupe. Its a trial and error thing I guess..Keep us posted.
87 Tbird LX w/Factory floor shifter:D   3G upgrade. Tinted Windows...85 Mustang GT steering wheel(non-cruise) 17'' Saleen SC style wheels,Front/Rear TC sway bars/poly bushings & Mustang GT steering rack...'05 Mustang V6 springs...93 Cobra MC & booster, MM adjustable C/C plates,  Work  In  Progress.......  ( On The Shelf---HO computer, 19lb injectors, HO cam, BBK headers, Explorer Intake, Cold Air Intake ,Phantom Gauges, Stinger stainless exhaust pipes )
 S O L D

Anyone use stock Mach 1 springs on a Thunderbird?

Reply #22 –
I had good results with the SN-95 springs and stock strut mounts. Now, if I had a set of the adjustable mounts, they would go on. But I didn't have them, and I'm still happy.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Anyone use stock Mach 1 springs on a Thunderbird?

Reply #23 –
Why in the world would someone take the time to change out a set of springs and leave in a set of upper plates that are worn out and 25 years old. Those upper plates get worn out and will not hold an alignment.  Makes absolutely no sense to me. The other issue is caster angles. Without increasing it why bother lowering the car and trying to get it in spec with a worn out set of upper mountings. Even if the plates are good they still flex in turns as they are rubber mounted!!!!! Those upper mounts rot out fairly nicely and in my view should be at the least replaced with new ones or better yet CC Plates so a complete spectrim of alignment numbers can be achieved. Just Me
I spend money I don't have, To build  cars I don't need, To impress people I don't know

HAVE YOU DRIVEN A FORD LATELY!!

Anyone use stock Mach 1 springs on a Thunderbird?

Reply #24 –
My strut mounts are NOS pieces I installed at the same time.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Anyone use stock Mach 1 springs on a Thunderbird?

Reply #25 –
I have machs on the front with bullits on the rear, I also added 2" riser on the rear with the che ajustable arms, just to get some adjustment, without them I would be maxed out. I did try 95 springs ,but they bottomed and didn't handle worth a shiznit. so I went back to the bullits. I do use mm plates on the front.
Old Grey Cat to this.88 Cat, 5.0 HO, CW mounts, mass air, CI custom cam, afr165's, Tmoss worked cobra intake, BBK shorty's,off road h pipe, magnaflow ex. T-5,spec stage 2 clutch, 8.8 373 TC trac loc, che ajustables with bullits on the rear. 11" brakes up front. +
 

Anyone use stock Mach 1 springs on a Thunderbird?

Reply #27 –
I'd love to have those adjustable control arms, but I can't swing that kind of cash for them. I'll be keeping the non adjustable CHE's.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Anyone use stock Mach 1 springs on a Thunderbird?

Reply #28 –
Quote from: V8Demon;431051
When did this happen?  http://www.maximummotorsports.com/1983-88-Thunderbird-C429.aspx

Good ?,
Old Grey Cat to this.88 Cat, 5.0 HO, CW mounts, mass air, CI custom cam, afr165's, Tmoss worked cobra intake, BBK shorty's,off road h pipe, magnaflow ex. T-5,spec stage 2 clutch, 8.8 373 TC trac loc, che ajustables with bullits on the rear. 11" brakes up front. +

Anyone use stock Mach 1 springs on a Thunderbird?

Reply #29 –
Vinnie,

Did you use standard sn95 springs, or cobra ones to get the lowered effect?  We're you able to get by with the chi fixed control arms or did you have to go to adjustables?

Thanks-Geoff
T-Birds can't fly.  Ask how I know...