SN95 Control Arm Swap

[Mustangmadman]

Hey guys, I know there are probably many treads on this topic but i want all my questions answered in one thread. As we all know the svo factory ball joints dont last forever so i am going to be doing the SN95 swap with all maximum motorsports components. Do i need the non off set or foward offset control arms? I'm going to be using spindle adapters as well so will i need to relocate the swaybar? Also i'm going to be doing coil overs, what spring rate do i need? I want it close to factory as possible. Maximum motor sports sells coil over kits for konis but will they work with svo konis? Or i was thinking about with a UPR coil over kit off of LMR. And my last question is what camber castor plates do you guys recommend? Thanks, nick

[MikeFleming]

1. Standard (zero) offset arms will end up in near the same place as the stock SVO arms. I would recommend the zero offset - unless you specifically want a 0.75" increase in wheelbase, with resultant inclrease in caster (which is good) and front-of-tyre to front bumper cover clearance reduction.

2. I am using 325 Lb on the Red Baron. It's 2800 Lbs total. So you'll probably want 350-400 to be close to stock. MM can advise further for stock weight.

3. The MM C/O KONI kit will not fir the stock SVO KONI struts. There is a weld on the side that would need to be ground off and the top nut would also need to be removed. And the stock ones will probably turn out ot be to long. I used the DA KONI Fox units front and rear. Ask MM if the C/O kit will fit the SA Fox KONI struts.

4. As far as CC kits, you want the shortest one possible. If you go with the offset a-arms, you can shoot for +5-5.5 degrees of positive caster.

[Mustangmadman]

Thank you so much. Is it ok to use V8 Struts? Also would you recommend running coil overs in the rear or just keeping the springs? I think i want to lower it down a bit so it would be nice to have adjustable ride height all around.

[MikeFleming]

Yes, it's "nice" to have height adjustments, but there some issues with using CO's in the rear:

1. The upper shock mount in the FOX chassis is not strong enough by itself to support the full weight (plus suspension loads) without reinforcement. MM sells an upper mount that spreads the load a wee bit wider, which is minimal support, imho. Unfortunately it can get complicated & expensive to install proper reinforcement in a stock car. See the roll cage installation in the Red Baron.

2. The axle attachments for the lower end of the CO-equipped rear shocks will also need serious reinforcement. MM sells the pieces for this. Unfortunately, installing that support bracket from MM will interfere with the parking cable bracket on the SVO. See the Red Baron Mods thread on how I dealt with that issue.

3. The upper adjustment for the rear DA KONI chocks will be inside the rear shock access panel in the rear interior covers and you will need an extension to reach them. I have a longer tool to adjust them. The lower DA adjuster is an easy-access knob on the rear/outside of the shock body.

4. Buy the appropriate tool to adjust the spring platform from MM (and allen wrench for the locker). Maybe get two of them - one for the car's boot and one for the toolbox.

That's all I can recall just now (being before lunch and all).

[Mustangmadman]

Yeah i guess i will just get rear lowering springs. Who sells rear lowering springs? I have eatons in the rear right now but i think they only make stock height springs? Also im gona go with zero offset arms so would MM's CC plates do the job?

[Mustangmadman]

Hate to double post but i think im going to go with tokico struts and the MM coil over kit. I found the 10-350 on LMR would this be good for a street car that see's the track once in a while? I just want to make sure i buy the right stuff

[MikeFleming]

Ask the Tech folks at MM. They're very knowledgeable in this area.

[svono50]

Yeah i guess i will just get rear lowering springs. Who sells rear lowering springs? I have eatons in the rear right now but i think they only make stock height springs? Also im gona go with zero offset arms so would MM's CC plates do the job?

Someone out there used to offer rear lower control arms with adjustable spring perch plates, can't remember the Mfg, but I am sure a quick search would reveal who it is/was. Not that I know much of anything about them, but Raceland (don't laugh too hard) offers a height adjustable rear spring setup, but I have no idea whether or not you can get it separately. I have a feeling their springs may be a bit weak for real performance use anyway. Eibach may offer rear only springs, worth a call. As Mike noted, give MM a shout and I am sure they can set you up their tech guys are quite knowledgeable.

[brsvo]

http://www.maximummotorsports.com/Adjustable-Control-Arms-C434.aspx

http://www.steeda.com/steeda-mustang-adjustable-lower-control-arms-555-4414/

These are the ones I have found that look like quality parts.