I may be wrong, but I don't think any of those kits are an improvement over the stock spring setup using a good set of shocks along with roller perches.

Okay, But can you do a drop in the 71-73 mustangs ? I Think the geometry was corrected. Im using Gabriel GAS shcocks mow with 1 inch lowering springs.

Last edited by Mach173 (5/20/2020 1:17 PM)

Most budget coilovers are based on the same shocks regardless the application.  I did copious research on these for my WRX.  Time and again the advice I saw and the reviews I read pointed that the cheap kits were exactly that; cheap.  Cheap to buy, cheap materials, cheaply made. 

RV6 is giving you the same advice I reached.  A good selection on parts makes a car handle; not one magic part.

If you want adjustable ride height, yes, coilovers are a good solution.  If you want handling, first, get subframe connectors on the car.  Trying to make the ends of the car stick to the road while it can still twist in the center is pointless.  You'll get a bad riding car that's unpredictable when pushed hard. 

As for the drop, I'm not an expert, but from what I've read the '71-'73 cars already have better geometry and there's no room to accommodate the drop.  Chassis stiffening followed by better springs, shocks, bushings, and sway bar is how to make them handle better. 

Its still misspoke.  Its one of those weird ones like read and read. 

A bigger front bar makes a big difference.  I would advise changing the front bar and seeing how the car handles before adding a rear bar.  I never ran a rear one because I like the car's balance now.  A rear bar tend to make the car understeer more, and these cars already tend to do that.  Compensation is by throttle induced oversteer, and I see no reason to change that by making the rear end less able to be moved around with my right foot. 

Huskinhano wrote:

RV6 wrote:

I may be wrong, but I don't think any of those kits are an improvement over the stock spring setup using a good set of shocks along with roller perches.

I agree 100%. To me these "coil over" kits are a buzz word. A true coil over offers improved motion ratio mounting the spring as close as possible to the spindle on the lower arm. This also allows for a longer shock that can hold more fluid, run cooler and have more finite control. Same goes with the spring. Longer spring, more control and comfort. I too have a regular spring and shock assembly with roller spring perches. My shocks are the custom valved Bilsteins that Street or Track sells. Very happy with my set up. Comfortable ride

 
All coil overs that I am familiar with have very short springs and I have often wondered about the ride quality.
Mac struts seem to have long springs as well as lengthy shocks and seem to be what modern cars have.
Curious as to if a Mac strut could be fitted on to a stock lower control arm and a tubular upper.

This is on a 65 coupe with a small block.

I had Mustangs Plus 620’s and KYB gas a just for over 25 years with no issues.
Used with stock type spring perches and control arms.
Only down side, too stiff for washboard roads.
Literally had to drive less than 20 on some or I would have skated off the road.

I installed these this past winter.
I have the 350# springs since I have a small block.
This kit has poly bushings top and bottom.
I believe the kit you listed may have the bearings top and bottom.
For a street driven car, it’s perfect for me and my budget.

It replaces spring and perch.

I started with softer settings (metric system numbers 😜):

5 compression
10 rebound

Hope o get some drive time this summer to experiment with settings and ride height.

At lowest spring setting, about 23-1/2” front fender to ground...too low and tires hit on turn and long tubes will scrape on a gnats butt.

Haven’t boxed stock type control arms yet.
Shifted upper control arm shaft one full turn.
MS lubrication modification.
Energy Suspension lower poly bushing.

Strut rods have poly bushings as well, I use a moly paste/lube.
Haven’t modified/made new strut rods yet either.

Most of the binding I found was from rubber in spring perch and lower control arms.

I’m not familiar with 71-73.
Hope this is helpful.

Rudi wrote:

Huskinhano wrote:

RV6 wrote:

I may be wrong, but I don't think any of those kits are an improvement over the stock spring setup using a good set of shocks along with roller perches.

I agree 100%. To me these "coil over" kits are a buzz word. A true coil over offers improved motion ratio mounting the spring as close as possible to the spindle on the lower arm. This also allows for a longer shock that can hold more fluid, run cooler and have more finite control. Same goes with the spring. Longer spring, more control and comfort. I too have a regular spring and shock assembly with roller spring perches. My shocks are the custom valved Bilsteins that Street or Track sells. Very happy with my set up. Comfortable ride

 
All coil overs that I am familiar with have very short springs and I have often wondered about the ride quality.
Mac struts seem to have long springs as well as lengthy shocks and seem to be what modern cars have.
Curious as to if a Mac strut could be fitted on to a stock lower control arm and a tubular upper.

In theory the dual control arm setup is better for handling.  Mac struts were done mostly for cost savings.  Ultimately anything could be done, but Mac strut suspensions use an LCA with two mount points (no strut rod) and caster/camber is set at the top with an adjustable mount.  So the chassis doesn't really have the pickup points for it.  To my mind, to go this far with suspension mods on a classic Mustang and leave the shock towers would be silly. 
 

See, another thing I discovered in my research was that the adjustability of coilovers (other than ride height) is something people play with a ton at first, but reach settings they like and then never change.  Hardcore racers would be the exception, but on the street it really seems that adjustability adds perceived value, not actual value.  A properly valved shock for the application shouldn't need to be adjusted.  This seems to be another one of those one size fits all coilover things.  You don't need to build different shocks for each application; you send them a generic one and make the end user tune it to their application. 

I can't lay claim to that mod Sal. Butt it is a good one. Better motion ratio, ability to run lighter springs, and it's free.

Have a look down near the bottom of this page from Opentracker.
https://opentrackerracing.com/innovations/