Customer Build – Tweaking the new 2013 Shelby GT500 – Suspension

Last week we began the journey of our clients unassuming Performance White 2013 Shelby GT500 equipped with the SVT and Track packages. Adding to the intrigue is the fact that it is a stripe delete build.  Featured is a 2013 White stripe delete Shelby GT500.

Up front we knew that this vehicle would be seeing an occasional track day or two additional suspension tweaks were first on the list. With the vast array of performance parts and Ford Performance parts engineering experience it was easy to choose critical components.

We started with FRPP its 2007-2013 lowering springs. While lowering the car 1.25″ it will provide a more aggressive looking stance as well as increased handling dynamics. The advantage of utilizing FRPP is the engineering expertise and confidence that this spring set will be compatible and validated for use with the new electronically controlled Track Pack option for the 2013 model year. Though it may cause a slightly harsher ride compared to stock springs, it will be a welcome addition when encountering heavy cornering “g” loads.

When lowering any vehicle, rear end alignment, side to side and pinion angle should also be re-calibraded as needed. To insure there were no issues and to compliment the additional cornering forces this vehicle will see, our next addition as 2005-2013 Mustang Adjustable Panhard Bar. This part is a service replacement part for the FR500S and Boss 302 R1 race car so we can be assured it will take almost any severe duty this Shelby will see. This will allow adjustment to the rear suspension (side to side) vs. the factory non-adjustable, fixed bar. Made of 4130 chrome-moly we are confident this FRPP engineered part is up to the task. With its built in offset m0unts it will be sure to clear the rear differential cover. A bonus to the adjustablity is the low deflection urethane rod ends and steel sleeves.

Not forgetting the front suspension, another area sometimes overlooked when lowering a vehicle is the caster camber adjustment angles. Factory settings and adjustable  are altered and unable to be brought into specification after lowering. Our client requested the 2011+ Caster Camber Plate Kit offered through Shelby Performance Parts. These high performance camber/caster plates allow for adjustment of caster/camber for optimum handling characteristics. In applications where the car has been lowered, the top of the front tires tend to “lean in” towards the center of the car, resulting in rapid and/or uneven tire wear. This excessive negative camber can be easily corrected with caster/camber plates. They offer 1.6-degrees continuous range of camber adjustment providing alignment correction on lowered cars, and are adjustable without affecting caster. 0.7-degree continuous range of caster adjustment provides correction for OEM production tolerances. Caster and camber are easily adjusted at the top of the strut tower. The range of suspension travel can be shifted, allowing for additional bump travel on lowered cars. Teflon® lined spherical bearing eliminates deflection and precisely locates the strut shaft, while still allowing the required articulation. High-tech composite thrust bearing transfers the spring load into the strut tower. Manufactured in the USA, lowered vehicles as much 2.5 inches can still be aligned to factory specifications or adjusted for agressive track use.

With power upgrades on the client build requirement list we needed to address the application of additional torque in the rear. We chose the FRPP  2005-2013 Mustang tubular rear lower control arm kit with urethane bushings. A service replacement for the Mustang FR500C and Boss 302R race car, it features low deflection urethane bushings and tubular steel construction. This increased stiffness for minimal suspension deflection under load.

To provide additional adjustment and address any potential pinion angle tweaking we would require we also fitted a FRPP  2005-2013 Mustang lower control arm relocation bracket kit. Another service replacement for the 2012 Mustang Boss 302S race car, it allows adjustment of instant center for optimum traction allowing adjustment of rear lower control arm mounting points at the axle housing.

To finish our suspension modification on our clients “white stallion” we chose a Roush Ford Mustang Wheel Hop Reduction Kit. The addition of this crucial component eliminates wheel hop and improves the delivery of power to the rear wheels. It is excellent for high horsepower and low traction applications, where wheel hop would normally have a tendency to occur. And most probably will! This part is the same anti-wheel hop kit that’s installed in the ROUSH plant on all ROUSH vehicles with suspension upgrades.
This and every ROUSH suspension part is extensively engineered and tested by ROUSH’s own performance engineers to provide optimum performance for your vehicle.

Next week: Amazing Power tweaking.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 19th, 2013 at 3:59 pm. It is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.