Building a 03 Mustang GT for CAM-C competition!

The mesh wheels look great. For appearance, the car is too high because of the fender gap. But that doesn't matter when it's primarily an auto-x car.

In reply to Mr_Clutch42:

The springs in the parts list will drop it about 1.75 to 2.5" in front. Slitghly less in the rear.

That's quite the list of parts!

In reply to The_Jed:

Hopefully it will be quite the speeddemon! This the beginning of what takes to make a serious cone killer. I have to admit for a street driven Mustang this would be over the top.

The parts are ordered! Know I just need somebody else to pay the bill. Any sponsors out there?

I didn't see a torque arm on the list. I assume you are still running the 4-link since I saw u.c.a. bushings.

I'm not trying to be an shiny happy person, I'm just curious, but, is there any particular reason why you went with the stiffer rear springs?

In reply to The_Jed:

First let me say most of the advice on set up I'm getting is from a guy who has a winning national level 95 Cobra set up for the ESP class.

Okay to answer your question it will help with corning transition on a SOLO course. That is why the front springs are also the stiffest I can buy with out going to circle track custom springs. When corning hard a soft rear spring will squat on the oppisite side as your turn allowing the body to transition from the front thus allowing the front wheel to pick up. The stiffer rear spring keeps the car planted for a flatter more solid turn in. This car is all about SOLO competition first.

Yes I'm compromising a little by staying with the four link, but that also has to do with a cost factor. Consider what I ordered from MM and what I have already bought places my cost deeep into 4 figures already. As for the torque arm, maybe in the future.

I hope my explanation is what you wanted know. Just an fyi most rear springs in your typical lowering kits are only rated at about 200-300lb/in and most are variable rate.

Well parts oredered and on the way! New pictures and info in a couple weeks when I got time off to start the installs.

Are you running with Saginaw Valley or Detroit Region?

In reply to Gearheadotaku:

SVR, but if my plans work out I'll have a couple of runs with Great Lakes SOLO, Detroit and LSR up north also. You out of the Detroit club?

Yes.

Well I got my goodies from Maximum Motorsports and have spent the last 2 days doing some installs. I will say I've learned a few and created a few new words the english language could do with out. Not really any pretty pictures of new parts in there boxes so you'll have to just do with installed.

I will say the BS I read about getting the springs out of the control arms safely was just a waste of time. Did the safe way on the passenger side and then couldn't get the dumb thing back in. Came back and watched several videos on Utube where they simple let the control arm hang pulled the springs out by hand or with quick pop of a pry bar. Then to reinstall just seated the top and flexed the control arm down and popped the spring into the control arm.

I've learned a few valueable lessons for the next time. Enjoy the pictures and ask any questions you want. <img src="/media/img/icons/smilies/crazy-18.png"

Those wheels look really good! Your car looks just like my 01 that I used to have. But mine didn't have all of the trick bits that you are putting on yours. Stock the mustangs have grate power but that handling. Well its a mustang so it likes to go straight and that's about it. I would love to ride in yours and see how much your upgrades change the car.

OOOOOhh, those performance parts look nice.

In reply to Skervey:

What you don't see is the steering rack solid bushings and 4 point K-memeber brace installed today.

I live in MI a little under an 1.5hrs above Detroit. If you're close just drop me a line. It has it's official debut on April 12. That's our first SOLO race date with Saginaw Valley Region-SCCA.

I still have the whole rear to do yet. Panhard bar, exetreme lower control arms, springs and few other tid bits.

Mr_Clutch42 wrote: OOOOOhh, those performance parts look nice.

Yeah you can't even see the blood!

Iv never made it that for north but you never know, thanks for the invite! My biggest issue with my mustang was the brakes, turn in, and the rear just felt like it was floating around behind me. Looks like you have addressed all of those issues!

In reply to Skervey:

Yeah I pretty much addressed most of those issues. Future plans include adding a torque arm to the rear and a big brake kit on the front. I'm already getting all the parts together to upgrade the back to Cobra/Mach 1 size. With a good aftermarket rotors and pads that should be plenty on the rear. It's actually a simple up grade.

Well you have a standing invite for a ride then.

Stang_guy03 wrote: In reply to The_Jed: First let me say most of the advice on set up I'm getting is from a guy who has a winning national level 95 Cobra set up for the ESP class.

It's a Cobra R, which makes a huge difference because the 5.8 is a tq monster, and your not saying he has won nationals in this car, are you?

Anyways, the car and the driver are very fast, it as only been faster this last season, and it's even twin "The Beast" from detroit region might be that little bit better with the right driver.

Hope to see you around Detroit and NWOR (Make the hike to Toledo airport, it's the best place to race within 9 hrs to drive)

And if you ever want to hit me up for questions please do!!! former 3 99-04 mustang owner and ESP builder, SR rallycrosser and sadly went to a 99 Z28 for ESP because it made more sense.

2015 ESP 5th National Championship Place Trophy, and 1st place ESP East Course, 22nd place out of 1157.

also H&R Super Race are a higher spring rate than you posted more near the 1,000 Range... and remove the isolators to sit lower, they aren't needed.. and why in the world did you buy those tires?

Try to do more than 8 autocrosses this season. It will help you be a faster driver. I did my first two events with new G-force Rivals, and I need to race more, because I can't drive as good as I thought right now.

boss002 wrote:

Stang_guy03 wrote: In reply to The_Jed: First let me say most of the advice on set up I'm getting is from a guy who has a winning national level 95 Cobra set up for the ESP class.

It's a Cobra R, which makes a huge difference because the 5.8 is a tq monster, and your not saying he has won nationals in this car, are you? Anyways, the car and the driver are very fast, it as only been faster this last season, and it's even twin "The Beast" from detroit region might be that little bit better with the right driver. Hope to see you around Detroit and NWOR (Make the hike to Toledo airport, it's the best place to race within 9 hrs to drive) And if you ever want to hit me up for questions please do!!! former 3 99-04 mustang owner and ESP builder, SR rallycrosser and sadly went to a 99 Z28 for ESP because it made more sense. 2015 ESP 5th National Championship Place Trophy, and 1st place ESP East Course, 22nd place out of 1157.

Well I'm going to answer both posts in this one reply. I believe it was the betterhalf that won the title if I have my facts right. But I'm pretty sure you know who we are vaguely talking about here and probably know the history better than I.

So yes the car is a Cobra R with a 5.8, but that doesn't change the set up process. I'm comprimising a little at this time to keep mine some what more civil to drive.

As for the H&R Race Springs spring rate that is what Maximum Motorsports provided as the rate. I left the lower isolaters out after a recommendation from somebody else, but left the uppers in also at his suggestion to cushion the body for street driving. He made the same recommendation for the rear also.

As for the tires it was an economic choice at the time. I have till September to decide an upgrade. But these will due while I sort the car out and gain more seat time.

I'll take any advice you might have to give. You read through my build thread so you have a good idea where I'm going next. On the menu are extreme duty lower control arms, rear springs rated at about 550lbs, panhard bar install. And if I can find somebody to do it full length subframe connectors. I can't weld for ____!

I have tough job for time off, but plan on hitting every event I can possibly get to. Being in SVR member puts their schedule over others though. I think you would understand that. Hopefully our paths will cross this summer some where.

Mr_Clutch42 wrote: Try to do more than 8 autocrosses this season. It will help you be a faster driver. I did my first two events with new G-force Rivals, and I need to race more, because I can't drive as good as I thought right now.

If all works out right I'll hit 12 events before nationals plus a couple of test and tune dates. I have no illusion the car will be better prepared than the driver. Good luck this year.

Howdy folks, it's been a few weeks since I've uploaded, but I've made a little progress this weekend. I got my new Hawk HPS pads on the front, got the tires back on and got it off the jack stands. I took for a little drive to bed the new pads and settle the front a little before starting on the back. Didn't run into to any big issues. Had part of the dust shield that got bent during the work rubbing. Also had the inside of the tire rubbing against the sway bar, but my friend says his sway bar hasn't had any paint on it for years from getting rubbed. He suggested wheel spacers or steering rack limiters. I think I'll go with living with it for know, because it is only at full lock.

I placed the bad pony back on jack stands and started on the rear. This has been more fun than a barrel full of monkies and I'm not even a quarter of the way through. I had to drop the exhaust to get to the front control arm bolts. Jury is still out whether I get to keep my over axle pipes yet. It looks like I have enough room for the panhard bar to install without interfernce. If not the sawzall gets the job. The previous owner had every thing welded up so no clamps to remove. I'll sure a few pics below of the on going work.

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Watching very closely!

Well another fruitfull day working on the car. I got both control arms installed, reinstalled the exhaust and made huge head way on the panhard bar brackets. I'm throwing a couple of pictures of the fun drill work. Burnt up a 3/8 bit getting through the frame rails. I was surprised how easy the step bit I bought worked though. That was first time ever using one. It went through the frame like butter.

Sorry I don't post pictures of the new goodies laid out, but once I get going picture taking is for gotten thing.

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