Isn't it amazing how quickly five years of the S197 Mustang have passed? Seriously, it seems like we were just celebrating the arrival of Ford's restyled, reengineered Pony. Back then we imagined all the possibilities for upgrading the best all-around, late-model 'Stang to date.
With Javi Rivas' '05 Mustang...
With Javi Rivas' '05 Mustang GT safely lifted on a hoist and pole jack, Fabian of A and A Tires & Wheels in Reseda, California, dismantles the Pony's rear suspension to make way for our upgrades. The low-and-mean stance somewhat epitomizes S197 'Stangs, and the combination of lowering springs, blingin' wheels, and high-performance rubber we're installing should make this ride quite a stunner when it's done.
For '05-'09 Mustang GTs, cold-air-induction systems and custom calibrations are the undisputed leaders of entry-level bolt-ons. Of course, cold-air kits are designed to enhance engine performance, and that's always a good thing. However, after making more power, addressing your 'Stang's ridiculously high factory stance is tops on the list.
Ford's official word on why Mustangs are given the high stance has been snow-chain clearance (and they're actually serious). Although we begrudgingly understand the concession, the truth is that the factory ride height is stilted. Not only does the stock stance look goofy, it really does hinder a 'Stang's handling potential.
Lowering a Mustang by installing aftermarket springs or coilover shocks certainly isn't a new concept. Suspension pieces designed to bring a 'Stang's body closer to the ground and improve handling have been around since the early days of our hobby.
Call this the before photo...
Call this the before photo of Javi's GT. From the factory, Mustangs are cursed with suspension pieces that leave a lot to be desired in terms of ride height and fairly boring 17-inch wheels. The high stance is not an accident. All Mustangs leave Ford with clearance for snow chains and robotic assembly lines.
Fast forward to today. While the factory still builds Mustangs with snow chains in mind, lowered Mustangs (especially '05-'09s) are quite common on the street, and even in the pages of this magazine. Even Ford may finally be seeing the light about lowering as the company now offers an optional package for '11 Mustang GTs that features lowering gear and Brembo brakes.
After parking the 'Stang on...
After parking the 'Stang on a wide, level surface, Fabian takes ride-height measurements for both sides of the front and rear of our project car.
Pre-'10 owners didn't have that option, so we're installing Eibach's S197 Pro-System Plus (PN 35101.680; $1,074.40 MSRP) on Javi Rivas' '05 GT. The Pro-System Plus is a precisely balanced collection of the company's Pro-Kit springs and Pro-Damper front struts and rear shocks, combined with Eibach's Anti-Roll Kit, which consists of beefier front and rear antiroll bars.
Going in, the Pony sits at...
Going in, the Pony sits at 29 inches in the back and 28 1/2 inches up front (measured from the ground to the highest point of the outside of the wheelwell).
As we start this project, Javi's 'Stang sits at the factory ride height, and rolls on the plain 17-inch wheels and Goodyear tires straight outta Dearborn. By installing the comprehensive Pro-System Plus, the Pony should drop 1.3-1.5 inches or so, front and rear respectively, with improved steering response, less understeer, and practically no bodyroll.
We're not simply stopping at dropping with this exercise. Most lowered Ponies sport wheel-and-tire combinations that play a major role in enhancing their overall presence. The tired running gear on Javi's GT is being replaced with a staggered layout of 18-inch SVE 10th Anniversary Mustang Cobra wheels from Latemodel Restoration Supply, wrapped around General Tire's Exclaim Ultimate High Performance boots, 245/40ZR18 front and 275/40ZR18 rear.
Eibach's Pro-System Plus includes...
Eibach's Pro-System Plus includes the lowering springs and four gas-charged Pro Dampers that you see here. The springs feature variable rates, and the struts and shocks are designed to match those variable-rate characteristics, in accordance with how the car is driven. Collectively these parts lower the car, help reduce squat during acceleration and front-end dive during hard braking, and maintain smooth ride quality (fixed-rate springs produce a stiffer ride).
While installing this assemblage of handling and appearance parts is a project that can be accomplished by mechanically adept do-it-yourselfers, we strongly recommend deferring the job to professionals. As such, we headed over to A and A Tires & Wheels in Reseda, California. The shop not only sells these products, but also has the equipment, and more importantly, the experience necessary for properly lowering a Mustang.
Starting at the back is the...
Starting at the back is the best plan when doing a full suspension upgrade. Thankfully, there hasn't been a drastic change in the overall layout of Mustang front and rear suspensions, which makes unbolting and removing the OEM parts a fairly simple task.
Here are the stock rear-suspension...
Here are the stock rear-suspension parts. You'll see as you read further that they are pretty anemic compared to Eibach's handling hardware.
Once Fabian dislodges the...
Once Fabian dislodges the rear shocks, he removes the factory sway bar, Panhard bars, and rear springs. This is where access to a chassis hoist comes in handy, as the best way to perform this extraction is to lower the rearend housing until the springs are fully decompressed, and then simply take them out.