'95 F-150 track ready street beast

[frink84]

As promised, I have procured some more parts. So let's play a game again. Hit me with a guess of what car you think this suspension is from:

S197 mustang

[Sbeck09]

The issue is it's all heavy.

OEM stuff usually is. To a certain point, mass in the brakes, specifically the rotors, is great for heat absorption. You probably already knew that. I'm trying to find a happy medium of cost vs effectiveness for the first season out. I don't think I'll risk outrunning my brakes until I'm able to get chassis and suspension really dialed and happy.

S197 mustang

Damn you're good! Spot on. The trick here is that I'm not building a strut type suspension like it originally was. I'm converting to upper control arms. S197 spindles got me the 5x4.5 pattern with a monster amount of parts support from FRPP and the aftermarket. Using the heart of the OEM subframe was a cheap way to set my lower pickup points without much engineering on my part.

Before I'm committed by welding all the brackets up, would any of you have objections or suggestions for alternatives? Bear in mind that this was to avoid spending $4,000+ on a IFS system that may or may not work with this frame. Nobody makes an off-the-shelf option.

[frink84]

Damn you're good! Spot on. The trick here is that I'm not building a strut type suspension like it originally was. I'm converting to upper control arms. S197 spindles got me the 5x4.5 pattern with a monster amount of parts support from FRPP and the aftermarket. Using the heart of the OEM subframe was a cheap way to set my lower pickup points without much engineering on my part.

Before I'm committed by welding all the brackets up, would any of you have objections or suggestions for alternatives? Bear in mind that this was to avoid spending $4,000+ on a IFS system that may or may not work with this frame. Nobody makes an off-the-shelf option.

I used to have a S197 GT and spent a LOT of time in the front wheelhouse. The car ended up with aftermarket ball joints, tie rods, and GT500 brakes before I sold it. Good platform to start with for your plans!

[Sbeck09]

I used to have a S197 GT and spent a LOT of time in the front wheelhouse. The car ended up with aftermarket ball joints, tie rods, and GT500 brakes before I sold it. Good platform to start with for your plans!

Then this is going to look somewhat familiar to you as I get it together. I've decided on factory 14" Brembos (GT500/Boss 302) for the front and 12" Cobra IRS rotors with the Mark VIII rear calipers in the rear. Initially I'll try to use the original brake master, but it may not be quite enough to push all these bigger pistons without a major leg workout (I skip leg day).

If any one is wanting to question the upper control arm idea on a strut type spindle, it's good enough for Factory Five and they have a lot more on the line than me. We used to race late model S197s at 3800+ lbs on 315 Hoosier A7s all the way around with down force. I think my 3400lb (a guy can dream) truck on 200tw 315s should be fine if I design it right.

Those of you already running: I'm thinking a matching coilover at all 4 corners with different spring rates. 12 inch ride height with roughly 4 inches of travel. I see QA1 and ridetech offer similar single adjustables. Any input on those or other options? I want simple, but effective with the option to bolt in triple adjustables later. Triples are more than double the cost which is too much right now.

[frink84]

Then this is going to look somewhat familiar to you as I get it together. I've decided on factory 14" Brembos (GT500/Boss 302) for the front and 12" Cobra IRS rotors with the Mark VIII rear calipers in the rear. Initially I'll try to use the original brake master, but it may not be quite enough to push all these bigger pistons without a major leg workout (I skip leg day).

those brakes will be absolutely killer. on my s197 they were the best brakes i've ever felt! SO MUCH stopping power