Gen 6 Mustang: Suspension

(ANNOUNCER)>> TODAY ON DETROIT MUSCLE WE'RE CONTINUING OUR FIRST EVER 2015 MUSTANG BUILD. LAST TIME WE INSTALLED A SUPERCHARGER AND EXHAUST, BUT THIS TIME WE'RE GONNA RATCHET UP THE HANDLING TO EPIC PROPORTIONS. IT'S AN OVER THE TOP OVERHAUL.

(JOE)>> THE FIRST TIME WE DUG INTO OUR 2015 MUSTANG G/T WE WEREN'T FOOLING AROUND. WE PLUGGED IN A FORD RACING SUPERCHARGER THAT ADDED EIGHT POUNDS OF BOOST AND 197 EXTRA HORSEPOWER, GIVING US A TOTAL OF 562 PONIES AT THE REAR WHEELS. WE OPENED UP ITS FLOW WITH A FORD RACING EXHAUST KIT THAT INCLUDED NEW MUFFLERS AND SIDE PIPES. [ engine revving ]

(JOE)>> BUT IT DOESN'T STOP THERE. USING ALL THAT NEW FOUND POWER TO THE FULLEST MEANS COMPLIMENTARY SUSPENSION UPGRADES.

(TOMMY)>> LIKE A NEW FRONT SUSPENSION KIT WITH PERFORMANCE STRUTS AND A THICKER SWAY BAR. OUT BACK A NEW REAR SUBFRAME, BIGGER HALF SHAFTS, AND A REAR SUSPENSION KIT.

(JOE)>> THE LOWERING SPRINGS ARE PROGRESSIVE, OFFERING AN INCREASING LEVEL OF RESISTANCE UNDER LOAD. THEY BRING THE CAR DOWN ABOUT AN INCH ALL THE WAY AROUND, LOWERING THE CENTER OF GRAVITY AND

REDUCING SQUAT DURING ACCELERATION AS WELL AS NOSE DIVING DURING BRAKING.

(TOMMY)>> THE UPGRADED SWAY BARS WILL DECREASE BODY ROLL EVEN FURTHER AS WELL AS IMPROVING UNDERSTEER.

(JOE)>> THE UPGRADED SHOCKS AND STRUTS ARE DESIGNED TO BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE LOWERING SPRINGS TO IMPROVE HANDLING BY WAY OF LARGER PISTONS AND STIFFER VALVING.

(TOMMY)>> THE UPGRADED SUBFRAME WORKS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE NEW INDEPENDENT REAR SUSPENSION TO STIFFEN UP THE OVERALL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE REAR BY INTRODUCING SOLID ALUMINUM BUSHINGS.

(JOE)>> AND FINALLY A SET OF UPGRADED HALF SHAFTS UTILIZING A LARGER BILLET STUB, LARGER BEARINGS, AND LARGER STRONGER SHAFTS. IF YOU'RE GONNA PLANT THAT 627 HORSEPOWER TO THE PAVEMENT WITH STICKY TIRES, THESE WILL STAND UP TO IT.

(TOMMY)>> AND TO SHOW US HOW ALL THESE PIECES GO TOGETHER WE'VE GOT SOME HELP FROM FORD PERFORMANCE. THIS IS MATT MONROE AND HE'S HERE ALL THE WAY FROM DETROIT.

NOW MATT, WE KNOW THE NEW MUSTANG IS A GREAT CAR STRAIGHT OFF THE ASSEMBLY LINE WITH SUPERIOR PERFORMANCE AND GREAT BRAKING. WHY WOULD SOMEBODY WANT TO TAKE A WONDERFUL OEM CAR AND UPGRADE WITH THESE COMPONENTS?

(MATT)>> NO DOUBT THE 2015 MUSTANG IS A FORMIDABLE CAR RIGHT OFF THE ASSEMBLY LINE, BUT WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO WITH THESE PARTS IS TAKE THAT TO A WHOLE OTHER LEVEL. ESSENTIALLY WHAT WE'RE CREATING IS A CAR WITH A UNIQUE COMBINATION OF TREMENDOUS LAUNCH CAPABILITY AND SUPERIOR HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS.

(TOMMY)>> AND YOU WERE TELLING ME EARLIER THAT EACH COMPONENT IS DESIGNED TO BRING THE PERFORMANCE UP IN THE CAR, BUT THEY'RE ALSO DESIGNED TO WORK WELL AS A SYSTEM, CORRECT?

(MATT)>> THE PARTS ARE ALL DESIGNED AND ENGINEERED TO WORK AS A SYSTEM. BUT FOR THE OWNER WHO WANTS TO UPGRADE IN STEPS, THE PARTS ARE ALL AVAILABLE SEPARATELY THROUGH FORD PERFORMANCE.

(TOMMY)>> AND WITH ALL THESE PARTS BEING FROM FORD, THEY'VE GOT A WARRANTY RIGHT?

(MATT)>> THE FORD PERFORMANCE HANDLING PACK

HAS A THREE YEAR, 36,000 MILE WARRANTY. AND THE GOOD NEWS IS THE FORD PERFORMANCE HALF SHAFTS HAVE A LIFETIME WARRANTY FOR THE OWNER.

(TOMMY)>> WELL EVERYTHING SOUNDS GOOD, I GUESS WE NEED TO GET THIS THING ON A LIFT AND GET SOME TOOLS OUT.

YOU MIND BACKING IT UP?

(MATT)>> LET'S GET GOING.

(TOMMY)>> AWESOME!

THE FIRST THING WE'RE GONNA DO IS REMOVE THE STRUTS. NOW I'M GONNA TAKE THESE TWO NUTS OFF BUT LEAVE THIS ONE TO KEEP IT IN PLACE UNTIL I GET THE BOTTOM BOLT OUT.

WHILE WE'RE AT IT WE'RE GONNA GET THESE BIG 15 INCH BRAKES OUT OF THE WAY.

(JOE)>> THESE FRONT END UPGRADES ARE A SNAP. SO DON'T BE INTIMIDATED JUST BECAUSE IT'S

A LATE MODEL RIDE. WITH THE STRUT BOLTS OUT, WE NEED TO UNTIE THE SWAY BAR FROM IT AND THEN IT COMES RIGHT OUT.

(TOMMY)>> NOW WE CAN UNBOLT THE SWAY BAR ITSELF FROM THE FRAME. IT HELPS TO HAVE A BUDDY TO DIVE IN THERE AND HELP YOU MANEUVER IT OUT OF THE CAR.

THIS NEWER, BEEFIER ONE IS GONNA GO A LONG WAYS TOWARD MAKING THIS THING HANDLE EVEN BETTER THAN IT ALREADY DOES. JUST FEED IT RIGHT BACK WHERE THE ORIGINAL WAS AND BOLT IT DOWN.

(JOE)>> NOW THE STRUTS CAN GO INTO PLACE. THROW A COUPLE OF BOLTS LOOSELY UP ON TOP TO HOLD IT WHILE YOU GET THE BOTTOM CINCHED BACK UP.

THEN REINSTALL YOUR BRAKES.

GREAT JOB MATT, YOU KNOW YOU MADE THIS LOOK EASY.

(MATT)>> WELL THE FRONT'S PRETTY EASY, THE REAR'S GONNA BE A LITTLE BIT MORE INVOLVED, BUT IT SHOULDN'T BE ANY BIG DEAL.

(JOE)>> NO BIG DEAL FOR YOU, I CAN'T WAIT

TO SEE YOU DO IT. YOU BETTER REST UP.

(ANNOUNCER)>> STILL AHEAD THE REAR END REVAMP OF OUR POTENT PONY BEGINS. WE'RE GONNA MAKE THIS MUSTANG INTO A MODERN MONSTER WITH SPRINGS, SHAFTS, AND SHOCKS OH MY!

(JOE)>> WELL THE FRONT SUSPENSION OF THIS NEW G/T IS OUT OF THE WAY. NOW IT'S TIME FOR EVEN MORE MODS OUT BACK.

MATT, HOW'S IT GOING?

(MATT)>> IT'S GOING REALLY WELL. ONCE WE DROP THIS EXHAUST AND THE DRIVESHAFT WE CAN DROP THE SUBFRAME AND ALLOW US TO GET RIGHT AT THAT SUSPENSION.

(JOE)>> THAT NEW EXHAUST IS GONNA COME OUT BUT JUST LIKE WE TOLD YOU WHEN WE PUT IT IN, YOU'RE NOT GONNA FIND A MUCH EASIER EXHAUST SYSTEM TO REMOVE AND INSTALL. WE'VE ALSO GOT TO PULL OUT THE DRIVESHAFT. LIKE MOST MODELS IT'S JUST A MATTER OF A FEW BOLTS AND SOME TUGGING.

(TOMMY)>> THE REAR BRAKES NEED TO BE REMOVED AND SAVED. THERE'S NO NEED TO UPGRADE ANY OF THE BRAKES ON THIS G/T MODEL FOR NOW BECAUSE IT COMES WITH BIG BREMBO BRAKES AT ALL FOUR CORNERS.

(JOE)>> WE'RE GONNA USE A SCREW JACK TO KEEP THE CONTROL ARMS UP AND TENSION ON THE SPRING. REMEMBER THE NEW MUSTANGS HAVE MOVED FROM A STRAIGHT AXLE TO INDEPENDENT REAR SUSPENSION.

(TOMMY)>> ONCE YOU'VE GOT THE SHOCKS OUT OF THE WAY, IT'S TIME TO HIT THE REAR SPINDLE. A TIP, MANY OF THESE BOLTS ARE DIFFERENT SIZES. SO PUT THEM BACK IN TO MAKE REINSTALL EASY.

(JOE)>> NOW WE'LL UNLINK THE SWAY BAR.

ALSO, BEFORE THINGS GET TOO EXCITING, REMEMBER TO DRAIN THE GEAR OIL FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL. THEN LOOSEN THE SUBFRAME BOLTS JUST A LITTLE BIT TO LET YOU GET THE SPRINGS OUT.

NOW YOU CAN WORK ON THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS.

(TOMMY)>> USE A PRY BAR AT THE DIFF TO REMOVE THE HALF SHAFTS. PULLING ON THEM FROM THE OUTSIDE CAN CAUSE DAMAGE.

(JOE)>> WELL WITH THOSE HALF SHAFTS OUT OF THE WAY WE CAN NOW REMOVE THE FACTORY SUBFRAME, AND HERE'S THE PLAN. WE'RE GONNA LOWER THE CAR UNTIL THE SUBFRAME SITS ON THIS TOOL BOX, REMOVE ABOUT FOUR BOLTS, RAISE THE CAR BACK UP AND LEAVE THE SUBFRAME BEHIND.

AGAIN, AT THIS POINT, SEPARATING THE DIFFERENTIAL FROM THE SUBFRAME IS A

PRETTY EASY DEAL. TWO BOLTS IN FRONT, TWO IN BACK AND THAT'S IT.

OKAY, HEAVE, HO, HEAVE, HO, HEAVE, HO!

(ANNOUNCER)>> STICK AROUND AND WE'LL SHOW YOU THE INS AND OUTS OF A SHORT THROW SHIFTER.

(JOE)>> WE ARE READY TO SET OUR NEW SUBFRAME INTO

PLACE WITH ALL ALUMINUM BUSHINGS THAT ARE GONNA HELP KEEP THE SUSPENSION FROM GETTING OUT OF SORT WHEN YOU THROW THE MUSTANG INTO THE CURVES.

(TOMMY)>> ALRIGHT GUYS, WE'VE GOT OUR DIFFERENTIAL BOLTED INTO OUR SUBFRAME, AND NOW WE'RE READY TO

INSTALL THIS UPGRADED SWAY BAR. IT'S GONNA REDUCE ANY BODY ROLL AND HELP CONTROL ANY ISSUES WITH UNDER OR OVER STEER. ONE COOL THING IS THAT YOU CAN INSTALL THIS UPGRADE WHILE THE SUBFRAME IS OUT OF THE CAR.

IT DOESN'T GET MUCH EASIER THAN THAT. THEN WE'LL LOWER THE CAR BACK DOWN ONTO IT NICE AND SLOW. REINSTALL THE SUBFRAME BOLTS WITH SOME SLACK. NOW FOR THE HALF SHAFTS.

(JOE)>> WELL I DON'T GUESS YOU NEED PERFECT VISION TO SEE SOME DIFFERENCES IN THIS FORD RACING PIECE. AND STOCK IT LOOKS A LOT STURDIER, WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON HERE.

(MATT)>> WELL TO START WITH WE HAVE FULL BILLET MACHINED INNER AND OUTER C/V STUB SHAFTS, A FULLY

SERVICEABLE C/V JOINT, AN AXLE SHAFT THAT IS MADE OUT OF A PROPRIETARY MATERIAL THAT'S STRONGER THAN 300-M, AND BEST OF ALL IT FEATURES ANTIWHEEL HOP TECHNOLOGY THAT'S A GREAT BENEFIT ON THOSE DRAG STARTS.

(JOE)>> A BIG DIFFERENCE, I CAN EASILY SEE WHY YOU'D

WANT THIS ONE AT THE TRACK WITH A SUPERCHARGER AND STICKY TIRES TO HANDLE THE TORQUE.

(MATT)>> ABSOLUTELY!

(JOE)>> THE HALF SHAFTS ARE JUST ABOUT THE EASIEST

AXLE UPGRADE EVER. ONCE THEY'RE SEATED YOU CAN BRING IN THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE PROGRESSIVE SPRINGS ARE NEXT. THEY'LL ONLY GO IN IF THE SUBFRAME BOLTS ARE LOOSE. REMOVE THE UPPER MOUNTING BRACKET FROM THE ORIGINAL SHOCKS, AND BOLT THEM IN PLACE ON THE NEW ONES.

AND IT'S A MATTER OF TWO BOLTS ON TOP, AND PUTTING PRESSURE ON THE SUSPENSION SO THAT YOU COULD PUT THE BOTTOM IN PLACE.

(TOMMY)>> NOW THE ALUMINUM SPINDLE CAN GO BACK IN.

ALL THESE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS HAVE A TORQUE SPEC AND YOU NEED TO FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS. OF COURSE ONCE THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR A WHILE, YOU OUGHT TO GO BACK AND RETIGHTEN EVERYTHING TO SPEC ONCE IT'S SETTLED IN. ALSO WITH SOME OF THESE BOLTS, DON'T TORQUE THEM UNTIL YOU PUT A LOAD ON THE SUSPENSION.

(JOE)>> NOW LET'S TIE THE SWAY BAR BACK INTO THE

SUSPENSION SETUP.

THEN WE CAN PUT THE BRAKES BACK ON.

(TOMMY)>> ALRIGHT GUYS, WITH THE BACK HALF OF OUR SUSPENSION ALL FINISHED UP, WE'RE READY TO START MOVING ON TO OUR NEXT UPGRADE, AND THAT IS INSTALLING THIS COOL SHIFTER.

(MATT)>> NOW FORD PERFORMANCE OFFERS A COMPLETE KIT STARTING WITH THE NEW SHIFTER ITSELF OFFERING A 19 PERCENT REDUCTION IN THROW. NEXT WE MOVE TO A NEW REVERSE LOCK OUT FEATURE THAT PRESERVES THE FACTORY FUNCTION AND FEEL. NEXT WE MOVE ON TO A SOLID BUSHING THAT CONNECTS THE SHIFTER TO THE TRANSMISSION AND REDUCES

THE LATERAL MOVEMENT IN THE SHIFTER ITSELF. AND FINALLY WE FINISH IT OFF WITH A CUSTOM SHIFT KNOB.

(JOE)>> REMOVING THE FACTORY KNOB IS A SIMPLE MATTER OF LEFTY LOOSEY.

THEN POP OFF THE TRIM COVER AND UNCLIP THE LOCK OUT ASSEMBLY. NOW YOU HAVE TO GO UNDER THE CAR AND START UNBOLTING THE BODY OF THE SHIFTER. THE ALUMINUM TRANS CROSS MEMBER NEEDS TO BE OUT OF THE WAY TO LOWER THE TRANS SO YOU CAN GO FURTHER. THERE ARE A COUPLE OF BOLTS ON TOP THAT HOLD IT IN PLACE, WHICH YOU REMOVE. NOW IT WILL DROP OUT.

(TOMMY)>> PULL THE SPRING BACK ON THE SHIFTER SO THAT YOU CAN DRIVE OUT THE ROLL PIN THAT HOLDS IT TOGETHER. THEN THERE'S A BOLT THAT COMES OUT TO FREE UP THE TOP HALF.

NOW CRACK THE CASE FROM THE BOTTOM.

(JOE)>> YOU CAN REMOVE THE TWO BOLTS HOLDING THE OLD SHIFTER IN PLACE. THEN REMOVE IT FROM THE BOTTOM.

(MATT)>> WHEN INSTALLING THE NEW SHIFTER, ONE THING

YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE OF IS THE RETAINING HOLE FOR THE REVERSE LOCK OUT IS ALIGNED TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE SHIFTER.

(JOE)>> USE SOME LITHIUM GREASE TO LUBRICATE THE BOTTOM OF THE ASSEMBLY BEFORE YOU START PUTTING IT BACK TOGETHER. THIS SHORT THROW SHIFTER UPGRADE IS GOING TO ALLOW YOU TO CUT DOWN YOUR ET BY THE TIME YOU ROLL THROUGH ALL THOSE GEARS.

(TOMMY)>> THE NEW REVERSE LOCK OUT GETS SET INTO PLACE. THEN COMPRESS THE SPRING TO REINSERT THE ROLL PIN.

YOU CAN DRIVE OUT THE OLD BUSHINGS WITH A PUNCH. THEN SIMPLY SLIP THE ALUMINUM ONES IN PLACE.

(JOE)>> NOW BACK IN THE CAR, WHERE ONCE IT'S BOLTED IN YOU PUT THE TRIM RING IN PLACE. THEN TIGHTEN THE SET SCREWS FOR THE REVERSE LOCK OUT. TO PROPERLY SET THE KNOB USE THE THREAD LOCKER IN THE KIT ON THE JAMB NUT TO KEEP IT IN PLACE. THEN SPIN THE KNOB DOWN.

(ANNOUNCER)>> AFTER THE BREAK, ONCE IT'S ALL BUTTONED UP, LET'S SEE WHAT SHE CAN DO!

(TOMMY)>> ALRIGHT GUYS, WE'VE JUST ABOUT GOT EVERYTHING DONE HERE ON THE BOTTOM. THE ONLY THING THAT WE NEED TO DO IS ADD IN SOME REAR LUBE. SO WE RAN DOWN TO THE FORD DEALER AND PICKED UP SOME 75-85 SYNTHETIC LUBE. NOW ALL WE'VE GOT TO DO IS PUT THIS STUFF IN. ONE LAST THING WE'RE GONNA INSTALL INTO OUR SUPER MUSTANG ARE THESE RECARO SEATS THAT ARE OFFERED BY FORD PERFORMANCE.

(MATT)>> NOW ONE NICE THING ABOUT THESE RECARO SEATS IS THEY BOLT RIGHT INTO THE

FACTORY MOUNTING POINTS. THEY HAVE ALL THE FACTORY SAFETY EQUIPMENT INCLUDING

SIDE AIR BAGS AND THE FACTORY SEAT BELT MOUNT. THESE SEATS OFFER INCREASED COMFORT AND SUPPORT FOR TRACK DAYS. THEY ALSO HAVE CUT OUTS FOR SAFETY HARNESSES FOR THOSE THAT WANT TO TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL.

(TOMMY)>> WELL I'LL TELL YOU WHAT, I CAN'T WAIT TO

GET THIS THING OUT ON THE ROAD TO GIVE IT A TEST

SPIN WITH ALL THOSE GO FAST GOODIES THAT WE PUT ON IT.

YOU WANT TO GO FOR A RIDE?

(MATT)>> I'D LOVE TO BUT I'VE GOT TO CATCH A PLANE TO DETROIT. AND I'M AFRAID IF I STICK AROUND HERE MUCH LONGER I'M GONNA START TALKING LIKE YOU.

(TOMMY)>> GEEZ LOUISE, LISTEN TO THIS GUY. WELL LET'S GO SEE IF WE CAN FIND JOE AND GET YOU ON THAT PLANE.

(JOE)>> LET'S SEE HOW MUCH ALL THAT POWER AND SUSPENSION HAVE CHANGED THIS PONY.

(TOMMY)>> JOE I BELIEVE YOU COULD GET MORE ATTENTION IN THIS CAR NOW.

(JOE)>> THINK SO?

(TOMMY)>> BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE A REAL CAR NOW.

(JOE)>> IT'S NOT SO MELLO YELLOW ANY MORE.

(TOMMY)>> THE STEERING SEEMS TO BE TIGHTER THAN IT WAS.

(JOE)>> IT DOES, I CAN TELL IT OVER HERE.

(TOMMY)>> IT DOESN'T HAVE ANY BODY ROLL

TO IT AT ALL NOW.

(JOE)>> WELL AT THIS POINT IT HANDLES LIKE A RACE CAR. BUT AFTER THAT SUPERCHARGER INSTALL HOW DOES IT LAUNCH?

OH, HERE WE GO!

(TOMMY)>> THE ANSWER IS REALLY FAST.

(JOE)>> BOTTOM LINE, THESE FORD PERFORMANCE HANDLING UPGRADES MAKE A STOCK G/T LOWER, STIFFER, TIGHTER, AND MORE RESPONSIVE. THE PERFECT COMPLIMENT TO OUR SUPERCHARGED NEW MUSTANG. WELL WE PUT A BOW ON THAT 2015 MUSTANG G/T

PROJECT AND IT'S TIME TO LET THAT PONY RIDE OFF INTO THE SUNSET. BUT BEFORE THAT HERE'S SOME MORE FORD PERFORMANCE UPGRADES WE'D LIKE TO TELL YOU ABOUT, STARTING WITH THIS RESONATOR DELETE XPIPE. NOW ON OUR CAR WE REPLACED THE RESONATOR WITH THIS XPIPE, WHICH INCLUDED A SET OF SIDE PIPES THAT MAKES THE EXHAUST SOUND MUCH LOUDER. BUT YOU DO HAVE THE OPTION OF MIXING AND MATCHING EXHAUST PARTS FOR THE DESIRED EFFECT. NOW THIS XPIPE REPLACES THE FACTORY RESONATOR. IT LOSES SOME WEIGHT, BRINGS UP THE DECIBEL LEVEL, AND FREES UP SOME AIR FLOW. NOW YOU CAN USE THIS IN A COMBINATION WITH STOCK MUFFLERS OR A SET OF FORD RACING MUFFLERS LIKE WE INSTALLED.

(TOMMY)>> ANOTHER OPTION YOU CAN CONSIDER IS A RING AND PINION KIT FROM FORD PERFORMANCE. THEY HAVE OPTIONAL RATIOS FROM 3.15 TO 3.73, AND THERE IS A 4.10 KIT COMING IN 2016. IT'S MADE USING OE PRODUCTION LEVEL MACHINING AND TOOLING WHICH RESULTS IN PRECISE TOLERANCES FOR EASIER INSTALLATION. THE KIT INCLUDES A PINION NUT, CRUSH SLEEVE, SHIMS AND OF

COURSE ALL THE BEARINGS AND EVERYTHING ELSE YOU'RE GONNA NEED TO GET THE SWAP DONE.

(JOE)>> WELL FINALLY EVERY MUSTANG PERFORMANCE ENTHUSIAST WANTS HIS CAR TO BE DISTINGUISHED FROM THE OTHER GUYS. HERE'S A SURE WAY TO DO THAT, WITH THESE CUSTOM

COYOTE COIL COVERS IN EVER POPULAR FORD BLUE, WRINKLE BLACK, AND EVEN SUPER SHINY CHROME.

TO INSTALL THEM YOU SIMPLY POP THE FACTORY ONES OFF. THEN SWAP IN THE NEW ONES, NO SWEAT. THEY'RE AVAILABLE FOR 2011 THROUGH 2015 MUSTANGS WITH COYOTE ENGINES FOR ABOUT $80 BUCKS, AND WE'LL BE AVAILABLE WITH MORE DETROIT MUSCLE NEXT TIME IF YOU JOIN US. WE'LL SEE YOU THEN.