Mach 1 Struts/Shocks vs Stock GT *V.2.0*

[FalconGuy016]

Hey

I already started another thread on the same issue, but now its begining to phase out and I have some new questions now that I know a bit more. Original Thread

It looks like some people have done the change, but I was wondering if there were others out there with more specific info. I know that Mach1 struts and shocks are an improvement over stock, but how much? Its a hard question for me to ask, but I mean it almost the same way as gears. If there was some mondo sale on 3.73 gears for $75 each, but 4.10's were the same price as they are now, would it be worth buying the $75 3.73 gears or build cash for the 4.10's? Thats the same situation I am facing here. I am wondering if these shocks are just sort of "good enough" or are they actually worth the time to put them in. I especially would like to know if anyone out there can compare them to more upper end components.

Another question I have. It seemed that a lot of people used a different variety of springs with the Mach1 struts/shocks. I was wondering if it would be best to stay around the same spring type as comes on the Mach 1's, which I think are 1/4 inch lower than stock GT. I wonder this so I can keep the geometry of the control arms level, instead of making them curve upward, or some negative effect.

Will the 2003 Mach1 struts/shocks fit my 2004 stock GT with no complaints?

Thats all
Thanks!

P.S. ChrisGT posted "160" in the other thread, is there a better price than $180 for Mach1 struts/shocks somewhere?

 

[1fast03pony]

Hey

I already started another thread on the same issue, but now its begining to phase out and I have some new questions now that I know a bit more. Original Thread

It looks like some people have done the change, but I was wondering if there were others out there with more specific info. I know that Mach1 struts and shocks are an improvement over stock, but how much? Its a hard question for me to ask, but I mean it almost the same way as gears. If there was some mondo sale on 3.73 gears for $75 each, but 4.10's were the same price as they are now, would it be worth buying the $75 3.73 gears or build cash for the 4.10's? Thats the same situation I am facing here. I am wondering if these shocks are just sort of "good enough" or are they actually worth the time to put them in. I especially would like to know if anyone out there can compare them to more upper end components.

Another question I have. It seemed that a lot of people used a different variety of springs with the Mach1 struts/shocks. I was wondering if it would be best to stay around the same spring type as comes on the Mach 1's, which I think are 1/4 inch lower than stock GT. I wonder this so I can keep the geometry of the control arms level, instead of making them curve upward, or some negative effect.

Will the 2003 Mach1 struts/shocks fit my 2004 stock GT with no complaints?

Thats all
Thanks!

P.S. ChrisGT posted "160" in the other thread, is there a better price than $180 for Mach1 struts/shocks somewhere?

honestly i dont htink the mach springs will make much of a difference in appearence. if you dont want such an agressive drop try some eibach springs. i ripped out my whole setup in favor of coilovers because the h&R and mach setup just left a "shoddy" job feeling imo. The front struts were made like ***** and they didnt stand up to the lowering. Just spend some extra money on better struts, and dont worry about the control arm angle.

 

[FalconGuy016]

But soooooooo cheap are they really made like crap? I might just hold out for some better ones, but the price difference is so big

 

[AdRock]

The Mach 1 shocks and struts and valved to sit 1/2inch lower than the GT. The Mach comes with the exact springs that the GT does.

I hope to be installing my Mach shocks and struts with a set of C springs real soon.

 

[the-one]

The mach 1 comes with struts and shocks manufactured by Tokico. They are slightly softer than your standard tokicos and slightly stiffer than your gt shocks and struts. I drive a 2004 Mach and would highly recommend spending the money on a good set of shocks and struts. I don't think the factory shocks and struts on my mach are very good. Heck I will sell them to anyone that is interested. Buy a set of Bilstiens or adjustable Tokicos.

 

[mcmmotorsports]

P.S. ChrisGT posted "160" in the other thread, is there a better price than $180 for Mach1 struts/shocks somewhere?

He got them for that price by getting them at someones Ford employee discount

 

[Darkhorse845]

 

[Ajax_02GT]

The Mach 1 shocks and struts and valved to sit 1/2inch lower than the GT. The Mach comes with the exact springs that the GT does.

I hope to be installing my Mach shocks and struts with a set of C springs real soon.

Springs are what lowers (or raises) a car, not the shocks or struts. Shocks/struts are for dampening and should be matched to the spring height & rate.

Everything that I have read anywhere says that the Mach 1 has different springs than the GT.

 

[codyGT]

Mach1 springs aren't even close to the same as a GT's.

600lbs Front rate and 250lbs rear rate.

 

[DTMach1]

you know i have a set of used mach1 shocks and struts (less than 6k miles) if anyone is interested...PM me

 

[vrpirata]

I did the change myself from the stock springs-shocks-struts to the Mach 1 setup, that was about 10000 miles ago, right away I notice a firmer ride and the drop was about 1/2", that was exactly what I was looking for, not too low and not too firm to make it harsh, so the Mach 1 suspension is a noticeble upgrade over the GT suspension, is what the 99-04 GT should have been from factory. I read somewhere else that the front is 33% firmer while the rear is 19% firmer, Installation at http://www.mustangworld.com/ourpics/fcar/steedaspring1.htm . For the drop due to Mach 1 suspension, you don't need to readjust anything, the drop doesn't make a major impact in the alingment, you just replace the springs, shocks and struts and thats it, I have 10000 miles with this suspension and the tires are wearing normal, the Mach 1 suspesion should fit all Mustang GTs from 99 to 2004.

Springs: Front 3R3Z-5310-AA, Rear 3R3Z-5560-AA
Struts: 3R3Z-18124-AB (AST-37) 35mm piston
Shocks: 3R3Z-18125-AB (ASH-116) 30mm piston

About the springs: just to give you an idea, GT front springs are 400lb/in and rear are 210lb/in, Mach 1 front springs are 600lb/in and rear are 250lb/in, as a reference, 700-800lb/in for the front is already way too much and the ride will punish you and your car, most recommended aftermarket kits are 600-700lb/in at the front. For a lot more info about stock and aftermarket rates and pictures goo to this link:

http://www.2kgt.com/item.php?itemid=74

What I did was I posted a message at http://www.mach1registry.com looking for someone in my area that was willing to sell his Mach 1 springs-shocks-struts, I found I guy and I went to get them in person, I got a great deal, no taxes and no shipping of course.

I think the Mach 1 suspension is a good upgrade if you don't drive your stang in the track, like myself, I just wanted a better than stock suspension for my daily ride that would be more performance oriented but without the punishment of harsh ride, in my case I drive my stang for more than 80 miles every day, so this upgrade was perfect, stiffer or lower for me would be a hassle.

 

[1fast03pony]

Springs are what lowers (or raises) a car, not the shocks or struts. Shocks/struts are for dampening and should be matched to the spring height & rate.

Everything that I have read anywhere says that the Mach 1 has different springs than the GT.

hes saying that the struts are valved in such a way to tolerate 1/2 less travel. When you lower a car you are making the struts travel outside of the intended spec. Therefore, you should get heavier duty struts that were made compatable for lower springs.

 

[FalconGuy016]

I did the change myself from the stock springs-shocks-struts to the Mach 1 setup, that was about 10000 miles ago, right away I notice a firmer ride and the drop was about 1/2", that was exactly what I was looking for, not too low and not too firm to make it harsh, so the Mach 1 suspension is a noticeble upgrade over the GT suspension, is what the 99-04 GT should have been from factory. I read somewhere else that the front is 33% firmer while the rear is 19% firmer, Installation at http://www.mustangworld.com/ourpics/fcar/steedaspring1.htm . For the drop due to Mach 1 suspension, you don't need to readjust anything, the drop doesn't make a major impact in the alingment, you just replace the springs, shocks and struts and thats it, I have 10000 miles with this suspension and the tires are wearing normal, the Mach 1 suspesion should fit all Mustang GTs from 99 to 2004.

Springs: Front 3R3Z-5310-AA, Rear 3R3Z-5560-AA
Struts: 3R3Z-18124-AB (AST-37) 35mm piston
Shocks: 3R3Z-18125-AB (ASH-116) 30mm piston

About the springs: just to give you an idea, GT front springs are 400lb/in and rear are 210lb/in, Mach 1 front springs are 600lb/in and rear are 250lb/in, as a reference, 700-800lb/in for the front is already way too much and the ride will punish you and your car, most recommended aftermarket kits are 600-700lb/in at the front. For a lot more info about stock and aftermarket rates and pictures goo to this link:

http://www.2kgt.com/item.php?itemid=74

What I did was I posted a message at http://www.mach1registry.com looking for someone in my area that was willing to sell his Mach 1 springs-shocks-struts, I found I guy and I went to get them in person, I got a great deal, no taxes and no shipping of course.

I think the Mach 1 suspension is a good upgrade if you don't drive your stang in the track, like myself, I just wanted a better than stock suspension for my daily ride that would be more performance oriented but without the punishment of harsh ride, in my case I drive my stang for more than 80 miles every day, so this upgrade was perfect, stiffer or lower for me would be a hassle.

Thanks a lot thats very useful!

So I should buy springs with springrates around 600 and 250?

 

[Ajax_02GT]

hes saying that the struts are valved in such a way to tolerate 1/2 less travel. When you lower a car you are making the struts travel outside of the intended spec. Therefore, you should get heavier duty struts that were made compatable for lower springs.

I understand that which is why I said that the shocks/struts need to be "matched" to the springs. But I didn't realize that that is what he was trying to say so thanks for pointing that out. When he said the springs were the same as the GT springs I thought he was inferring that it was the shocks/struts that made the 1/2" difference in height.

 

[FalconGuy016]

Oh, and for the moment, are stock springs okay for it?

 

[CrazyHorn]

I've got the handling package, its the bullit spring, shocks and swaybar, made a big difference in the ride, and well the car looks stock now, not some 4x4, it lowers it 3/4in and did made a difference in look, and its pretty cheap too, 400US I think for the package.

 

[FalconGuy016]

$400 for package?! where?!
Whats the difference between bullit and regular mach1 parts? They both seem to be tokiyo

 

[CBASS]

Bullitt and Mach 1 springs/struts/shocks are the same thing. I have the Bullitt suspension on my car and it only lowered it 1/2 - 5/8s of an inch lower. I've measured Bullitt's ride height and they generally sit 1/4 lower than my car. I have yet to find someone that's done the swap and got the same ride height that a Bullitt does. Sounds the same for Mach suspension swaps. Just something to think about.

 

[FalconGuy016]

Hmmm, so they are the same components? What springs do you have CBASS?

Btw, something I found on MustangWeekly refering to the $400 setup
"Keep in mind that these are 100 percent Ford parts content kits made up of genuine Bullitt suspension components not the repackaged Mach1 parts. Order by phone 703-742-6207 or go to Performance Parts, Inc. "

 

[JonJon]

Bullitt and Mach 1 springs/struts/shocks are the same thing. I have the Bullitt suspension on my car and it only lowered it 1/2 - 5/8s of an inch lower. I've measured Bullitt's ride height and they generally sit 1/4 lower than my car. I have yet to find someone that's done the swap and got the same ride height that a Bullitt does. Sounds the same for Mach suspension swaps. Just something to think about.

I'm pretty sure they are NOT the same parts...