Another suspension build question: Koni Sport Kit

[squisher]

So, I've been a member over a year and have been averaging less than 1 post per month. I may end up fixing that by the time I'm done here.

I want to quickly preface this with some information you'll have to just take on faith -- this isn't the first car I've built (if I even get to), but it will be the first Mustang. Don't laugh too hard, but in my vehicular history I have built 2 GM products, one Cavalier Z24 (full suspension and m45 supercharger) and an old Fiero (much milder, custom intake and headers with moderate suspension upgrades).

So, those are the communities I'm coming from, and I know good brands, I was just wondering if anyone had any experience using products from some brands that I used on my other cars.

On the Cavalier, I used the Koni "Sport Kit" suspension as a basis (springs and dampers in one box), then front/rear anti-roll bars, etc. I was very pleased with the results. At the time, the Koni dampers were (still basically are I think) the best you could get for that platform, and the springs seemed as good as anything Eibach produced.

I found recently that Koni offers a "Sport Kit" for the Mustang and was curious if anyone here has used it. It's kinda spendy (~850 from what I've found), but Koni stuff isn't usually cheap, and (assuming it works well) it gets the basis for a suspension build started in one box.

The biggest part that I liked about the dampers on the J-body was the adjustability. I had a FWD car that I could practically eliminate understeer on depending on the settings on the struts.

For the TL,DR. crowd: Is the Koni "Sport Kit" a good start to a SN95 suspension build on an '02 Mustang GT that is currently absolutely stock?
Aside from maybe an occasional local Autocross event and a handful of passes at the drags this car is unlikely to be other than a DD any time soon, I just wanna have more fun during my commute

Things like full length subframe connectors and the like are only likely to happen if I either acquire a welder, or befriend someone here close to me that owns one. Though I do see the value in them.

 

[LarsD]

Standard length sub frame connectors (would have gone full length if I had to do it over), Maximum Motorsports Road and Track springs, with Bilstein dampers is what I went with on my 91 and it made a world of difference. Can't weigh in on the Koni's as I have never run them.

 

[squisher]

I figure from past experience that the dampers by Koni will be good, but was curious if anyone had used them on the SN95 specifically. The springs in that kit to me are the unknown. Previous experience points to good quality in the product, but I have no idea how well the spring rates match up to what will mostly be a spirited DD.

So, I guess I'm open to other suggestions too. If/when I do get into the suspension I will be doing supporting mods as well. Tubular control arms for the rear, and poly bushings for the front at a minimum (if I don't end up going tubular up front too). It will probably depend on my budget at the time, but unless I buy used, a full build the way I want to do it will probably run me ~2000 (plus or minus depending on options).

I kinda like the idea of some of Maximum Motorsports "Grip Boxes" too...

One thing that I wonder about though with their Road/Track package for the '02-04 hardtop is the replacement of the rear upper control arms with a panhard setup. Is a panhard setup that much better than the 4 control arm setup?

 

[LarsD]

Well if you get a panhard bar, it doesn't replace the upper control arms. You have to get a Torque Arm if you want to ditch the UCA's. The PHR just supplements the factory four link setup.

I have had KYB dampers with Eibach springs, and I remember them being decent, however my MM setup is better (though pricier).

 

[squisher]

Well if you get a panhard bar, it doesn't replace the upper control arms. You have to get a Torque Arm if you want to ditch the UCA's. The PHR just supplements the factory four link setup.

I have had KYB dampers with Eibach springs, and I remember them being decent, however my MM setup is better (though pricier).

Ack, forgot the torque arm (Had a 98 Camaro that was LCAs+PHB+Torque arm instead of 4-link). I doubt I'm going to be driving hard enough often enough to warrant adding the panhard then (unless I get back into SCCA Solo stuff, then all bets are off).

I may do the Koni dampers with one of the Ford racing or Eibach spring options if I don't do a full kit somewhere, thanks!

 

[3ponyshow]

I've had the Koni Sport Kit for a few years now and absolutely love them. I never was able to get a spec from Koni on the spring rates of the adjustables, but I can tell you the car transfers well off the line. I paid +/- $750 if I remember right. They don't drop as much as the Eibachs do, bit that's a matter of preference. Check out my garage for pics to get an idea.