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Old 06-25-2019, 08:27 PM   #1
jbrad88
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Couple Observations I thought I would share

Howdy all

Recently I bought a couple things for the car.
First I replaced the headlights with OE replacements. Mine had started to corrode/peel especially the driver side. Both were fairly pitted as well. Held up well though for 16 years and 109k miles.

Secondly, finally grabbed the eibach sway bars I have wanted for a while. Especially after I rebuilt the majority of the suspension 2 years ago.

First observation from an installation stand point.
The ends links they send with the kit are too short. Fortunately I had replaced my stockers with energy suspension end links years ago, so I just used the new bushings and updated everything except the actual link.

Second thing I was not overly impressed with was the rear bar mounting hardware. Keep in mind I have JM weight jackers and not stock arms in the rear. The bolts seem to be fairly light duty and the nuts are only about half as tall as you would expect for a suspension related part. Everything fits and lined up just fine, car is tight, was able to drop the Illuminas back to the #3 setting up front from the #4...

Car handles great, very flat, a little more twitchy, but clearly more connected.

I will be replacing the rear mounting bolts this weekend. Just need to go find some appropriate grade 8’s

Happy overall, but thought I would share.

Now if I can just decide if I want to do Mac longtubes or BBK...

Peace...
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03 Torch Red Mach 1
21 FJG Mach 1


Stainless Steel Systems Adrenaline Series
BBK long tube headers catted x pipe
18x9 18x10- Solid Gloss Black FR5's
Nitto 555 g2 275/35r18's 285/35r18
MGW Shifter With Mach1 Shift Knob
4.10's & 31 spline Mosers and 31 Spline Posi
Steeda Sport Springs Tokiko Illuminas
J@M weight Jacker LCA's
J@M Rear UCA's
J@M Braided steel brake lines
Eibach Sway Bars
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Old 06-25-2019, 11:49 PM   #2
311-420
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Re: Couple Observations I thought I would share

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Originally Posted by jbrad88 View Post
Now if I can just decide if I want to do Mac longtubes or BBK...
Please don't use a mild steel header. I've been running the mac lt's for about 7 years. The first 3 years the car was still a daily and as soon as they saw rain that was all she wrote for the ceramic coating underneath. Then the rust began. They still look new inside the engine room but under the car they are terrible looking.

1 5/8 primaries into 2.5 collectors is most ideal for a bolt-on car. 1 3/4 primaries into 2.5 collectors for boosted cars under 700rwhp.
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Old 06-26-2019, 04:00 PM   #3
ab_mach1
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Re: Couple Observations I thought I would share

Nice! I've been wanting to upgrade the front and back sway bars to Eibach as well. I'm hoping they go well with the Sportlines. Let us know what you find with the hardware. I'll purchase the same when I buy mine.

My biggest thing looming is brakes. The more I think about it, I'll likely take mine apart and get the calipers sand blasted and painted. Then just get some nice rust resistant rotors and new hardware. The brake kits are so expensive and I really doubt I'll have enough power mods to warrant the upgrade LOL.
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Old 06-26-2019, 10:54 PM   #4
jbrad88
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Re: Couple Observations I thought I would share

I will post up what I do with the hardware...

On the header issue, I agree about using the stainless vs the mild, but there is a $1000.00 difference which is why I am on the fence.

Lethal has the c/c macs with catted x for 1050.00
Kooks and ARH without c/c are @ 1850.00 add for c/c and you are over 2k...

Tough decision at that price point...
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03 Torch Red Mach 1
21 FJG Mach 1


Stainless Steel Systems Adrenaline Series
BBK long tube headers catted x pipe
18x9 18x10- Solid Gloss Black FR5's
Nitto 555 g2 275/35r18's 285/35r18
MGW Shifter With Mach1 Shift Knob
4.10's & 31 spline Mosers and 31 Spline Posi
Steeda Sport Springs Tokiko Illuminas
J@M weight Jacker LCA's
J@M Rear UCA's
J@M Braided steel brake lines
Eibach Sway Bars
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Old 06-27-2019, 06:50 AM   #5
falcongtho3
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Re: Couple Observations I thought I would share

Quote:
Originally Posted by ab_mach1 View Post
My biggest thing looming is brakes. The more I think about it, I'll likely take mine apart and get the calipers sand blasted and painted. Then just get some nice rust resistant rotors and new hardware. The brake kits are so expensive and I really doubt I'll have enough power mods to warrant the upgrade LOL.
I'm getting close to a major redo of the brakes as well. One thing that I woldn't have thought of is the caliper bracket. A good friend who is a Ford tech says to replace them after all these miles and do grease the slides. I'll probably go back with OReillys carbon pads. Not cheap, but good performers with minimal dusting issues.

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Old 06-27-2019, 12:17 PM   #6
ab_mach1
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Re: Couple Observations I thought I would share

Quote:
Originally Posted by falcongtho3 View Post
I'm getting close to a major redo of the brakes as well. One thing that I woldn't have thought of is the caliper bracket. A good friend who is a Ford tech says to replace them after all these miles and do grease the slides. I'll probably go back with OReillys carbon pads. Not cheap, but good performers with minimal dusting issues.

I'll definitely do this. Can we even buy OEM caliper brackets anymore?
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Old 06-27-2019, 07:10 PM   #7
WalkrTexasRngr
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I'd pay the extra for stainless especially if you plan on keeping the car a while. I'm going kooks eventually. I've learned the hard way you get what you pay for when it comes to exhaust.

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Old 06-27-2019, 11:43 PM   #8
jbrad88
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Re: Couple Observations I thought I would share

Quote:
Originally Posted by ab_mach1 View Post
I'll definitely do this. Can we even buy OEM caliper brackets anymore?
Rockauto has some "remanufactured" replacements. I am sure there are some NOS parts out there somewhere...
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03 Torch Red Mach 1
21 FJG Mach 1


Stainless Steel Systems Adrenaline Series
BBK long tube headers catted x pipe
18x9 18x10- Solid Gloss Black FR5's
Nitto 555 g2 275/35r18's 285/35r18
MGW Shifter With Mach1 Shift Knob
4.10's & 31 spline Mosers and 31 Spline Posi
Steeda Sport Springs Tokiko Illuminas
J@M weight Jacker LCA's
J@M Rear UCA's
J@M Braided steel brake lines
Eibach Sway Bars
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Old 06-27-2019, 11:46 PM   #9
jbrad88
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Location: Houston, Texas
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Re: Couple Observations I thought I would share

Quote:
Originally Posted by falcongtho3 View Post
I'm getting close to a major redo of the brakes as well. One thing that I woldn't have thought of is the caliper bracket. A good friend who is a Ford tech says to replace them after all these miles and do grease the slides. I'll probably go back with OReillys carbon pads. Not cheap, but good performers with minimal dusting issues.

One of my best friends has a Boss 302 (like someone else here) and upgraded to the gt500 brakes...He has his stock fronts available and has offered them to me...there is a company out there that makes the bracket to make this work, just need the right wheel to fit...
Been thinking about this when I need to re-do my fronts...
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JB

03 Torch Red Mach 1
21 FJG Mach 1


Stainless Steel Systems Adrenaline Series
BBK long tube headers catted x pipe
18x9 18x10- Solid Gloss Black FR5's
Nitto 555 g2 275/35r18's 285/35r18
MGW Shifter With Mach1 Shift Knob
4.10's & 31 spline Mosers and 31 Spline Posi
Steeda Sport Springs Tokiko Illuminas
J@M weight Jacker LCA's
J@M Rear UCA's
J@M Braided steel brake lines
Eibach Sway Bars
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Old 06-28-2019, 06:34 AM   #10
falcongtho3
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Re: Couple Observations I thought I would share

Quote:
Originally Posted by jbrad88 View Post
One of my best friends has a Boss 302 (like someone else here) and upgraded to the gt500 brakes...He has his stock fronts available and has offered them to me...there is a company out there that makes the bracket to make this work, just need the right wheel to fit...
Been thinking about this when I need to re-do my fronts...
Sounds like a good plan. Getting the wheel/caliper clearance right might be interesting, and remember that it'll really screw up your spare tire situation.

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