Hiya...
Decided to spruce up my 2001 GT premium with some aftermarket parts. I've
owned it since it was new. Still looks like new too :-) Here are the new
parts and what I think of them.
1. Alloy Steel Strut Tower Brace.
http://www.americanmuscle.com/19gtv6sttobr.html
Easy enough to put on. Hard to say how much it helps. After all the
mods,
the car feels much stiffer and solid, but that could be more from the
springs, shocks/struts and subframe connectors.
2. Maximum Motors****ts Full Length Subframe Connectors. Black Powder coat.
http://www.americanmuscle.com/maximum-motors****ts-subframe-connector.html
Had to make a few phone calls before I fond a body shop with a drive up
lift. They did a nice job. Again... Hard to say how much help this is.
The entire care feels a lot more solid, but I think it is the springs.
For
the most part, I don't drive the car hard. Just a bit of spirited street
driving from time to time. I'm less interested in performance and more
interested in making the car stronger, more durable and longer lasting. I
figured the frame connectors would tuffen it up for the long haul. I kept
my last mustang for 12 years. I'd like my 2001 to go at least as long
while
keeping squeaks and rattles to a minimum.
3. "Swarr Barr" (Brace for 8.8 Rear)
http://www.americanmuscle.com/swarr-bar-88-rear-86-04.html
This item is supposed to help the rear from flexing. You have to drill
holes in the tabs on either side of the differential. I could swear it
feels a bit more solid on take off. So hard to say what it does. Again...
Figured it couldn't hurt.
4. Rear Rims. 17 x 10.5 Anthracite Deep Dish.
http://www.americanmuscle.com/dedibuwh.html
Who cares what the do. They look awesome !!!
5. Front Rims 17 x 9
http://www.americanmuscle.com/buwh1.html
A bit larger then stock. I wanted to widen them up a bit given that I was
putting 315's on the rear.
6. Rear Tires
Nitto 315/35
http://www.americanmuscle.com/nitto-nt555r-315-35-17.html
They look awesome and feel very good. Those huge 315's fit perfectly. No
problems with rubbing at all. As I'm sure you know, Stangs are loose in
the
rear as far as cornering goes. Not to mention, they don't give much notice
before they break. The car still gives no warning before the rear flies
out
on a very hard turn, but... The 315's in the rear keep it anchored far
better. This is an improvement that I'm 100 % sure of. The down side
here.
These Nitto's are super soft drag tires. In 15,000 miles, they are toast.
Also... I don't think this 315 read 275 front is the ideal mix for road
racing or highway driving. For that I'd stick with the275's all around.
Although it is only very slight, I can tell that the car doesn't track as
well as it with the combo that I chose. Again... I was going for looks
here, and I anticipated that this might be the case. Also.. Forget about
tire rotation, not that I care :-) It looks sweet !!!
7. Front Tires
Nitto 275/40
http://www.americanmuscle.com/nitto-nt555r-275-40-17.html
Harder compound then the 315's in the rear. The front tires will outlast
the rear by quite a bit. No issues at all with rubbing even at full left
or
right lock. Very minor change to the turning radius. No question that the
slightly wider tires in the front help out a lot.
Shocks/Struts
Bilstein
http://www.americanmuscle.com/bilstein-shock-strut-package-94-04.html
Easy choice. The Feel great. The biggest difference shows itself when
you
take hard turns that have bumps. Feels far more solid.
Lowering Springs (HR)
http://wildponymotors****ts.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=599&idproduct=385
Awesome AWESOME addition. I always thought the 2001 felt a bit slushy.
These springs really do the trick. I was worried that it would be too
hard
of a ride, but that is not so. They make it feel much more solid and sure
footed. The new look with the lowering is great and so is the new feel
that
the car has. I have always though that there is way too much space between
the tire in the fender on this car. Now, it looks perfect. This upgrade
is
a great value for dollar. For both looks and performance.
Camber/Caster Plates
http://wildponymotors****ts.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=368&idproduct=89
They do what they are supposed to do LOL. They look impressive too under
the hood.
****fter Steda Triax for TR-3650
http://www.americanmuscle.com/noname1.html
Ahhhhh... Why didn't I get one of these sooner. I never liked the stock
****fter. Now that I have the Triax in, I can say that the stock ****fter
was
TOTAL GARBAGE. Especially going into third. I set the ****fter up on the
"shorter throw" setting. Less leverage on the ****fter now, but still
feels
just fine. Much MUCH more fun to drive. Almost like driving a new car
:-).
My only issue is that when you use the short throw setting, the leather
boot
looks a bit squished down. No big deal really.
I wanted to add a rear strut tower brace too, but I haven't been able to
find any from Hans Racecraft yet. The one from Steda is useless. Also...
After I manage to locate one of those, I'm going to consider some exhaust
options. Probably get a tuner too.
Michael
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