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Advice needed for modification

881 views 5 replies 0 participants last post by  Jim Warman 
G
#1 ·
I have a 2002 Ford Taurus SEL with the 16 inch tires.

I want to modify the suspension to improve on cornering ability. I
want to do this because I happen to live on some pretty rugged terrain
and the highway that runs through my County is very twisty and
sometimes I don't get adequate steering feedback from the car probably
because it has power steering.

But the main concern is road holding abilities. Is it possible to
install a front roll bar for better cornering? If I get stiffer shock
absorbers like "Monroes" would that help any or would stiffer strut
springs be needed too? Also I really don't want to mess with the ride
height yet I'm open to all possibilities. Many high performance cars
are sold stock with those wide and thin-walled high performance
wheels/tires like some of the BWM sedans for instance. Would that make
the biggest improvement?

I don't want to do a half assed job with this mod, I would rather get
it done right the first time. And so I'm concerned about needing to
recalibrate the speedometer/odometer if the wheels change in size.

I would like better cornering and tracking, at the same time
maintaining ride comfort on the straightaway highways.


TIA!!!
 
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G
#2 ·
On 31 Mar 2005 10:53:35 -0800, eastwardbound2003@yahoo.com wrote:

>I have a 2002 Ford Taurus SEL with the 16 inch tires.
>
>I want to modify the suspension to improve on cornering ability. I
>want to do this because I happen to live on some pretty rugged terrain
>and the highway that runs through my County is very twisty and
>sometimes I don't get adequate steering feedback from the car probably
>because it has power steering.
>
>But the main concern is road holding abilities. Is it possible to
>install a front roll bar for better cornering? If I get stiffer shock
>absorbers like "Monroes" would that help any or would stiffer strut
>springs be needed too? Also I really don't want to mess with the ride
>height yet I'm open to all possibilities. Many high performance cars
>are sold stock with those wide and thin-walled high performance
>wheels/tires like some of the BWM sedans for instance. Would that make
>the biggest improvement?
>
>I don't want to do a half assed job with this mod, I would rather get
>it done right the first time. And so I'm concerned about needing to
>recalibrate the speedometer/odometer if the wheels change in size.
>
>I would like better cornering and tracking, at the same time
>maintaining ride comfort on the straightaway highways.
>
>
>TIA!!!


dont waste your time
do an alignment
put more positive castor in front
and more positive camber in rear

hurc ast
 
G
#3 ·

>
> dont waste your time
> do an alignment
> put more positive castor in front
> and more positive camber in rear
>
> hurc ast



The Alignment is fine, no problems there - the tires are not wearing
out unevenly and the car tracks perfectly fine on the straightaway. It
can go down the highway at high speeds staying in a straight line
without the need to hold on to the steering wheel. (not that I drive
without holding the steering wheel)
 
G
#4 ·
On 31 Mar 2005 16:23:40 -0800, eastwardbound2003@yahoo.com wrote:

>
>>
>> dont waste your time
>> do an alignment
>> put more positive castor in front
>> and more positive camber in rear
>>
>> hurc ast

>
>
>The Alignment is fine, no problems there - the tires are not wearing
>out unevenly and the car tracks perfectly fine on the straightaway. It
>can go down the highway at high speeds staying in a straight line
>without the need to hold on to the steering wheel. (not that I drive
>without holding the steering wheel)


you are a TARD
i set ya up for oversteer
you are a TARD

hurc ast
 
G
#5 ·
eastwardbound2003@yahoo.com wrote:

> I have a 2002 Ford Taurus SEL with the 16 inch tires.
>
> I want to modify the suspension to improve on cornering ability. I
> want to do this because I happen to live on some pretty rugged terrain
> and the highway that runs through my County is very twisty and
> sometimes I don't get adequate steering feedback from the car probably
> because it has power steering.
>
> But the main concern is road holding abilities. Is it possible to
> install a front roll bar for better cornering?


You already have a front roll bar/anti-sway bar.

First step... get the rear anti-sway bar & hardware from a 96-99 SHO and
install that first... it will instill less understeer.

Install urethane bushings in place of the rubber ones.

Get sticky HP tires... at the cost of longevity.

There are shocks & struts available as upgrades. Variable rate
"cargo-coils" for the rear. How far do you want to go?

Check some of the Taurus/Sable enthusiast sites for further details.

Rob
 
G
#6 ·
Positive camber for cornering ability???

Unfortunately, those settings that improve cornering ability usually
sacrifice straight line stability to some extent (oh, I can see you turning
those words sideways). Toe out can make a car wander but do improve it's
ability to "turn in". Negative camber has the outside tires set for
cornering. Suspension deflection on hard cornering can induce toe change in
the rear suspension.... this is an area deserving some research.....
research - not cut and paste.

<gerald smith@impco.com> wrote in message
news:465p41h4kspl3oupvhkibkfh06va0dsia2@4ax.com...
> On 31 Mar 2005 16:23:40 -0800, eastwardbound2003@yahoo.com wrote:
>
> >
> >>
> >> dont waste your time
> >> do an alignment
> >> put more positive castor in front
> >> and more positive camber in rear
> >>
> >> hurc ast

> >
> >
> >The Alignment is fine, no problems there - the tires are not wearing
> >out unevenly and the car tracks perfectly fine on the straightaway. It
> >can go down the highway at high speeds staying in a straight line
> >without the need to hold on to the steering wheel. (not that I drive
> >without holding the steering wheel)

>
> you are a TARD
> i set ya up for oversteer
> you are a TARD
>
> hurc ast
 
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