Observation on handling

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

Hi all. I've only had my X Sport a few weeks, but I thought I'd post what I thought about the handling. I had driven several 2-drs from 94-98, and noticed they swayed a little. (They weren't Sports though, most had the EB package) I figured the soft suspension could be cured by bigger sway bars and stiffer shocks.

The 00 that I finally bought handles really well; almost as well as the Mustang that the wife drives. This surprised me somewhat, until I looked under the front. The front sway bar is HUGE! I didn't measure it, but it must be at least 1 1/4 - 1 1/2" in diameter. Ford has really done their homework in the handling department on these vehicles. They've put the sport back into "Sport"!

I would think that putting later model swaybars on the earlier models would be a good upgrade.....

 

[aldive]

Put a bigger rear bar on it wa well as poly bushings and really feel it handle.

 

[Runnin'OnEmpty]

Yeah Al, I had thought about a bigger rear bar. If my thinking is correct, that will give it some oversteer? I don't want to go too radical, since the wife drives it through the week.

This is strictly a street driven vehicle, so I'll start tweaking it after getting a few more miles on it. The Mazda alloy wheels made a difference too. They are about 6-7 lbs lighter than the steel ones that were on it.
That dosen't sound like much, but it's all unsprung weight.....

 

[Alec]

The rear won't make too much of a difference. Ford changed the front bar in 98 to be solid instead of hollow. My front bar from Saleen is basically a 98+ unit powdercoated red. Helped out a lot.

As for the rear again, it will help but not by much. Should not increase oversteer though.

Oh, and I still use the stock rubber bushings even though they're softer. IMO they soften up the ride a bit so it's not as harsh.

 

[aldive]

The rear bar makes a dramatic difference, Steering is no problem. Night and day difference.