SN95 Front Suspension TECH Thread

[SilverFox]

Here is the info gathered in a concise format so no one has to wade through the mass of info on the other threads. I will update this info as the need arrises. This is dedicated to KEEPING the Lincoln Air ride. If you want to convert to springs, the swap is as simple as bolting shit up with mods to brake lines/tie rods/spring tower.

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SN95 (94-2004 Mustang) Steering Rack and Pinion swap:

1984-1989 M7 = FOX stang steering shafts and rack
1990-1992 M7 = Sn95 "style" steering shafts and Fox rack

On all models a SN95 rack can be emplyed with the simple swap of the adapter at the rag joint. The Fox vs SN95 racks have different input shaft splines.

Little has been documented on why or how the 90+ M7 steering is different. Noel has done the complete swap and was nice enough to provide us info about the 90+ M7 application. He found the setup was identical to the SN95 steering shaft with some minor differences. He mated a 2000 Mustang steering shaft by clocking the shaft 180* and installed a SN95 Rack.
(HERE)

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SN95 (94-2004 Mustang) Suspension Upgrade swap:

SN95 Lower Control Arms Facts:
1) Mount to the M7 OEM K-member
2) Struts will work in the M7 OEM tower mounts
3) Improve steering/suspension geometry (angle/pitch related)
4) Hold brake upgrades
5) SN95 Lower control arms are the same exact length as the M7/T-bird/Cougar (Fox stang and 85-86 Tbird are 1" shorter)

SN95 Spindles:
1) Have improved geometry over the Fox spindles and SVO and are 5mm wider than Fox per side.
2) 1994-95 have curved tie rod arm that has proven to be the best for FOX upgrades
3) 1996+ have straight tie rod arms and lesser material on the caliper mount holes to hold larger calipers.
This is easily modified on the 94-95
4) 1996+ move the wheel out even further by 8mm per side, this could cause interferance with tire vs
fender and appearance.

94-95 Bent arm - - ---------------------------------------- - - 96+ Straight arm


You will need:
1) 94-98 brake lines with banjo bolts to mount SN95 Calipers
2) Mustang struts due to the shock body differences (Boosted23L)
3) Wheels that fit the new rotor/brake combo (16"+)

You might need:
1) Bumpsteer kit if your car is lowered or experience any trailing of the front end.
2) Offset rack bushings to help locate the rack higher to help with bumpsteer.
3) SN95 Inner tie rod do to the legth you will need to get sufficent length for tie rod ends to thread to. Rumor is only 3/4" threads are used after swap on Fox steering components. If you DO PLAN on keeping the Fox rack and need that extra length when using 96+ spindles you will need SN95 Outer tie rods do to the SN95 inners you need to install being metric thread. It would be just as simple to completely swap over to a SN95 Rack.

Spindle / C0ntrol Arm options:
Since the SN95 SPindle does not fit the SVO/M7 Balljoint
1) Machine out the 94-95 spindle to fit the larger SVO/M7 balljoint - 7* taper
(Tech artical)
2) Machine/make spacers to fit the smaller SN95 balljoint into the SVO/M7 balljoint hole in
the OEM control arm
(Tech artical)
3) Mount SN95 or 87-88 T-bird Front control arms on the car - use springs or fabricate ways to
make airride work with this setup

Reemed Spindle (done at Pete & Jakes Hot Rod Supply)


Fabrication & Hypothesized problems:
1) SN95 Spindles push the wheel out further than FOX/SVO spindles and MAY cause
SOME wheels to not fit under the fender - this would look horrid unless you spaced the
rear wheels out to match - which is not a good idea. Emphasize the MAY and SOME.
2) May have to fabricate a new sway bar mount on the SN95 lowers if you choose this
route or use wider SN95 sway bar (not as thick as Tbird)

Misc. Notes:
1) Cobra kits will upgrade your brakes to as large as you can go (13"), but must run 17"
wheels.
2) 1999+ V6 and GT front calipers (duel 45mm) and Cobra calipers (duel 40mm) are the
only FORD options you have to upgrade your calipers BETTER than what you have
now (M7 73mm) - Fox calipers will not fit SN95 Spindles.
4) SN95 V6 and GT both have EXACT same front suspension with exception of the strut
(GT-V8 has heavier valving)....
5) You must run, and mount FOX/SN95 front struts, but they are NOT valve for the heavy M7
6) Running Steeda X2 or Ford FMS-3050-S ball joints CAN BE USED on fox facotry arms as long as you upgrade to the 94+ spindles...confirmation here
(HERE)
7) ABS Brakes using the SN95 Rotors has been accomplished with simple wiring
(HERE)

Resources:
http://mjbobbitt.home.comcast.net/mustang/5lug.html
THIS SITES OWNER HAS REMOVED THE PAGE - I HAVE A COPY IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION. THE OWNER KNOWS I HAVE THIS COPY
http://www.mustangmotorsport.com/underhood.htm
http://www.nomotivation.com/5lug.cfm
http://www.coolcats.net/tech/advanced/4to5lug.html
Paul from SVPU
http://www.diskbrakesrus.com
http://www.maximummotorsports.com
http://www.sn95brakes.com

[SilverFox]

Update: Brake lines, Deletion, Condense

[CaptainZilog]

What I don't get is, how heavy WERE the SN95 Mustangs? They couldn't have been TOO much lighter than a Mark 7, I mean, shit, a 2003 convertible Cobra weighs 2 lbs less than my Mark 7.

[88lscsupercharged]

I read some where that the fox chassis coupe was in the neighboorhood of around 2800lbs while the conv. was around 3150.

[CaptainZilog]

Just read: Convertible is about 3257, Coupe is about 3077. Damn.

[fast Ed]

Maybe with a 2.3 motor in it.

My 87 LX 5.0 hatchback was 3218 with a 6-point cage, and some sound deadener removed under the carpet and behind the interior trim panels.

The 94 - 98 cars are around 3400 lbs. IIRC.

cheers
Ed N.

[big daddy javier]

3) Lincoln factory wheels may not be able to use this setup, but research says the will
if you use the sn brakes no way you can use stock 16 wheel

[boosted23l]

Thunderbird Turbocoupes that the same tooth count on the tone rings as the SN95's... if someone wanted to they could probably keep the ABS.... lets see, when using SN95 spindles you WILL have to use the SN95 inner AND outer tie rod ends.. the Mk7 struts are too lot and will hit the LCA.. and fox and SN95 struts will work, even with the MK7 strut mounts... with modifications... and last the Bullitt mustangs weighed in at 3800+lbs

[SilverFox]

3) Lincoln factory wheels may not be able to use this setup, but research says the will
if you use the sn brakes no way you can use stock 16 wheel

I will make that update, thanks. You are correct after I think about it, The t-bird guys have had luck using the old wheels, but they wer MN12.

Thunderbird Turbocoupes that the same tooth count on the tone rings as the SN95's... if someone wanted to they could probably keep the ABS.... lets see, when using SN95 spindles you WILL have to use the SN95 inner AND outer tie rod ends.. the Mk7 struts are too lot and will hit the LCA.. and fox and SN95 struts will work, even with the MK7 strut mounts... with modifications

I did mention that ABS could be retained - though you would have to upgrade the brake system.

Why do you have to use the SN95 tie rods? Explain, so it can be used as fact.

The M7 will not work for the upgrade, i will note that as fact above (instead of maybe)
How does it hit the LCA?

I already noted that SN95 Struts will work in the Notes section...what mods do you suggest?

Thanks guys....

[boosted23l]

Why do you have to use the SN95 tie rods? Explain, so it can be used as fact.

the point on the spindle where the tie rod mounts, on the mk7's it curves inward slightly, and on the SN's it is straight. if you try and adjust the tie rods out there will only be 5-6 threads holding the inner to the outer, and I'm just not comfortable with that..[/QUOTE]

The M7 will not work for the upgrade, i will note that as fact above (instead of maybe)
How does it hit the LCA?

the bottom of the strut hits where the strut body goes down past the mounting point, since it is longer it will hit the strut before you can get the holes to line up.. found this fact out on not a mk7 but an SVO, and for those who know the SVO it uses the same strut length and same front spindles and brakes as the MK7, but uses a '83 conti LCA..

I already noted that SN95 Struts will work in the Notes section...what mods do you suggest?

just the upper mounting point, you can either modify the stock strut mount or see if you can still locate the MK7 Tbird C/C plates. Kenny Brown had a few sets let for the mk7's..