.

[darreli]

I've had my H&R springs on for about 4000 miles. IMO the ride is better than factory. The alignment numbers were within spec but those can be fudged. Just rotated the tires, no abnormal wear. I'm so happy with them, from the stance to the ride.

 

[PhantomX]

I've had my H&R springs on for about 4000 miles. IMO the ride is better than factory. The alignment numbers were within spec but those can be fudged. Just rotated the tires, no abnormal wear. I'm so happy with them, from the stance to the ride.

That's good to know. May break down and order a set. How are the F1's holding up?

I think CAI/Exhaust/tune/springs are on the list for sure. Debating on some sweet rims but the stockers look damn good

 

[darreli]

The F1's are holding up well, no complaints there either. The wheels have grown on me, especially on the silver car, but are heavy! 59lbs for the wheel/f1 combo. I'd Luke to shave some weight.

 

[EcoBrick Bob]

****update**** I brought the SHO in this morning to my local NTB for an alignment but was told that the vehicle is so new, they don't have the specs for it yet.

I specifically asked for a print out of both before, & after the alignment.

Allegedly they called a contact of their's at a local Ford dealer who claimed they didn't even have the specs either??? I found that odd.

Anyhow, car's not pulling or anything, so I see no harm in waiting another day or two. After all, springs were put on just 5 days ago.

I have a couple of days off coming up, so I'll try to get that video clip done of the exhaust. Never done a video before so this oughta be interesting.

I had a similar issue with getting the EB Flex alignment specs from a local shop. I e-mailed my Naples dealer service mgr and he sent me the correct specs the next day.

Glad your F-1's are wearing evenly. Likely dialed in for SHO by Ford/Goodyear.

I am having some wear and balance issues with my aftermarket 18" 255-45 Conti Extreme DW's. The rear's have some minor cupping issues after 5K mi. Right rear Road Force# is 32. Though when re-balanced all 4(all were slightly off - 3rd RF balance), it rides smoothly. Obviously these tires are much different than A/S Goodyear RS-A's that came on EB Flex. They are XL rated so have higher load rating than original 20's. So.. trying to determine if it's the heavy load we had when we came back from FL to IA, or the original alignment, or a tire quality issue. Waiting for H & R's, then will do a alignment check before installation, and re-align once installed.

Tires can really be different. On my 09' G8, I am running the old rears off my 08'G8 on front. The Bridgestone 050A's now have at least 18K, Road Force under 2 and still have over half tread. Good friend put Michelin Pilot PS-2's on his G8, and wore out rears in 13K (without a lot of burnouts). My oversized rears (285's -08'G8 & 275's 09'G8 are doing great so far at around 6K.

 

[TACAMO]

The muffler system is interesting. We have a wonderful alloy, 4 cam, twin turboed, direct injected engine that has an exhaust note that sounds like a wheeze. If your aftermarket system replaces a cat with an x-pipe it's probably going to be a non-starter here in the Peoples Republic of Kalifornia. Looking a the pictures, the can just aft of the third cat must be the muffler and the two cans at the tail pipes are resonators (??). Has anyone played with replacing the stock parts with aftermarket pieces to at least get a growl instead of a gasp? I've got a small block Cobra with side pipes if I want to go blow the wax out of my ears but an engine with all the goodies included in the new SHO should have a little barritone to announce it's presence.

 

[SHO U UP]

Well after a few persistent phone calls, and a change of location, my faith has been restored in NTB (National Tire & Battery).

Following the install of the H&R Springs which lowered the SHO 1.5 in the rear and 1.4 in the front, I attempted to get it aligned at my local NTB located here in Lockport, IL.

Much to my dismay, after one personal visit and 3 follow up phone calls, I have still yet to receive any type of return call from this location as they claimed they did not have the alignment specs available for the SHO. I was repeatedly told that they had placed a call "to their dealer" to obtain these specs, but like I said, still haven't heard back from them. Gggggrrr I was almost (and still am considering) calling corporate to let them know about my experience with their Lockport, IL. location.

So I took it upon myself while on duty over the weekend to stop by the NTB located in Bolingbrook, IL. (where I have had previous work done and know a few of the employees there). It took the manager at this location one day only to obtain the specs from Hunter. I was elated! :woo-hoo:

I was told that they too, did not have the proper software update for the various 2010 model cars (including the SHO) and had to input these specs in manually.

So what started out as an irritating, frustrating, and downright negative experience at my local facility, quickly transitioned into a positive experience at another location.

Suspecting some of you may also be running into the same issue, I obtained a copy of the aligment specs for ALL of you to use (see below)...... and I also went and asked for a print out of the alignment BOTH before AND after....(also below).

I learned that there IS "toe" adjustment for the fronts but I also learned that there IS NOT any adjusment for "camber" in the rear.

It's been a lil over a week now since the springs were installed and I have noticed that the rear tires had begun to "squat" inward at the top. I was informed this is called "negative camber". Regardless, because there is no camber adjustment for the rear, those tires are still tilting or squatting inwards at the top.

I was told the only solution to this would be to see if there is an after market kit (camber bolts) that can be installed to provide this adjustment ability. So, as of today, I guess my search begins to find these bolts......... not sure who, if anyone, makes them.

In the 2nd pic, the "before" is what the car came into the shop with..... the "after" is what the numbers were following the alignment.

As you can see, the rear cambers are still in the negative/red at -2.1 (for the left rear) and
-2.3 (for the right rear). The tolerable range is: 0.3 to -1.2.

In the interim, until I can find a kit that will help provide camber adjustment, I suppose I'll be rotating the tires a lil bit more often. Not sure what else to do beyond that (for now).

Hope this post is of some help to all of you considering this suspension mod.....

Also, I'm still working on borrowing a digital camcorder (that has a decent mic on it) so I can post up the video sound clips of the exhaust.

Also, my custom one-off carbon fiber engine cover should be done this week. I'll post a new thread on that when I get it in my grubby lil paws.

Stay tuned ----------------Mike

Great info there Mike! Way to step up and dig deeper and get things done. You did a fair share of leg work for those unfamiliar with the springs and what it all entails mostly the alignment specs. & I for one can't wait to see your carbon fiber engine cover. I've talked to a few folks myself and was considering a complete airbrush design or having it hydradipped. Keep us posted for sure!

 

[EcoBrick Bob]

I have had rear camber issues on my stock EB Flex suspension, with the inside of the aftermarket tires showing some minor cupping with 5K on them. Waiting to check alignment when I add H & R Springs as soon as they arrive. Believe the Flex offers some rear camber adjustment but may be wrong. Did have vehicle loaded down coming back to IA from FL.
If it turns out to be due to squat, and not a bad factory alignment, may have to get some bags installed for when we load it down.. Would consider this a design flaw if it proves true, considering I can tow 4,500 lbs with up to 10% tongue weight, plus the weight of all the other junk hauled inside.

I have the correct 2010-11 EcoBoost AWD Flex alignment specs(Ford sheet -obtained from Tamiami Ford-Naples) if anyone needs them.

 

[EcoBrick Bob]

That's Tim Pavlik's GXP. He had it at the Convention, and ran it at Waterford Hills.

He showed me a few timeslips in Dearborn from his only dragstrip trip. Pure stock, he had a few 12.90s. I forget the trap speeds.

There's a side shot of it in this thread:

http://www.shoforum.com/showthread.php?t=111430

Shows the CTS-V wheels Tim put on it.

Thanks Ron...

I met Tim at G8 Natl Meet in Quad Cities (Davenport, IA area). Nice to meet another G8 guy who has Ford & SHO roots. At least he still has his old ones...
\
Mine went Bye...Bye in the late 90's.

But I am back with the "EB BRICK"...


WHICH BACK ON THREAD... Will have H & R Springs installed next WED!

We'll see if I get the same drop as on the SHO's....

Need it with my 18" Conti Extreme DW's. :thankyou:

Sometime in next few weeks... the Q.mile test...

See where mine stands compared to Darreli & stock.

 

[firebat45]

Sounds good in the video, I know how hard it is to accurately capture exhaust sound with a camera.

Looks a lot better lowered IMO.

 

[EcoBrick Bob]

Kirk has been AWOL lately... unfortunately. Guess he may be stuck in a snow bank!

 

[lowc]

have you tryed sending him a text?

 

[EcoBrick Bob]

Several years ago we had Verizon "****" our ability to text as we were getting lots of unwanted and therefore expensive text messages. Have 2 laptops and no fancy phone :sun:so carry my laptop most places.

KNOW I'M IN THE STONE AGE BUT MY AGE IS IN THE STONE AGE!:swing:

 

[BamSHO]

car looks great lowered and has to sound so cool now. Sorry, but I have to say this. Your exhaust in the back of Kirk's truck looks like the redneck trucks running around here. But still cool he took them too you.



Brian Michael
98 silver Gen3

 

[Crazy8]

It sounds good. Maybe a drive-by with the camera outside would give us a better sound clip.

 

[Crazy8]

Sweet, looking forward to it.

 

[Zrolimit]

I really love the sound of the new exhaust as well. Sounds nice and throaty and has a really great rumble to it.

Yes yes............. I will attempt to post a video/sound clip of it when time permits.

I must say with the limited driving I have done since Friday, I've already garnered an entirely new set of stares and double takes from other drivers on the road, as well as when being stopped at a traffic light, or roll'n through a parking lot.

Very freak'n cool indeed. I know most people who may intend on purchasing the new GEN4 may appreicate the quiet, toned down nature of the OEM exhaust, but me?

Well, I'm not "most" people. It's not obnoxious by any means, but it definitely sounds incredible. I know FORD is marketing the GEN4 as a luxury type large sedan and not a sport vehicle...... but IMHO only, the OEM exhaust is pathetically quiet.

Kirk's set-up definitely provides me, and most enthusiast's for that matter, that much desired, sought after "growl" that I think the car should've had from the factory.

Thanks again Kirk.............:thankyou:

bpd1151 the car looks fantastic! You guys are making me jealous with all the extras! Definitely understand where you coming from about the overtly quiet, stock exhaust in our cars. That's the one thing I love about my Z, it sounds mean as **** when I get on her, but no drone at highway speeds....well not that I noticed since every other sound seems to intrude into the cabin!

Looks like some wheel spacer's on each corner, to sit the wheels a little more flush on the corners, might be on order when I go to buy the spring kit.

 

[SHOstopper1992]

Looks real nice! I like alot!

 

[lowc]

damm bpd i will have to say that the car sounds a lot better than Kirks does (sorry Kirk). and am NOT to surprised at the out come

 

[Showgun]

Great minds think alike. I assure you (& others desiring a better vid) that a newer and better one is forth coming.

Including one captured from the outside. I suggested we do a drive thru a parking lot while my photographer pal's outside recording, and then one of a drive by on a main road at a decent speed.

I'll probably creat a new thread with the new video, once we......

A.) Record it and.....

B.) He uploads it

So all I can suggest is to stay tuned. :thankyou:

Awesome vid, M. ... can't wait to hear more....
Cheers

 

[thebigjimsho]

Very impressive!























You're welcome...



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