Continental and SHO similarities?

[VaContinental]

I recently purchased a, like new, 2002 Continental with the 32V 4.6. Very nice car except for the suspension. I like a tight firm ride so the air springs have to go. There are spring/strut kits available but I was wondering? Are there SHO springs, shocks, anti-sway bars and brake upgrades that would fit this vehicle? Any help or suggestions from you Ford guys would be greatly appreciated. Neil

 

[93markVIII]

There are conversion kits available specifically for your continental. Amaerican air suspension should be able to help.

 

[SHO Continental]

I have a 2000 Continental. You can swap the front swaybar but the rest of the suspension is completely different. It already has the same 11.6" brakes as the gen3 SHO and '01+ gen4, but you can still upgrade to Cobras.

In the meantime, set the suspension to firm.

 

[luigisho]

I see the wheels turning here. The Conti is a stretched Taurus of sorts. I don't know if many around here have alot of experience with crossover parts. Have you looked at conversion kits? The price seems to really vary.

 

[VaContinental]

Thanks for the assistance guys. I will go to steel springs and new shocks/struts. Sway bar and brake information is very interresting too. The ride is too soft and the stance is way to high in the front. I think I can make this a really nice Luxo-sport-cruiser.
Neil

 

[intimdatr]

Any reason you switching to springs in particular? Unless you plan to spend lots of money to get real Shocks and springs i think your going to be a bit disappointed with your results...

 

[sperold]

This^^^^.
I would work with what you have. I have no background in air suspension, but I am sure things have been done to it ..... to improve whatever you don't like now. Check out some forums on the topic and see what is available. Put the word out, and solutions to firm up the ride will be found. You are not the first person to want to modify air suspension, and I will bet it has been solved.

 

[intimdatr]

This is a huge topic in the Mark viii world and many people who do the spring swap often end up complaining about the squishy/loopy ride of Soft springs and Cheap shocks and end pay a lot more for Better shocks (tockio blues) and real springs. And when its all said and done they've spent a ton more money then they wanted to and have a car that rides and acts like it did with Bags. Do some research first. You may be surprised what you find.

 

[VaContinental]

Thanks to all for your input, I love Motor Head websites!! I was hoping to improve the stance by lowering (front is way high) the car a bit and increase the spring rates. The ride is like a marshmallow now. The electronic shocks seem to be good, just the spring rates are way to soft. Time for more research. Neil