Hey there, some days ago, an uncle told me that "stock" mavericks at high speed spinned out a bit when cornering. If this is true, what would you suggest to do on a stock maverick and get the bang for a buck upgrades for suspension?? Thanks in advance
It's really a matter of achieving the proper balance between front and rear suspension. You don't want too much understeer or oversteer. If you have to settle for one or the other, understeer is safer. As for suspension upgrades, it's all a matter of how much money you have/want to spend. Since I cannot afford to make my Maverick a true G-Machine, I decided to keep it simple. I installed a 7/8" front sway-bar (3/4" was stock) with polyurethane bushings. The stock V-8 springs had one full coil removed, which lowered the front, and slightly increases the effective spring rate. A new set of Monroe gas-charged shocks reside under there as well. Any worn-out suspension & steering parts have been replaced. 60-series performance radial tires are also on there. I just recently got a monte-carlo bar installed on it too, which should quicken the steering response even more. For the rear, a set of 4-leaf (3-leaf were stock) rear springs were installed, along with polyurethane bushings, and Monroe gas-shocks. 60-series tires on there too. I intend to install a 3/4" rear sway-bar on there as well, even though you don't really need one with the stiff rear springs. 'Car handles pretty dang good. Not like a 'Vett, or a world-class sports car, but quite good...
If you wanted a REAL sweet set-up, you could always go with the TCP coil-over set up... and RRS rack and pinion steering... and a set of composite leaf springs... :bananaman bananaman
Stock Mavericks cant reach high speed. Actually not sure what he's talking about. The car is perfectally safe if operated properly. Any car can spin out under the right conditions.
Better cornering at ANY speed is an added safety feature for ANY car. In most cases, lowering the car helps (get the CG lower). Do this by modifying the front springs (use search feature) and installing a 1 1/2" spacer to the rear. Also, the shock towers tend to flex while cornering. You can make one pretty easy (see thread http://mmb.maverick.to/showthread.php?t=23106&highlight=shock+tower+brace) and adding a Monte Carlo Bar (use search feature). Obviously, you'll want wide, sticky, low-profile tires to help plant the car. Additionally, you could add a 6-point roll bar and tie in a set of sub-frame connectors to stiffen up the car and help prevent the 'roll'. Typically, on our level of budget, these improvements are attainable but require us to give up some 'comfort' in the ride. my Good luck.
maverick matt hit the best front but for the rear id get one of the aftermarket weld in linkage rear ends with coil overs to match. Thats the truly expensive way to go, but talk about cornering and ride that you can dial in
Mine was made for me by one of the members here. If you type "monte carlo bar" in the search field, you will find all the information...
