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Joined: Dec 2001
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Joined: Dec 2001
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Here's the deal (which i'm sure most of you are familiar with):
I want to improve my handling, but I got limited cash flow. I've got a completely stock suspension (see sig) now on my SE. Am I going to notice a great difference by installing a Rear strut-tower brace? I guess I'm just looking for the most bang for the buck here since I can only afford about a $200 dollar purchase at the most right now. I heard the front tower brace is more show than go, am I on the right road here?
1996 Contour SE Red V6 MTX 1995 Contour LX Champaign V6 ATX (my wife's beater) SuperChip | KKM Intake | Ford Motorsport 9mm Wires | Bosch +4's | Mobil 1 | No Resonator | Knauberized Doors | JSP Custom Wing | Re-wired Fogs | Red Painted Calipers | 98+ Sail Panels | Vuncannon Alarm | Lighted Moonroof Switch | Pioneer Head-unit | Pioneer 6x8's
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Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 246
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from all ive read the rear sway bar (aussie bar) from terry is the biggest bang for your buck. i dont have 1 but im just saying what ive heard others im sure will chime in but the aussie bar will be the first suspension piece i go for when i get a job. 
_Eric_ 95' Performance White Contour Gl Zetec ATX -A beautiful girlfriend next to me...what other mod is important?
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,444
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Rear strut tower bar. I think you can get one for like $100. No welding just but it in and away you go. That is the biggest bang for the buck IMHO.
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Joined: Jun 2000
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you have 19mm rear sway bar, bigger than a SVT's. Your struts may be worn, as your car is 7-years old. Might have a look there, more than $200 but something you may seriously need and could give you a marked improvement.
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Joined: May 2000
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Aussie bar, IMHO. The car is much more responive then it has ever been. You car might even respond better then mine did because of the stiffer SE springs (mine is a `96 GL).
You could also drop the cash on some springs but that will most likely trash the stock struts.
If your struts are damaged/leaking/worn out I would consider those. If the seal is broken (leaking) you have lost pressure and it would cause the car to be less responsive because there would be no damping action and the suspension would be able to move more then Ford intended.
Just some options, it all depends on what you are looking for. Struts would give a better ride so you would notice that all the time. Something like a sway bar or a strut tower brace would only bring you joy when you turn. They are fun too. If you do get an Aussie Bar, make sure that you buy new backing plates from Aussie. You will rip your stock stuff off the car in no time.
· Jon Miconi
· 96 Contour Zetec ATX · 80 Ramcharger 360 ATX · 77 Ramcharger 440 ATX
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Joined: Sep 2000
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Poly bushings, if you don't already have them, on your rear bar. Then rear strut tower bar. easily under 200$, i did the same for less than 50$...
Marco Tatta 98.5 SE MTX, Duratec EGR block, fog light fix, custom shift boot, monsterflow intake, Ecotek valve Quasi dual cardoctor exhaust. Hacksaw short shift, Momo race "s" carbon knob, ghetto rear strut bar, 16 inch cougar wheels with 225/50/16 kumho 712s
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Joined: Jul 2000
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The poly bushings helped the stock sway bar (19mm)a little which was OK for under $20. I thought the rear strut brace made a huge difference in the handling and was a great upgrade for the $$s.
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 477
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hmmm, eventually, i'll have to do both sway bar and strut tower brace. The motor mounts where another thing I was considering. I could do SVT motor mounts (with inserts) and a 22mm sway bar w/poly bushings for ~$200. I might go that route. I'm still not sure if I'm going to notice the bigger difference if I get the sway bar or tower brace.... hmmm
1996 Contour SE Red V6 MTX 1995 Contour LX Champaign V6 ATX (my wife's beater) SuperChip | KKM Intake | Ford Motorsport 9mm Wires | Bosch +4's | Mobil 1 | No Resonator | Knauberized Doors | JSP Custom Wing | Re-wired Fogs | Red Painted Calipers | 98+ Sail Panels | Vuncannon Alarm | Lighted Moonroof Switch | Pioneer Head-unit | Pioneer 6x8's
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