Intro Mustang SLA Suspension Design

[@johnterpack3940]

Another option to consider for the knuckle is the earlier Ford Ranger. It already has double wishbone suspension, so no need for adaptors to connect the arms. And it uses the same bolt pattern on the wheels as the Mustang. You could get the knuckles cheap at the junkyard and won't need aftermarket hubs to make it all work. This is the route I plan to take for my own SLA design.

[@RinerAutomotive]

That could be a potential. I didn't look at that one. I wanted to keep the same hub so I knew ABS would work.

[@johnterpack3940]

@RinerAutomotive Yeah, I don't know what other comprises might be involved. But I'm not worried about the speed sensor since I plan to "dumb down" my car. My design goal is to run a 305 tire all around. I plan to make the arms however long they need to be to let that tire turn full lock. Then add old-school box flares to cover the tires. Going for the vintage IMSA look, but prioritizing function first. Fun part is that this is my daily. Downside is that I am very much on a beer budget. So this is going to take years.

[@idus]

Maybe you will sell it one day. That would be sick. Great video thanks!

[@RinerAutomotive]

A weld it yourself kit could be cool

[@JordanDunning]

Awesome video. Love this kind if content. It must be quite rewarding when done to know you were able to design and manufacture an SLA system at home. Keep it up!

[@RinerAutomotive]

Thank you! I agree it will be rewarding and a great learning experience

[@pjcustoms8508]

Nice vid. So close to getting my 98 finished. Just waiting on some back ordered parts

[@RinerAutomotive]

Hard to get a lot of parts right now

[@pete_bruschi_racing]

Man, that's super rad! You're much braver than me! I don't think I'd have the time or patience or skill to figure it out in my home garage. I'm lucky I work with some pros that are way smarter than me.

[@RinerAutomotive]

Thanks. I hope it works out 🤞 Lucky for me it's only an autocross car. Bad things can still happen but risks are much lower

[@Diamondsintherubble]

An idea you might like, you could do the control arms longer to make the car wider. If you’re designing the k member, tuck the lower bar SUPER CLOSE to the oil pan. Making the car low and wide would make it far more stable when you slam it. What do you think?

[@RinerAutomotive]

I agree 100%. Control arms are something I plan to do, probably during phase 2 if the stock ones work for now. I want to buy and learn tig beforehand, but I think mig is capable of doing it too. I do want to run lower and wider, but the rear needs attention too at that point.

[@Diamondsintherubble]

@@RinerAutomotive i was doing some research and Currie enterprises sells a ford 9” irs pumpkin, ready to install. The axle flanges should be a common pattern, so if you could put them on a corvette spindle, or reverse engineer a spindle to reuse the cobra hubs/bearings, you should be good. Again on the lower and wider, get the car as slammed as possible and do all the widebody work into the control arms. Le Mans cars have a 60mm ride height between the lowest point of the bottom and the ground, so you can get it as low as 3” for max stability

[@RinerAutomotive]

I want to fit a S550 IRS into the rear. That should give me low and wide. Corvette stuff is nice but want to stay Ford bolt pattern with easy off the shelf parts.

[@Diamondsintherubble]

@@RinerAutomotive do you have any practice with cad? You could scan a cobra hub and design a new spindle. That would be my own goal. Fresh mounting points but able to reuse factory parts

[@RinerAutomotive]

I have some experience over the years, but learning Fusion 360 now. Are you talking about the rear spindle? I think using the s550 is cheapest and most effective instead of trying to design my own. Same for front spindles too. I think using Cortex, Griggs, or MSG is better than designing my own. At least at this point in time

[@squirrelsworkshop]

I have been wondering what the deal is with the LCA being mounted at an angle in the k-member? It looks these cars have the front mount farther inboard than the rear. Something about antidive?

[@RinerAutomotive]

Honestly I'm not too sure what having the front one more inboard than the rear does. I think a lot of cars have this configuration. Antidive is only from the side view so vertical location between front and rear mount affects the antidive.

[@mchristr]

I'd be curious to know how your design geometry compares to the recently released RideTech SLA.

[@RinerAutomotive]

Mine compares more to Griggs. RideTech doesn't list camber range, I'm really curious about that. I have similar camber gain, more caster adjustability , bumpsteer kit. I like their spindle but I don't know the geometry of it. Their coilover placement has a low motion ratio (probably 50%) so it will need a high spring rate like a stock setup. I don't know how they are getting good geometry with stock kmember. Mine like everyone else raises the LCA mount.

[@RinerAutomotive]

We will really have to see how they do once people fork over the money to install one. But if racecar I think people will still choose Griggs or Cortex. This isn't that much cheaper once you add everything up. I think price listed is just for arms and spindle. Still need coilovers, brakes, and recommend a kmember.

[@mchristr]

@@RinerAutomotive Good point. When you factor in the (non-adjustable) shocks and the stock k-member, the RideTech will be at least $5k. With premium shock and an aftermarket k-member, you can add another $2K.

[@RinerAutomotive]

@@mchristr yep for sure. I did a video recently going over how much money I have into my SLA and how it compares in cost to other on the market

[@TheSlim93gt]

Eagerly awaiting the next video. Have you thought about using Maximum Motorsports front K-member and arms? I know the SLA is a better choice, but will it show on a lower speed autocross course?

[@RinerAutomotive]

The SLA videos will be a little spread out as I figure things out and buy parts. I could use MM front suspension stuff but I would still have to figure out their geometry so might as well use what I have for now and then design my own for what I want. Is a SLA best for autocross? Probably not but this is something I've wanted to learn and do. Plus the CAM-T national champion has an SLA

[@TheSlim93gt]

@@RinerAutomotive Interesting info about the national champ. I plan to take my car as far as the MM parts and that is it. What does the rear suspension consist of?

[@RinerAutomotive]

Yea the Seaton's car is pretty cool. It's got a build thread on TMO. Asking about my rear suspension?

[@TheSlim93gt]

@@RinerAutomotive Yes sir.

[@RinerAutomotive]

@@TheSlim93gt MM torque arm, panhard bar, coilovers, and control arms. stock away bar.

[@justintaylor9458]

I know that IRS is better than a solid axle on the street/road racing, but how much better can it be? I run mountain roads and haven't run SA since 03'. With proper suspension and tire, can it be done safely? Hearing people talk about SA racing now, it's like as soon as I hit the throttle, I'll lose control and fly off the road.

[@RinerAutomotive]

I'm doing an independent front suspension or SLA. Rear will be staying SRA for now. I think a probably setup SRA can be just as good or better than an IRS. There are many race cars that still run a SRA

[@justintaylor9458]

@@RinerAutomotive I see you're doing the front, but I thought that because you run a SA rear, you could tell me if it's viable. I've heard that on track, SA is fine but on the street where the surface is uneven, you'll constantly be losing traction. It seems that with a well sorted rear SA suspension setup, you should be ok, and probably better if your powerband is linear toward the end of the revs.

[@RinerAutomotive]

True the surface is uneven on the street which is why should run a softer spring to keep traction. Suspension design also comes into play there. I run a torque arm in the rear.

[@jonhseven133]

You forgot agent 47.. but their 🤑🤑🤑

[@RinerAutomotive]

I used to drool over their setup. Basically unobtainable now unless get lucky finding it used

[@jonhseven133]

OK I'm willing to put money in a open source suspension set up system... I think it's a good idea... Everybody can put money in for a agent47 setup ... diy kit.. if you put the plans out in how to do it?? Diy build plans ... what do you think