Before Lowering – Check out all that wheelgap
When the S550 Ford Mustang GT debuted, it was the answer to 50 years of praying to all manner of deities that someday, the Mustang would have an independent rear suspension as factory equipment, on more than just the one-off SVT Cobra. So when the IRS-equipped S550 GT hit the streets, you’d think we’d be out of things to improve upon, but you’d be wrong.
As we mentioned in our guide to the Best Mods for S550 Mustang GT, the S550 Mustang GT’s suspension needs some extra love, and the GT’s exhaust has been quieted down to please the non-enthusiast folk who will inevitably drive these things. That’s why Brandon H brought in his S550 Ford Mustang GT to see Mod Expert Robert at ModAuto to do a little something about that.
Before we got into the rest of the suspension, one part of the chassis needs attention, especially on manual cars. To firm up the car, Brandon had sourced a beefed up transmission bracket that our expert installers were able to install without issue. We had plans for the suspension next, and we’ll get to that, but that wasn’t all – the stock S550 Ford Mustang GT exhaust is a bit too quiet for Brandon’s taste, and when it comes to making things louder there’s nobody that can help you do that quite like Robert.
Up front, the car sports the Performance Package wheel option for GT’s that comes with the super sticky P-Zero Neros and a great looking mesh design, and is exclusive to GT performance pack cars. This is probably the only factory wheel for the car the truly looks great and pairs well with the oversized Brembo front brake caliper behind it.
To drop the suspension more than the miniscule amount created by the Performance pack springs, Robert recommended a set of Eibach Pro-Kit Springs for Mustang GT to bring the car down by 1.0in up front and 1.1.in at the rear.
Here’s how the Eibach springs look installed both front and rear. The black finish on the pro-kit springs is quite subtle, but the drop is something you’re sure to notice.
To give the ponycar the muscular exhaust note that it’s supposed to have, Robert recommended an MBRP Race Cat-Back Exhaust for S550 Ford Mustang GT with optional black tips. Sometimes a little extra tweaking is needed to get everything to look right, so that’s why in this shot you can see Dave gently finessing the exhaust tip into the perfect position with a rubber mallet.
Check out how the MBRP Exhaust looks installed.
The oversized black tips provide some great contrast to the car’s white exterior and pairs nicely with the black Performance Package wheels.
Let’s take a look at how everything looks installed – the black exhaust tips give the car a look as aggressive as it sounds and the lowering springs eliminate the wheelgap, giving the car the sort of aesthetic it always should have had.
GT Performance Pack Wheels + P-Zero Nero Tires on Eibach Pro-Kit Springs
The stance of the car is perfect now, eliminating just enough wheelgap front and rear to drop it without diminishing its usability as a street driven car.
GT Performance Pack Wheels + P-Zero Nero Tires on Eibach Pro-Kit Springs
GT Performance Pack Wheels + P-Zero Nero Tires on Eibach Pro-Kit Springs
Take a good look at the next few shots to get a better idea of how the car looks lowered.
GT Performance Pack Wheels + P-Zero Nero Tires on Eibach Pro-Kit Springs
GT Performance Pack Wheels + P-Zero Nero Tires on Eibach Pro-Kit Springs
Just like we said they would, the exhaust tips pair beautifully with the wheels, side skirt extension and tailpanel to create a contrasting black theme against the car’s white bodywork.
GT Performance Pack Wheels + P-Zero Nero Tires on Eibach Pro-Kit Springs
Man, it always amazes us when we see the difference just changing your exhaust and lowering the suspension can have on a car, especially the S550. Brandon H’s Mustang is certainly going to be a lot more fun to drive, from the way it sounds to the way it shifts to how it handles the corners – thank you to Brandon for letting us share the photos.
Want to get more power out of your S550 Mustang? Not sure where to start? Check out our guide to the Best Mods for the S550 Ford Mustang GT here. Need something installed? Whether you need an intake, an tuner to run an E85 tune or a competent shop to install your Supercharger or Turbo kit, talk to the Mod Experts like Robert , give us a call at 714-582-3330 (x8004 for Robert) to chat with our team of experts or stop by the ModAuto showroom in La Habra CA any day during business hours.
Thanks for reading, see you next time!
Story & Photos Nick Gregson