S197 suspension/ steering recommendations

[DinoZ]

2007 gt vert.
Ultimate goal is to have a “heavy” precise steering feel for the road, not track.

Car has 70k.

Replaced to date
Lowered Eibach pro springs,Panhard,bmr lowers cont. arms,camber bolts.
18x9 fronts-18x10 rears with Mickey T Street comes 255/45/18-275/40/18
Hotchkis adj.sway bar kit front and rear, with adj. helm joint end links.

So am I on track by upgrading to
Struts/shocks/camber plates (koni streets-gt/500 plates)
Bumpsteer kit
Gt 500 lower control arms.

Is there anything to be done to the steering column, ie: coupler ?

I’m smiling now, just want a bigger grin

Many thanks

[ZR]

I think you'll come away disappointed with the Koni STR series shocks n struts, GT500 lower arms are a great upgrade. Set of CC plates from MM are another great addition, doubt your low enough to see significant gains from a bump steer kit.

[DinoZ]

Thanks ZR, so Koni adjustables,MM plates and lower arms will do the trick

Ps will really have to meet you one day soon, you have a wealth of knowledge.

[ZR]

Wish Koni made Dbl adjustables for your car as they can also be a hit or miss. If it was mine, Bilsteins.

[NickD]

I can't find them on the website any more but Vorshlag motorsport made a combo a custom bilstien shocks, springs and thier caster camber plates. I'd try calling to see if they still do that as it was a tuned set from a company that's broke just about every track record with a s197

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[Slick_89_Hatch]

I was quite happy with Tokico D Specs on my 06GT with Eilbach pro kit. Also had unknown camber plates but the car felt SO MUCH better with this set up from stock.

[fast Ed]

My 07 GT had the MM-revalved Bilsteins with FRPP springs, MM caster plates, and originally a Steeda adjustable panhard bar but later a Whiteline Watts link, along with GT-500 rear lower control arms and Griggs relocation brackets. Worked very well for street and track. The steering is never going to feel fantastic in a hydraulic rack 05-10 car, but with the right suspension bits the whole car will be tighter and more responsive.


cheers
Ed

[DinoZ]

I actually found a small victory on this.

Followed the steering shaft from steering input to to rack, tightened all bolts, they seems a little loose. Has made a nice difference.

Next step is to see what I can do about the rubber coupler on the upper shaft as it is obviously designed to flex with rotation.

Cannot seem to locate a solid steering shaft for this generation s197.

Or replace the upper shaft with a shaft that has a u-joint to fit, I beleive that would do it at minimum cost. (Flaming River, Borghenson, ?) or local?

What’s interesting is that I can now appreciate the recent suspension mods, adjustable struts, coils , cc adj. plates, sway bar replacement. Confidence inspiring handling.

[NickD]

Flaming river makes a steering shaft for s197s I know others were switching to it for increased header clearance

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[ZR]

If Flaming River stills use a series of set screws on that version (as they've done in the past), can not use words strong enough to persuade you not to use one.

[DinoZ]

Thanks ZR,as always I value your opinion. When I rebuilt several mgs and Triumphs we had a very active tech group that shared proven upgrades that worked on and off the track.