We installed the RTR Tactical Performance Coilovers on our Budget 400whp Track Car to give us adjustability in ride height, corner weights, and to soften and improve the ride quality of our daily driven S197 Mustang while having the adjustability to stiffen the suspension for track use.
Project Budget 400whp S197 Mustang Track Car is currently riding on Steeda’s Pro-Action Mustang Suspension with Sport Lowering Springs, along with Steeda Lower Control Arms with X11 Extended Ball Joints, Steeda Mustang Heavy Duty Upper Strut Mounts, Steeda Mustang Bumpsteer Kit, Steeda Adjustable Panhard Bar, Roush 3rd Link, and Steeda Adjustable Swaybars front and rear.
In Part-11 Track Test we put this package to the test at Palm Beach International Raceway and demonstrated that the S197 Mustang can handle extremely well, be fun to drive, and turn faster lap times than some very nice and expensive sports cars, for a fraction of the money. I would say that this build was a success and is arguably the least expensive way to have a 400whp track car, let alone one that can turn these kinds of lap times.
While we have been very happy with this suspension for many years both on and off the track, we now desire a bit of adjustability in terms of suspension stiffness and ride height. Primarily, having a softer suspension to improve the ride quality on the street on roads that are not perfectly smooth. Don’t get me wrong, the Steeda suspension package has been a great and probably the most affordable high-performing and daily-drivable suspension setup out there. Maybe I am getting older, maybe roads aren’t as smooth in most parts of the country as they were decades earlier, or maybe it’s a bit of both; but the goal for Project Budget 400whp Track Car now requires a suspension setup that can be adjusted to be more compliant over bumpy roads on the street.
Enter the RTR Tactical Performance Coilovers (05-14 Mustang). These coilovers are marketed as to provide the perfect balance between comfort for everyday driving, and performance handling when it’s time to have some fun. With up to 1.5” of lowering, they feature proprietary street tested and track proven progressive spring rates.
I actually know these coilovers quite well. I worked with RTR on the development of this coilover package many years ago when we used the very first Mustang RTR ever made as part of the testing and validation of these coilovers. Between Vaughn Gitten Jr and I, we pushed this suspension to the limit both on and off the track to come up with a spring and damping package that was very comfortable and livable on the street, while being “Ready to Rock” and part of the “Fun-Haver” ethos of the RTR brand. Needless to say, we were both happy with the end result and they have been a very popular coilover option for the S197 community.
The RTR Tactical Performance Coilovers have adjustable rebound damping, are powder coated in flat grey, and feature threaded collars anodized in RTR-green. The front dampers have adjustable spring perch collars as well as a threaded lower adjustable mount. The rear suspension has divorced springs (like factory) on a ride height adjustable spring perch, and dampers with a threaded body that adjusts the rear suspension travel range. The RTR Tactical Coilover kit includes front Swaybar end links, damper adjustment knobs that are installed onto the damper shafts after installation, for easy adjustment, spanner wrenches and aluminum spacers for the front top mounts.
I was really impressed with the level of detail of the RTR Tactical Coilover installation manual. The directions were very comprehensive and featured a lot of pictures demonstrating the installation process. It was nice that the coilovers were delivered from the factory already set up to the correct heights stated in the manual, which took out the guesswork of setting the ride height of the suspension. These details really show how much time and effort RTR puts in to their products with the focus on making the lives of their customers better.
Quick Reference:
Page 1 – RTR Tactical Performance Coilover Details
Page 2 – How to Adjust Ride Height
Page 3 – Front Shock Removal & Modifications
Page 4 – Front Shock Install
Page 5 – Rear Shock Removal, Rear Spring Removal, Rear Spring Install
Page 6 – Rear Shock Install & Bump Stop Modifications
5 comments
Technically, these dampers have height independent spring preload adjustment because you can preload the spring by winding in the upper perch, and then unwinding the lower perch to offset the change in length.
Comments like this is exactly what I was referring to in the article. While you are correct that ‘preloading’ the spring can be offset by lowering the lower perch to maintain the same ride height; you reduced droop travel of the suspension and increased bump travel. If your lower perch/damper body position was originally correct – for the bump stop to prevent the tire from contacting the fender liner or chassis under bump travel; then adding preload and lowering the damper body increases compression travel and now will allow your tire to contact the fender liner & chassis. Most people fail to recognize this and focus way too much on ‘preload’ (which does NOT increase the spring rate on a linear spring during its travel).
I don’t understand. Is this a Dual height adjustable coilover?
I thought it was. It looks like it is to me.
“Dual height adjustable coilovers allow independent adjustment of ride height and spring preload, usually by threading the shock body into the lower mount. This design provides a wider range of lowering without sacrificing suspension travel. They offer precise stance tuning, often for street or track, with options for 2-way damping (compression/rebound) adjustment.”
I like Vaughn Gitten Jr and all, but naming your coilovers “tactical”… lol, come on…
What ride height did you set the car? Do you have any rake?