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1994-1998 Saleen Mustang For the SN-95 platform. Be sure to specify year, model and equipment if asking for help.

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  #1  
Old 10-05-2012
blackbeltsb blackbeltsb is offline
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Default Q: 1996 Racecraft shocks and struts?

I have a 1996 Saleen with the original Racecraft/Carrera shocks and struts. They are pretty heavily pitted from rust being out of Ohio. The decals and dust boots look good. I'm torn between upgrading to Bilsteins or N2s and keeping it original. I know the Carreras weren't really favorable but can these still be purchased? Or a similar grade/color set of shocks and struts that I could reuse the existing dust boots? Thoughts/opinions? I drive the car about twice a month. Not looking for super expensive replacements.
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  #2  
Old 10-05-2012
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Does Carrera offer a rebuild service?
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  #3  
Old 10-06-2012
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The Bilstiens make a HUGE difference on those cars. I use Bilstiens with race craft n2o stickers off eBay and use your existing dust boots. Will ride better and look correct!
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Old 10-06-2012
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I found one site that my rebuild the carerras but for the money I would prob go for bilsteins. Would the maximum motorsport bil-7s On ebay be a good choice? Do you think I need the quad shock as well? For now I just painted the existing ones so I could put it back together.
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Old 10-07-2012
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Yes Bistiens are great and those from MM are a good choice. Can replace quads but in my experience, rarely go bad unless huge mileage or serious abuse done to car.
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  #6  
Old 10-07-2012
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I say sell the car back to the guy in Ohio J/K Im glad she has a good home.
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  #7  
Old 10-08-2012
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Yes Bistiens are great and those from MM are a good choice. Can replace quads but in my experience, rarely go bad unless huge mileage or serious abuse done to car.
bilstiens!
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Old 10-09-2012
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I say sell the car back to the guy in Ohio J/K Im glad she has a good home.

The guy in Ohio took very good care of her and did some awesome mods
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Old 10-14-2012
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Found some N2s 25 k mile take offs used on eBay and several 03 cobra take offs for the front which are Bilstein HD's I believe. With the equipment being over 10 years old would they still be good even with low mileage?
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Old 10-17-2012
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it all depends. i dont like the idea of used suspension, thats me. they could be 25k miles or they could be more. thats up to your pocket book on whether or not to buy used or new.
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Old 10-23-2012
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it all depends. i dont like the idea of used suspension, thats me. they could be 25k miles or they could be more. thats up to your pocket book on whether or not to buy used or new.
Good point. I would be buying on their word.
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Old 12-28-2014
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Would anyone be able to provide the P/N & brand they used to replace rear shocks? I recently purchased a set of KYB's, The issue I found was there is only about an 1 1/2" of travel before they bottom out as there is about 3" difference in the compressed length of Racecraft (Carrera) vs. KYB. Thanks for any info and/or advice.
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Old 01-11-2015
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Would anyone be able to provide the P/N & brand they used to replace rear shocks? I recently purchased a set of KYB's, The issue I found was there is only about an 1 1/2" of travel before they bottom out as there is about 3" difference in the compressed length of Racecraft (Carrera) vs. KYB. Thanks for any info and/or advice.
Depending on how low the springs are, it can be better to run the 1987-1993 Fox struts than the SN-95 spec struts.
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  #14  
Old 01-12-2015
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Thanks Dave, that seems to be what I have been seeing. Turns out there is an old post reflecting the same. Wish I had come across that info before replacing the front struts. I'll be after them again when I get done changing out the leaking plastic intake manifold.
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  #15  
Old 02-13-2015
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Replaced all of mine with Bilstein
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Old 05-27-2015
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Here's my solution. Modified KYB's. With the aid of a die grinder and cutoff wheel I removed the original dust shield. Painted the housing with Duplicolor Dark Shadow Gray a ford color that matched perfectly. Cleaned and installed the Racecraft dust shield. The extended and compressed length of these 93 FOX body GT shocks are the same as the Racecraft's. That applies to the front struts as well. I'll be going after them next. If your not a purist give this a try. A lot less expensive the Koni or Bilstein. Sorry about the upside down photos.

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  #17  
Old 05-27-2015
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Looks good.
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  #18  
Old 06-15-2015
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Here's the end result.

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  #19  
Old 06-15-2015
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dhavi4226 View Post
Here's the end result.

[ATTACH]Attachment 15930

Attachment 15931[/ATTACH]
Looks good. So you have only replaced the rears so far? What are the measurements for those decals on the shocks? How does it handle after the upgrade?
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  #20  
Old 06-15-2015
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Quote:
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Looks good. So you have only replaced the rears so far? What are the measurements for those decals on the shocks? How does it handle after the upgrade?
Thanks, I have replaced both front and rear. I have only driven it after doing the rear. The rear made a noticeable improvement. I'm in work changing over the wheels to the original Speedlines. I'll update as soon as it's back on the ground.

As far as the decals, they are the original ones on the original dust shields I reused. The front just slips on the new strut as does the rear. You have to remove the dust shield of the new rear shock as you can see in my previous post.

Make sure that what ever rear shocks you get are the same diameter as the original Racecraft/Carrera or the shield won't fit.
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  #21  
Old 06-15-2015
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Quote:
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Looks good. So you have only replaced the rears so far? What are the measurements for those decals on the shocks? How does it handle after the upgrade?

Here's the decal. It might help.Scan0008.pdf
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  #22  
Old 06-16-2015
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Here's the decal. It might help.Attachment 15933
here in jpg.Click image for larger version

Name:	Racecraft decal.jpg
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ID:	15938
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  #23  
Old 06-18-2015
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Originally Posted by OxfordS281 View Post
Looks good. So you have only replaced the rears so far? What are the measurements for those decals on the shocks? How does it handle after the upgrade?
An update to ride and handling. Not having owned this car from new I can't say it's good as new. It is a nice improvement from 1 blown front strut then incorrect struts. The car tracks nicely doesn't wander and the ride is firm but comfortable. All in all I am happy with the results using the FOX body struts and shocks.
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