Early Superformance suspension

[Tom of VA]

My Superformance was built in 1996 so it used the 8.8 rear and uses some rear supension parts from the independent suspension Thunderbird supercoupe? I need to replace the upper outer rear suspension arm bushings. Does anyone know where I can find these? Ford dealer ala Thunderbird part? Since SF has changed the set-up I haven't had any luck with that part with them.
Thanks

[Bill Wells]

early spf' rear ends were from 94-97 Thunderbirds, but believe some mods were made by spf . some even had the steel diff while some had an alum diff ( my 156 is steel ). bushings should be available from your spf dealer. I am not sure which dealers have a parts website . this one is from Hillbank - parts supplier for spf - and they have a website you can navigate thru :

http://www.hillbankmotorsports.com/


pick superformance and make your surfing selections.

they also have a pick for rear suspension that is for 'old syle rear axles'.

call your local dealer first would be my choice, should not be an issue. not sure if each dealer has a similar website or not. seems odd that hillbank would have one under their dealership name and not under their spf corporate name , as they are both in this case- dealer and importer ? hmm.


now, is the same part available thru ford ? I dont know the answer to that one, i know the spf cv boots differ from the ford boots, at least they did for my car.

there was a rear suspension bushing 'recall' of sorts on early cars some years ago....don't recall the details, but ask your dealer what impact that has on what you need, ie, do thier corporate records show it was done to your car. different serial numbers needed different fixes, they should sort that out for you.

otherwise these older cars keep taking a licking and keep on ticking as timex used to say yrs ago . bill, motown, spf 156

[Tom of VA]

Bill,
Thanks! I talked to the folks at Hillbank but I and didn't know they had this resorce. They would take my list of parts and say I'll get back to you. This will be very helpful! Besides the AVOs verse Bilsteins, is there any other pluses or minuses to having the older car? (I have the Trigo wheels already). I get some when I tell folks I have an early model. Can I bring my ride quality of to match the new ones just by changing to Bilstiens? Have you made any changes to your SF?
Thanks again,
Tom

[Bill Wells]

there have been many changes over time....for suspension upgrades there are several too - shocks, rear ends wiht newest cars now BDR not ford, add on heavier rear sway bar (Olthoff supplied ) etc. for a recap of what has happened since your car was built, see :

http://performanceunlimited.com/supe.../features.html

many owners of older cars have made alot of the upgrades. many have not - to each their own . the old ones are great cars, the new ones are great cars - take your pic and pay your price. in your case, decide what is important to your use of the car for any upgrades you think are dollar wise if budget conscious. bill