Ford has created an impressive list of various Mustang trims, and one of those models is everything that has been made from 2005 to 2014; the Ford Mustang S197.
The fifth generation of Mustangs, more commonly known as the Ford Mustang S197, is a generation of pony cars that feature a design reminiscent of Mustangs’ previous era. They now have more powerful engines and can produce anything related to an adrenaline-induced driving experience.
But with great power comes along a great responsibility, or rather, a notable handicap. Many people claimed that the Ford S197 tends to have somewhat of “boat-like” handling.
Some of the Mustang trims under the S197 have too much body roll, and its responsiveness is pretty lackluster. The claim is not as dramatic as Mustang haters claim it to be, but if you’ve driven one of these pony cars, then you know that there’s probably some truth to this statement.
Luckily for you, there’s an excellent way to solve the S197 Mustang’s handling problems: a coilover kit.
Coilover kits are a great way to improve a car’s handling and it gives you the ability to adjust your car’s ride height. Unlike lowering springs, coilovers offer you more freedom to reconfigure your suspensions.
By doing so, your car can go through harsher driving conditions, such as cornering and doing sharp turns. If you’re looking for some coilovers to fit into your Ford Mustang S197, then you’re in the right place. Check the list below to see the top eight coilovers for the Ford Mustangs S197.
#1 H&R Street Performance Coilover Kit
- Manufacturer: H&R Special Springs
- Type of Construction: Monotube
- Spring Rate (F/R, lb/in): N/A
If we’re going to talk about coilovers, then we better start with a manufacturer that’s famous for creating world-class springs: the H&R Springs. The Street Performance coilover kit is an upgrade guaranteed to lower your car’s ride height while keeping it streetable.
Unlike most entry-level coilovers, the Street Performance utilizes monotube shocks that are way better at handling unsprung weight. It may not be as cheap as your standard coilover kit, but it sure is a worthy investment if you’re looking for excellent coilover equipment that will last for a very long time.
H&R Street Performance Coilover Kit Features:
- Ride height adjustability (1.0″-2.5″)
- 100% made in Germany
- Custom-valved shock absorbers
- Emphasizes performance and ride comfort
- Perfect for street use
#2 KW Variant 1 Coilover
- Manufacturer: KW Suspensions
- Type of Construction: Monotube
- Spring Rate (F/R, lb/in): Progressive
There are selected coilovers out there that offer a legitimate “premium quality,” but it often comes at a very high price. Among these kinds of coilovers is KW Suspensions’ creation, mainly their Variant 1 coilover explicitly made for fifth-generation Mustangs.
The KW Variant 1 coilover is arguably one of the best coilovers for the S197 Mustang simply because of the value it gives for its cost. KW Suspension’s coilovers were made from a special alloy that can withstand harsh and demanding situations like track racing.
So if budget is not a problem for you and you’re looking for a premier quality coilover kit, then the KW Variant 1 is definitely for you.
KW Variant 1 Coilover Features:
- Inox-line stainless steel technology
- Tested adjustment range
- Each coilover can be individually adjusted
- Sporty yet comfortable ride quality
- Made in Germany
#3 BC Racing BR Series Coilovers
- Manufacturer: BC Racing
- Type of Construction: Monotube
- Spring Rate (F/R, lb/in): 392 | 280
BR Racing may not be a pioneer when it comes to suspension upgrades. Still, they cemented their name as one of the leading brands of affordable yet effective coilover providers out there.
Their creation, the BR Series coilover, is a perfect choice for street driving and weekend track duty. It’s got accessible knobs, so you can easily reconfigure the damper settings, the ride height, and the spring preload.
If you’re looking for a great entry-level coilover for your trusty Ford Mustang, then the BR Series is a perfect coilover kit for you.
BC Racing BR Series Coilovers Features:
- 30 levels of damper setting adjustment
- Includes pillowball mounts and adjustable camber plates
- Rebuildable parts
- Height adjustable to full length
- One year warranty
#4 Ksport Kontrol Pro Damper System
- Manufacturer: Ksport USA Suspension
- Type of Construction: Monotube
- Spring Rate (F/R, lb/in): 672 | 252
The Ksport Kontrol Pro is a bang-for-the-buck coilover kit for Mustang owners who want a suspension upgrade that is jam-packed with cool, innovative features that can potentially benefit their car in a lot of ways.
With the Kontrol Pro damper system, you can have more control over your car’s handling: whether you want to adjust your car’s ride height into a preferable stance or reconfigure the damper settings to suit your driving style.
Whatever floats your boat, the Ksport Kontrol Pro has got your back with their innovative, durable, and reliable coilover kit.
Ksport Kontrol Pro Damper System Features:
- 36 levels of damper setting adjustment
- T6-6061 aluminum collar upper mounts for extra durability
- Pillowball mounts for better steering response
- Electroplated body for corrosion and rust resistance
- Dust boots for damper seal protection
#5 Rev9 Hyper-Street II Coilover Kit
- Manufacturer: Rev9Power
- Type of Construction: Monotube
- Spring Rate (F/R, lb/in): 448 | 336
Have a thing for cheap coilovers? If so, then Rev9’s Hyper-Street II coilover kit is for you. This coilover may be cheap, but it’s got all of the essential features you need to set up your suspension system.
With over 32 levels of damper setting adjustment, you can reconfigure how stiff you want your ride quality with this coilover kit. The damper setting adjustment is independent of the ride height adjustment, so you won’t have to worry about messing up one while reconfiguring the other.
At this low price, the Hyper-Street coilover kit is among the best coilovers for the S197 Mustang you can have.
Rev9 Hyper-Street II Coilover Kit:
- 32 levels of damper settings adjustment
- Steel alloy construction for durability
- Damper setting adjustment is independent of the height setting adjustment
- Includes pillow ball camber plates
- Monotube shocks that can contain more shock oil
#6 ST Suspension ST XTA Coilover Kit
- Manufacturer: ST Suspensions
- Type of Construction: Twin-tube
- Spring Rate (F/R, lb/in): N/A
Getting your hands on some premium coilovers is a guaranteed way to transform your Mustang’s ride quality into something more sinister. An example of such a premium coilover is the ST XTA coilover kit, made by ST Suspension.
With its body made from galvanized steel, you can be sure that this coilover can withstand loads of punishment. The ST XTA was possible in partnership with KW Suspensions.
They made sure that you’ll get the best value out of your money by giving you a competent coilover kit that features performance-focused driving, easy lowering adjustment, and a coilover construction unique only to ST Suspensions.
If you’re looking for coilover equipment that can make your Ford Mustang track-worthy, then the ST XTA coilover kit is an excellent choice for you.
ST Suspension ST XTA Coilover Kit Features:
- Made through KW Suspensions engineering
- Each coilover can be lowered individually
- Front/rear axle with thread adjustment
- Galvanized struts for optimized corrosion resistance
- Comes with adjustable spring plates, dust boots, and a race spring system
#7 Godspeed MonoSS Coilover Lowering Kit
- Manufacturer: Godspeed Project
- Type of Construction: Monotube
- Spring Rate (F/R, lb/in): 448 | 336
Lastly, we have the MonoSS coilover kit from Godspeed Project. The MonoSS is a streetable coilover kit with a very affordable price tag. All of the features that the MonoSS has can make your car the hot topic of both the track and the street.
Such features include weight reduction, exceptional performance on and off the track, corrosion resistance, and even the use of famous high-performance Japanese bearings as its pillow ball mounts.
As far as we’re concerned, the Godspeed MonoSS coilover kit is not your average run-of-the-mill coilover, and every dollar you spend on this kit will get rewarded with good handling and a nice-looking aggressive stance.
Godspeed MonoSS Coilover Lowering Kit Features:
- 16 levels of damper setting adjustment
- Koyo 6204z bearings
- Anodized shock body
- Utilizes racing-grade shock oil
- Lightweight aluminum mounts and forged aluminum/carbon steel brackets
The fifth generation of the Ford Mustang continues to be popular, even up to this day.
Many car enthusiasts have put their sights on modifying pony cars and turning them into absolute mechanical beasts, fit for both the track and the streets.
An example of such modification is coilovers, capable of solving the boat-like handling that Mustangs always had.