Maverick Lobo Autocross Testing & Handling Upgrades

[DMS]

Video of a run from a week ago with just the Goodwin Swaybar installed (stiffest setting). Still on the horrible factory tires, but I'm very surprised at how little body roll it had! It will be interesting to see how much that changes with higher grip tires though.

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[Chops]

Video of a run from a week ago with just the Goodwin Swaybar installed (stiffest setting). Still on the horrible factory tires, but I'm very surprised at how little body roll it had! It will be interesting to see how much that changes with higher grip tires though.

What exhaust are you using? Sounds mean grrr!

 

[YeenBean]

Video of a run from a week ago with just the Goodwin Swaybar installed (stiffest setting). Still on the horrible factory tires, but I'm very surprised at how little body roll it had! It will be interesting to see how much that changes with higher grip tires though.

Is that your exhaust note? That almost sounds like a Subaru with an EJ, sounds aggressive

 

[DMS]

Is that your exhaust note? That almost sounds like a Subaru with an EJ, sounds aggressive

I wish lol it's from another car on the course. Stock exhaust on the Maverick.

 

[Allen King Jr]

Yes, definitely considering the Schroth Quick Fit as part of the solution. Had one in a previous car. The price of used ST seats are insane for what they are.

Picture attached for those wondering what the hell a Schroth harness is.

I may have to get some of these for my Dodge Grand Caravan GT....Hmmm!!!

 

[r0tax]

Thanks for your post and Lobo specific feedback, this is great.

I agree, the seat is a piece of junk for bolstering. It doesn't need to be this bad, except to allow Large people the ability to fit, but even then, it should be bolstered a lot more than it is.
Maybe if making a "performance" pickup that is suppose to do AutoX, design it properly for that purpose..so I don't have to spend even more money to fix it myself.
Going from my cheap cloth Focus ST to these Lobo seats just felt terrible. I actually would prefer the cloth to the hot, sweaty, leather.
Clearly Ford has done decent bolstered seats in the past..

I also recognized that the tires are pretty Crap for any spirited driving.. Esp for Heavy braking.
And also for the Corner-entry UNDERsteer. Maybe for newbies the understeer is safer, but I've scared myself once or twice with the understeer..
I think the braking components are otherwise quite capable, to the point they show the rubber is the weak link.
I think I'll be looking for some UHP All Seasons when these OEM ones are done. (I really liked the fresh new set of Conti ExtremeContact DWS06 Plus that were on my FoST just before I traded it.) I need the ability to drive in Snow, through the mountains, and some light duty gravel/forest road, and don't want multiple wheel/tire sets.

I think the Rear sway bar swap is next for me.
I really miss the lift-off oversteer from the Focus ST..unless you were approaching dumb-speeds on corner entry, the Focus ST would enter and rotate so well..I was actually a bit shocked at how well it worked, as a FWD noob.
What setting are you using on the Goodwin Rear swaybar? MAX stiff? Do you think thats only for AutoX, or would you DD it that way too? (Edit: I saw your reply on this above already. Thanks.)

I don't want to Lower my Lobo any further...well, I do, but I really shouldn't.. I still want to access some forest roads, and some crappy access roads for where I'm going and what I'm doing with my Lobo.


What does the front toe look like stock?

 

[DMS]

Thanks for your post and Lobo specific feedback, this is great.

I agree, the seat is a piece of junk for bolstering. It doesn't need to be this bad, except to allow Large people the ability to fit, but even then, it should be bolstered a lot more than it is.
Maybe if making a "performance" pickup that is suppose to do AutoX, design it properly for that purpose..so I don't have to spend even more money to fix it myself.
Going from my cheap cloth Focus ST to these Lobo seats just felt terrible. I actually would prefer the cloth to the hot, sweaty, leather.
Clearly Ford has done decent bolstered seats in the past..

I also recognized that the tires are pretty Crap for any spirited driving.. Esp for Heavy braking.
And also for the Corner-entry UNDERsteer. Maybe for newbies the understeer is safer, but I've scared myself once or twice with the understeer..
I think the braking components are otherwise quite capable, to the point they show the rubber is the weak link.

I think the Rear sway bar swap is next for me.
I really miss the lift-off oversteer from the Focus ST..unless you were approaching dumb-speeds on corner entry, the Focus ST would enter and rotate so well..I was actually a bit shocked at how well it worked, as a FWD noob.
What setting are you using on the Goodwin Rear swaybar? MAX stiff? Do you think thats only for AutoX, or would you DD it that way too? (Edit: I saw your reply on this above already. Thanks.)

I don't want to Lower my Lobo any further...well, I do, but I really shouldn't.. I still want to access some forest roads, and some crappy access roads for where I'm going and what I'm doing with my Lobo.


What does the front toe look like stock?

100% agree. I will not be surprised if the Lobo is just a 1 year model, unless it sells really well. Has a very "lets slap on some shit from the parts bin & test how well this sells" feel to it.

There is ~0.5 degrees of toe-in from factory.

 

[Chops]

….. I will not be surprised if the Lobo is just a 1 year model, unless it sells really well. Has a very "lets slap on some shit from the parts bin & test how well this sells" feel to it.

I think the parts bin are still full. While Ford is not taking any 2025 Tremor orders, they are encouraging dealers to take Lobos. And some (many?) dealers already have too many.

I hope the Lobo model IS discontinued when the part bins run dry. Especially the Turbofan wheels. I want my Turbofan Lobo to be more & more rare as the years go by

 

[r0tax]

I think the parts bin are still full. While Ford is not taking any 2025 Tremor orders, they are encouraging dealers to take Lobos. And some (many?) dealers already have too many.

I hope the Lobo model IS discontinued when the part bins run dry. Especially the Turbofan wheels. I want my Turbofan Lobo to be more & more rare as the years go by

I really like the Turbofans, I do.
But I really want less wheel weight nearly as much..maybe more. Especially since there are no real options for power adders. And what I've learned in general from powersports, Removing ROTATING mass is the next best thing..sometimes even more important depending on the goal/purpose/intent, especially if performance is valued.

To the point I'm considering a light weight aftermarket Turbofan 'style' in Gloss black.
Maybe even a slightly wider 18" rim, for even less weight and more sidewall/tire.

 

[Chops]

I really like the Turbofans, I do.
But I really want less wheel weight…
.
.
.
To the point I'm considering a light weight aftermarket Turbofan 'style' in Gloss black.
Maybe even a slightly wider 18" rim, for even less weight and more sidewall/tire.

Me too!

OZ Racing made the original Turbofans used by Ford back in the day. They have a 24.4lb Gloss Black 18in “Rally” wheel that has been sitting in my tire rack basket

 

[r0tax]

Me too!

OZ Racing made the original Turbofans used by Ford back in the day. They have a 24.4lb Gloss Black 18in “Rally” wheel that has been sitting in my tire rack basket

That, minus the advertising/branding distraction!

 

[Chops]

That, minus the advertising/branding distraction!

I doubt I’m ever going to pull the trigger on those OZ Racing Rally wheels. I never heard of them until I started looking for substitutes in case I had to get a Lobo without Turbofans.

But it turns out the Italian made OZ wheels are top notch lust over wheels for many aficionados. The branding is probably a plus for them!

Anyway, now that I know my OEM turbofans are not 40lb anchors - I am content.

 

[Chops]

There just ain't no way you're generating high enough cornering forces in a mostly stock Maverick to have camber loss issues due to the strut towers flexing. All those soft rubber bushing in the stock suspension will be an issue before the rigidity of the strut tower is.

The Maverick has taller strut towers than any cars you’ve raced? I’m just saying taller equals more flex.

I trust your opinion on the soft rubber bushings absorbing all the forces - but a strut brace wouldn’t hurt.

Unless you get T-Boned and an astute insurance adjuster claims the damage to the opposite strut tower is not covered. I probably should put a “Genuine Ford Part” sticker on my brace for good measure!

 

[alex lobos]

The Maverick has taller strut towers than any cars you’ve raced? I’m just saying taller equals more flex.

I trust your opinion on the soft rubber bushings absorbing all the forces - but a strut brace wouldn’t hurt.

Unless you get T-Boned and an astute insurance adjuster claims the damage to the opposite strut tower is not covered. I probably should put a “Genuine Ford Part” sticker on my brace for good measure!

the funny thing about the sticker is you can by that sticker from ford too

 

[Lobo1134]

The stock tires do suck balls - it feels weird when all 4 wheels are spinning I miss my Contis DSW06 315/45/20 - had them for 7 months before helene swamped my car by far the best tires for the price and as soon as i'm caught back up they go on the lobo, i might get the 20" turbofan before the next set of tires though. I wish our seats were real leather, coming from vented Alcantara seats I now have FL swamp ass sitting on the fancy pleather I wonder if I can put Dodge seats in the Lobo

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