valentinoamoro
Well-Known Member
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- #1
Just read the Lightning Lap from C&D (been reading ém since they first started doing those) and thought the Mustang GT put up a decent showing. Tire tech has evolved, so has engineering and the conditions are different, but the drop in times between a 06 GT and a 15 GT is stunning. A lot of the faster cars gained time with fast shifting autos (faster but no where near as much fun) or cost a lot more and/or have enhancements that reduce street livability.
Anyway, I was thinking of a list of easy mods we can do to our Stangs that will shave off 3-5 seconds without killing daily drivability or ability to consistently lap (heat soak, wear etc). Confidence is key, so mods that provide more rigidity without NVH increases, super lowered cars, massive front splitters etc are welcome. Here's what I pulled together so far. Thoughts welcome. I realize tolerance of NVH etc vary s widely, but here is the stuff I found that balances pricing and performance with minimum impact. Yes, driver mod and education is huge no doubt, but this is a thread on setup.
1) Tires: A square setup of 285's or F 285, R 305's shod in Michelin PSS. The PSS is a good all round tire (unlike R compounds or 100 treadwear tires) which good response, grip and longevity. They also shed weight compared to the stock Pirellis. Cost approx $1300-1500. Larger fronts in particular will help reduce understeer in what is a heavy car and increase max G.
2) Wheels: a 10 inch wide 19 inch setup on all 4's (or 10 F, 11 R if going staggered) thats flow formed will look nice, also save 8-10 pounds over OEM per wheel(min) as most come in at the 23-25 pound range. This is unsprung rotating mass. Approx $300-500 per wheel.
3) Sway bars: Stiffer sways bars will help reduce both under and oversteer, as well as dial in a bit less understeer. Steeda and BMR among others have some good options here. Approx $400
4) Good shocks: Seems like we can improve on damping by switching to aftermarket shocks and struts. A lot of us are awaiting Koni yellows, and these should help with cornering and confidence greatly. Approx $800 (not out yet)
5) Matched set of linear springs: Looks like a bunch of firms (BMR, Steeda etc) will be offering springs that will pair with these shocks. This should also help reduce roll and improve response time. Drivability maybe impacted on how low the springs go, how stiff they are and where you live. Issues like bump steer, bottoming out etc can emerge as well. Approx $200
6) IRS Cradle lockout kits: Will help center the IRS and reduce wheel hop without introducing NVH. This will help put the power down better. Steeda and BMR make. Approx $200
7) Toe Links, Knuckle to Toe link bearing: (FRPP, BMR, Steeda) Improves ability to put power down by reducing rubber bushing compliance. Adjust ability to toe. Approx $200.
8) Vertical Links: (BMR, Steeda) Reduce wheel hop. Approx $200.
9) G-Track Brace: Stiffen the front even more and improve steering feedback. Approx 160.
10) Cat-back: Shed about 30 pounds in weight. Improve sound. The performance impact of this is perhaps negligible. Systems available with great sound but no drone. $1000+.
11) Lithium battery: Shed about 15 pounds from the front. Not worth doing unless stock battery needs to be replaced. Approx $90
12) CAI and Tune: Improve breathing, response and HP. Approx 35 wHP, better throttle response and improved cooling. Approx $800.
13) Camber and caster plates: Dial in better negative camber in the front (and reduce in the rear) from stock to improve turn in and reduce understeer. A good balance can be reached depending on your spring and tire combination to improve performance over stock. Approx $250. May not be needed as OEM offers adjust-ability.
14) Shifter bushing: Better feel in the shifts. More connectedness to car. $80
15) High temp range brake fluid & Full synth 5W-40 oil for track days
Total around $6500 in parts (not counting catback) + labor.
Anything else? Would love to see some Stangs running these mods combined (street performance builds) and objective and subjective comparisons Vs stock.
:ford:
Anyway, I was thinking of a list of easy mods we can do to our Stangs that will shave off 3-5 seconds without killing daily drivability or ability to consistently lap (heat soak, wear etc). Confidence is key, so mods that provide more rigidity without NVH increases, super lowered cars, massive front splitters etc are welcome. Here's what I pulled together so far. Thoughts welcome. I realize tolerance of NVH etc vary s widely, but here is the stuff I found that balances pricing and performance with minimum impact. Yes, driver mod and education is huge no doubt, but this is a thread on setup.
1) Tires: A square setup of 285's or F 285, R 305's shod in Michelin PSS. The PSS is a good all round tire (unlike R compounds or 100 treadwear tires) which good response, grip and longevity. They also shed weight compared to the stock Pirellis. Cost approx $1300-1500. Larger fronts in particular will help reduce understeer in what is a heavy car and increase max G.
2) Wheels: a 10 inch wide 19 inch setup on all 4's (or 10 F, 11 R if going staggered) thats flow formed will look nice, also save 8-10 pounds over OEM per wheel(min) as most come in at the 23-25 pound range. This is unsprung rotating mass. Approx $300-500 per wheel.
3) Sway bars: Stiffer sways bars will help reduce both under and oversteer, as well as dial in a bit less understeer. Steeda and BMR among others have some good options here. Approx $400
4) Good shocks: Seems like we can improve on damping by switching to aftermarket shocks and struts. A lot of us are awaiting Koni yellows, and these should help with cornering and confidence greatly. Approx $800 (not out yet)
5) Matched set of linear springs: Looks like a bunch of firms (BMR, Steeda etc) will be offering springs that will pair with these shocks. This should also help reduce roll and improve response time. Drivability maybe impacted on how low the springs go, how stiff they are and where you live. Issues like bump steer, bottoming out etc can emerge as well. Approx $200
6) IRS Cradle lockout kits: Will help center the IRS and reduce wheel hop without introducing NVH. This will help put the power down better. Steeda and BMR make. Approx $200
7) Toe Links, Knuckle to Toe link bearing: (FRPP, BMR, Steeda) Improves ability to put power down by reducing rubber bushing compliance. Adjust ability to toe. Approx $200.
8) Vertical Links: (BMR, Steeda) Reduce wheel hop. Approx $200.
9) G-Track Brace: Stiffen the front even more and improve steering feedback. Approx 160.
10) Cat-back: Shed about 30 pounds in weight. Improve sound. The performance impact of this is perhaps negligible. Systems available with great sound but no drone. $1000+.
11) Lithium battery: Shed about 15 pounds from the front. Not worth doing unless stock battery needs to be replaced. Approx $90
12) CAI and Tune: Improve breathing, response and HP. Approx 35 wHP, better throttle response and improved cooling. Approx $800.
13) Camber and caster plates: Dial in better negative camber in the front (and reduce in the rear) from stock to improve turn in and reduce understeer. A good balance can be reached depending on your spring and tire combination to improve performance over stock. Approx $250. May not be needed as OEM offers adjust-ability.
14) Shifter bushing: Better feel in the shifts. More connectedness to car. $80
15) High temp range brake fluid & Full synth 5W-40 oil for track days
Total around $6500 in parts (not counting catback) + labor.
Anything else? Would love to see some Stangs running these mods combined (street performance builds) and objective and subjective comparisons Vs stock.
:ford:
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