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Ghost 5.0 build-2017 GT Prem/PP

Ghost.5.0

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Hello everyone!

Well I finally got the email that my car has reached the Baltimore port and is being shipped as I type. I ordered it 11/16 and is scheduled for delivery next month. Coming from the S197 platform, I'm really excited about the S550. I've been on the forum for awhile now, learning as much as I can from everyone's experience (especially the help that is given)..and I appreciate the incite. My build will be focused on being naturally aspirated and road course application. Specifically time trials. As a novice road course prospect, I'm sure I'll have many questions in the road course threads, however there is a lot of knowledge there to be read already.

I have about 10 more months being stationed in Germany and I've set up some HPDE's, track time and in class instruction prior to coming back from the states. Seat time is priceless, as what I've learned since being over here. I want to be prepared as much as possible coming back to the states to actually get my license to fully road course race (building another car from the ground up).

I have driven a couple S550's and noticed things that others talk about. Suspension, tires and power to name a few that current owners hoped Ford would of up'd the performance on. I'm not really worried about power just yet. After many You Tube videos, thread discussions and talking to people that have modified theirs..I've built my list in stages of what I think would be beneficial. Mind you that I plan on not making any adjustments until a couple HPDE and/or AutoX. I'd really would like to pay more attention to this build than my 13 GT I had. Learn the limits of the car and then go from there.

After my time here, I believe I'll be going to Fort Hood, Tx for my next duty station. So I have that climate in my mind as the build progresses.

Couple of things I'd like to ask already is what type of track apps are you using to record your road course events, Go Pros and editing software? I'm looking forward to your advice and constructive criticism as I start this journey. Have a great weekend everyone, below are pics of my order.
vehicle.jpg
vehicle (1).jpg
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Ghost.5.0

Ghost.5.0

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After waiting for months I finally get the email that my car I've ordered has arrived at the port here in Germany. Seems like its been a life time waiting for her. While waiting I've had the opportunity to read some awesome threads about the S550 and I changed my mind about a month ago. I decided to opt for the 17GT Prem non-performance package instead of one having it. I'll probably kick myself later, but I believe it was the right decision for me. Done the math, saved some money because I knew regardless parts will be swapped out. Scheduled a beginners weekend HPDE to learn the car and find it's particular faults and weakness as well. Prematurely I've planned for the tires/wheels and brakes to be swapped out first. Considering the Performance Pack Brembos and AP Racing big brake kit. What I'm battling with is the price difference between the two! Reviews stating that the Brembos are great from the factory, I'm thinking down the line (because I hate to waste money) AP's will be worth the expense. Noting I'm not at a skill level to fully use the capabilities of the AP's, but I know the braking power is there. Am I thinking too much about this? A square set-up 295/35/19 is what I'm after, wrapped in MPSS. I know as a novice driver I'll eat through the tires quickly and burn through some brake pads even faster. The season starts in April for us over here, so I have a little time left to make these purchases. Can't wait tell next week to finally go pick the car up!
 
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Congrats Tommy. I'm sure you feel like a kid on Christmas night. Looking forward to seeing your mods.
 
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Ghost.5.0

Ghost.5.0

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3/8/17

Well after a six hour drive, I was finally able to pick the car up! My first time actually sitting in one, my overall opinion of the S550 is awesome (90%-100%). As the dealer was going over their routine walk around of the car, my first impression of the seats were blah. Could possibly be that I just need to adjust the settings more and all that good stuff. Secondly the clutch feels really weird coming from a S197 and driving my beater car all winter. Break in period and adjusting to the car itself should fix that shortly. And the last thing that jumped right out were the tires. OMG...absolutely horrible. Bermenhaven, Germany is just like Seattle, WA...it just rains consistently. And I had a six hour drive back to my duty station in the rain. Now I can tell you the first six hours driving this car was adventurous in itself. From no grip to the wheel hop, nervousness on the Autobahn was at an all time high. If you ever been to Germany, you understand their driving habits, no lights on the Autobahn and trying to navigate your way through. For me going onto the on ramp without spinning the tires and feeling the IRS operate was a test in itself. GT Prem with 3.31 gears I didn't expect this at all (in normal mode). All of my mustangs I've owned have been N/A and I can tell a difference in the stock power between the two platforms. That being said, I'm excited about learning this car inside out. From what it can't do to what it can do (talking about myself mainly). It will be months before I even think about working on the engine with mods. Tires, brakes and suspension are my main concerns after some HPDE! I have yet to play with all the gadgets inside the car, but I will do that when I wake up from some well deserve sleep.

Exterior:

Black Satin Roof Wrap
Speed Mesh Hood Vents
Cervinis Quarter Louvers
GT350 Track Pack Spoiler (ordered)

Suspension:

BMR Cradle Lockout (With Steeda Alignment)
Ford Racing Strut Tower Brace and Cowl
BMR Front Subframe

Engine:

Sound Tube Delete Kit


Tires/Wheels:

Stock wheels
Michelin PS 4S 255/45/18

Brakes:

G-Loc R8's (on order)


Fluids:

Amsoil 5w20 SS
FRPP FL-820 Filter
BG Products Ultra Guard Heavy Duty and Synco Shift II
Castrol SRF Brake Fluid
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Ghost.5.0

Ghost.5.0

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Four days old and the car has to go to the dealership already. Passenger window doesn't want to roll down now. As well I finally got to wash the car myself for the first time and I see what others are talking about when it comes to the paint. Always something! So far I'm loving Synch 3 and pretty much went through all the gadgets to find where they are. I have about 500 miles on the car already, might do another 500 before I switch out the oil and brake fluid. After reviewing the multiple threads and a little research on my own, I decided to go with Amsoil 5w/20 for a while, FRPP 820 filter and test it on the track next month, Castrol React Srf Racing brake fluid, research some brake pads and go with the Continental Extreme Contact Sport tires to replace the P-Zero's. As well go with the Elite Engineering oil catch can. It is so easy to just start buying parts and go mod crazy, but I'm doing good by taking my time. If anyone has a suggestion on GT non PP brake pads, please chime in!?
 

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Ghost.5.0

Ghost.5.0

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Not too bad considering my area is a lot of slow traffic and stop/go. Got to play with the car today on a pretty much open road. To me the car really loves to pull and get in those high revs. It's been a year since I've been in a Mustang and it's like falling in love all over again!
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Ghost.5.0

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Had a little time today to do some lens tinting from [MENTION=20487]Anchor[/MENTION]room and replaced some badging to go with the theme of Ghost. Next up roof wrap and then wait till some goodies arrive for the suspension!
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Ghost.5.0

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Just stalling some time before I purchase some new tires and brake essentials.
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Ghost.5.0

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With a total length of 12.9 mi the “north loop” has 73 corners (33 left corners and 40 right ones) and the altitude difference of 300m (with the highest point of 620m and the lowest – 320m). A good number of straights give an opportunity to reach the maximum speed and get a real life practice of acceleration, overtaking and braking techniques. With this in mind, it really pushes me into upgrading the suspension and brakes prior to going to the Nürburgring Nordschleife. I have friends who have driven their cars on the track and were successful. Mind you I don't know how hard they pushed their cars, but I can assume not that hard because of the statistics of the track and most days are open public roads. And no I cannot comment on their driving experience, but I want to be prepared for mine. The suspension thread of springs and different types of shocks/coil overs leave me in a disarray. So if anyone could kindly guide me into understanding of what the appropriate shock/strut/spring set up should be like for this track I would appreciate it. I think that will help me to understand what I'm reading online, forums in regards to why this over that. Thank you in advance!
 
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Ghost.5.0

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Thanks for setting up the phone conversation [MENTION=7748]tj@steeda[/MENTION] !
 

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Ghost.5.0

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Got to play with the car a little bit yesterday and taking some advice from a friend, I learned a lot about it. Keeping the engine stock for awhile and to build piece by piece. That way you know exactly how you and the car responds to your modifications. Meaning when your doing 130mph, it feels like your not even connected to the road at all. At the same time that hood seemed like it was going to pop open at any given time, which made me have a pucker moment! Excessive body roll is there and you can dictate the wheel hop in first to second. So, to replacement tires and cradle lock out it is.
 
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Ghost.5.0

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Normal driving conditions while driving in Germany, doing about 130-135mph consistently. Seems like you have to intentionally put yourself in situations with the car, to learn how to adapt. This suspension and tires do it automatically in the rain..lol. Looking forward to new tires (so damn noisy and greasy IMO) and working on the suspension next month. But first, waiting on parts to tighten up the chassis!. BMR Cradle Lockout, BMR Chassis Brace, FRPP strut tower brace and Steeda Alignment Kit for the CB005. I think those changes and basic track preparations are good enough for my first driving course. May is going to be a great month!
Normal driving.jpg
 
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Ghost.5.0

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First mechanical problem on the car is the passenger side window! Fricking lifter went out and had to order a new motor for it. Window won't close all the way and it's snowing here in Germany! Quick fix is plastic bag and tape.
 
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Ghost.5.0

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Ahhhh, goodies are starting to come in! Can't wait to notice a difference in the BMR Cradle Lockout with Steeda Sub-frame Alignment Kit. Waiting on the strut tower brace kit for non-PP cars to come in now.
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Ghost.5.0

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Did a thing or two today....

When installing the hood struts, you are going to have to loosen the lower bolt under the hood to move it a little. The bracket will not fit vertically when you install it as the direction or install video says. I adjusted to much now my hood is 2mm off track. So I got to get it right tomorrow. Over starting to take a vision I have, with some minor changes!
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