Gradual upgrades vs. Performance Package?

[Emt1581]

For the past couple months I've been planning on getting a car with the PP right out of the box and after test driving one I REALLY wanted one. At the same time I never tried the non-PP.

However, aside from the gearing, I think I could do the other add-ons myself down the road. What I'm trying to figure out is whether it would be better for me to do PP or not and then alter it as I go along. But within that consideration there's now the potential that somewhere in 5+ years down the road I might...possibly....maybe...want to supercharge it. From what I've read I'm not sure that the 3.73 gearing is preferred there.

I'm used to doing shocks/struts but the ones on the S550 look different. The springs are separate from the shock (or is that just the GT350?)...not sure if you just hook up the suicide bars and take them out/install them that way or what?

But with the PP, I see people bitch about the quality of tires, wheel sizing, wheels, shocks/struts that seem nice but not excellent (according to others), replacing the sway bar...which leaves the gauges, strut brace, and brakes.

Buying it WITH the PP still seems like the MUCH better idea at this point mainly because I would be good to go with good handling/performance from the start and not need to devote multiple weekends to working on the car.

But if I can do significantly better upgrades for slightly more money little by little and they don't require computers and special tools...might be the way to go.

So more money up front with the PP or less money up front with more spent in the long run and a lot of time in labor.

What's your logic either way?

Thanks

-Emt1581

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[timd38]

I am sorta doing PP upgrade to my California Special. I could not get an auto PP so I ordered a California special to get the strut brace, 19" wheels (not staggered) and the bigger splitter, the bought the sway bars, spring and struts. With the small gas tank, I did not want 3:73 gears either, and since it is a daily driver, I wanted a spare tire and it won't work PP cars.

Just my opinion.

 

[Emt1581]

I am sorta doing PP upgrade to my California Special. I could not get an auto PP so I ordered a California special to get the strut brace, 19" wheels (not staggered) and the bigger splitter, the bought the sway bars, spring and struts. With the small gas tank, I did not want 3:73 gears either, and since it is a daily driver, I wanted a spare tire and it won't work PP cars.

Just my opinion.

Didn't know the CA special had a smaller gas tank.

EDIT: I see you meant that, to start, the tank is small(er) compared to other vehicles with larger tanks.

However, why did you not want the 3:73 gearing?

As for the spare tire...moot for you at this point....but you can get a front wheel for the PP cars and it'll work on any 4 corners. But it's bigger/heavier/and more expensive to carry around.

The non-staggered wheels would seem to be another plus...means I can rotate tires and not go through them like Grant went through Richmond!

Thanks!

-Emt1581

 

[timd38]

They all have a small tank, V6, V8 or Ecoboost. 16 gallons isn't much.

3:73 gears impact fuel mileage, higher the number, lower the mileage.

Keep in mind that this in my DD. I also have 650HP Vette.

Thanks!

 

[Emt1581]

They all have a small tank, V6, V8 or Ecoboost. 16 gallons isn't much.

3:73 gears impact fuel mileage, higher the number, lower the mileage.

Keep in mind that this in my DD. I also have 650HP Vette.

Thanks!

...So the GT is the beater of the two?

As for the mpg's from what I read it's not a significant difference is it? Again, I'm trying to figure if, long term, I want the car to have that gearing. It was weird to have to shift before I cleared an intersection, kinda like my Suzuki Intruder...but by itself it's not necessarily a deal breaker.

Thanks

-Emt1581

 

[MaskedRacerX]

If you get the PP and decide to never to any updates, you've got a great car.

If you decide to update a few things that are already upgraded in the PP, you've got a great car until you do that, then you've got a better car and you can offset a little cost by selling the PP parts.

Keep in mind, used or deep discount means you're probably paying < $2K for the PP, that's not much money at all in the grand scheme of a $30K-45K purchase.

If you're getting a manual, I can't see not getting the PP, unless you're planning something radical like FI, and then you're talking about thousands of dollars, so dropping different gears in is once again, not much relative to the total costs of modifications.

But with the PP, I see people bitch about the quality of tires, wheel sizing, wheels, shocks/struts that seem nice but not excellent (according to others), replacing the sway bar...which leaves the gauges, strut brace, and brakes.

and upgraded radiator, and K-brace, and the 3:73 gears, and the TORSEN rear end, and specific stability control tuning

 

[Emt1581]

If you get the PP and decide to never to any updates, you've got a great car.

If you decide to update a few things that are already upgraded in the PP, you've got a great car until you do that, then you've got a better car and you can offset a little cost by selling the PP parts.

Keep in mind, used or deep discount means you're probably paying < $2K for the PP, that's not much money at all in the grand scheme of a $30K-45K purchase.

If you're getting a manual, I can't see not getting the PP, unless you're planning something radical like FI, and then you're talking about thousands of dollars, so dropping different gears in is once again, not much relative to the total costs of modifications.

and upgraded radiator, and K-brace, and the 3:73 gears, and the TORSEN rear end, and specific stability control tuning

Used or Deep Discount....what do you mean?

As for selling used parts down the line...do people really buy parts that are say 2-5 years old??

Previously I wasn't really looking at FI, but recently, it's certainly a possibility.

The Torsen rear end...forgot about that. Well, I didn't forget, I thought it was on all the GT's.

Thanks

-Emt1581

 

[craig.martell]

What do you want the car for? If you want to go to track days, get the PP.

If you want a fun daily driver, ask yourself whether the rougher ride of the PP is worth it.

I got the non-PP GT after driving the PP first. Over bumpy roads there is a big difference. On the other hand, you do get more squat and dive under hard acceleration with the non-PP. Depends on what you want.

Note for me the GT is my daily driver. I already have a car for the track. After many posts here and exploring lots of possibilities, I am going to keep my GT non-PP just the way it is. Eventually I might get Pilot SS tires, though.

Craig

 

[BlackS550]

have said this many times but - the brakes make the PP worth it alone

 

[timd38]

have said this many times but - the brakes make the PP worth it alone

The good news it that Ford has a package you buy to upgrade the brakes.

My car has not arrived yet, but the brakes have......

http://www.cjponyparts.com/ford-rac...nce-pack-ecoboost-base-gt-2015-2016/p/M2300V/

 

[chrisgonzales]

I'm in the boat of buy the PP and uprage as you go, when buying the car the actual price of the PP is 2200 (probably less if your buying of the lot, I ordered a 16 in Aug) and there are a lot of little things it comes with, best bang for your buck, brakes, front lip, guages, dash, 3.73, slightly larger rad, stiffer suspension, wheels. And I've already upgraded a bunch of suspension parts myself. And if you figure the cost/time of install its a no brainer if you can get it

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

 

[Emt1581]

The good news it that Ford has a package you buy to upgrade the brakes.

My car has not arrived yet, but the brakes have......

http://www.cjponyparts.com/ford-rac...nce-pack-ecoboost-base-gt-2015-2016/p/M2300V/

Somewhat off topic but I'm curious what the pads are to replace down the road. They can't be cheap.

But for how well they performed. ..well worth it in my opinion!

-Emt1581

 

[paul123]

I suspect many folks will get lazy and not put the PP parts on their car aftermarket.

My car is a DD. I like the 3.55 gears , 18x8" wheels, and A/S tires and the donut spare. Main thing I miss is the Brembo's (mainly for looks) and the dash gauges. But I would like the gauges better if Vacuum was replaced with Oil Temp.

 

[saleen405]

I have a GTPP daily driver and love it. I come from an 2005 Saleen which felt like driving on a jack hammer most times. The ride now is stiff ( differently) but the car is amazing in every way IMO. Of course the summer only tires suck especially in upper NYS winters and no spare but those two are my only "dislikes". I've never driven the non-PP and if I did, I probably would hate it.

 

[watchdog]

On my third pp car and would not buy a Mustang without this option. Unless you have specific performance goals such as road or drag racing where you could buy better and probably more expensive parts pp is the way to go , just add aftermarket exhaust of choice and you have a great street car that can be tracked or ready for spirited driving.

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