2019 GT350 Upgrades: Tech, Aerodynamics and Other GT500 Track Improvements

[Edward]

Regarding differing versions of the PSC2's, the Michelin tire class instructor said the very same thing at a Cadillac Speed Lab weekend event. He explained that people are often complain of performance not being as good as new with CTS-V's when tires are replaced with the same brand, model and size of tire. He said it's important to ensure that you also match the exact load & speed rating - even in the same model tire. That's how Michelin can offer the same tire with different characteristics to multiple OEM's and cars. He mentioned that Goodyear does the same thing. Oddly, since then, I've noticed the same differentiation in their tires for even mundane cars like our Odyssey.

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[Epiphany]

There's a reason Porsche has shifted back towards putting manuals in its track oriented cars like the GT4.

Yet the GT4 Mustang uses a sequential in lieu of the TR3160 that was last used on the GT350R-C cars.

Ford could squeak 10-15 more hp from an exhaust like a 2.75”.

The stock system is already 2.75" in diameter.

 

[nastang87xx]

Yet the GT4 Mustang uses a sequential in lieu of the TR3160 that was last used on the GT350R-C cars.

I thought the RC was a sequential too. And the TR3160 was in the FP350S. :shrug:


EDIT: nevermind, I found the specs. http://multimaticmotorsports.com/technical-archive/2015-ford-mustang-shelby-gt350r/

 

[oldbmwfan]

Yet the GT4 Mustang uses a sequential in lieu of the TR3160 that was last used on the GT350R-C cars.

Traditional three-pedal manuals aren't faster anymore, but that doesn't mean they aren't more fun.

At some point the incremental speed is no longer the point. I own a race car. Racing it is more fun than driving my R, because racing is more fun than lapping. Doesn't matter that the race car is 215 HP and on 255 tires and 8 seconds/ lap slower around Mid-Ohio; it's still more fun.

If I'm just lapping, the R gives a different set of thrills.

If you tell me I can go a second a lap faster in my GT350R with a sequential or an auto, I'd say, "great. Don't want to go a second faster."

If I could afford to retrofit a sequential into the race car, I'd consider it because that two tenths of lost acceleration per shift starts to matter. But, putting a $15k transmission into a $15k car to compete for plastic trophies seems a little silly.

 

[fordxgt]

How do you objectively test the enjoyment of a traditional connection and control of the drive line? Remember the GT350 was meant to be a road track car, not a drag car. There's a reason Porsche has shifted back towards putting manuals in its track oriented cars like the GT4.

Yet the GT4 Mustang uses a sequential in lieu of the TR3160 that was last used on the GT350R-C cars.

He did say track oriented cars (i.e. track ready street legal cars), not race cars. The Porsche Cayman GT4 is not comparable to a GT4 Mustang. The Porsche GT3 Cup car has a 6 speed sequential

 

[Nameless]

Ok now... At this point I have a very good reason to believe that 2019 will not be the last year either. I mean if I were Ford would I go through all this trouble with the upgrades for only one year? When this type of refresh happens it is almost always the case you have at least a 2 year run or so :shrug:

Well, considering that the GT500 will carryover a lot of things from the updated GT350 I don't see nothing wrong with it. According to the leaked "oil specifications sheet" earlier, it will be a 2020MY GT500 and 2020MY GT350 but I'm not sure that we will be able to see them being offered at the same time (I might be wrong, of course.... actually, it looks like I will be haha)

they need to put the new 12 inch LCD in the gt350. that's a deal breaker for me. hopefully they'll put it in the new gt500 or I'll be very disappointed.

With the GT500 being the all-mighty topdog I don't see it not having it. IMO it will have all the possible equipment seen so far for every Mustang available.

If the new GT500 is getting the 10spd Automatic as an option and since Ford is continuing the GT350 for 2019 then why doesn't the GT350 get the 10r80 as an option?

The 2018 Mustang GT with the 10r80 beats the 6spd Manual in every test!

The top dog Corvette and Camaro both have an Automatic as well as the Challenger Hellcat, so why Ford doesn't get with the rest of the world is mindboggling

Nope, the GT500 is not getting the 10R80 (or any other variation of the 10R). It looks like (according to latest rumors) it will be 7speed DCT only (no auto and no manual available).

 

[Nameless]

We can probably somewhat debate this too but Pobst did go faster around Big Willow in a MANUAL ZL1 too vs the 10L90 car.

Fixed for you ;)

 

[nastang87xx]

Fixed for you ;)

Grassy ass. :cheers:

 

[Nameless]

Grassy ass. :cheers:

LOL I see what you did there, nice one :lol:

 

[Demonic]

How do you objectively test the enjoyment of a traditional connection and control of the drive line? Remember the GT350 was meant to be a road track car, not a drag car. There's a reason Porsche has shifted back towards putting manuals in its track oriented cars like the GT4.

The automatics have come a long way, and I wouldn't be surprised if a GT350 automatic could be made to run a track faster than the manual. I just think the demographic of GT350 buyers would still prefer a manual.

Yet the GT4 Mustang uses a sequential in lieu of the TR3160 that was last used on the GT350R-C cars.

Yes, but I also said I have no doubts an automatic/sequential would be faster than a manual, and that I believe the decision was made based on owner preference and enjoyment. The GT4 Mustang is a professional series race car, where decisions aren't made based on driver enjoyment.

 

[Spart]

Yet the GT4 Mustang uses a sequential in lieu of the TR3160 that was last used on the GT350R-C cars..

Do you know what that kind of sequential trans is like on the street?

DCT is the closest thing you're going to see in a production car for a ton of reasons.

 

[Epiphany]

But, putting a $15k transmission into a $15k car to compete for plastic trophies seems a little silly.

I agree and am in no way recommending as such.

He did say track oriented cars (i.e. track ready street legal cars), not race cars. The Porsche Cayman GT4 is not comparable to a GT4 Mustang. The Porsche GT3 Cup car has a 6 speed sequential

Good point.

Well, considering that the GT500 will carryover a lot of things from the updated GT350 I don't see nothing wrong with it.

I don't see it using any updated GT350 parts aside from some interior trim items as much as those will likely be different as well.

Do you know what that kind of sequential trans is like on the street?

In the case of the unit used on the GT4 Mustang, attempted street-use would be brutal. Makes for a heck of a ride on the track though!

 

[fpa1974]

Just throwing this out there, it may not mean anything, but the RS on it's last year was a limited run with some updates. One being relatively significant, LSD.

True, but we are talking about recalibrating suspension, aero updates, with new tire specs, new wheels, interior updates, audio updates etc. This smells to me a bit more than just stretching it for another year to sell better.

 

[Hi-PO Stang]

It would be nice to see an option of 4.09 rear gear.

 

[nastang87xx]

It would be nice to see an option of 4.09 rear gear.

A flattened out torque curve above 6500 would fix all that hehe. There's almost a 50 RWTQ drop between 6500 and 8200. 325 RWTQ at 8200 RPM is 510 RWHP.

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