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

[honeybadger]

If they put solid bushings on the R, I do not care if they cary over any other improvements of the base car. I am getting one

I put FTBR spherical bushings in the lower control arm, upper control arm, and knuckle + solid bushings in the rear subframe mount. HUGE difference on track. Highly recommend. Add in the FP lowering springs, sway bars, and stick tires and you're going to be having a REALLY good time.

Sponsored

 

[CSL]

Absolutely. And it's SIGNIFICANT.

It probably won't do anything for drag racing, or much on the street, but on track, it's a major change that makes the car turn faster lap times, better to drive, more in control, and allows the car to trail-brake and rotate much better.

Everyone seems to miss the benefit, importance, and significance of carbon wheels. They're not only lighter for less unsprung weight, but rotational inertia and gyroscopic effect greatly improves steering feel, and the increased stiffness, has less camber compliance (they don't deflect as much in a corner, nor require as much static camber). They're worth a lot of time.

PLEASE tell us if you know whether or not this new calibration can be flashed to older models. And I respectully understand if you can’t say.

I get that the older models are a different setup, so this potential is not likely. But for us guys that run Cup2s with light forged wheels and the FP springs and sways, it seems this calibration will be closer to maximizing the potential of the car’s hardware. Must say, I am surprised that FP offered the springs and sways essentially as a package without a revised calibration. I really don’t want to try to attempt to tune my dampers via the DSC.....I trust the engineers more than myself. As always, any insight you can provide is appreciated. :cheers:

 

[CSL]

I put FTBR spherical bushings in the lower control arm, upper control arm, and knuckle + solid bushings in the rear subframe mount. HUGE difference on track. Highly recommend. Add in the FP lowering springs, sway bars, and stick tires and you're going to be having a REALLY good time.

I CONCUR!!

 

[fpa1974]

I put FTBR spherical bushings in the lower control arm, upper control arm, and knuckle + solid bushings in the rear subframe mount. HUGE difference on track. Highly recommend. Add in the FP lowering springs, sway bars, and stick tires and you're going to be having a REALLY good time.

Got all of the above minus the bushings part. And it made a huge difference from the stock form (especially the lightweight wheel and sticky tires). But if I can have all this in a close to stock car would be even better. I can only dream I guess...

 

[honeybadger]

Got all of the above minus the bushings part. And it made a huge difference from the stock form (especially the lightweight wheel and sticky tires). But if I can have all this in a close to stock car would be even better. I can only dream I guess...

If you're running sticky tires, lowering springs, and sways, I HIGHLY recommend the bushings. They don't really add any noticeable NVH, so I don't see a downside other than it being a fairly labor-intensive endeavor.

I see you're in GA - you run Road Atlanta frequently? I'll be there in Aug

 

[honeybadger]

PLEASE tell us if you know whether or not this new calibration can be flashed to older models. And I respectully understand if you can’t say.

I get that the older models are a different setup, so this potential is not likely. But for us guys that run Cup2s with light forged wheels and the FP springs and sways, it seems this calibration will be closer to maximizing the potential of the car’s hardware. Must say, I am surprised that FP offered the springs and sways essentially as a package without a revised calibration. I really don’t want to try to attempt to tune my dampers via the DSC.....I trust the engineers more than myself. As always, any insight you can provide is appreciated. :cheers:

I second this. Tagging [MENTION=32526]BillyJRacing[/MENTION] just in case it gets lost

 

[Eritas]

Sounds like some of you guys need to buy a stiffer car like a Z28 or ZL1 1LE :lol:

 

[fpa1974]

If you're running sticky tires, lowering springs, and sways, I HIGHLY recommend the bushings. They don't really add any noticeable NVH, so I don't see a downside other than it being a fairly labor-intensive endeavor.

I see you're in GA - you run Road Atlanta frequently? I'll be there in Aug

I am unfortunately (from this point of view) in the process of moving to south FL. Depending when in Aug, I might be able to come and watch this time. Who are you running with?

 

[ldp82]

My car is mostly street driven. I went with spherical bearings everywhere front and rear and light weight wheels. It rides so much better. Great mod

 

[Colorancher]

Any chance you can link to the part numbers? I can find some of the items you reference, but am not sure on a few. Thanks!

I put FTBR spherical bushings in the lower control arm, upper control arm, and knuckle + solid bushings in the rear subframe mount. HUGE difference on track. Highly recommend. Add in the FP lowering springs, sway bars, and stick tires and you're going to be having a REALLY good time.

 

[honeybadger]

Any chance you can link to the part numbers? I can find some of the items you reference, but am not sure on a few. Thanks!

Sure thing. http://fulltiltboogieracing.com/2016_GT350_and_GT350R_Suspension_Parts_and_Tools.htm

You'll want the knuckle and LCA bearings: FT552 and FT548 (respectively).

For the UCA, I bought the entire assembly: FT540. However, I'd recommend buying their in-house version since it's easily adjustable and the OEM part likes to "adjust" itself under very high loads. So I recommend: FT 545.

For the subframe, you'll want the bushing kit: FT 530

In summary:

• FT552
• FT548
• FT545
• FT530

I share a bit about my install in my thread on Page 7. https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/showthread.php?t=74367&page=7

 

[Zitrosounds]

I think the CF wheels are genius and a much better idea than putting carbon brakes on the car.

The same with the rear wing that is a work of art in my opinion.

I don't get what you are saying about wear. It's a car, if you use it there will be wear. I would be very surprised if the CF rims are going to wear out faster than aluminum parts. Wheels aren't really a wear item. Yes they can get scratches, etc. over time, but they aren't like brakes, tires or air filters.

We use CF a lot at work. Don't expect the wheels to fatigue like aluminum wheels. It's funny how so many are quick to dismiss the R as a collectable Item only. Only those that have gone from living with a Track Pack and then with an R will be able to tell you how incredible the difference is. As BillyJRacing mentioned, the stiffness of the wheel surpasses that of aluminum so much Ford had to change the dampener design, rubber durometer and spring rates to fully take advantage of the CF wheel. My track pack was amazing! But it was no R. Sure I could mod the hell out of the TP but now it is not the engineering success it once was but now a Frankenstein of aftermarket parts. The R is an engineered machine to perform at some incredible levels right out the box.



Id be willing to bet FP offersr the new springs and cal for the TP cars.

 

[Competition Orange]

dampener

Sure I could mod the hell out of the TP but now it is not the engineering success it once was but now a Frankenstein of aftermarket parts. The R is an engineered machine to perform at some incredible levels right out the box.

I'm not bashing the R by any means saying this, but let's get real here. The R could have been much more than it was. It matched the Z/28s performance 2 years later. Yes it's better all around, easier to live with and all that jazz, but it isn't and wasn't all it could be.

Id be willing to bet FP offersr the new springs and cal for the TP cars.

I'm sure this would make many people VERY happy, myself included as a future owner!

 

[Zitrosounds]

I'm not bashing the R by any means saying this, but let's get real here. The R could have been much more than it was. It matched the Z/28s performance 2 years later. Yes it's better all around, easier to live with and all that jazz, but it isn't and wasn't all it could be.



I'm sure this would make many people VERY happy, myself included as a future owner!

" It matched the Z/28s performance 2 years later"????? matched is incorrect it surpassed it.
[ame]

 

[Competition Orange]

" It matched the Z/28s performance 2 years later"????? matched is incorrect it surpassed it.

Hanging your hat on a MotorTrend video with a 1.2 second "victory" is a bit silly don't you think? Great car, love them, but you can't tell me Ford couldn't have done a bit more...

Sponsored