So I finally hit the Track.....

[2015Etrac]

Extended ball joint lateral links >>> tension links with bearings. Both are good to have.

OK thanks. I was hoping to just get the tension links, but I guess for an extra $100 I minds well get both and install them at the same time.

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[BmacIL]

OK thanks. I was hoping to just get the tension links, but I guess for an extra $100 I minds well get both and install them at the same time.

If budget is an issue, forget the tension links and get the lateral links + bumpsteer kit (unless you already have one). You can get the Vorshlag deflectors for non pp arms.

The braking consistency of the bearing tension links is quite nice, but the grip, roll changes and change in steering naturalness is much bigger.

 

[2015Etrac]

If budget is an issue, forget the tension links and get the lateral links + bumpsteer kit (unless you already have one). You can get the Vorshlag deflectors for non pp arms.

The braking consistency of the bearing tension links is quite nice, but the grip, roll changes and change in steering naturalness is much bigger.

I didn't even think about the bumpsteer kit. I was mainly looking at upgrading the tension links because I need new ones with the cooling deflectors on them for when I run the PP belly pan, so I figured it would be a good time to upgrade to the Steeda bearing version. I'll probably just upgrade the tension and lateral links to the Steeda bearing version this winter and wait the spring or summer to get the bumpsteer kit. I never realized the cost of getting a car somewhat track ready.

 

[BmacIL]

I didn't even think about the bumpsteer kit. I was mainly looking at upgrading the tension links because I need new ones with the cooling deflectors on them for when I run the PP belly pan, so I figured it would be a good time to upgrade to the Steeda bearing version. I'll probably just upgrade the tension and lateral links to the Steeda bearing version this winter and wait the spring or summer to get the bumpsteer kit. I never realized the cost of getting a car somewhat track ready.

Lateral links and bumpsteer kit need to go hand in hand.

 

[2015Etrac]

Lateral links and bumpsteer kit need to go hand in hand.

Ah OK, didn't know that. I might just have to do the upgraded tension links for now then. Thank's for the info.

 

[NightmareMoon]

Again, my best advice is to spend money on track time and tires, not upgrading the car. The upgrades mentioned above are things I have on my personal car, but if you want to get a GT to handle like a GT350(R), start by giving it comparable tires. Tires add grip, very little else will make an actual impact on lap times. Big camber, little impact, stiff springs, little impact, control arm geometry, little impact. Better tires, huge impact.

The only thing which will make your lap times drop faster than good rubber is teaching the driver. It’s mostly the Indian, not the arrow. You sure don’t have to spend a lot of money on parts to have a very quick S550. You need good tires and a very quick driver. (Sure an extra 100hp helps too)

 

[BmacIL]

Again, my best advice is to spend money on track time and tires, not upgrading the car. The upgrades mentioned above are things I have on my personal car, but if you want to get a GT to handle like a GT350(R), start by giving it comparable tires. Tires add grip, very little else will make an actual impact on lap times. Big camber, little impact, stiff springs, little impact, control arm geometry, little impact. Better tires, huge impact.

The only thing which will make your lap times drop faster than good rubber is teaching the driver. It’s mostly the Indian, not the arrow. You sure don’t have to spend a lot of money on parts to have a very quick S550. You need good tires and a very quick driver. (Sure an extra 100hp helps too)

But didn't you hear from the "experts" in the GT500 forum? Tires are only a very small fraction of the difference in performance between the CFTP and base car.

/huge sarcasm

 

[2015Etrac]

Again, my best advice is to spend money on track time and tires, not upgrading the car. The upgrades mentioned above are things I have on my personal car, but if you want to get a GT to handle like a GT350(R), start by giving it comparable tires. Tires add grip, very little else will make an actual impact on lap times. Big camber, little impact, stiff springs, little impact, control arm geometry, little impact. Better tires, huge impact.

The only thing which will make your lap times drop faster than good rubber is teaching the driver. It’s mostly the Indian, not the arrow. You sure don’t have to spend a lot of money on parts to have a very quick S550. You need good tires and a very quick driver. (Sure an extra 100hp helps too)

Thanks. I actually picked up a set of the SVE R350's in 19x10 during the sale and Steeda camber plates. I plan to throw some RE71R tires on them in 285/35/19. I was thinking about 305's on 11" squared but then I'd have to get new studs, open lugs, etc. which I didn't want to do on a daily driver that's outside 24/7. Hopefully the 285's will be good, but I'm sure they will be significantly better than the stock 265/35/20 Pirellis I was running on the factory wheels my first track day. More grip, wider tire, slightly shorter, and I should save about 14lbs a corner. The stock tires were so bad that I thought someone spilled oil on the track during my first run until they heated up and I finally had some traction.

I'm still doing beginner and intermediate track days, so I follow a pace car, which is good, because I don't have to worry as much about getting track insurance. On the other hand I want to get about 4 or 5 more beginner/intermediate track days in so I can try running some hot laps and see how the car really performs.

 

[2015Etrac]

But didn't you hear from the "experts" in the GT500 forum? Tires are only a very small fraction of the difference in performance between the CFTP and base car.

/huge sarcasm

Off topic, but does anyone know if the difference between the Gt500 and GT500 CFTP is anything like the Tech vs. Track pack on the GT350? I doubt Ford would make the same mistake twice, but who knows. From what I've seen, it seems like they're the same exact powertrain, braking, and cooling systems with the exception of some added aero and different wheels/tires? So basically if you throw some lighter wheels/tires on the base model it should run nearly as well as the CFTP?

 

[BmacIL]

Off topic, but does anyone know if the difference between the Gt500 and GT500 CFTP is anything like the Tech vs. Track pack on the GT350? I doubt Ford would make the same mistake twice, but who knows. From what I've seen, it seems like they're the same exact powertrain, braking, and cooling systems with the exception of some added aero and different wheels/tires? So basically if you throw some lighter wheels/tires on the base model it should run nearly as well as the CFTP?

Ding ding ding, what do we have for him, Johnny?

 

[2015Etrac]

Ding ding ding, what do we have for him, Johnny?

Haha, thought so, but you never know with Ford. So Spring rates, sway bars, etc. are the same on both cars? I remember seeing some people commenting that the base was focused more for the drag strip, but then again there was a lot of speculation at the time. Not that it matters, unless I hit the lottery. The good thing for us GT owners is the parts might work on our cars like some of the GT350 stuff does.

 

[2015Etrac]

What would you guys focus on first, lateral links & bumpsteer kit, or brake cooling via PP belly pan and chin spoiler for beginner/intermediate track days? Which would be more useful for that type of driving?

 

[Ewheels]

What would you guys focus on first, lateral links & bumpsteer kit, or brake cooling via PP belly pan and chin spoiler for beginner/intermediate track days? Which would be more useful for that type of driving?

Brake cooling will make your pads and rotors last longer, which in the long run will save you money.
Lateral links and tie rod ends might make the car feel "faster" or "better" but for a beginner, seat time will make you faster than anything else. So I would vote for brake cooling to at least save you some money.

 

[BmacIL]

What would you guys focus on first, lateral links & bumpsteer kit, or brake cooling via PP belly pan and chin spoiler for beginner/intermediate track days? Which would be more useful for that type of driving?

Cooling absolutely.

 

[2015Etrac]

Thank's guys. Belly pan and PP splitter it is. Luckily, Vorschlag racing makes air deflectors that fit non-PP cars now, so I can run those without switching to PP tension links.

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