Performance Consultant

[Norm Peterson]

I think you'll find though that most on here prefer to research and determine their on path and use that "consultation" money on useful parts.

Following that path is certainly possible - if you can sift through all the different opinions that are not guaranteed to be consistent with one another. Not everybody can do that, especially with a new (or new to them) car, and get it close to 'right' the first time. That's the value of working with somebody like Brian, as he's done a lot of that filtering for you.

I have no idea what Brian's rates might be, but I'd guess that they're less than the cost of redoing a suspension mod.


Norm

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[Troutwrangler]

Troutwrangler!!!! I am embarrassed: Thank you for pointing out that I had, I and repeat had, listed Shelby GT 350 R as my car. I don't know how that happened...possibly because I was in a rush to join the Mustang6G Forum. I drive a 2020 Mustang GT, Perf Package 1, with a fresh Power Pack 2 installed as seen in my avatar. I have made the appropriate correction....now I can see why I may have been perceived as a lost soul. Thanks again for catching my error.

No worries, brother-
If I had a dollar for every time I did something like that, I'd have a Gulf Stream 500 parked in my "garage" right next to my Mustang....

Nice looking ride you've got.

 

[Martin Schacht]

No worries, brother-
If I had a dollar for every time I did something like that, I'd have a Gulf Stream 500 parked in my "garage" right next to my Mustang....

Nice looking ride you've got.

Thanks for the feedback....I just cannot believe how much fun the 2020 Mustang is on the street, and especially the track, it can do some serious work. So far we have visited two CA tracks, Willow Springs for a day and 2 days at Buttonwillow Raceway. Because she was so good at the track, I awarded my Pony, 21 incremental Ponies with the Power Pack 2, installed by my Paso Robles, CA Ford dealer. Lots of gear heads at that dealership.

 

[Troutwrangler]

Thanks for the feedback....I just cannot believe how much fun the 2020 Mustang is on the street, and especially the track, it can do some serious work. So far we have visited two CA tracks, Willow Springs for a day and 2 days at Buttonwillow Raceway. Because she was so good at the track, I awarded my Pony, 21 incremental Ponies with the Power Pack 2, installed by my Paso Robles, CA Ford dealer. Lots of gear heads at that dealership.

I was envious of your track time when I saw your pictures...

I've got a buddy that autocrosses his old but sweet 240Z and he was wanting me to autocross with him last year with my PPL2. Then the Covid fiasco started up and many of the autocross events in Central Oregon got cancelled or moved around.
Oregon Raceway Park (road course track) is about 2 hours north of where I live.
I really want to get involved in local autocross this summer and after I get in the groove of the "track scene", I'd like to spend some time at ORP later on.

I hadn't been around "performance cars" since the 80's and am amazed at what the new Mustang can do right from the factory. I'm sure I will never be a good enough driver to want for more of a car than what I have.
I have cruised many different twisty mountain roads with mine, but looking forward to some track experience.

Glad to see you enjoying that Mustang!

 

[luc]

Thanks for the feedback....I just cannot believe how much fun the 2020 Mustang is on the street, and especially the track, it can do some serious work. So far we have visited two CA tracks, Willow Springs for a day and 2 days at Buttonwillow Raceway. Because she was so good at the track, I awarded my Pony, 21 incremental Ponies with the Power Pack 2, installed by my Paso Robles, CA Ford dealer. Lots of gear heads at that dealership.

Is that the Martin that used to run with NCRC about 10 or so years ago?
Anyhow depending on how fast you want To go, here is a list of modifications:
1/ more camber in front. More grip and longer tire life
2/ change differential fluid to 75/140 and wrap the exhaust pipes by the pumpkin with header wraps
3/ Better suspension, I use ford racing track kit
4/ tires. At a minimum go to 275 front. Next step are NT01, either a 285 square, very easy with 35mm offset wheels, no other modifications or step up to 305 but that requires quit a bit more work
5/ oil cooler. I’m partial to Harrop, they have an office in the USA. https://www.harrop.com.au/shop/engine-oil-cooler-ford-mustang-gt
6/ and obviously racing seat and harness.
They should keep you busy plenty
Forgot to add race pads

 

[Martin Schacht]

Luc, it is I....let me get back to you a little later...headed out for wine tasting.Really great to hear from you...

 

[BimmerDriver]

... as I seek to optimize my car for the track, HPDE/TT. ... I got in touch with Brian ([email protected]) to to get his opinion.

First, hey, welcome Martin. Like yourself, I came from the land of the German cars, and initially I was overwhelmed by the amount of advice (often conflicting) and the mod-happy nature of most Mustang owners. I exchanged a few emails with Brian, and he seems like a stand-up guy, and I'm happy that he's been able to help you out. I decided to keep my car largely stock, and so did not use his services, but he did hook me up with another enthusiast who had some slightly used brake bits that I wanted, so that worked out well.

After 30 years of HPDE and TT, I just do a couple of days a year at the track and I'm not concerned with making the car ultra-fast. BTDT with that money pit. I'm just out to have fun and be the moving roadblock that always seems to show up at most events. Hey, someone has to be slowest. I'm quick with the point-bys though...

 

[Martin Schacht]

First, hey, welcome Martin. Like yourself, I came from the land of the German cars, and initially I was overwhelmed by the amount of advice (often conflicting) and the mod-happy nature of most Mustang owners. I exchanged a few emails with Brian, and he seems like a stand-up guy, and I'm happy that he's been able to help you out. I decided to keep my car largely stock, and so did not use his services, but he did hook me up with another enthusiast who had some slightly used brake bits that I wanted, so that worked out well.

After 30 years of HPDE and TT, I just do a couple of days a year at the track and I'm not concerned with making the car ultra-fast. BTDT with that money pit. I'm just out to have fun and be the moving roadblock that always seems to show up at most events. Hey, someone has to be slowest. I'm quick with the point-bys though...

I have about the same time in TT/HPDE and 10 years in wheel to wheel Porsche Racing. Those days are over. My car will remain mostly stock with the exception of improvements to the front brakes, going to racing pads that I'll swap out before the track, Titanium 1mm shims to keep some heat out of the calipers, Vorshlag wind deflectors to help cool the brakes, and I want to install STOPTECH 2 piece front rotors. Put slotted rotors on the rear, the cheap ones, and racing pads as well, and run fresh DOT 4 brake fluid, with the highest dry boiling point I can obtain.

Brian has given me some good advice on what mods make sense considering my goal of having a street friendly track car. My former M.O., was to do a mod, in three (3) different iterations before I found the right one. That is too expensive and time consuming..

You want to get a little better at tracking your car? Look into the Garmin Catalyst. It's just simply awesome. I an including an article I wrote on the product..noting, I don't sell them...but I do direct buyers to one source,

 

[Martin Schacht]

I have about the same time in TT/HPDE and 10 years in wheel to wheel Porsche Racing. Those days are over. My car will remain mostly stock with the exception of improvements to the front brakes, going to racing pads that I'll swap out before the track, Titanium 1mm shims to keep some heat out of the calipers, Vorshlag wind deflectors to help cool the brakes, and I want to install STOPTECH 2 piece front rotors. Put slotted rotors on the rear, the cheap ones, and racing pads as well, and run fresh DOT 4 brake fluid, with the highest dry boiling point I can obtain.

Brian has given me some good advice on what mods make sense considering my goal of having a street friendly track car. My former M.O., was to do a mod, in three (3) different iterations before I found the right one. That is too expensive and time consuming..

You want to get a little better at tracking your car? Look into the Garmin Catalyst. It's just simply awesome. I an including an article I wrote on the product..noting, I don't sell them...but I do direct buyers to one source, Peter Krause. He is a Pro-Coach and intimately familiar with tall the driver assist self-coaching products.

Take a look at the article, maybe look the Garmin Catalyst Facebook Forum....your interest my be piqued. I bought my Garmin Catalyst from Peter Krause http://www.peterkrause.net/Krause_&_Associates_LLC/Welcome.html
However there are dozens of dealers across the US and around the world.

 

[BimmerDriver]

My car will remain mostly stock with the exception of improvements to the front brakes, going to racing pads that I'll swap out before the track, Titanium 1mm shims to keep some heat out of the calipers, Vorshlag wind deflectors to help cool the brakes, and I want to install STOPTECH 2 piece front rotors. Put slotted rotors on the rear, the cheap ones, and racing pads as well, and run fresh DOT 4 brake fluid, with the highest dry boiling point I can obtain.

I know Peter Krause pretty well, he's a great guy. I'll look at the Garmin thing, but it's probably overkill for me.

You and I are on the same page - I did brakes (my car is a non-PP so had to get Steeda rotors X 4) and racing pads, the same deflectors and I have run cooling ducts as well since I don't have your car's undertray. I typically use ATE fluid, as it has never let me down.

And I threw in a harness bar and 5-pt, since staying in place helps to keep me (old guy) from getting totally worn out after a day.

The titanium shims intrigue me, as I have melted my piston boots and would like to avoid having to replace them after every event. Think those will help?

 

[Martin Schacht]

I'll look up where I got the titanium ships....after all you have done to date, you should be food, the titanium 1mm shims should be of some help. Where did you source the harness bar? I do like the one from Brey-Krause. At present don't think I can use 5 point belts, to slots in the PP1 seats. I do like the FP race seats...$3,000 a pair, ouch.

If you are going to do X number of track days a year, the Catalyst will be a game changer, most likely. There are lots of stories from Catalyst users saying they are doing their best lap times as a result of Catalyst coaching, both real time and post session. I did my personal best times with Catalyst, but that was in a 2015 Cayman GTS. I only have 3 track days on the Mustang.

 

[BimmerDriver]

Where did you source the harness bar? I do like the one from Brey-Krause. At present don't think I can use 5 point belts, to slots in the PP1 seats.

I got a sub mount bracket from Watson Racing and the harness bar from Braum. I debated on cutting a hole in the seat, and decided against it and just wrapped the sub around the front. Yeah, yeah, I know, you're not supposed to do that, but it works OK. I've done it before in my Corvette and stuffed that puppy into a wall and walked away with the same kind of belt setup.

I prefered the Brey-Krause bar, but it's pricey. The Braum seems to be well built though and I have no regrets. It's also possible that the B-K was out of stock when I was shopping...

 

[Martin Schacht]

BimmerDriver: Another typo from above, "you should be food." Intended, "You should be good."
Thanks for the info on the harness bar and sub-mount bracket. Re. Bray Krause, I think their harness bar may be about $600. Another $$$ item, the STOPTECH "floating" rotors, about $1,000, on sale now at Tire rack for a little over $900. That's a big hot, but running out of brakes could be bigger. I may be driving a Bimmer at Lime Rock in a few weeks, with NASA HPDE, the dream of a lifetime.

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