Upgrade or switch cars? (DD, occasional track)

[DadzMach]

I see.

I'm mainly going by the experiences of people I've known who had Corvettes.

Engines & transmissions were fine but there were issues from clutches, AC, blend doors, fluid leaks, warning lights, guage problems, interiors coming apart, that sort of thing. I can't put up with that in a DD.

As for power I'm fine with 300-450 hp in a RWD street car weight dependent.

I have had several Corvettes and even went from a C7 back to a C6 because I just prefer the look and pretty much everything else about it. There are TONS of low mileage examples all over the place, especially Florida. Before I bought my Mach1 I was looking for a nice C6. I wanted either a ZR1 or ZO6. Really wanted the ZR1 though. My only issue is that I have a really bad back, have had surgery twice already and putting off a 3rd. So since I knew once I had my 3rd getting in/out would be very difficult with multiple spinal fusions I decided to be smart and just buy what I should in the first place instead of buying the Corvette, making my changes that I would make with wheel, tires, stereo, etc. I have had countless Mustangs so I knew exactly what to expect and exactly how to set it up the best for me. So for about $2k all in if you don’t want to lower it, or $3200 if you do, you will have a Mustang that can handle pretty much anything you will ever attempt to throw at it and still a very nice and COMFORTABLE daily. If you really like the Mustang and you think by improving it you will be happy, that’s what I would do. If the Corvette were to be a daily you would experience issues with the problems you mentioned on the highways. More of a question of when, not if. So bottom line for me, if I were in the situation you are (nothing to do with finances or anything like that since I obviously have no idea) it just sounds like you would be perfectly happy, not just content with making the mods to your Bullet, which BTW is probably my favorite current S550, it’s sporty and classy and is bad a$$ looking. If you look at my post from last week (should I lower it) there is a guy who just did everything you would want to do to yours and basically what I am doing to mine. You will have a car that does everything you want with very few negatives and spend much less money. Just my $.02. I can’t wait to put everything on mine, everything was delivered yesterday, so if it doesn’t poor I will be installing and enjoying by Monday. Whatever you do, enjoy it and drive the crap out of it! We are only here once and none of us know for how long. Hope this may help you even just a little bit.

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[DadzMach]

This^^^^^

 

[GTP]

I think it depends on how much you like your Bullitt as a daily. I track no more than 4 days a year and that is about 5% of the total miles. So achieving a good balance for dual purpose car takes care.

I run a square set of all season wheels and low dust pads for daily. I don't like the looks or risks of a lowered car.

Stock PP1 MR suspension, but with
Extended studs and open end lugs, GT350R sway bars front rear, and camber plates

For track day I put on square set of 275 PS4 wheels, track pads all 4 wheels.

At the track I change camber all the way to 2.8°, then change it back to normal before heading home.

I had to add an oil cooler to keep engine temp under control and prevent gear limiting.

If I were you, I'd add camber plates right away to extend the life of your front 255 PS4 tires. Once those wear out, I'd switch my Bullitt wheels over to daily use by buying A/S tires and putting those on them. Then buy new 10" wheels, studs, spacers, and 285/35 PS4 tires for track use. Then try a stiffer rear bar.

Your car with still be a joy for daily and vacay use. But still perform well on track. Note you can't run wider stickier square setup tires without front poke and camber issues, as well as more overheating issues. So be careful what you wish for.

 

[SSG 5.0]

I think you a supercharger lol. Lots of fun

 

['19Bullitt.32]

I think you a supercharger lol. Lots of fun

My 03 Cobra had that.

I noted that my infield speeds were a little faster in the 03. But I had more experience in that car. It was also lighter, with a little more tire under it, and had more low-end torque.

More responsive, too.

 

[SSG 5.0]

My 03 Cobra had that.

I noted that my infield speeds were a little faster in the 03. But I had more experience in that car. It was also lighter, with a little more tire under it, and had more low-end torque.

More responsive, too.

I will rest my case hehe. I think your Bullitt is too slow for you and that’s why it’s not all that fun. Maybe a tune and a couple of suspension can make the Bullitt a little fun?

 

[Vertex]

I have a '19 Bullitt. Stock. Original 4S tires.

Took it out on track for the first time at a Track Night USA Daytona event. This was not my first time on this road course.

Good:

Transmission. Tall gearing & wide rpm range doesn't demand much shifting. Auto rev match is great. No heat issues.

Axle. No heat issues. Watched the guage. Kept it to about 140 mph.

Engine cooling. No problems. Shifted at 6500 rpm, cruised in 5th, sometimes 6th on the oval to give it a break. More than enough power.

Brakes. Got Motul 600 to replace fluid but life got in the way and I didn't have time. Even so, brakes were great.

Mixed:

Aero. Had a bad spin off the bus stop. Car felt stable at 140, never got light, though hood movement made me nervous.

Bad:

Weight. Car is heavy, brakes / 255 mm tires can only do so much.

Handling. Lots of understeer. Staggard tire set up causes some of it. Car already tramlines a little. Would even more with wider tires on front. (275 / 285 mm I'm willing to do)

Stability. Car is stable enough until limits are approached. Then car doesn't take set / hunker down / firm up. It prefers to roll and slide.

Question:

I'm debating improving the handling of this car or getting another.

- 305 mm tires in this car or a Mach One HP is a no-go. Too much tramlining and I often drive in downpours. (I've driven one)

- Camaro 2SS 1LE
- Toyota Supra manual made in Austria.

Do you guys think there are a few mods that can button-down my Bullitt and make it more fun to drive?

Tramlining was ONLY an issue on my Mach HP with the cup 2 tires on. Once I changed them to PS4S absolutely no tramlining.

 

[NightmareMoon]

You've done one track day. Don't overdo it spending thousands (or tens of thousands on a new car) for maybe one day per year. Once you've done a bunch of track days, and know you want to continue doing bunches of track days.... then maybe open the purse strings.

It doesn't take a whole lot to get the car to be neutral.

I have no idea how much track experience you have. In general it usually takes people a lot of instructed track time to even start to drive the car's real limits.

 

[zstanny]

The SS 1LE is more confidence inspiring to drive than the GT350 or the M1 HP on Cup 2s handling- wise. Felt much more planted. Turn-in on the 1LE felt like it was much more "down and in, or just linear" than with the mustangs if that makes sense.
I'll second what some others have said about the tramlining being better after dropping the cup2s for 4S.
Daily driving the mach 1 is more fun than the 1LE. I'm 6'2 and the visibility stuff is absolutely overly exaggerated. It's different, and it is worse in the camaro, but it's not un-driveable like people on the internet like to say.
If you just want a change of pace, and aren't thrilled with the car, go test drive a couple of the ones you mentioned. If you want to keep the car, folks here have given a few good things you can try out, so I won't be redundant.

 

[boB]

I have a '19 Bullitt. Stock. Original 4S tires.

Took it out on track for the first time at a Track Night USA Daytona event. This was not my first time on this road course.

Bad:

Weight. Car is heavy, brakes / 255 mm tires can only do so much.

Handling. Lots of understeer. Staggard tire set up causes some of it. Car already tramlines a little. Would even more with wider tires on front. (275 / 285 mm I'm willing to do)

Stability. Car is stable enough until limits are approached. Then car doesn't take set / hunker down / firm up. It prefers to roll and slide.

Question:

I'm debating improving the handling of this car or getting another.

- 305 mm tires in this car or a Mach One HP is a no-go. Too much tramlining and I often drive in downpours. (I've driven one)

- Camaro 2SS 1LE
- Toyota Supra manual made in Austria.

Do you guys think there are a few mods that can button-down my Bullitt and make it more fun to drive?

Get camber plates and a portable alignment setup so you can switch from street alignment to track and back with minimal effort (camber and toe). Get some track wheels with Cup2 or whatever is the hot setup. Haul it all to the track in a small trailer or drive it in track mode if the track is not far (and hope it doesn't rain).

If that is not enough then you probably are looking for a new car. ;)

 

[Beaujangles]

Well, this thread has been an interesting if not educational and informative reading, as a fellow 19 Bullitt owner I have been fascinated by the comparisons to other cars and the recommendations...as for me, I got my Bullitt because I liked the look of the car and the fact that in spite of being just another Mustang it is a unique tribute to the most famous Mustang. Having said all that I have made mine into a very competent and capable multi use car...tractable and still comfortable on the street by doing a lot of the mods mentioned on this thread and a few others...so my recommendation to the OP is to keep "it and tweak it" then come and meet me at Sebring Raceway so we can compare notes.

OBTW, I'm not calling you out, just checking on your decision.

 

[DadzMach]

Well, this thread has been an interesting if not educational and informative reading, as a fellow 19 Bullitt owner I have been fascinated by the comparisons to other cars and the recommendations...as for me, I got my Bullitt because I liked the look of the car and the fact that in spite of being just another Mustang it is a unique tribute to the most famous Mustang. Having said all that I have made mine into a very competent and capable multi use car...tractable and still comfortable on the street by doing a lot of the mods mentioned on this thread and a few others...so my recommendation to the OP is to keep "it and tweak it" then come and meet me at Sebring Raceway so we can compare notes.

OBTW, I'm not calling you out, just checking on your decision.

Best advice yet!

 

[tosha]

I don't quite understand all that talk about changing alignments back and forth. What is the point of doing this at all? -2.6 or so camber is not hard on tires for street miles and it is sufficient for occasional track days. Just set it and forget it.


This whole thread is a bit blown out of proportion in my opinion. Really, all is needed to make this car handle a lot better is some better sway bars, springs, square wheels with capable tires and camber dialed in. It would still be a usable street car with solid track capability. If it's 1-2 events a year, this is more than enough.

 

['19Bullitt.32]

I don't quite understand all that talk about changing alignments back and forth. What is the point of doing this at all? -2.6 or so camber is not hard on tires for street miles and it is sufficient for occasional track days. Just set it and forget it.


This whole thread is a bit blown out of proportion in my opinion. Really, all is needed to make this car handle a lot better is some better sway bars, springs, square wheels with capable tires and camber dialed in. It would still be a usable street car with solid track capability. If it's 1-2 events a year, this is more than enough.

It does seem like I should keep the mods very mild or select a different car.

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