Will the GT350 really be track ready?

[TRACK CRAZY GT350]

I don't know about you guys but I am tired of spending a lot of time and money getting my cars set up for the road course. With all the hype Ford has given the GT350 about being a true road course beast I hope we will finally have a car that we can use with no further modifications. What do you think?

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[FPCV8YO]

See GT350R.

 

[Trackaholic]

The brakes are probably the most significant upgrade most cars need, with cooling second. I am hoping that the GT350 is cover d in both those areas, at least with the optional track package.

I feel the same way you do, which is one reason I am looking forward to the GT350. I am hopeful that it will be capable without any significant mods.

-T

 

[TRACK CRAZY GT350]

See GT350R.

The GT35OR will be very different from the GT350. The R model will be a true race car that may not even carry a vin number.

 

[Gudz2015]

why do people keep saying that the brakes are much more significant than a performance pack with the 15.5 vs 15. The new rear brakes really don't do that much.

 

[FPCV8YO]

The GT35OR will be very different from the GT350. The R model will be a true race car that may not even carry a vin number.

Exactly

 

[Grimace427]

Other than swapping brake fluid, it all comes down to what you consider track ready. Any car is ready to be driven hard on a track(see C&D's Lightning Lap) but how hard would be up to you to decide.

why do people keep saying that the brakes are much more significant than a performance pack with the 15.5 vs 15. The new rear brakes really don't do that much.

How would you know? It's not just the size difference but pad compound, cooling capacity, caliper stiffness, and of course brake feel that are all equally important.

 

[mustangletback]

:ford::cheers:What i think is the GT350,could very well beat the z28 on the track,and the GT350 R could go after a higher class of porsche and others.

 

[Gudz2015]

How would you know? It's not just the size difference but pad compound, cooling capacity, caliper stiffness, and of course brake feel that are all equally important.

it's not coming with brake cooling ducts, pads and fluids can be changedand and I'm guessing ford finally put good pads on. I'm geuss this system isn't going to be night and day differents but every one is going to praise the new system because of the brake pads and the better tires. I would have liked to see 14" 6 piston with room for cooling ducts.

 

[Trackaholic]

While I havent seen the method for changing pads on these specific calipers, it is typically quicker to change pads on fixed piston calipers than it is on sliding calipers. So, I like having fixed pistons on all four corners just for that. The two piece design with a floating disk may reduce pad knock-back which is helpful. The larger diameter is nice for thermal mass, but it is true that the biggest factor is the ability to cool. I hope that the rotors use directional vanes rather than pillars or straight vanes to improve airflow. Not sure what is used on the GT/PP rotors. Factory cooling ducts (or mounting points for a Ford Racing kit) would be pretty sweet, that's for sure.

-T

 

[908ssp]

There is a track pack option for the GT350. Not sure what all it includes so the answer is even Ford knows that base GT350 is not track worthy for more than a couple laps.

 

[Devon]

There is a track pack option for the GT350. Not sure what all it includes so the answer is even Ford knows that base GT350 is not track worthy for more than a couple laps.

All the manufacturers play this game. Hell, even the new Z06 needs the Z07 track package plus aero upgrades to be truly track ready.

 

[scottpe]

All the manufacturers play this game. Hell, even the new Z06 needs the Z07 track package plus aero upgrades to be truly track ready.

I'm sure it's partially because they know that 80% of them will never see meaningful track duty anyway, so making features that are only truly necessary for heavy track use optional keeps the base price down a bit, and then allows them to mark up those features more, as part of a package, than they would have been able to if they were standard equipment.

 

[Hack]

Any car is track ready and every car can be improved with additional modifications. Extra cost options are great for Ford's bottom line though.

 

[TrackAppraiser]

The brakes are probably the most significant upgrade most cars need, with cooling second. I am hoping that the GT350 is cover d in both those areas, at least with the optional track package.

I feel the same way you do, which is one reason I am looking forward to the GT350. I am hopeful that it will be capable without any significant mods.

-T

Exact reason why I'm here as well! Some good points made so far. Grimace, I get what you're saying (always a laugh whenever I see minivans on the Nurburgring) but I believe a track ready car is one that requires minimal investment for a machine that will withstand a full day of all out abuse and then drive me home with the a/c on. A rare breed of car like the Porsche GT3, and rightfully expensive!

This thread really hits home, I co-drive a Honda S2000 that has needed several thousands in modifications to keep temps down and withstand a nonstop day at the track. Granted we run the car very, very hard between two drivers all day long and can get some fantastic times out of it but it isn't cheap.

I gotta spend some time in the track/autos forums and see how GT PP and Boss cars are holding up to track abuse. Any info it here on those two to make speculation about the gt350??

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