Educate Me Please / GT350 vs GT Performance Pack

[krt22]

There is literally no difference in the speed at which the base and track pack cars can go. The only difference is that the track pack car can go for longer because of the coolers. Yeah it has MagneRide but the main benefit is for ride quality. Anyway, the difference in speed would probably be negated by the 40 lbs the TP car has vs the base.

I would not say just longer sessions, but longevity of the car and fluid change intervals as well. It specifically says in the supplemental manual to add coolers to a tech pack car for moderate track use, so I think that says something.

And the magneride does offer better street manners, but in the track mode obviously it will have much more aggressive damping characteristics. Im guessing the base dampers are not going to be adjustable at all (so far zero mention of them, on purpose I imagine), so likely more geared towards street use. A properly damped car will likely be faster all else being the same, even with an extra 40lbs. 40lbs on a 3750lb+ car is really not a lot.

You would probably need a solid set of double adjustable dampers to do an apples to apples comparison, at which the value proposition shifts quite a bit

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[Cruzinaround]

If you're going to drive the car then the tech pack offers the best of the amenities. And affords you as the owner the ability to add some mods on later as far as the coolers go. And maybe even the Strut tower brace. But if you track the car maybe a few times in year....then you're admittedly not a racer, however if you do more daily driving it just makes sense to go for the amenities. Otherwise when you get in it the majority of days when you're not on a track you're likely gonna kick yourself when you say I wish I had a better radio, or I wish I had adjustable lumbar support or heated seats or the side view turn signal blinker, or the larger touch screen or Sync3 ....lots of little things that really do make for a better driving experience if you are sitting in the car for more than just a track day. In fact you would even have a rear view camera which is deleted on the "R". And I know in my state for cars built after May 1st 2016 manufacturers are to start phasing in all models with this feature and by 2018 on all cars the rear camera is actually 100% mandatory... so there will be an issue moving forward for owners of an "R" if they plan on driving it and getting a passed inspection after that May 1st 2016 date. Depending on the inspector and how willing they are to look the other way. By 2018 they can't ignore that fact.

Just a few things to consider.

 

[R 350 gt Donson]

If you're going to drive the car then the tech pack offers the best of the amenities. And affords you as the owner the ability to add some mods on later as far as the coolers go. And maybe even the Strut tower brace. But if you track the car maybe a few times in year....then you're admittedly not a racer, however if you do more daily driving it just makes sense to go for the amenities. Otherwise when you get in it the majority of days when you're not on a track you're likely gonna kick yourself when you say I wish I had a better radio, or I wish I had adjustable lumbar support or heated seats or the side view turn signal blinker, or the larger touch screen or Sync3 ....lots of little things that really do make for a better driving experience if you are sitting in the car for more than just a track day. In fact you would even have a rear view camera which is deleted on the "R". And I know in my state for cars built after May 1st 2016 manufacturers are to start phasing in all models with this feature and by 2018 on all cars the rear camera is actually 100% mandatory... so there will be an issue moving forward for owners of an "R" if they plan on driving it and getting a passed inspection after that May 1st 2016 date. Depending on the inspector and how willing they are to look the other way. By 2018 they can't ignore that fact.

Just a few things to consider.

Its deleted on the R if you have "NO electronic's package" if you OPT. for the the electronics's package then you get the rear camera see below:cheers:

 

[R 350 gt Donson]

Also here are some of the difference between a regular GT mustang and the GT350

 

[Trackaholic]

I think he's asking how the base GT350 (no tp) would stack up against a GT PP in general. Which I was wondering the same question since I have a GT w/pp. Obviously in a straight line the 350 will take it all day, but as far as a road course, I would think the base 350 would be ahead of a GT PP. Don't think it would kill it like the 350 track pack or 350R would, but it would be a ahead by a good bit.
I think a GT PP with decent bolt ons/tune and maybe a few suspension upgrades would hang easily with the base 350, again that's all IMO.

I don't know that you'd ever get a GT/PP with a modified Coyote to have the same normally aspirated feel as the Voodoo. Of course adding some kind of forced induction to the Coyote will make it far more torquey and far more powerful.

In terms of chassis/suspension, I do think the GT/PP could be made very close to the GT350, and could likely surpass it. The trick is knowing what parts to put on and how to tune them to make that happen.

I feel that the GT350 would be more robust, due to the alternate transmission (which I think is beefier, but I'm not actually sure why I have that impression) and the beefier wheel hubs. The brakes would also be an area that might need updating, although the GT/PP brakes are pretty bad-ass stock.

-T

 

[mephim]

From how Ford has specced this car as well as the GT/PP, I think this debate is a lot like the last generation M3 vs 335i debate. The low end toque curves are close and the real world "feel" of speed will be relatively similar due to below limit feeling. It will be at the higher reaches that the "normal" gt350 will come alive, when you're pushing it.

Similar to a swatch watch and an omega. Same company, the swatch is reliable and works well, the omega is a fine edged tool and needs more maintance.

 

[licktensteins]

From how Ford has specced this car as well as the GT/PP, I think this debate is a lot like the last generation M3 vs 335i debate. The low end toque curves are close and the real world "feel" of speed will be relatively similar due to below limit feeling. It will be at the higher reaches that the "normal" gt350 will come alive, when you're pushing it.

Similar to a swatch watch and an omega. Same company, the swatch is reliable and works well, the omega is a fine edged tool and needs more maintance.

I think this is very insightful. Big difference between modding the lower spec car to achieve the performance of the higher spec car, and having the car engineered to the higher spec from the factory. Once they figured out the fueling issues on the N54, the 335 platform ended up being far superior in terms of big power. But I never really desired the 335 as much as the M3 - the old "there's always something better" syndrome is hard to get past sometimes.

 

[bpracer]

Brake Calipers PP v GT350

So 6 piston calipers from Brembo are not all the same...

If this snap from an ebay auction for 2015 PP brakes is correct, the PP has an open bridge design while the GT350 (lower pic) has a cast in bridge. Likely much stiffer.

I was trying to find the difference on the front brakes beyond the two piece rotors and larger diameter. I haven't found the front rotor thickness for the GT350.

The rears, no question, no Brembo on the PP, 4 piston on the GT350.

So many subtle differences in PP and GT350 from what I see.


better picture of PP caliper here

 

[krt22]

Yep I noticed the caliper difference awhile back. Ford mentions pad area a lot in the literature as well, so I am guessing slightler larger pad surface.

Also the two piece rotors are a big change, not just total weight, but heat dissipation and they are rotating/unsprung mass.

These are the weights of the PP rotors. Im guessing the 2 piece rotors will be at least a few lbs lighter, same with the rear rotors.

OEM GT PP 15" Front Rotor: 33.4lbs (66.8lbs pair)

 

[chopsui]

Does that bridge mean that we have to take the caliper off just to change pads? Seems like a step backwards for a track-focused car.

 

[bpracer]

Does that bridge mean that we have to take the caliper off just to change pads? Seems like a step backwards for a track-focused car.

Yes.

But I would call these much better calipers. The stiffer the bridge, the better and your not going to get that with some bolt in bridge. Clamping force on the rotor not bending the caliper body. I would call these true, track focused calipers, especially if the pads are thicker (an assumption on my part).

 

[F1-R]

How many people here will go for the Base GT350 instead of selecting the Track Package Option? What are your reasons? I am a very indecisive person and have not decided yet which to go for. I must decide within 7 days, as an opportunity may or may not come up to buy one at $3000 below MSRP (military deployed price).

My intentions are not to change this topic so if I am incorrect, provide feedback please. I have joined this forum and have been visiting daily, very good info, and even greater people. I am very close to deciding based on the advices I have received, but just need a little more. Thank you for any comments/replies.

 

[Bossing]

How many people here will go for the Base GT350 instead of selecting the Track Package Option? What are your reasons? I am a very indecisive person and have not decided yet which to go for. I must decide within 7 days, as an opportunity may or may not come up to buy one at $3000 below MSRP (military deployed price).

My intentions are not to change this topic so if I am incorrect, provide feedback please. I have joined this forum and have been visiting daily, very good info, and even greater people. I am very close to deciding based on the advices I have received, but just need a little more. Thank you for any comments/replies.

If none of the collective components in the Track Pkg (but particularly the Mag Ride and Coolers) is required for your personal use, such as regularly tracking it, then the zero option GT350 is perfectly fine. Plus if your budget must be close to 50k as possible then it's also a wise decision to stick within your means. In the end, even a base GT350 will still be one fine high performing car.

 

[licktensteins]

How many people here will go for the Base GT350 instead of selecting the Track Package Option? What are your reasons? I am a very indecisive person and have not decided yet which to go for. I must decide within 7 days, as an opportunity may or may not come up to buy one at $3000 below MSRP (military deployed price).

My intentions are not to change this topic so if I am incorrect, provide feedback please. I have joined this forum and have been visiting daily, very good info, and even greater people. I am very close to deciding based on the advices I have received, but just need a little more. Thank you for any comments/replies.

I'm in the same dilemma regarding the Base vs. TP decision, and I think Bossing summed it up nicely. I'l probably only track the car 2-3 times a year, so the added cooling isn't really compelling. Right now I'm leaning towards the Track Pack, just for the Magneride and the ability to go from comfortable street car to hard core track car. Without knowing whether the steel setup is configured more towards road or track conditions, I'd rather have the ability to choose and be happy with the car than curse it when the suspension lets me down.

 

[chopsui]

Yes.

But I would call these much better calipers. The stiffer the bridge, the better and your not going to get that with some bolt in bridge. Clamping force on the rotor not bending the caliper body. I would call these true, track focused calipers, especially if the pads are thicker (an assumption on my part).

I hear you on the stiffness. It's actually going to be an extra pain to change pads because these new calipers are also radial mounted - again, great for real track use but that means we can't just rotate the caliper up by removing one bolt in order to get the pads out. We'll actually have to get in behind the rotor and take the caliper all the way off.

Can you tell I'm lazy?

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