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Mystique 2018 GT PPL1

Ghost.5.0

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June 6th I picked up a 2018 Mustang GT PP 400A option, magnetic gray with black Recaro seats. Absolutely love the car in it's entirety. Is it that much different than the 2017 I had, indeed! Starting from the tires up, I'm use to the Michelin 4s the 2018's come with, as I had them on my 2017 for about a year on a non-PP vehicle. With the grip, noise and durability I became a fan of Michelin tires rather quickly. Because I live in Texas the tires PSI are 43-45 hot, I need to pay attention too them in the morning to see where they are.

Magna-Ride is noticeable to me, coming from a non-performance vehicle and no suspension modifications. When I say noticeable , I'm referring to the daily driving of the vehicle in sport mode. Very smooth coming from the factory. Probably Sunday I'll get to switch into Track mode and test the difference in that area of the cars performance. The suspension as a whole still needs work to the IRS. I had the BMR lockout on my previous car and I still noticed the wheel hop until I switched tires. Then 80% of that went away. This time around, I'll have a whole weekend to listen to the new car and have an instructor drive it as well to get his/her input. I don't think I'll go with the BMR product this time around and go right into the Rear Subframe bushing kit, Diff bushing kit and Cortex Monoball kit. Switch to the GT350R springs and I'll be good for awhile.

Brakes are a big difference in stopping this fatty girl from excess speeds I've tried on the highway. While I was switching OEM pads to track pads, I put on some new rotors and damn those things are heavy. Comparing the 4pot brakes on a non-PP car to the 6pots with G-Loc 16's, gives me a piece of mind of stopping on a dime. Stainless steel lines went in to replace the OEM hoses which feels different to me. Can't explain it, but feels different.

Clutch is a dramatic improvement with the MT82-D4 for daily driving. For me so far, I feel the gear ratios are just right. Seeing others response on the MT82-D4 on the track is something I'll get to experience this weekend. 2nd gear is long, 3rd is short as hell and with 4th being 1:1 this fatty girl hauls ass!

Interior is far superior to the 15-17 with the material they used, steering wheel and seats. Only two things I cant stand is the seat belt staying put on the Recaros and keep hitting the wrongs buttons on the steering wheel.

The body/body lines grow on me every day! Love this car!! In person it is a beautiful car! The paint is better, panel fitment is better and the view over the hood has gotten better. Even the notorious hood flap from the 15-17 have been eliminated on the 18.

Car drives beautifully, handles the roads graciously as a pony car could. I have no complaints!
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Ghost.5.0

Ghost.5.0

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June 7th I headed to Texas Track Works to get a couple things done before Saturday. Thanks to Tim supplying the BG Trans/Diff Fluids, G-Loc 16, 12 track pads and some other goodies I swapped out the fluids with the help of TTW. Pretty awesome group of guys that let me get in on the fun since the car was brand new. Put 10qts of Amsoil 5w-30, SRF Brake fluid, FRPP Oil Filter and called it a day. Really wanted to put the Apex wheels and Falken 615+ 315/30/18 tires on there, but camber plates didn't come in yet. I'll try and work something out, so I can at least see the fitment before I go back to work. I didn't get an alignment, per I didn't want to pay for it on a stock set up. Once I get that done, I'm going to try and get the car weighed too.
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Ghost.5.0

Ghost.5.0

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June 8th driving to the track I looked at the tire PSI and noticed quite a difference between all the tires. Going to research where cold tires should be prior to getting on the track tomorrow. Normally 28 psi cold is general rule of thumb and adjust from there.
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Ghost.5.0

Ghost.5.0

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After doing some research, the vendor discovered that the 15-17 OEM hubs do not work on the 2018's. So in order to fit the particular size tire and wheel setup I'm after, I need to get the GT350 hubs. So those will be on order soon.
 

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Ghost.5.0

Ghost.5.0

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Jun 9th 2018


First actually HPDE at MSR Cresson and it was an eye opener when it comes to this sport. There are so many things I didn't think bout or realize you have to do all within milliseconds to achieve perfect racing lines, braking, throttle and vision to name a few.


The first class we had was all about flags, safety and having the instructors drive our cars. I think that is a reassurance that the instructors know what they are doing and what they are telling you. However, I am kind of hard headed when it comes to that area. As well the braking zones, turn in points, apexs and the racing lines we were to duplicate from the instructor. After a couple of laps from the instructor we switched seats and the nervousness began. Starting in the green group, I had to be the newest member within them all and I tried not to worry about that so much going in. I focused more on what he was telling me, the lines, apexs and etc. It was rough the entire session. Of course I was lapped and had the worst time in Road Course history on this track, but it was to be expected. I got out of the mindset of putting so much pressure on myself and to just let things happen.


Listening to the car...which I didn't really know what I was listening to until the classes afterwards. First the tire pressure was all wrong. I think I posted tire pressure in the Facebook group which was over 40 and I dropped to around 37/38 I believe and continued from there. The Michelin's were talking to me right off the bat, sliding as more temp/pressure entered the tires to about 42+psi. Not too greasy of a tire compared to looking at others tires that were bubbling up and showing significant amounts of wear. I finally found the sweet spot of cold psi to be 27 in the mornings. Considering the heat for that day, track temp and tire/brake heat heated the tires at a casual pace. I believe at my third session of day 2 the tire pressures where money and I have one of my best laps. I’m really happy I started with OEM tires to feel and understand the capabilities they hold. Although not the most aggressive and fastest newbie, I understand how tires themselves can make you faster alone. Blind corners, to early entries and not turning my head to see the upcoming turn and where the Apex was...was certainly noticed by the instructor.


The OEM PP Brembos were just fine for me. I see no need in the immediate future to upgrade to another BBK. With the G-Loc pads, Castrol SRF, SS lines and learning what hard on the brakes means and the release of the brakes from the second check is all I need to master. Some brake ducts, awesome rotors and brake pads is the only thing.


The suspension I was 50/50 on. I didn’t drive in track mode for obvious reason so just Sport+. As a daily driven car, yes the Magna-Ride suspension is awesome. However, a little lower, stiffer springs, better sway bars, subframe/diff bushings and all of the other characteristic of the 15-17 transferred over into the 18. I didn’t feel flat enough on the track in some areas and roll was there as well. So those pieces will be replaced before my December class.


We talked about seating, hand placement and hand signals to other drives as well. For my small frame the Recaros fitted me fine, I think I will search out the member who made brackets for OEM Recaros to go along with the 4pt cage and harnesses.


Helmet is going to be important for me. Ventilation, vision and space for a headset is a must. Gloves and wearing the right shoes was a plus for me. I can’t heal toe for shyt, so practicing it and AutoBlip is in my future.


Now let’s talk about the transmission. I had no problems with the transmission except sometimes you will hear a little thud (maybe coming off the clutch to quick) and second gear was forever. It literally can be used for the entire 1.7 mile track! With third being so quick and then having to go into fourth, I wasn’t that fast yet. Every session I was lapped, but every session it was harder to lap me as confidence started to build. No limp modes, could use gears 2-4 on the track and to me it was easier to tell when to shift. I started to take all my shifts later as I began to get familiar where the power bands were and in the 6800-7100rpm range. It was just so much to take in, I tried to write down discussions and thoughts about everything on the car as each session concluded.


The power and torque was definitely there to get you in trouble and get you out of trouble. And learning how to throttle steer as your taking a corner to bring the rear behind you was awesome to learn. Everything about racing has a finesse to it!


First time out was in stock form changing fluids only;


Amsoil 5w/30

Castrol SRF Brake Fluid

BG Transmission/Diff

FRPP Racing Oil Filter

G-Loc Brake Pads 16/12


Sorry for the winded post, but I’m trying to write down everything I’ve experienced this weekend. Below is the sweet spot for Michelin 4s for me and the results. And feel free to ask me any questions. I'll try and not be a post hoer tonight.
 
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Ghost.5.0

Ghost.5.0

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Throughout the sessions over the weekend, I played with the tire PSI after each one. So happened to find the sweet spot of 35 PSI hot, to maximize grip on 20min sessions. So it is without a shadow of a doubt to lower your PSI to about 26-28 while cold on Michelin 4's tires.
Tire PSI Hot.jpg
Best Gs Pulled.jpg
 
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Ghost.5.0

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Couple track photos. Some photos I have show a lot of roll, which will be address this fall.
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Ghost.5.0

Ghost.5.0

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Appreciate it [MENTION=6849]Cloak[/MENTION]. It was a tough decision trading in the 17, but I don't regret it one bit.
 

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Ghost.5.0

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[ame]

Heres on of my sessions, learning the lines of the track.
 
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After the weekend session I received my grade card for my first time doing a HPDE and going over my fastest lap. So much to still learn, improve on and get comfortable with. One someone tells you only seat time will make you better that's what they mean. Driver mods are always first and then mod one thing at a time until you get better or discover a weakness in the vehicle.
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I'm curious about the updated knuckle on the 18' could you snap a pic of it when you get a chance?
 
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I sure will.
 
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Ghost.5.0

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Hello everyone,

I have some Brembo brakes that have about 300 miles on them and OEM hubs with the ARP studs pressed into them. The hubs are brand new still in the plastic. Reasoning that I'm selling them is because I had brought them for my 17, which I traded in for the 18 with Magna Ride. If your interested shoot me a PM, they will be ready to ship in a week or 2.

Brembo brakes have been sold.
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