2017 Mustang GT Performance Pack Review (500 Miles)

[crs2879]

I have a base GT with PP and Recaros. I have never owned BMW but have driven a few and I had brief custody on a '07 911 C4S so I have some experience with German engineering. The Mustang is dialed-in to American consumers who, generally, are not receptive to German suspension tuning. Seeing as though a base GT with PP can be had for at least $20K less than even a base model 3 series BMW, there is plenty of room for aftermarket enhancements. The 911 suspension was great but the car rode so rough that most US buyers of the Mustang would not tolerate it in a $40K car.....American drivers are very picky. I recall when I had an '01 Bullitt GT and the Oil Pressure Gauge was just a glorified idiot light (needle never moved). When I asked Ford about it, they said too many people would bring their cars in for service because with a real Oil Pressure gauge, the needle moves relative to engine speed and customers would argue there was something wrong with the car. My point is American manufacturers have to build cars to suit many personalities. To me, something like the short shift kit should be part of the PP package but I realize after having it installed on my car, there is more driveline noise transmitted to the cabin and having it in a production car would likely result in too many warranty service visits. I don't blame Ford for the shortcomings in the suspension because they have to compromise in order to sell to a wide range of consumers.

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[wildcatgoal]

Curious... your photos show you at drag strip, but then you're talking about mountain twisties. Those 2 different style do necessitate slightly different suspensions. Drag you want more travel on the rear so you can compress a little and weight transfer to the rear, but you really don't want too much of that on a road course. So how has that affected your choices?

I'm looking to take my PP car to a road course track.

I've been trying to decide where to spend my money first on upgrades.

I'm actually going to do the cosmetic mods first.
Already have my GT350 steering wheel & shift knob on hand.
Will order a spoiler shortly, then...

Tentatively my performance mod list is something like this:

- 1" lower spring (not sure which ones yet)
- Ford Racing by Borla Sport cat backs
- Ford Racing Power pack 1
- lightweight wheels
- aluminum drive shaft
- IRS bushings

I'll be the first to admit, with my setup, I don't grip for SHYTE on a drag strip. Stock PP suspensions with stock PP tires will take me in a drag race, especially with my Cooper tires which don't seem to grip all that well off the line and through 60' general on "prepped drag strip surfaces". I tried lowering air pressure, made it worse. Best times I've gotten on these tires is at 34 psi cold. Anyway, squat the rear end of a car like mine with very low Ultralite springs and you're in major negative camber zone and basically gripping with the inside of the tire. I couldn't get more than 13.7 and I spun large portions of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd... and a chirp in 4th. I have no engine modifications/tune. I cannot for the life of me cause that same amount of wheel spin on a regular road and I don't get that in "mountain runs". The best I've gotten in my car was with the stock suspension: 13.4. The car should be able to do better stock, but that'd require a driver mod. I was handidly beaten by a base GT with all-seasons with an E85 tune who consistenly got 13.3/13.4 (and little experience), a stock GT PP that got 13.4s, and a GT PP with no suspension mods and damn near end of life Pirellis with a, I believe, Steeda tune that got a 13.0.

On the other hand, lots of people could he heard stating they liked my Mustang the best as we were staging, haha.

Around mountain roads, albeit I need to work out some understeer push which is a camber balance issue, it handles great. It's not perfect, but I have adjustments to make and it'll get there. I didn't setup my car for a drag strip. If I did, I'd have BMR springs without a thought otherwise. Frankly, my rear end, even for handling, is a bit too low for my preference but I don't bottom out ever. I want to bring it up about .5" or so. But yeah, don't get my springs if you want to go to a drag strip. You need the booty end of the car up a lot more, IMHO.

I've heard the Ford Racing Borla exhaust. Not a fan, the ones I've heard are tinny. I went with Solo Performance, paid less, and am much happier. Get compliments all the time. I'd have a Corsa if I could justify their price.

Not sure I'd spend money on a driveshaft unless you add real power. Yeah, less rotational mass/weight, but... not gonna be night and day I don't think. Could be wrong, but... not where I'd spend my money first.

You will notice the difference with lighter wheels. It makes the far feel like it just "wants to roll". It's subtle but if you throw back on the stock wheels after driving the lighter ones for a while, you'll know what I'm talking about.

I like my Steeda stuff and recommend it all, but if you're wanting a great deal to resolve many rear IRS issues, don't forget the BMR cradle lockout. I didn't choose that because I wanted ultimately the Steeda bracing solution. Their IRS solution costs more and many will argue it costs more while accomplishing the same as a much cheaper BMR lockout. But I truly believe they were developed with different frames of mind. I'd get the BMR lockout if I was a drag strip junky. I just go to try and learn how to not suck balls at launching this car (coming from a Subaru which I could just dump it and go).

 

[c-rizzle]

Enough about drag racing!! I never plan on drag racing.

I know a lot of people on here enjoy it. But for me, I don't see fun in 12 seconds.

It would be like a race to see who could reach climax in sex fastest.... "oh I rammed it hard straight in.... for 12.3 seconds!!" (puts flame retardant suit on)

For me, I prefer a stretched out 20-30 minute session with side to sides, ups and downs, etc... then have a cigarette break. So much more fulfilling!

Anyway, you keep losing me going back & forth with track style. So is the BMR cradle lockout good for road courses?

Its weird, I see all of these people talking about missing gears. I think I missed a gear like once in my Porsche. Then my 14 GT was an automatic. So you (and others) have got me worried about the shifter.

Do I need to get the MGW Race Spec shifter? If I get that will I not need the transmission bushing, SS clutch line, upgraded clutch fluid, etc.?

 

[crs2879]

Enough about drag racing!! I never plan on drag racing.

I know a lot of people on here enjoy it. But for me, I don't see fun in 12 seconds.

It would be like a race to see who could reach climax in sex fastest.... "oh I rammed it hard straight in.... for 12.3 seconds!!" (puts flame retardant suit on)

For me, I prefer a stretched out 20-30 minute session with side to sides, ups and downs, etc... then have a cigarette break. So much more fulfilling!

Anyway, you keep losing me going back & forth with track style. So is the BMR cradle lockout good for road courses?

Its weird, I see all of these people talking about missing gears. I think I missed a gear like once in my Porsche. Then my 14 GT was an automatic. So you (and others) have got me worried about the shifter.

Do I need to get the MGW Race Spec shifter? If I get that will I not need the transmission bushing, SS clutch line, upgraded clutch fluid, etc.?

Stock shifter is not bad. However, I had a hard time making smooth 1-2 shifts. Until I saw on this board that others were having same issue, I though I had just forgotten how to shift....:doh: I have the Ford Racing short shifter and like it a lot. The shift action is much more precise. There is more driveline noise at low speeds but I don't mind the mechanical noise and it is not noticeable once up to cruising speed.

 

[wireeater]

Removing the clutch spring helps tremendously with 1-2 shift. It's a free mod too unless you want to replace it with the Steed spring. And it can be done in 5 minutes.

 

[Mike02z]

Removing the clutch spring helps tremendously with 1-2 shift. It's a free mod too unless you want to replace it with the Steed spring. And it can be done in 5 minutes.

I do not suggest remove the spring. Get a Steeda 35lb spring instead. Removing the spring can cause issues. The Steeda is less than 20 bucks.

 

[wireeater]

I do not suggest remove the spring. Get a Steeda 35lb spring instead. Removing the spring can cause issues. The Steeda is less than 20 bucks.

Where's the threads/write ups on how it can cause issues? I've seen it mentioned a few times but haven't actually seen anything proving it. I mean, I've only had mine off for 3500 miles but it's fine. There are plenty other people running without it as well for a lot longer without issues. I'm sure there have been a few isolated issues where someone had an issue with a clutch who happen to have the spring off and that' was the analysis. I'm just curious of seeing something that wasn't stated by people who make money selling parts.:cheers: I might pick one up eventually when I do some other mods or drive the car more.

 

[WarrENDeatH]

Good review. Well written.

Outstanding review! I concur with your narative:cheers:

Appreciate the comments!

Fair warning about that Kroger parking lot... Don't park there, ever! Carts fly. Had one slam into my 13 grabber blue but they wouldn't let me prove it.

There are some amazing roads up that way and it's impossible to get lost. As soon as I get my GTPP on Monday from Lebanon Ford I'm heading that way

Agreed. I live in mostly back areas, a lot of places to open up, if you're aware of police presence.

As for the Kroger, I usually park far away...or try!

Nice review.


I disagree about the interior. It was one of the main reasons why I bought the car. I hated the Camaro and Challengers interior. I figured that I'd be in the interior of the car most of the time driving and I'd better like it and .... I love it !!!

Nice Color Blue. I've always had Black Cars, Motorcycles and Guitars so I'm use to the idea of cleaning the car all the time. Heck I even wear black t shirts all the time and black scrubs to work

Interior isn't bad. I've just sat in MUCH nicer interiors but again, that was for MUCH more money.

Nice write-up! I always wondered how many BMW folks would end up giving the newly polished Mustang a try.

MPG- some folks do care (weird, right? ) but if your experience is like mine, the motor will loosen up and achieve slightly better gas mileage after a few thousand miles.

The new blue for '17 is just off the charts. I can't wait to see one in person.

The main thing about the Mustang over my BMW was bang for your buck. Performance is drastically different, as is the fun factor. It just felt like the right choice at this time.

 

[randotheking]

Removing the clutch spring helps tremendously with 1-2 shift. It's a free mod too unless you want to replace it with the Steed spring. And it can be done in 5 minutes.

Holy hell I picked my car up last night and that clutch spring is AWFUL! I can't feel the clutch grab at all. I can't wait to replace the spring, it's in the mail

 

[BmacIL]

Holy hell I picked my car up last night and that clutch spring is AWFUL! I can't feel the clutch grab at all. I can't wait to replace the spring, it's in the mail

Don't wait, just take the stock one out and enjoy driving for a few days before you get it. I put ~20,000 miles on my car w/o the spring and there's absolutely nothing wrong. The Steeda spring does feel better than no spring, though, IMO.

 

[c-rizzle]

Holy hell I picked my car up last night and that clutch spring is AWFUL! I can't feel the clutch grab at all. I can't wait to replace the spring, it's in the mail

I picked up mine today. Yeah the clutch is a little vague feeling. I'll be ordering the Steeda spring too.

Just "installed" my WeatherTech floormats and programmed my garage door opener. About to go take a little drive after dinner!!

 

[WarrENDeatH]

What benefit does the Steeda spring give? Just require more weight to activate the pedal?

 

[Jdenkevitz]

Don't wait, just take the stock one out and enjoy driving for a few days before you get it. I put ~20,000 miles on my car w/o the spring and there's absolutely nothing wrong. The Steeda spring does feel better than no spring, though, IMO.

If you get a Ford Racing Performance Pack, the lack of spring may cause issues due to No Lift shifting programing and the car thinking the clutch pedal is slightly engaged (thereby putting rev limiter in place). A few guys who pulled their springs were experiencing issues. Not sure if this was verified.....

 

[wildcatgoal]

What benefit does the Steeda spring give? Just require more weight to activate the pedal?

Makes the clutch operation a bit heavier to push down but it doesn't snap back at you like a lunatic ex-girlfriend, allowing you to actually control the damn thing.

 

[BmacIL]

Makes the clutch operation a bit heavier to push down but it doesn't snap back at you like a lunatic ex-girlfriend, allowing you to actually control the damn thing.

This, and you can feel the bite point.

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