Boston23's Ingot Silver GT Journal

[Boston23]

Car looks great! Any comments regarding how the car handles stock v/s with the springs?

I need to get the car back on the rack to correct the toe on the passenger rear. I have a little more than 300 miles since the install and alignment and the ride is the same as OEM with less roll in the turns. It’s more of an aesthetics mod with my minimal performance but that said, there’s no downside other than the need for an alignment.

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[Boston23]

Installed the DCTMS carbon/leather wheel. A significant improvement over the OEM wheel. It feels as good as it looks.

 

[Boston23]

Getting ready for pollen season. I returned the Covercraft cover I received as a gift as it didn’t fit over the track pack rear spoiler. Found a used GT350 cover on Ebay. Fits perfectly.

 

[Boston23]

Installed a set of Roush axle backs. Not sure why I had convinced myself that I needed a full cat back system. I should have bought them sooner. If I think I need it in the future, I’ll pick up a Magnaflow tru x resonated x pipe to pair up to the mufflers. Very good tone throughout the range and I’ll see if the tone changes any after a few hundred miles. Obviously nothing over the top or obnoxious, just a nice tone. Pretty nice cold start too! Some tips if you’re installing alone. Wrap the OEM tips and support the muffler with a jack stand before you start cutting. It will prevent the tip from hitting the valance and also eliminate the hanging weight with the stand. I also left the bags on the Roush tips so there were less finger prints and smudges to clean up. I used the jack stand again on the install to get the tips even or as close as I could. Still need to tweak them.

 

[Boston23]

So last night, I installed the Roush Axle Back Mufflers and today I installed the CAI. I’ve already ordered the air box lid from Roush that comes standard for the 18 & 19 MY’s so I can seal the air box. I know that it actually fits the air box but not sure if I have clearance when the hood is down so I’ll find out next week when the lid arrives. I’m waiting for my laptop battery to charge so I can upload the tune next. Weather sucks again today so I’ll likely drive it tomorrow. The OEM air box comes out in one piece after you remove one bolt and disconnect the hoses. The CAI was installed in about 20 minutes but I already had the sound tube removed. It’s a tight fit with the Ford Racing Oil Separator which I had to remove and reinstall so I could get the hose connected to the intake tube.

 

[Boston23]

I uploaded the Roush tune this afternoon. If you go this route, you need Windows. I was a bit frustrated as the Chromebook with IE tabs and the MacBook with windows downloaded would not work with the RDT site. I finally gave in after 2 hours and bought the cheapest laptop with Windows 10 ($120). Overall, happy with the car.

 

[Boston23]

Received the cover lid earlier this week but wanted to run the car without it to see what the IAT’s were. Without the lid the IAT was 4-6 above ambient while I was moving. After a hard run and at a complete stop it was as high as 129 with and ambient of 59. I installed the lid which fits perfectly but haven’t driven it yet. I did start it and any difference regarding intake noise is negligible. I could barely hear it when the air box was open and the hood closed. With the lid on, even less. The air/fuel ratio is the same which is a good thing. Wasn’t sure if there would be any difference after sealing it. I’ve already started the St Patrick’s Day celebrating so I’ll drive it again tomorrow and see what the IAT is but I suspect, as noted above, it will be similar to the OEM air box.

 

[Boston23]

Installed the Velossa Tech Big Mouth.

 

[Boston23]

With the intake lid cover on and the Velossa Big Mouth, the IAT is consistently at 2-3 degrees above ambient when moving. I’m hoping it stays this consistent when the ambient increases significantly. The biggest difference with the cover in place is at extended stops where the IAT would previously spike as high 60-70 degrees above are now less than 20 degrees.

 

[Boston23]

Installed a set of Sullivan pedals. Far from the easiest mod I’ve done. I got these about three months ago, started with the accelerator pedal which is the easiest to install after you remove the pedal. Yesterday I did the clutch pedal and today I finished the brake and dead pedal.

 

[Boston23]

Figured out that the tach and speedo trim rings are removable. Ford doesn’t sell the trim separately but if you find a used instrument cluster surround with broken tabs, you can pull rings. Painting, wrapping and hydro dipping are all options if you’re not a fan of chrome. Or there is the GT 350 trim. If you are going to pull the trim, put tape at the 12:00 mark as the clips and guides are specific and it will make the install easier.

 

[Boston23]

Picked up new boot, trim ring and reverse lock out collar. Was never thrilled with the chrome trim that the GT’s came with. AV8OR sold me the Barton reverse lock out collar and I picked up the leather boot with gray French stitching from Ebay. Figured now was a good time to swap out the base ring as well. Was able to find one without SYNC. Thought about wrapping it but this works just as well. I’ll pull the console next weekend when I get the cup holder trim.

 

[Boston23]

Last week, I replaced the shift boot, trim plate and OEM reverse lock out. I had also picked up a matching E brake cover and was waiting on a few parts from EBay. I pulled the console last night and made the swaps. Happy to have chrome trim removed.

 

[Boston23]

Also got around to installing the Diode Dynamics clear side markers. I prefer the clear side markers as it works with white and silver cars.

 

[Boston23]

Finished wrapping the dash trim pieces and added the Oil Pressure/Oil Temp center gauges. Also pulled my door panels and swapped out the chrome handles.

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