Educate Me Please / GT350 vs GT Performance Pack

[BmacIL]

I want to thank everyone for the good info. It seems that I am going to have to cut cost somewhere else and spend the extra money to afford the track pack. This will be my first v8 car and American car purchased.

Does anyone know more or less, and estimate of how much money a 15 lap session can cost in total, fee, tires, fuel, brakes, etc? I am trying to put a budget together down the road for actually taking the car to the track and I am a complete newbie, except for some sessions in go karts.

Track days are typically in the range of $250-350, though these new SCCA track night in America things are cheaper. I'd recommend getting three 5 gallon gas cans so you don't have to leave the track when you need to fill up mid day. You should be able to go at least a season on brake pads, if not more. Same for tires (probably two seasons of a few track days each).

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[krt22]

I want to thank everyone for the good info. It seems that I am going to have to cut cost somewhere else and spend the extra money to afford the track pack. This will be my first v8 car and American car purchased.

Does anyone know more or less, and estimate of how much money a 15 lap session can cost in total, fee, tires, fuel, brakes, etc? I am trying to put a budget together down the road for actually taking the car to the track and I am a complete newbie, except for some sessions in go karts.

On big, heavy, high performance cars like the GT350 you could easily eclipse $1000 a day in consumables once you really break it down, it will really depend on your skill level and how hard you push the car

Daily fees
Entrance fee-$150-$300
Gas (at the track)-$100+
Gas (to/from track)-depends on distance
Food
Hotel (if you do a weekend at a distant track)

Consumables, how fast you need to change will depend on your pace and track style. Could be just a few days out of each, could be once a season, really hard to say

Tires-$1200-$2000 a set depending on pace/type
Brake Pads-$250+ /Set
Brake Rotors-$400-500+ /set
Oil/fluid changes-$100+

 

[bpracer]

Back on track(!) to OPs enquiry

I'll keep updating this as a I see information.

Latest changes, k brace included in both, radiators are the same (at least by capacity 14.4L), shock info for base GT350

 

[Strokerswild]

Diff on PP is also Torsen, also 3.73....

 

[bpracer]

Diff on PP is also Torsen, also 3.73....

Yeah, but the literature says the bias on the Torsen is different. (updated the chart)

 

[F1-R]

Found this:
Hot laps (w/great video and sounds)


Just came across this video from Winding Road Magazine. The video is not new but for some reason I have only seen small pieces of their track footage until know. I think it has great feedback from the driver and makes me rethink about opting for the Track Package even though its not a must have for me. However, it seems that the MangeRide along with the Integrated Driver Control (IDC) system will create a different level of experience. Something very important to consider. I haven't read much talk about this IDC.

So if this is old news or if I am bringing something already covered, let me know I will edit my post. Thank you.

 

[F1-R]

Track Package decision

I am getting a Base GT350 instead of the Track pack. I will never track this car, I am simply going to have a blast around town for a year or two. I never tracked my Boss and didn't go to the free track day experience - just not in my genes yet. I follow Nascar and go to races often, I just don't have the urge to race myself yet. My case may be a bit dissimilar from yours. I am paying a $5k mark up. So after the mark up, paying an additional $6500 for the track pack makes the car less of a "value" for my personal goals. The Boss has been the most rewarding experience when you consider cost and fun factor. I paid $42ish for the Boss and will be paying $55ish for the Shelby. If I'm you and can afford it, I would say thank Ford for the $3k discount and use it to get the Track Pack - depending on your view of resale, I bet you'd get close to even money if you had track pack (I think magneride is here to stay for Ford).

PS - If you start a GoFundMe or something, I'd like to thank you for your service and would personally donate $100 to you for the track pack. What do you guys say? Can we thank a gentleman for his service and throw a couple bucks his way?

I just read your message. Thank you so much for your kind words At the current moment I am going with the base model only, but temptation could get the best of me and I may end up spending the extra cash since I know myself, and I don't want to look back and have regrets. But at least with all the good info I received from the members here, I'm 100% confident that the Track Package will be the icing and not something I really need

 

[Mountain376]

It seems that the base GT350 dampers are a Hitachi/Tokico (Hitachi owns Tokico and uses the name in aftermarket) variant that is none-adjustable.

 

[licktensteins]

It seems that the base GT350 dampers are a Hitachi/Tokico (Hitachi owns Tokico and uses the name in aftermarket) variant that is none-adjustable.

Do you happen to have a source for this information that you can share?

Tokico isn't a bad name, but definitely not along the lines of a Bilstein or Koni.

 

[nastang87xx]

Do you happen to have a source for this information that you can share?

Tokico isn't a bad name, but definitely not along the lines of a Bilstein or Koni.

For what it's worth, I've had two sets of Koni shocks go out on me very prematurely but both times they were STR.T's. Seems like their street stuff is just garb but my Sports are perfectly fine. Just my own observations.

 

[cjgt350]

A couple others to think about if upgrading is Viking and JRi. I know they are developing S550 products. I would place either above Koni/Tokico particularly the JRi's but you get what you pay for as they say.

http://vi-king.com/Products.html

http://www.jrishocks.com/shop/street/s197-mustang/

 

[Toothless]

Stock Mustang GT PP car: $35,610
Ford Racing Handling package: $1100
Wheels $1800
Tires $900
Steeda Xtreme G-Trac Brace: $160
BMR Tech Cradle Brace $160
Sold PP wheels and tires - $1100

Total: $38,630

With this price you can have a car that will compete with the base gt350 handling wise. But still 85 hp down. Will need intake, tune, and full exhaust to make the power and need a very nice dealer to make sure you still have warranty. IMO, the GT Performance Package has a lot of nice upgrades, but needs a few more to make it really shine. I think the GT350 even in base form is a better starting point for those that have the $$$, to pay the difference. And it has those nice front fenders and front end also. If I didn't have 3 kids, 4 dogs, 2 cats, and 2 guinea pigs, then I would probably have a GT350 too.

 

[GTtreefiddy]

Stock Mustang GT PP car: $35,610
Ford Racing Handling package: $1100
Wheels $1800
Tires $900
Steeda Xtreme G-Trac Brace: $160
BMR Tech Cradle Brace $160
Sold PP wheels and tires - $1100

Total: $38,630

With this price you can have a car that will compete with the base gt350 handling wise. But still 85 hp down. Will need intake, tune, and full exhaust to make the power and need a very nice dealer to make sure you still have warranty. IMO, the GT Performance Package has a lot of nice upgrades, but needs a few more to make it really shine. I think the GT350 even in base form is a better starting point for those that have the $$$, to pay the difference. And it has those nice front fenders and front end also. If I didn't have 3 kids, 4 dogs, 2 cats, and 2 guinea pigs, then I would probably have a GT350 too.

I agree - the GT w/ PP is at a great price point that would allow for some upgrades when working with a GT350 budget, and it gives you the option to get the nice electronics without sacrificing Recaros.

That being said - I don't think it could compete with the powerplant and the aesthetics front of the A-pillar, ability to easily fit wider rubber, and the GT350 nameplate.

Tough choice... I'll be in the market in a year. My decision will hinge largely on what the ADM looks like at that time since I'd be stretching a bit for the base GT350 as it is.

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