FRPP Handling Package installed and impressions

[Toothless]

The front and rear struts are monotube and different damping rate to control the track springs.

They visually look similar except the are blue. The ride to me is not stiffer, and I actually enjoy the ride better, even putting handling asise.

This is the least lowering spring set I think there is. About 1 1/8" front and about 5/8" in rear. I don't scrape on anything. Well at least I haven't yet and I daily drive it.

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[TrackpackGT]

Toothless, I debated buying the SS 1LE over this car quite hard. Loved how it rode and drove except for the engine. It felt no where near as lively as the 5.0, and I'm a long time GM guy. Then they released the info on the new Camaro and said the standard SS will be faster on a track than the current 1LE. Problem for me is, and was a year ago, is that the Camaro is and was then about $4000-5500 more. That and I figured track times by a professional are gonna be quite different than a novice in both cars. I did my first HPDE event this year at Roebling Roads in Savannah in my 14 GT TP car and had a blast. I had bought Koni yellows and thought about replacing everything on my 14, but after seeing the numbers and driving the 15, I traded it in last week. I didn't want to find after replacing the springs and shocks that I couldn't deal with the ride as a DD and it still wouldn't be as good on a road course as a stock GT PP car. This 15 GT PP even feels stronger running, especially just rolling on the throttle during my daily drive.
Have you done track events in both the 1LE and your 15 GT? I was thinking subframe bushings, diff bushing insert, gtrac brace. I'm in Apex NC.

 

[Blk2015GT]

Toothless, I debated buying the SS 1LE over this car quite hard. Loved how it rode and drove except for the engine. It felt no where near as lively as the 5.0, and I'm a long time GM guy. Then they released the info on the new Camaro and said the standard SS will be faster on a track than the current 1LE. Problem for me is, and was a year ago, is that the Camaro is and was then about $4000-5500 more. That and I figured track times by a professional are gonna be quite different than a novice in both cars. I did my first HPDE event this year at Roebling Roads in Savannah in my 14 GT TP car and had a blast. I had bought Koni yellows and thought about replacing everything on my 14, but after seeing the numbers and driving the 15, I traded it in last week. I didn't want to find after replacing the springs and shocks that I couldn't deal with the ride as a DD and it still wouldn't be as good on a road course as a stock GT PP car. This 15 GT PP even feels stronger running, especially just rolling on the throttle during my daily drive.
Have you done track events in both the 1LE and your 15 GT? I was thinking subframe bushings, diff bushing insert, gtrac brace. I'm in Apex NC.

I wouldn't put much stock in what people "say" until the numbers are actually out. Just like they SAID the 2015 Mustang was going to lose all this weight and didn't.

It's also very hard to compare the performance of a stock Mustang GT to a 1LE, there will be a LARGE price difference. The 1LE was $3,500 over the old SS price, which is now base $37k. You're talking $41k for a base 1SS 1LE and $45,500 for the 2SS 1LE.

You can get a GTPP for $34,500. The Mustang will get you a lot more cash to mod to your specific needs; $5-10k

 

[TrackpackGT]

Yea, my 15 GT PP cost me at least $3000-4000 less than the "old" 15 1le. That's how I see it too, more mod money to spend.

 

[Toothless]

Toothless, I debated buying the SS 1LE over this car quite hard. Loved how it rode and drove except for the engine. It felt no where near as lively as the 5.0, and I'm a long time GM guy. Then they released the info on the new Camaro and said the standard SS will be faster on a track than the current 1LE. Problem for me is, and was a year ago, is that the Camaro is and was then about $4000-5500 more. That and I figured track times by a professional are gonna be quite different than a novice in both cars. I did my first HPDE event this year at Roebling Roads in Savannah in my 14 GT TP car and had a blast. I had bought Koni yellows and thought about replacing everything on my 14, but after seeing the numbers and driving the 15, I traded it in last week. I didn't want to find after replacing the springs and shocks that I couldn't deal with the ride as a DD and it still wouldn't be as good on a road course as a stock GT PP car. This 15 GT PP even feels stronger running, especially just rolling on the throttle during my daily drive.
Have you done track events in both the 1LE and your 15 GT? I was thinking subframe bushings, diff bushing insert, gtrac brace. I'm in Apex NC.

I never tracked the 1LE, although I took many mountain excursions. It was such a superbly balanced OEM suspensioned car. The 2015 GTPP as delivered is very poor in comparison, especially in suspension grip and steering response. The 1LE had crazy grip and almost perfect balance. The GTPP cars understeers badly and is very unnerving with its bouncy ride. Add the suspension mods in my signature, and you keep the great ride of the GT but get to a level very close to the 1LE if not better. I easily go 15 mph faster on the same curvy roads and don't even realize it with my setup now compared to the GTPP car when stock.

I cant see how anyone who cares about handling couldn't be very happy with the setup I have now.

And I agree the 5.0 is much more rev happy and livelier especially below 4k rpms. This maybe a function of the gearing differences with the 2 cars. My 1LE would do about 54 mph in 1st gear. The mustang tops out in the low to mid 30's in 1st gear. Huge mechanical gearing advantage (torque multiplier).

Brian

 

[TrackpackGT]

I drove a 1LE and they come with 3.90's, but it still wasn't enough to overcome the trans ratios I guess. WOT to WOT, they both run about the same numbers, but regular and spirited driving the 5.0 felt way better. Funny thing is, this PP car feels leagues better than my 14 GT trackpack car. I guess the 1LE is without a doubt a better track tool, but the 15 GT is the better daily driver. It's hard to have the best of both worlds. I'm 44 and don't quite drive like the freak I used to be, so that probably has something to do with how I feel about a car.
I will probably just start with the rear suspension bushings/inserts and a gtrac brace. One can usually piece together a better spring/shock combo that what the OEM offers and for less money. I will check out the FRPP kit, but it's probably above my budget for a while. Heck, I have a set of Koni yellows NIB for the 05-09 GT's where all you need is the GT500 mount for them to work that I need to sell........
What did you do with your 1LE? Is that the red one I saw for sale at the lot in Hickory?

 

[Toothless]

I sold mine to a guy in PA. It was red though.

The FRPP complete kit can be had for about $1100 to $1150 shipped. It's a bargain I think.

 

[TrackpackGT]

I just found that. In previous FRPP handling packs, the shocks were the weak point. Quite a few folks who spend time on the track and those who retailed Tokicos didn't speak too highly of them and recommended Koni SRT's or yellows. Hopefully these shocks are stepped way up in quality and performance.
Mike

 

[BrimstoneBill]

I also installed the FRPP and have the exact same experience you guys did - fantastic handling and road feel. Since I was going to have the car up on jack stands in my driveway, I figured I'd do just about everything at once. Installed the Steeda IRS subframe bushing supports, alignment inserts, differential bushing supports(black), transmission bushing insert, and the Steeda shifter base bushing bracket along with the FR touring cat back. I had to have the upgraded bushing in the knuckle done at the Ford dealer.
The bounce is gone! This is the way the car should be with the PP.

 

[leszek]

How long did it take you to install everything?

 

[BrimstoneBill]

How long did it take you to install everything?

My car was up on jack stands for 3 days. It took me a couple hours at the start just to figure out the best places to lift it and where to place the stands. I probably worked on it 6-8 hours each day, including the times I had to go buy a tool or something. I ran into an issue with getting the rear subframe bolts to catch properly after the Steeda alignment sleeves were installed. It took me a while to get the bolts lined up properly for the threads to catch.

For someone with experience installing these and has a garage with a lift and all the proper tools would obviously not take so long.

 

[RoadDog]

I am amazed at how little information there is about the specifics of this package..
Not at any of the web sites (Ford Racing or otherwise) are the sway bar diameters defined, shock info, etc.... Any folks here who bought this package can share sway bar sizes?
I noted the price has dropped to around $900.00 + shipping today..
Thanks in advance...!

 

[fogus]

I've got a connection with a guy in Ford SHO. I might be able to send some well formed questions his way. Let me know what exactly I should ask.

 

[RoadDog]

That would be great!
Sway bar diameters to begin with would be helpful.......(Shocks are a different subject)
I really like the Ford Racing package but there's so little detail..
I have already made bad decisions with suspension combinations on other cars and I'm trying to avoid that here..

Thanks!

 

[leszek]

I noted the price has dropped to around $900.00 + shipping today..

where did you see it?

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