High Performance Ecoboost vs Performance Pack GT

[mustang5o]

2018 PP2 301A, active exhaust, and Recaros. A little over 4 years and 21K now, and it puts a smile on my face every time I fire it up. I can’t imagine a Mustang with anything but a V8. The active exhaust is glorious. I also have a 2013 F-150 with the 3.5 TT, intake, down pipes, and full cat back. It will beat a lot of cars from stop light to stop light with a boosted 4x4 launch (including my GT). But that wonderful exhaust note of the Coyote just can’t be beat.

The active exhaust is awesome. Your right that exhaust note can't be beat. I have it in quiet mode from 10PM - 8AM but when I'm driving out of the neighborhood (even at 6 in the morning) I usually flip it to track mode.

Is yours Lightning Blue? My 19 PP2 only has a hair under 9K miles but a decent amount of track time is included in that. Hopefully in a few years I'm gonna make it a semi-dedicated track car.

I got a 1 year newer car but you have a 1 year newer truck. I have a 12 FX4 with the 5.0L in SGM. My 3-5 year plan includes a truck upgrade to either 3.5 TT or the hybrid with the big battery to power my house . Well, and a second "street" Mustang (that will likely still see some track time). Unless I decide to get a Miata or GR86/FRS/BRZ as a dedicated track car to save on consumables.

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[IronG]

I gotta disagree here.

Setting aside the hatch-back/4-door part, the Mustang is a much larger and heavier car. A Mustang also isn't a Sports Car, in the traditional sense. It's a GT, or Grand Tourer. It's for 2 people and tons of luggage, on long trips. Space, pace and grace.

A Golf R is a much smaller/lighter car, closer to what a real Sports Car should be, as represented by a Miata.

Ok so we agree on at least two things....the Mustang is larger and heavier. I agree in part with your sports car statement when compared to other "sporty" cars....like a vette or 911 for instance, but the S550 to me is much more sports car then any VW. I say this, because the Mustang design is sport first and anything else far far less. The Golf is designed for getting grocieries. The great thing about the MQB design is that they can stretch it to fill many different uses. The Golf R is still a Golf, but with a different drivetrain and some suspension bits. Those changes do transform it from a decent hatchback to a very capable "sports" car, but it really isn't a Miata or GR86.

In the end, the Mustang and R performance wise are pretty much the same in stock form. You can certainly separate the two with uprades and displacement will factor in at some point. Wet traction is probably the one area the R has that would be the hardest to overcome with the Mustang.

As for utility and just 2 people, not sure where you find that the Mustang would be better. With the seats down or up the R has a lot more space. It also can handle larger items better since the space is a big box rather than L shaped. My R32 has less space then the newest R's but I can fit a lot more and easier into it than I can in my GT. I will say the GT still has pretty impressive usable space for a fastback coupe, but really is not in the same zip code as the golf. Maybe you meant it differently?

Lastly, the interior. To me, the R has better quality materials, more modern electronics and just a more upclass feel. My Mustang with 401a interior is certainly not bad, but it is only a fairly minor step up from my R32 which is 14 years old now (yikes!).

Don't get me wrong, I love my Mustang, but I love it for what it is, not what it ain't. Dollar for Dollar it is a great buy and the one thing it has the the R cannot touch is the sound and feel of power when you stomp on the go peddle. That is the Mustang's greatest strength....its exterior is another, but for me a close 2nd to the rummmmmble! This is why I really would choose the R over a Mustang Eco unless you wanted the Mustang style, IMHO the R is better in almost every other way.

 

[Silver Bullitt]

The active exhaust is awesome. Your right that exhaust note can't be beat. I have it in quiet mode from 10PM - 8AM but when I'm driving out of the neighborhood (even at 6 in the morning) I usually flip it to track mode.

Is yours Lightning Blue? My 19 PP2 only has a hair under 9K miles but a decent amount of track time is included in that. Hopefully in a few years I'm gonna make it a semi-dedicated track car.

I got a 1 year newer car but you have a 1 year newer truck. I have a 12 FX4 with the 5.0L in SGM. My 3-5 year plan includes a truck upgrade to either 3.5 TT or the hybrid with the big battery to power my house . Well, and a second "street" Mustang (that will likely still see some track time). Unless I decide to get a Miata or GR86/FRS/BRZ as a dedicated track car to save on consumables.

Yes, Lightning Blue. My 21K has seen about 2 track days per season and about 30 1/4 mile passes. My truck is a beast. The 3.5 TT is stout, particularly with the mods. But, it has 190K on it now. I just bought a 2022 Ram Rebel with the 5.7. I wanted one more V8 before they are gone. I will say though, the 3.5 TT is quicker and pulls much stronger than the 5.7 (even in stock form if I can remember). I’m currently keeping both. I’m having a hard time parting with the F-150, even though the Ram is a nicer truck overall.

 

[GR1MxREAPER]

So the ecoboost is 200lbs lighter but has less power? Lots of people say they are lighter and are more nimble or fun. The power to weight ratio is still better on the GT so i don’t get the whole more Nimble and lighter feeling thing. ( I know the engine is lighter but adding an intercooler and turbo plumbing etc I think they are closer in weights then a guy thinks. Also everyone who says they are way cheaper must not be buying the ecoboost most guys want. (HPP and handling pack.)To get an ecoboost premium with the HPP and handling pack and auto trans it’s like $50,000 lol.. that’s crazy I didn’t know they raised the price that much. To get a GT premium with auto and PP it’s like $53,000. So unless you want a base ecoboost the HPP and handling packs are crazy expensive. Either way test drive both and pick which one you have more fun in, that’s what you should do. Like others have said already the GT with active exhaust is the most addictive sound ever lol.. I got long tubes now and to be able to put it in quiet mode and still road-trip in the car and have a fairly tame exhaust but also still be able to put it in track mode and have a car that sounds like an trophy truck is hilariously fun lol..

After some research it seems
That engine weights are:

-2.3 engine with turbo (no intercooler) -418
-5.0 engine - 445

 

[Bikeman315]

Also everyone who says they are way cheaper must not be buying the ecoboost most guys want. (HPP and handling pack.)To get an ecoboost premium with the HPP and handling pack and auto trans it’s like $50,000 lol.. that’s crazy I didn’t know they raised the price that much. To get a GT premium with auto and PP it’s like $53,000.

Apples to apples a base Ecoboost with the 101A package, HPP & handling package has a sticker of $40,255 with destination. A comparable GT would be $51,060 (301A, PP, AE & MagneRide). So its not just a few thousand dollars. That delta would remain even if you loaded up premium models. Bottom line is that a GT costs a lot more. Always has.

 

[Scootsmcgreggor]

After some research it seems
That engine weights are:

-2.3 engine with turbo (no intercooler) -418
-5.0 engine - 445

What is the source of these weights. Having done a swap from EB to Coyote I can say that the weight differential is much more than 25lbs. I did not weigh both but the strain on the engine hoist was noticeably more with the coyote. Also my engine bay used to be 50% empty and now its full of metal. Certainly more than 25lbs. I think the quoted 150-200lbs is about right.

 

[Bikeman315]

After some research it seems
That engine weights are:
-2.3 engine with turbo (no intercooler) -418
-5.0 engine - 445

The individual engine weight doesn’t matter, the total car weight does. In this case all that extra weight is off the front end so yes it does make a noticeable difference. I’ve owned them both but, that said, I’ll keep my V8.

 

[AvalancheSVT]

After some research it seems
That engine weights are:

-2.3 engine with turbo (no intercooler) -418
-5.0 engine - 445

better mount both exhaust manifolds if you wanna throw that turbo weight in there.

there's just no way an engine with twice the cams, twice the heads, twice the pistons, twice the rods, twice the valve cover, 4 times the injectors, twice the plugs... is only 27 lbs more.

I bet one head with its cams is more than that difference alone.

 

[IPOGT]

No, it is actually very good for hard driving, all the performance Mustangs are equipped with it, including that black HPP in the picture you posted. A few suspension mods and it is really good. 5.0 or HPP they are both fun cars, can't go wrong with either. I chose a HPP HP 6sp because I already own several V8 Mustangs so was curious about the HPP, and I'm very happy with it, I autocross it regularly in CAM-C and it does very well with a not so experienced driver.

I never drove the HPP Ecobeast but I’d imagine it would be a blast without all the extra weight slogging the front along ……that is, until you hit the straights. There again, there’s always someone faster (Looking at you GT500)Life’s all about compromise, right? I’d probably want the GT if only a weekend car and would probably lean much towards the HPP if you preferred road courses and would be willing to sacrifice a bit of power to get that “dance with the car” feeling some may not be able to relate to.

 

[GR1MxREAPER]

The individual engine weight doesn’t matter, the total car weight does. In this case all that extra weight is off the front end so yes it does make a noticeable difference. I’ve owned them both but, that said, I’ll keep my V8.

Everyone always says the ecoboost weight loss is all motor so i typed in google and found some specs from people doing swaps what the weights were. That’s all. I don’t mean to argue or anything. Both cars are amazing cars..

 

[GR1MxREAPER]

better mount both exhaust manifolds if you wanna throw that turbo weight in there.

there's just no way an engine with twice the cams, twice the heads, twice the pistons, twice the rods, twice the valve cover, 4 times the injectors, twice the plugs... is only 27 lbs more.

I bet one head with its cams is more than that difference alone.

Just going off weights found on google of guys who weighed then when doing swaps. Type it in in google and read the forums and specs? That’s all. I am not trying to start an argument, I was just asking why everyone says they are way way lighter when the car is only 200lbs lighter . That is options. If you option out a ecoboost and have less options or a base gt they are almost equal weight, either way they are both great cars.. wasn’t trying to start a war lol..

 

[GR1MxREAPER]

What is the source of these weights. Having done a swap from EB to Coyote I can say that the weight differential is much more than 25lbs. I did not weigh both but the strain on the engine hoist was noticeably more with the coyote. Also my engine bay used to be 50% empty and now its full of metal. Certainly more than 25lbs. I think the quoted 150-200lbs is about right.

Type In the question in google and it shows the weight of the 5.0. For the ecoboost I got it off forums of guys swapping the motor after it blew up or doing upgrades. I’m sure the added weight is in the cats/manifolds/etc? Not sure.. either way both great cars. Not trying to start a war of ecoboost vs gt.. lol

 

[FreePenguin]

Power graph?

I posted the Cobb link, thats a good graph, because it shows stock intercooler then upgraded IC for dynes on their tunes.

 

[shogun32]

So the ecoboost is 200lbs lighter but has less power? Lots of people say they are lighter and are more nimble or fun.

they are. It's plain as day when you jump from one to the other and back again like I do.

Also everyone who says they are way cheaper must not be buying the ecoboost most guys want. (HPP and handling pack.)

practically NOBODY buys that configuration.

 

[GR1MxREAPER]

they are. It's plain as day when you jump from one to the other and back again like I do.


practically NOBODY buys that configuration.

People buy the ecoboost with less horsepower? . I guess thats the first I’ve heard of people not wanting the more powerful version. I didn’t know that. Either way, buy whatever you like better… it’s going to be the OP’s car not any of ours.

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