How will the specs affect your decision?

[Pabo]

Mustang is already the lightest out of its main competitors. It can stand to not lose weight and will outperform with just the new front/rear suspension. In a few years when Chevy fires back with a lighter Camaro it is a bit of playing catchup. By then Ford can then make use of more aluminum in the body in future refreshes. Its the same old cat and mouse game between the two, no one is knocking anyone out, more like a tug of war.

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[Taneras]

Ford said the GT PP will be as fast as the boss.
Big whoop... the Boss is slower than the heavy as fuuuuck 1LE where it matters to me - on the track.
So assuming that GM's 6th gen fbody will be even faster than the 5th gen, the S550 better be a LOT faster than the last boss.
Just my .02.

//edit: Maybe I need to clarify, that my main reason to be interested in the S550 was my (outdated) assumption, that the S197 was a better handling car than the zeta Camaro. It was a few years ago, but it isn't now.
Right now I'd buy a zeta over the current GT TP ANY DAY. So Ford needs to hit a home-run on the pony to get my coin.

//edit2: Can't vote btw. No option is applicable.
I don't care about the ratings, I want to know lap times, that will be the deciding factor (along with price).

Ford said faster, not as fast as. Also where do you track your car?

 

[5.0 Coyote]

99% of Mustang buyers will NEVER see a track or DRAG STRIP,so what does it really mater, and street racing is a BIG no no,we can"t use all the power that the Mustang GT has now,so all this hoopla as to who is faster,lighter quicker means what, bragging rights and who really cares if you like GM buy it, if you like Ford buy that, drive it and enjoy it,the rest is just plain BS.

 

[VIN666]

In MI.

 

[VIN666]

The PP GT has to beat a 1LE in all areas right out of the gate or it will be bad news for Mustang fans.

My point exactly.
The GT PPs target shouldn't be the boss, it should be the 1LE.

 

[spectremotorsports]

I track my car out at IMR in Arizona, and a handful of other tracks in the sopac region.

Honestly weight hasnt ever been the thing that's been holding the mustang back on the track. It's that damn suspension and the brakes. If this IRS set up is as good as they say it is and they've eliminated that nosedive then I can't see this car having much problem beating the 1le


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[VIN666]

There are plenty of solid rear axle cars that will outhandle both the 1LE and the coming GT PP... It's all a matter of execution and how determined they are to make this car a track demon.
From what I've seen, at least the brakes seem to be an issue of the past.
The tires we have seen so far, ar a joke though. Huge ass wheels with skinny rubber.
At least with what's known FOR NOW - tire advantage -> 1LE.

 

[spectremotorsports]

There are plenty of solid rear axle cars that will outhandle both the 1LE and the coming GT PP... It's all a matter of execution and how determined they are to make this car a track demon.
From what I've seen, at least the brakes seem to be an issue of the past.
The tires we have seen so far, ar a joke though. Huge ass wheels with skinny rubber.
At least with what's known FOR NOW - tire advantage -> 1LE.

Agreed on the tire advantage. As far as a live axle setup that outperforms on the track you'll run into two problems. One that kind of setup is quite expensive (I've run a vintage boss with one and the cost is outrageous) and two this is a road car, a live axle purpose built to out handle irs cars on the track is going to be unreasonably stiff on the road, some of us wouldn't mind stiff but the majority of consumers aren't going to want that.


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[VIN666]

Agreed. That's why I said it depends on your determination ;)
Also, some of the old coil spring cars can be turned into surprisingly track capable cars quite easily.
But with the new Mustang the days of live axle cars are officially over I suppose :(
At least for production vehicles.

Sorry, OT...

 

[SVTDSM]

This mustang has definitely attracted more road course guys than previous generations. (especially on this forum)
That being said, people that are actually going to put there car on a race track are still the minority.

The current mustang is already faster in a straight line than the Camaro, and this one will surely be faster. That, coupled with the fact the ford already said that they were going to BEAT a Boss LS around the track, should be enough to make everyone happy.

If i had to bet though, my money would be on the S550 vs 1le on the track.

 

[crazyfastfreddy]

ill let you know how i feel after they release the stats

but hoping for at least 50lbs loss and at least 440hp.

 

[Whiskey11]

Agreed on the tire advantage. As far as a live axle setup that outperforms on the track you'll run into two problems. One that kind of setup is quite expensive (I've run a vintage boss with one and the cost is outrageous) and two this is a road car, a live axle purpose built to out handle irs cars on the track is going to be unreasonably stiff on the road, some of us wouldn't mind stiff but the majority of consumers aren't going to want that.


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Expensive, can be, too stiff, hell no. I ran around with 440lbs/in front springs and 200lbs/in rear springs on coilovers and it rode as well as stock if not better. Firm, but not unbearable. Hell, a lot of drag racers are buying 200lbs/in rear springs to help launch the car some. Right now I'm at 550/275 and while it is firm, it is really at the upper limit for what most enthusiasts would consider acceptable. My dad never commented about the 440/200 setup. He finally noticed I changed the spring rates at 550/275 and my dad HATES stiff riding cars. Even my Steeda Sports at 200lbs/in front 175lbs/in rears made a substantial improvement in how the car handled in autocross and those are barely stiffer than stock.

It also doesn't take much to make real big gains on the S197 chassis. A $140 PHB with better bushings takes about 60% of the "live axle woes" over bumps away. A good set of lowering springs (Steeda Sports) and some good dampers and some negative camber really transform these cars into quite capable streetable track machines for not much money. Please don't confuse your vintage Boss with an S197 car... not even CLOSE to the same costs or setup for a live axle.

You can really go sky is the limits with a live axle but there are advantages to it as well. I've got options to tune the car how I want it (within a specific driving style) and those modifications are relatively easy to make and relatively inexpensive to make. If I want more bite on launch a set of LCA relocation brackets does it. If I want less lateral movement of the axle a rod ended PHB or a watts link takes care of it. Good luck getting significantly more launch bite and %AS out of an IRS without paying out your ass for a new rear subframe.

Also, don't forget that a Brembo GT (not even a track pack GT) ran nearly identical times around Streets of Willow (not a friendly track for heavy, live axle cars) as an M3 with the competition package on it. No small task given how much "better" the M3 is than any Mustang. It's not even a power track either.

Anyway, what I'm getting at is people make a pretty big deal out of the "live axle" on the current generation as holding the car back. That isn't true when you know how to drive a car with one and how to setup a car with one. I've embarrassed plenty of IRS equipped cars that are "superior" to my 2009 Mustang GT in an autocross environment where my power does not provide me a significant advantage.

 

[68fbjjz109]

I think it had to do with the fact every review of the car mentions how archaic the live axle is... or the car handles well inspite of its live axle...

 

[VIN666]

I am pro live axle.
The Problem that Ford has right now, is that GM is the first domestic OEM to use real tires on their cars.
And stock vs stock the skinny ass potz around rubber on the stangs won't hold a candle to the 1LE wheels that look almost like an aftermarket fitment. LOL
This trend seems to continue in the Mustang's next generation.

I hope some mag is going to run a track comparison on real tires. Aka hoosiers on both cars.
THAT would tell the story a lot better than stock vs. stock.

 

[spectremotorsports]

If they weren't so damned expensive I would say ford should offer continentals as a tire option.


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