Looking for upgrade suggestions :)

[NorthernMuscle]

I'm pretty happy with my current setup relative to what it cost me, but interested in your thoughts on what I should consider doing to do next, if I wanted to turn up the fun factor?

This 2015 GTPP is my third Mustang, but first S550. Stock power was as expected, but was very disappointed with the handling... so I focused on that a year or so ago. My current upgrades are listed below, which mostly focus on making it a better handling street car.

Although the supercharger on my previous 08 Roush Stage3 was the most fun part of that car, and although a few hundred HP would definitely turn up the fun factor on this car, I'm a bit hesitant to go down the path of adding a SC... partly due to the cost, but mostly due to the slippery slope of associated upgrades which start getting recommended (drive/half shafts, etc, etc.) that I'd get sucked into buying. I like balance, so I'm not that guy who would be happy with 800hp in a stock GT.

It's also more my style to hold off on something like big power upgrades for a 5yr old daily driver with 50,000kms, and just get a GT350 or something similar in a few years, with that extra power already "built in".

The weakest points of my setup (for my preferences) would be:
- suspension travel (although I'm not looking to replace the shocks/struts I already put on). The handling when within travel is great. The setup and alignment is far better than most. I only wish I'd gone with options that gave more overall travel.
- power (although I'm not that keen on going down that slippery slope with 5yr old daily driver)

I've had this car for 1.5yrs, and plan to replace it in 1-3yrs. That "something" will either be a newer GT that I mod the heck out of, or something along the lines of a GT350, that's more purpose built for higher fun factor, but still has upgrade potential. Personally I find it to be a difficult balance, since there are parts of a GT350/500 that I'm pretty sure I'd still want to upgrade, but on the other end of the spectrum, if you buy a stock GT, there's too much to replace, and in the middle, someone like me buying a GT PP ends up paying extra for all kinds of parts that still suck relative to aftermarket options.

Any feedback is much appreciated (even if it's to just sit tight, or to get a SC, or to get a different car lol)

Thanks!


BMR:
SP083 Springs (Love them after trying their softer springs, and Eibach's common lowering springs)
Front/Rear Sway Bars & End Links
K-Brace
Vertical Links
Rear Toe Links
IRS Cradle Bushing Lockout (must have upgrade)
Jacking Rails

Steeda:
Adjustable Pro-Action Shocks/Struts
Rear Shock Mounts
Bump Steer Kit
IRS Cradle Alignment Inserts
Clutch Return Spring (must have upgrade)

Roush:
Axle-Backs
Cold Air Intake
ECU Flash

Other:
Mishimoto H-Pipe
Maximum Motorsports Caster Camber Plates
RTR Tech7 20" staggered wheels (love these for their weight saving over 19" PP wheels, and for their $$ value)
F=275/ R=295 /35/20 Pilot Super Sports
Barton Hybrid-3 shifter (LOVE the fun factor this added!)
Whiteline Transmission Bushing Insert
FP Knuckle To Toe Link Bearing
Aggressive street/mild(ish) track alignment
For those that don't know, this PP came from factory with Brembo brakes, and 3.73 rear

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[NorthernMuscle]

After writing the above, I'm thinking the title could have also been "Should I just get a Shelby 350"

It also got me thinking about the things I'd do differently if I ever upgraded a regular GT again. In case anyone reading this is going through a similar process:
- Coil over suspension.
- I've never been happy with the exhaust. I tried a Roush X-Pipe, then went to the Mishimoto as an easy fix. Next time I'd likely get something more like the Corsa Xtreme cat-back. Ideal would be to have that perfect sound, along with an active way of dialing it down when needed.
- The regular GT seats are lacking for support in corners...but I don't know if I could live without heated/cooled

I have a friend with a 2016 GT350, but my concern would be getting one thinking that it's a better overall package than it actually is... The downside to my GT is there's too much stuff that needs to be upgraded to keep it balanced. Is a downside to the GT350 that it's too specialised to easily upgrade the weak spots? or is it just balanced enough to not have weak spots? I love the Mustang, but also acknowledge that Ford still cuts corners, and under engineers parts compared to competitors of the German persuasion.

Another reason I'd have a hard time actually buying a 350 is after laying out that $$$, you still have a car that starts feeling very old after 40-60k kms (no offence intended, but it's true.)

Is the handling and fun factor of a GT350 THAT much better than a properly modded GT?

 

[sdiver68]

IDK, after all that you've done and still not satisfied...might consider going a different direction entirely. Save your $ until the next car. Consider an M2 or Cayman S.

 

[NorthernMuscle]

IDK, after all that you've done and still not satisfied...might consider going a different direction entirely. Save your $ until the next car. Consider an M2 or Cayman S.

I know... but I love that raw, connected, "smiles per mile" feeling lol I just can't justify the $120k version of a $30k car. I tell people that my car feels a little like something I built in shop class, but it's the most fun" car I've ever driven. I also did most of the mods above myself, and during the process saw just how cheaply made some of the parts that come on their "supped up" Performance Package really are... and I'm not talking about less important things like cheap feeling interior materials... I'm talking "upgraded" suspension components. Don't misunderstand... I really like the car, I just don't have any delusions about what it really is under some bolted on parts.

Yet at 41, I'm not old enough for a refined daily driver.... when I'm in my 50's maybe I'll drive an E63, or M4, or M5, or CTSV, or Cayman S, or similar... but for now I want one of those in a less mature package! lol

 

[BmacIL]

Since you have the adjustables, look at the Vorshlag rear shock mounts. They add 1.5" of rear travel. I'll have a brand new set for sale soon.

An enormous change to the handling of the car for me was the Steeda roll center correction front lateral links. Since you already have the bumpsteer kit it's an easy upgrade. I added this recently and it's added so much poise, steering feel and grip.

 

[NorthernMuscle]

Since you have the adjustables, look at the Vorshlag rear shock mounts. They add 1.5" of rear travel. I'll have a brand new set for sale soon.

An enormous change to the handling of the car for me was the Steeda roll center correction front lateral links. Since you already have the bumpsteer kit it's an easy upgrade. I added this recently and it's added so much poise, steering feel and grip.

Thank you! I was already thinking of the BMR rear shock mounts to add more travel, and will look into these two suggestions thoroughly.

 

[BmacIL]

Thank you! I was already thinking of the BMR rear shock mounts to add more travel, and will look into these two suggestions thoroughly.

I would go with the BMR normally, but the current design does not work with the koni style adjuster. The next best is the Vorshlag and is compatible with all types.

My review of the control arms is near the end of my build thread.

 

[Deleted member 35786]

Ask yourself what is your goal!

 

[JackImpact]

Is this what you got?

https://www.americanmuscle.com/steeda-35-lb-in-clutch-spring-assist-1517-gt-ecoboost-v6.html

 

[nastang87xx]

Goals goals goals.

What is your goal/functional requirements?

 

[NorthernMuscle]

Is this what you got?

https://www.americanmuscle.com/steeda-35-lb-in-clutch-spring-assist-1517-gt-ecoboost-v6.html

Yes. After 20yrs of driving stick well (including 2 previous gen mustangs), the stock spring made me question what I was doing wrong. This stupid mod should have been this way from the factory...

 

[NorthernMuscle]

Ask yourself what is your goal!

Goals goals goals. What is your goal/functional requirements?

Thanks guys. Very simple but very good advice... since focusing more on this reminds me why I already have a fun to drive Mustang, and not something else... Might leave work early today and take the long way home

 

[JackImpact]

Yes. After 20yrs of driving stick well (including 2 previous gen mustangs), the stock spring made me question what I was doing wrong. This stupid mod should have been this way from the factory...

If all it is, is swapping that spring, I think its worth a try for me too!

 

[brpec]

I know... but I love that raw, connected, "smiles per mile" feeling

get a GT 350. If you drive one you will go crazy.

 

[NorthernMuscle]

If all it is, is swapping that spring, I think its worth a try for me too!

Yeah, at 6'1" tall it wasn't the easiest thing to get at, and if you're clumsy you could break the cheap plastic retainer thing (that someone sells an aluminum replacement for), but if you're careful it's 10min, plus the cost of 1/2 tank of gas, for something that you can always just swap back. I threw my OEM spring in the garbage after 1 day with the new one.

(Use a good pair of needle nose vice grips or similar, as the OEM spring rate is quite high, which is why some people say it's a 5min job, and others say 30min)

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