Track or Tech Quantified?

[Madlock]

With reasonable numbers in circulation of the 1,500 or so built so far, I'd be interested to know if any kind of general consensus exists about the available option packages.

Presuming the Track Package delivers the best track day machine, very few only ever will drive their cars on the track. Similarly, though perhaps to a lesser extent, many who choose the Technology Package for a daily driver or performance tourer occasionally have been known to flog them around around the nearest circuit when spouses, children and groceries aren't spoiling the weight distribution.

Notwithstanding the perfectly excellent, if somewhat spartan, all-arounder the $50K base model makes, perhaps the second most important consideration when deciding upon a specific configuration is any relative difference between the kind of everyday car a Track Package GT350 makes versus how good an impromptu track car a Technology Package GT350 makes.

Obviously, very few will own both versions and be able to offer a singular perspective. Even so, learning what kind of daily driver owners of Track Pack-equipped GT350s think their cars would (or do) make and how good a track day car Technology Package owners believe their cars to be could be very helpful to many who are straddling the fence and want to make the most informed choice. Any specific ways one version may be particularly well or poorly suited for dual use would be especially helpful.

Many thanks in advance for any empirical input.

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[mattlqx]

Seats aside, I don't think the Track pack makes the car very much more track capable for the 20-30 minute HPDE sessions that 99% of those who actually take their car on-track are going to do. Especially now we know that they all have (presumably the same?) radiated oil coolers. The diff and transmission coolers will help though but, not being instrumented, I can't tell you much about what my temps of those parts were on my Boss when on track, but I haven't had any problems in many hours on various tracks.

I plan on DD my GT350, so tech pack was important for me, but it will for sure see some track time. The only drawback is undoubtedly having more lateral movement in the Tech seats in cornering. I'll live with it. Especially when it's 115 degrees out and I have my cooled seats on.

 

[Hughespj47]

Bear in mind that I haven't received my car yet. But my logic went like this:

Base 350 doesn't have Magnaride, so the car is a compromise between either DD or track. Also, it probably won't respond to bumps as well, either rumble strips or potholes. If I remember right, it doesn't have Sync 3, either

The Tech pack has the Magnaride, creature comforts, and Sync 3. Really nice! But no Recaros. It will probably be fine on a track day when it's not too hot. But lacks the support of the Recaros.

The Track pack doesn't quite have all the creature comforts, but it has the Recaros, Magnaride, and extra coolers. I still can't figure out why Ford didn't include Sync 3 as there can't be much of a weight penalty.... But since I plan on tracking the car a few days a year and taking it on some trips in the desert, I like the extra durability provided by the coolers. Also, since I'm 6'3" and 170, I really like a snug seat. I'm looking forward to that lateral support!

I wanted the R with the Electronics pack because it provided the A/C and radio, and those wheels, tires, and handling are to die for. Alas, my dealer couldn't swing the allocation, but based on the reviews and how much I will track it, I'm OK without it.

I settled on the 350 Track pack, but wish it had Sync 3 to work with my phone. On the other hand, the exhaust note is intoxicating!!

 

[UMDrummer]

Depends on what you are personally used to... MagneRide is nice, but people have driven Mustangs for 50 years without it, and the newest generation has the best ride yet. You are going to get a better ride for sure with MagneRide, but if money is an issue, is it $6,500 or $7,500 much better? I personally don't think so, but that is your call.

 

[AMpowerJ]

Bear in mind that I haven't received my car yet. But my logic went like this:

Base 350 doesn't have Magnaride, so the car is a compromise between either DD or track. Also, it probably won't respond to bumps as well, either rumble strips or potholes. If I remember right, it doesn't have Sync 3, either

The Tech pack has the Magnaride, creature comforts, and Sync 3. Really nice! But no Recaros. It will probably be fine on a track day when it's not too hot. But lacks the support of the Recaros.

The Track pack doesn't quite have all the creature comforts, but it has the Recaros, Magnaride, and extra coolers. I still can't figure out why Ford didn't include Sync 3 as there can't be much of a weight penalty.... But since I plan on tracking the car a few days a year and taking it on some trips in the desert, I like the extra durability provided by the coolers. Also, since I'm 6'3" and 170, I really like a snug seat. I'm looking forward to that lateral support!

I wanted the R with the Electronics pack because it provided the A/C and radio, and those wheels, tires, and handling are to die for. Alas, my dealer couldn't swing the allocation, but based on the reviews and how much I will track it, I'm OK without it.

I settled on the 350 Track pack, but wish it had Sync 3 to work with my phone. On the other hand, the exhaust note is intoxicating!!

+1 ... This is a perfect synopsis of my point of view as well, except I'm not 6'3" and the last time I weighed 170lbs was when I ran a half-marathon.

 

[enzo101]

Coming from a 13 gt and after sitting in a 15 with the standard seats there are no similarities. The 15s are soooo much more comfortable and supportive. I was skeptical at first as well but after driving a 15 with the standard seats they are about as good as it gets for me. I desperately wanted the recaros as well but was not willing to give up the creature comforts of the tech pack. Really it boils down to your personal use for the car. Plan on tracking it regularly go for the track pack, daily driver tech pack or go this route. Get a tech pack and just replace all the parts of the track pack. Seats, spoiler, not sure if the coolers will work, but you get the point. Good luck on your decision.

 

[nastang87xx]

Again, the way I've been saying it:

If your racing is defined as a "season" go for the Track Pack.

If your racing is defined as anything less, get the Tech Pack.

The Tech Pack isn't going to blow up simply because it got a whiff of track. It'll be fine. I got the Track Pack because I will be attending (hopefully) some events at Road Am and a few other tracks that is hours and hours of abuse. And I just see the Tech Pack stuff as just more things to go wrong but that's a different story.

 

[Poisyn]

Went base, don't 6k worth of coolers and spoiler but wanted recaros, magnaride would've been cool but ignorance is bliss

 

[nastang87xx]

Went base, don't 6k worth of coolers and spoiler but wanted recaros, magnaride would've been cool but ignorance is bliss

I'd take a base over the Tech Pack. I can think of a lot of things I could do for $7500 that would more fit my desires in a car.

 

[krt22]

Again, the way I've been saying it:

If your racing is defined as a "season" go for the Track Pack.

If your racing is defined as anything less, get the Tech Pack.

The Tech Pack isn't going to blow up simply because it got a whiff of track. It'll be fine. I got the Track Pack because I will be attending (hopefully) some events at Road Am and a few other tracks that is hours and hours of abuse. And I just see the Tech Pack stuff as just more things to go wrong but that's a different story.

Or if you don't care for leather/navi and want recaros+magneride, go with the Track pack.

Think of it as 4k for magneride, 2.5k for the track stuff.

 

[65sohc]

Bear in mind that I haven't received my car yet. But my logic went like this:

Base 350 doesn't have Magnaride, so the car is a compromise between either DD or track. Also, it probably won't respond to bumps as well, either rumble strips or potholes. If I remember right, it doesn't have Sync 3, either

The Tech pack has the Magnaride, creature comforts, and Sync 3. Really nice! But no Recaros. It will probably be fine on a track day when it's not too hot. But lacks the support of the Recaros.

The Track pack doesn't quite have all the creature comforts, but it has the Recaros, Magnaride, and extra coolers. I still can't figure out why Ford didn't include Sync 3 as there can't be much of a weight penalty.... But since I plan on tracking the car a few days a year and taking it on some trips in the desert, I like the extra durability provided by the coolers. Also, since I'm 6'3" and 170, I really like a snug seat. I'm looking forward to that lateral support!

I wanted the R with the Electronics pack because it provided the A/C and radio, and those wheels, tires, and handling are to die for. Alas, my dealer couldn't swing the allocation, but based on the reviews and how much I will track it, I'm OK without it.

I settled on the 350 Track pack, but wish it had Sync 3 to work with my phone. On the other hand, the exhaust note is intoxicating!!

Track Pack has bluetooth so it will sync with your phone.

 

[Trackaholic]

I went with a Track Pack because I wanted rear seats, recaros, magneride, and cooling.

Would have gone with the R and Electronics Pack if I could have found one at a reasonable price, and I would have looked harder for one if I new there was going to be a rear seat "add" kit from Ford.

Still, I am thrilled to have my track pack on order and hope it arrives soon.

-T

 

[Hack]

I went with tech because I will track only a few times per year. Plus, I worried that all the coolers on the track pack car would cause my transmission and rear diff to run TOO cool most of the time and shorten their life.

I wanted Magneride, so base was out for me.

 

[nastang87xx]

Think of it as 4k for magneride, 2.5k for the track stuff.

Those numbers make me queasy.

 

[Hughespj47]

I went with tech because I will track only a few times per year. Plus, I worried that all the coolers on the track pack car would cause my transmission and rear diff to run TOO cool most of the time and shorten their life.

I wanted Magneride, so base was out for me.

If running too cool was a problem, Ford would include thermostats. I suspect they did, as most things in life have a sweet spot temperature.

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