XLR8EDMUSTANG project "Trigger" GTPP

[XLR8EDMUSTANG]

So I'm a bit behind the power curve with the documentation of my project, but I will do the best I can to catch up and give my feedback and projected future of my build.

First off I picked my car up on June 18th 2015 (2 days before my birthday!) I had ordered it through a local dealer that will remain nameless due to my bad experience with them. This car replaced my 2009 Mustang GT, that I had put blood, sweat, and tears into (mostly sweat and blood though) It had a full Steeda suspension, bolt ons with tune, and subtle but effective exterior mods. I like sticking to the less is more approach and it needs to be functional as I am not a fan of fake scoops, vents, ect..but a little bit of cosmetic change is nice. I was often complimented on the car, even by people that did not "like" mustangs. I will miss that car, but it did sell locally and I met the new owner so I can check back in on it.

Now on to the new car.. As I previously mentioned I was able to order it the way I wanted without putting any money down, so that was pretty cool. So I ordered pretty much everything option wise, GT premium,6MT, Oxford White, Performance Pack, Recaros, Redline, Nav, Adaptive cruise, 401A, Enhanced security. I wanted a great "touring" car as I drive 38 miles one way to work, so I wanted my time in the cockpit to be a comfortable, entertaining experience.

The car initially felt very soft compared to what I was use to, obviously great power but handling was lacking compared to my previous car. I enjoyed the new ride and the commute to work was better, especially with the adaptive cruise. The car got lots of attention (as we all know) I attended my first autocross in August and I was hooked! I ran completely stock and people there were impressed by the new mustang and my driving especially it being my first event. [ame]
It was a small field of 35 but I pax'ed 9th! http://www.sccawiregrass.org/Solo2/Results2015/150809_event_pax.htm

I stayed in FS for the rest of 2015, and tried to do 1 mod prior to each event to see the changes they made. First mod was a rear sway bar. I did my research, and know that a lot of Auto-xers go to Strano for their rear bar, but for me and my previous experience I was set on going with Steeda. I contacted Dave on this site and explained my experience with Steeda and he took care of me on my first modification, rear sway bar with billet mounts! In typical fashion the bar went on the night before my next event. I set it to the middle adjustment point and the car rotated much easier with throttle input, and transitioned L to R reasonably better. Again I paxed in the top 1/3 of the field in September. In October I did the front camber mod and had a local shop give me as much camber in the front as they could get and set front and rear toe to 0, just as a starting point. They couldn't get much front camber, but there was better turn in and a lot less plowing around the tight sections of the course.

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[XLR8EDMUSTANG]

The last autocross event that I attended was the Dixi Region Axis vs Allies in Dec. My runs did not go as well as my previous events due to being on a new surface (asphalt) and with the stock P Zeros only having about 10% tread left. I was fun, although short due to the number of entrants. (only 3 runs instead of 4) I learned a lot about tires, set up and how to approach different surfaces.
Along the way, I would have to check my logs.. I added a Ford Racing X pipe hoping to add more volume to the stock mufflers, and save weight any way that I could. The combo is great with the sweet spot being from 2500-4000 rpm. It is a little raspy if you floor it in first and second, but its not too bad. On my 09' I had an H pipe with Corsa sport axel backs and will probably be adding the Corsa touring in the near future.

This year I will be running in CAMC and possibly ESP if I can get a deal on a set of R compunds. I have a set of Forgestar CF5 18X11's that will become my race set up and I will keep using my stock PP wheels with 275/40/19 MPSS for my daily driver duties. (Awesome tires and set up with the stock PP rims)

 

[XLR8EDMUSTANG]

some pics of the parts previously mentioned

 

[XLR8EDMUSTANG]

It has been a little bit since my last posting due to a busy work schedule, but I have made a couple of changes to the car that I will detail here.

Steeda parts!! with some help from David@Steeda I ordered a set of the Linear Ultralight Springs, Front Sway Bar, Subframe Bushing Support System, Subframe Alignment kit, and a Steeda Sidewinder decal. Steeda had the parts on my door step in 2 days!! I also picked up a Steeda CAI on eBay for a great price.

I have lowered just about every car that I have ever owned, and this one stared out as expected. Front suspension was out in about 1 hr and reinstalled an hr later. Mind you I did this in my drive way on jack stands with only hand tools, no power tools. Then I move onto the rear...it was challanging, and a lot easier with an extra set of hands (Thanks to my beautiful wife!) I followed the instructions by Steeda and the video by CJ Pony parts. The only "issues" I came across was I had to remove my rear sway bar to allow enough room to get the rear springs out, and I had 1 of the bushings in the alignment kit that just wouldn't line up (alignment shop was able to get it in for me)

The ride and looks are so much better than the stock PP set up. I set the front sway bar 1 hole back from the stiffest setting since I was going to an autocross the weekend of my install. This setting is a bit stiff for the street, but was a very good setting at the course. The springs work good with the shocks for the street but a lot more dampening is needed for racing (obviously) the springs have a very good feel and handle all bumps well with a nice solid feeling. The bushing support system is awesome and makes the care feel solid. Everything feels better..take off, launching, shifting, suspension movement. Everything works better with the slop taken out of the factory set up and you can feel what the car is doing.

I will be going with shocks and camber plates soon to help dial the suspension in more. The Sidewinder decal looks great on the car and adds that little something extra the car needed cosmetically.

 

[XLR8EDMUSTANG]

a couple post install pics

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