Differences between the S197 model years?

G

Globule

Founding Member

May 13, 2002

177

0

0

Sep 6, 2008

#1

• Sep 6, 2008

• #1

Does anyone know what the differences are between the 05-06-07-08-09 Mustangs? I'm talking about mechanical differences, option availability, etc. For example, I know that 07+ can get the "premier trim" option, and I've read that 08+ have an updated/improved shifter.

 

DarkFireGT

Playing with my wife's really makes me want one.

10 Year Member

May 23, 2004

692

10

89

East Moline, IL

Sep 6, 2008

#2

• Sep 6, 2008

• #2

Actually, the updated shifter came in '07. Your best resource for those type of items is TMS Intro They have a time line section to view the different options and such. Another difference is the 05-06 models weigh a bit more than 100 lbs less than the 07+ because they had to stiffen a few things to accommodate the GT500 power plant. 2005-2006 GT Manual models came with 3.55 gears standard, autos came with 3.31. 07+ GT models come with 3.31 standard, with 3.55 being an option for manuals. Other than that, off the top of my head, there are no large differences, other than available options.

 

Art161

Member

Sep 26, 2006

130

0

16

San Francisco

Sep 6, 2008

#3

• Sep 6, 2008

• #3

DarkFireGT said:

Actually, the updated shifter came in '07. Your best resource for those type of items is TMS Intro They have a time line section to view the different options and such. Another difference is the 05-06 models weigh a bit more than 100 lbs less than the 07+ because they had to stiffen a few things to accommodate the GT500 power plant. 2005-2006 GT Manual models came with 3.55 gears standard, autos came with 3.31. 07+ GT models come with 3.31 standard, with 3.55 being an option for manuals. Other than that, off the top of my head, there are no large differences, other than available options.

Click to expand...

I could be wrong, but I think that at least some of the changes to the 2007 GT to accommodate the GT500 were a running change made part way through the model year.

 

metroplex

Member

Sep 7, 2003

405

1

16

SE MI

Sep 6, 2008

#4

• Sep 6, 2008

• #4

My Job 1 2007 GT has a very different strut tower setup than 05-06 GTs.

 

DarkFireGT

Playing with my wife's really makes me want one.

10 Year Member

May 23, 2004

692

10

89

East Moline, IL

Sep 6, 2008

#5

• Sep 6, 2008

• #5

What differences have you noticed in the strut tower? I didn't notice any differences between either of mine when I installed the line locks on both of them, but I wasn't exactly looking for anything, either.

 

D

dro

New Member

May 25, 2003

165

0

0

Birmingham, AL

Sep 6, 2008

#6

• Sep 6, 2008

• #6

In mid 07 they changed the upper strut mounts to be self contained. In my 08 the upper strut mounts were sealed and i got to reading they changed that.

 

metroplex

Member

Sep 7, 2003

405

1

16

SE MI

Sep 6, 2008

#7

• Sep 6, 2008

• #7

They changed the layout of the strut towers - you can see how they moved the flanges where the wires bolt and stuff. From my Job 1 stang, it looks like they moved the stuff out of the way to fit something wide, I can only assume the 5.4L quad-cam V8.

Do you have any pics of the non-sealed strut mounts versus the sealed/self-contained strut mounts?

 

walter

Founding Member

Aug 13, 1998

1,054

0

46

Houston TX

Sep 6, 2008

#8

• Sep 6, 2008

• #8

I think the later 07's were put together in a different way. IIRC they have more welds in key points to increase structural rigidity. They also have a factory "g-trac" bar (I found out after buying mine) to fine tune the handling a bit.

 

metroplex

Member

Sep 7, 2003

405

1

16

SE MI

Sep 6, 2008

#9

• Sep 6, 2008

• #9

I know the A-Arm brace was equipped on all GTs (regardless if it was the GT500 or convertible) starting Job 2 MY 07, as my Job 1 07 didn't have one. However, I heard that all 2007s got the extra welds/sheetmetal since the GT500 debuted early in the 07 MY.

I added the OEM brace and felt some improvement in the chassis, but it was already very good to begin with.

 

D

dro

New Member

May 25, 2003

165

0

0

Birmingham, AL

Sep 6, 2008

#10

• Sep 6, 2008

• #10

metroplex said:

They changed the layout of the strut towers - you can see how they moved the flanges where the wires bolt and stuff. From my Job 1 stang, it looks like they moved the stuff out of the way to fit something wide, I can only assume the 5.4L quad-cam V8.

Do you have any pics of the non-sealed strut mounts versus the sealed/self-contained strut mounts?

Click to expand...

honestly i couldnt tell that much of a difference. When me and my friend did the spring install on my GT i was careful with it like i was a brain surgeon. Got the thing out and examined it and was like "what the hell?". I kinda pulled on it and spun it and whaddya know? It wouldnt come apart like everyone was saying.

 

NastyStang113

New Member

Sep 12, 2008

1,567

1

0

Florida

Sep 6, 2008

#11

• Sep 6, 2008

• #11

Does anyone know if that A-Arm brace will fit on the V6s?

 

Marine One

New Member

Jan 28, 2004

276

1

0

North Topsail Beach, NC

Sep 20, 2008

#12

• Sep 20, 2008

• #12

2007 was the first year for the Sirius radio and cloth convertible top options.

 

godfather55v

Member

Jun 6, 2006

45

0

6

dyersville, ia

Sep 22, 2008

#13

• Sep 22, 2008

• #13

07 was also the beginning of the audio input jack in the console. The fan blade rims were different every year. could anyone tell me if they are offering a fan blade for the 09's and is it the same as 08's?

tx
matt