I have a 2003 gt 5spd and was wondering how much abuse these cars can take with simple bolt ons on street tires? What is usually the first component to give? Clutch, tranny suspension?
Abuse? As in, 5k launches on slicks, power shifting at every red light, things like that? Not much.
But if you treat it at least somewhat decently, it will treat you the same way. My granddad has a full bolt on, mild H/C/I 94 5.0, and it gets driven hard every time it is ever driven, and it has given no trouble.
My 98 has had around 150 passes at the strip while full bolt on, and about 20 with the blower and drag radials. It gets driven relatively hard most Friday and Saturday nights. 0 problems so far. *crosses fingers* My car is by no means abused, but it is driven hard on occasion, and it gives no trouble.
I don't know much about the 5 speeds, but I think at least one of the transmissions has a problem with bending shift forks easily.
So to answer your question, on street tires, and not power shifting, it shouldn't give much, if any, trouble at all.
I thought my car would have broken a long time ago, but it keeps begging for more and more.
I put nitrous on it at 144k, and have ran a bottle through it on the 75 shot so far. Getting ready to refill and up it to a 100 shot.
Original clutch to my knowledge, or at least a higher-mile factory clutch if it's ever been replaced and it's just starting to show signs of aging. Never had anything "break" on the car either. A few things needed replacing, but nothing critical.
It's seen around 30 track passes probably, 3-4 autocross events, and I've lapped it around an oval track on several occasions before with the only ill effects being tire wear and brakes overheating.
Abuse? As in, 5k launches on slicks, power shifting at every red light, things like that? Not much.
But if you treat it at least somewhat decently, it will treat you the same way. My granddad has a full bolt on, mild H/C/I 94 5.0, and it gets driven hard every time it is ever driven, and it has given no trouble.
My 98 has had around 150 passes at the strip while full bolt on, and about 20 with the blower and drag radials. It gets driven relatively hard most Friday and Saturday nights. 0 problems so far. *crosses fingers* My car is by no means abused, but it is driven hard on occasion, and it gives no trouble.
I don't know much about the 5 speeds, but I think at least one of the transmissions has a problem with bending shift forks easily.
So to answer your question, on street tires, and not power shifting, it shouldn't give much, if any, trouble at all.
If you have an automatic, the sky is the limit regarding thrashing the car. I have had mine for 50k miles, just about to turn over 100k soon. I change the oil with Mobil1 synthetic + Mobil1 or Motorcraft filters and all is well. Change out your fuel filter, air filter, and other essential fluids as required and your car should last well into the 200k range. I take my car to the track about 5 times a year, spray nitrous, and have full bolt on's + gears, and the car gets driven daily. My only maintenance problem ever was when my stock fuel pump died. Feel free to beat the $hit out these cars!
If it's maintained well I'd say a lot of abuse but you can't beat on it and expect it to never break.
My 2000 I bought new and at 1k miles I hit the track and started making passes. I put about 150 passes on the car with stock tires and minor bolt ons before going to DRs. I put another 100 or so passes on those tires before trying slicks and put another 100 or so passes on the car with slicks and the stock clutch, rear end. Eventually the differential broke but it took a ton of abuse before it gave up. At the same time I also saw a near stock Bullitt break an axle on his first pass on Nitto's. I think he wheel hopped pretty bad and didn't let out so it was his fault but still you just have to be prepared.
If it's maintained well I'd say a lot of abuse but you can't beat on it and expect it to never break.
My 2000 I bought new and at 1k miles I hit the track and started making passes. I put about 150 passes on the car with stock tires and minor bolt ons before going to DRs. I put another 100 or so passes on those tires before trying slicks and put another 100 or so passes on the car with slicks and the stock clutch, rear end. Eventually the differential broke but it took a ton of abuse before it gave up. At the same time I also saw a near stock Bullitt break an axle on his first pass on Nitto's. I think he wheel hopped pretty bad and didn't let out so it was his fault but still you just have to be prepared.