Hi all:
As mentioned in other threads here, I'm finally placing my factory order for a GT mustang in the next few days. Before I take delivery of my GT, I am having a Roush Short Throw and a Roush Suspension (full kit) put in. This basically, in my oh-so-humble opinion, will correct the two main 'problems' with the stock mustang-as-sportscar (unresponsiveness to steering input, and lack of 'feel' both in terms of personality and roadfeel).
So, looking ahead, I see two interesting ways to continue to maximize the potential of the mustang, now that 'feel' and handling are at least mostly dealt with. One is to reduce the weight of the drivetrain and the overall car, the other is to boost the horsepower of the under-utilized 3 valve v8.
Talking with mechanical engineers (I have the mixed pleasure of being surrounded by them at work), it seems like the new 3-valve v8 has a significant amount of un-utilized enineered-in overhead... Probably ford leaving itself lots of room for future models without a core engine re-design (witness the gt500). Picking up some of that slack with Aspiration and/or pre-compression (turbo or blower) has an appeal. (I saw the top-gear episode where the roush stage 3 terminated the gt500... ).
But, it also stries me that perhaps the best first path is to lighten the car, and also the drivetrain. Does anyone have any good data on what a lighter driveshaft and flywheel do to the performance of the GT? Furthermore, for a more extreme mod, how much weight can be lost with carbon fiber trunk, fenders, doors and hood? I have heard that (on average) every 100 pounds of dropped weight can pay of as much as a 1/10 second in quartermile time- is this true? I probably never will drag race (though may spend time at a track), but it is a good measure of over-all performance.
Given all the body an/or drivetrain work involved, and if you want to paint-match the (body) parts, I'm sure that lightening the car is probably more expensive... But the s197 Mustang is bordering on obese anyway...
Anyway- How say you all? Whats the best way to proceed? An aluminum drive shaft and flywheel- or Custom tune+intake+exhaust?
Vin
As mentioned in other threads here, I'm finally placing my factory order for a GT mustang in the next few days. Before I take delivery of my GT, I am having a Roush Short Throw and a Roush Suspension (full kit) put in. This basically, in my oh-so-humble opinion, will correct the two main 'problems' with the stock mustang-as-sportscar (unresponsiveness to steering input, and lack of 'feel' both in terms of personality and roadfeel).
So, looking ahead, I see two interesting ways to continue to maximize the potential of the mustang, now that 'feel' and handling are at least mostly dealt with. One is to reduce the weight of the drivetrain and the overall car, the other is to boost the horsepower of the under-utilized 3 valve v8.
Talking with mechanical engineers (I have the mixed pleasure of being surrounded by them at work), it seems like the new 3-valve v8 has a significant amount of un-utilized enineered-in overhead... Probably ford leaving itself lots of room for future models without a core engine re-design (witness the gt500). Picking up some of that slack with Aspiration and/or pre-compression (turbo or blower) has an appeal. (I saw the top-gear episode where the roush stage 3 terminated the gt500... ).
But, it also stries me that perhaps the best first path is to lighten the car, and also the drivetrain. Does anyone have any good data on what a lighter driveshaft and flywheel do to the performance of the GT? Furthermore, for a more extreme mod, how much weight can be lost with carbon fiber trunk, fenders, doors and hood? I have heard that (on average) every 100 pounds of dropped weight can pay of as much as a 1/10 second in quartermile time- is this true? I probably never will drag race (though may spend time at a track), but it is a good measure of over-all performance.
Given all the body an/or drivetrain work involved, and if you want to paint-match the (body) parts, I'm sure that lightening the car is probably more expensive... But the s197 Mustang is bordering on obese anyway...
Anyway- How say you all? Whats the best way to proceed? An aluminum drive shaft and flywheel- or Custom tune+intake+exhaust?
Vin
, darn $$$ to hell!... as is the original poster of this thread hence the posting...
on post number 3 or 4......
s and 
s.
