Not enough power... In 2005

Mustangs have always been a good starting point for a car. A stock camaro was almost always faster than a stock GT. But the GT had a much bigger aftermarket and the GT outsold the camaro and firebird combined 2 to 1.

This will be the most powerful base v8 ever and I expect, like most past stangs, there is a lot of headroom to grow. Ford is also conservative with the hp ratings someimes so you never know. All we can do is speculate until we actually get behind the wheel.

Remember that the 5.0 stangs were rated anywhere from 205-225 by ford.

Ford will lack for '05 but will hopfully have something special for 2006. in 2005 others will have:
400HP GTO
340HP 300C
340HP Chrager R/T
425HP 300C SRT-8 (6.1L Hemi)
425HP Chrager SRT-8 (05 or 06?)

It looks like rumors of the 3v 4.6 being overrated are untrue (at least in Auto cars) I've read on other sites that the auto Stangs are having a hard time breaking out to the 14's and someone said an auto Stang dynoed 245 RWHP.

Its called insurance rates, if they keep the Cobra where it is now at 390 ( under rated its actually closer to 420) then it keeps the rates down somewhat and for very little mods you can get over 400 at the wheels w/ a cobra. Why give the car more power and make the price go up when the buyer can just do it on his own for less money.

It's still 50 less HP than it's predecessors competition (LS1) and 100 < than it's future competition (LS2,Hemi 6.1). A lot less low end torque too. I agree, it's not enough. Guys who say "this thing will hang with LS1's" are not only wrong, but living in the past. Bottom line, the 4.6 is too small to be an all motor platform. Either start offering a low boost blower in the GT, or bump up the displacement to the 5.0, or more.

SVTJayC said:

It's still 50 less HP than it's predecessors competition (LS1) and 100 < than it's future competition (LS2,Hemi 6.1). A lot less low end torque too. I agree, it's not enough. Guys who say "this thing will hang with LS1's" are not only wrong, but living in the past. Bottom line, the 4.6 is too small to be an all motor platform. Either start offering a low boost blower in the GT, or bump up the displacement to the 5.0, or more.

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I don't disagree in the least, but we simply can't compare the 2005 Mustang with these other cars considering only power. You have to take into consideration the MSRP of these cars. Power = Money; wether from the factory or otherwise, it's as simple as that.

Granted, Ford has always been had a higher price per feature, where you may be able to get a 400HP car for $32k, Ford would typically offer a similar configuration for $36k.

I wish the 2005 had more; I'm sure everyone does... but not if it significantly impacts price. Some of us are fortunate where we can buy a Cobra without blinking an eye and have 390 HP. Then throw on some mods and go nuts. Other people are just thrilled to have a 300HP car with such a low MSRP and don't have to live on Kraft Macaroni-n-Cheese for 7 years.

If you want to strictly compare HP and performance, I wish the 2005 had 600+ HP. That's easy to say. But if a 600HP GT started at $55k, I think I would be rationalizing; "I wish I could afford that... if only they would lower the performance to make it affordable." There's a reason why a Porsche costs what it does... there's a reason why the Mustang costs what it does. There's a reason why you can buy a Kia for a stick of bubble gum. Can't have your cake and eat it, too, regardless of how much we want to.

In conclulsion; we all need to be fair in our comparisons. Look at the whole picture, good and bad, and make you assesments. Buy one; don't buy one; buy two. Whatever is right for you is right for you. No one here is wrong, rather, we just have different desires for our dollars. If I wanted comfort, my dollar is better spent on a Lexus or VW or something; if I want an unpresidented American Icon that has decent performance, great retro looks, decent gas mileage, all the while looking at a very attractive MSRP... my money is better spent on a Mustang. But, that's just me. To each his own.

Z28x said:

It looks like rumors of the 3v 4.6 being overrated are untrue (at least in Auto cars) I've read on other sites that the auto Stangs are having a hard time breaking out to the 14's and someone said an auto Stang dynoed 245 RWHP.

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No, it looks like it is true (although slightly). I understand the rule of thumb is a 20% hp loss from the flyweel to the tires. Therefore 245hp/.80 = 306.25hp at the flywheel.

edit: I assume you meant rumors of it being underrated?

joeuser42 said:

No, it looks like it is true (although slightly). I understand the rule of thumb is a 20% hp loss from the flyweel to the tires. Therefore 245hp/.80 = 306.25hp at the flywheel.

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Agreed. Also, keep in mind they were testing on preproduction models.

Striped5.0 said:

Its called insurance rates, if they keep the Cobra where it is now at 390 ( under rated its actually closer to 420) then it keeps the rates down somewhat and for very little mods you can get over 400 at the wheels w/ a cobra. Why give the car more power and make the price go up when the buyer can just do it on his own for less money.

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For the millionth time, insureance rates are not based on HP. Vehicle value, cost of repair, safty, and the % of accedents that model is in are what they are based on. mods = higher warranty cost for manufactorer, they don't want that. higher vehicle cost = more profit, companies like that.

SVTJayC said:

It's still 50 less HP than it's predecessors competition (LS1) and 100 < than it's future competition (LS2,Hemi 6.1). A lot less low end torque too. I agree, it's not enough. Guys who say "this thing will hang with LS1's" are not only wrong, but living in the past. Bottom line, the 4.6 is too small to be an all motor platform. Either start offering a low boost blower in the GT, or bump up the displacement to the 5.0, or more.

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The 4.6L is good for those that want something more than a 200Hp V6 and love that V8 rumble, but for the real performance fans Fords needs to offer something more. 4.6L is a good midrange Mustang engine but the stang needs a 5.4L or better on the high end to be a real player.