Thinking About Joining The 3V World! Opinions Wanted

9

92GreenGT

PEAT
Founding Member
Jul 18, 2002
2,085
1
46
Big Stone Gap, VA
#1
Hello,

Been thinking about a lot of things lately involving "growing" up but still having fun doing so.:D I've came to realize I'm wanting to get a car within the next couple of months that will be "nice" and I can use for the next 3-5 years while I look for a house/land. With the prices of 05+ GT's right now, they are hard to pass up as a good car to look into. I love the looks, interior, overall feel of the car and they are responding to mods really well also which is always a plus. The main reason for posting this thread is basically to find out what their weaknesses are. How are the trannies, both the auto and manual in terms of strength? Isn't the axles in these cars 31 spline already, are they holding up well? Are the rods as weak as before?

I do have a turbocharged fox that I plan on using for 99% of the track duty/racing fun but I'll do basic mods to the GT like cai/tune/full exhaust because they respond so well to them. I just know I want a shaker 1000 car with the 18" wheel option, everything else I'm not too worried about. Just looking for a nice driving fun car, anyone disagree about this being the best place to look for the money? Thanks and I hope to join the 3V ranks soon.:flag:
 
#2
Coming from a previous fox-freak: I love my S197.

IMO, there is nothing like a fox. The OHC engines are great, but the lack of low-end torque like the OHV engines is the first thing I noticed. With that said: I love my S197. I don't know about the autos, but the manuals come with a Tremec, so no worries on blowing trannies like the T-5's. The rears hold very well, and they do come 31-spline stock. Weak rods do not apply, since these are OHC motors.

I say: DO IT. If you wait a bit for the 2010's to really be out on the street, you can get an '05 GT for even cheaper than what you are seeing now when everyone starts trading up for the new one. I'm going to wait a bit and see if that 5.0 coyote engine is going to be thrown into the new Stang before I seriously consider getting the new one.
 
#4
By rods I meant connecting rods, as in are they the same powdered metal rods like the 99-04 GT's came with? Glad to hear the rears and trannies are decently strong, that was one of my issues.

I think I'll post my Lightning up for sale on a few forums and see where it goes. Based on how things are looking now(and if my Lightning sells) I would be buying the car in June/July. Anyone else want to throw some pennies in?
 
#5
The 3v is durable enough for the mods you plan on doing to it. The only thing I don't like is the 2 peice drive shaft makes a clunk sometimes at slow speed upshifts. Other than that I think it is the best grand touring (not sport car) car for the money.
 
#6
Anyone else have any comments on the rear end, trannies(both auto and manual) and the bottom ends? Curious to know because my "just add a few bolt ons and leave it" motto may not last forever, look at my poor fox for example. ;)

Thanks everyone!
 
#8
92GreenGT said:
Anyone else have any comments on the rear end, trannies(both auto and manual) and the bottom ends? Curious to know because my "just add a few bolt ons and leave it" motto may not last forever, look at my poor fox for example. ;)

Thanks everyone!
Click to expand...

The 05's and 06's manual trans came with 3.55s I believe or it was a more readily available option. I know on my 07 manual, it was a $300 option (I got stuck with 3.31s). Planning on doing 4.10s eventually but if you want something out of the box with a little better gear it's more common those years. Autos are all 3.31s stock I believe.

Look at the diff and you should see a sticker with the ratio on it if the owner/dealer doesn't know.
 
#9
Good deal, thanks for the info.

What about creature comfort changes over the years? Are the 07+ cars the one with the IPOD connection on the inside? I want the Shaker 1000 for sure but I want a car that has the IPOD hook up. What years was the HID's an option? I think I'm going to look for a 07-08 model right now with my current thinking. Opinions on that?

Really wanting to find a white exterior, black interior car with the shaker 1000 and 18" wheel upgrade. Anyone have one laying around? :)
 
#11
92GreenGT said:
Good deal, thanks for the info.

What about creature comfort changes over the years? Are the 07+ cars the one with the IPOD connection on the inside? I want the Shaker 1000 for sure but I want a car that has the IPOD hook up. What years was the HID's an option? I think I'm going to look for a 07-08 model right now with my current thinking. Opinions on that?

Really wanting to find a white exterior, black interior car with the shaker 1000 and 18" wheel upgrade. Anyone have one laying around? :)
Click to expand...

Don't stress the Shaker 1000. It's very heavy, and does not quake all that much. You are better off with an aftermarket system; it will sound better and be lighter.

I think it was '07 and up with the iPod connection; not sure. Nothing a good aftermarket radio can't fix instead of paying the extra money to get an '07+ as opposed to an '05.
 
#12
I'm not sure I want to go through the hassle of changing out the stereos and the Shaker 1000 would be all I would need. I usually hate how aftermarket radios look in vehicles, how good do the double dins look in these cars? That's probably the only way I would be able to stand an aftermarket radio.
 
#13
I have different opinions than some, but here are my pro's and cons: I have an 08 which has:
1) upgraded heads so the spark plugs don't break when you try to change them.
2) better weatherstripping that won't scratch tint if you decide to install it.
3)Shaker 500 is the only factory unit I didn't want to rip out the minute I bought the
car. The 500 is decent without the added weight of the 1000.
4)Get the heated seats, IUP, optional 3:55 gear.
5) gas mileage is great
6) easy to add power with CAI and custom tune


Downside to all of them:

1) paint will chip at the first sign of heavy dust:D
2) they are clunky; 2 piece driveshaft and poorly setup rear end from the factory.
3)they sit too high so you need to drop it
4)needs a MGW shifter
5)wheel hop: upgrade to better lower control arms (2) and upper (1)
6) if lowering you may need an adjustable panhard bar to re-center the rear
7) if lowering you may need upper strut mounts, shocks, and struts
 
#14
Oops, one more negative than positive, so I'll fix now:
They are fun as hell to drive, look cool, and have a million aftermarket parts for interior, exterior, engine, suspension, brakes,......... Add a blower and you can go from a safe 400 h.p to 800 h.p depending on how brave you are.

Oh yeah, the rods suck. Definitely one of the limiting factors of the engine. I would not push a factory engine past 450 or so at the crank, but 500 has been done with safe tuning....but for how long?

Cracked powder.... sounds like something the gangs sell on the "hill".:rolleyes:
 
#15
Thanks MustangDave, that's exactly the types of replies I was looking for with this thread. The car will def get a shifter if I get a manual and a few of the other little things I didn't know about will def remember. I do know FOR SURE the car will get a tune/cold air/full exhaust and I'm thinking cams if I get into enough. That should make the car a decent performer without hurting the bank too bad, everything else will be done for looks/comfort. I need to worry about getting the car first though!

I'm still holding out for a white one but it's not looking good for me locally. I found a 08 Cali Special in White with 89xx miles for $24000. Little more than I wanted to spend but shew, it's almost so good looking that I should just dive in for it. I'm going to give myself till mid June anyways to look and see what I can find.
 
#19
Mine is an automatic. When I was purchasing it, I was concerned about the transmission's (5r55s) ability to handle the horsepower because this is the first time it has been mated to an engine with this many horses. It might be good for 400-450 rwhp. It has been previously used with the Lincoln LS and other RWD Ford product with fewer horses.

If you plan to add considerably more horses, you might consider beefing up the transmission's internals. :)
 
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