RE: Ford Mustang: PH Heroes
Discussion
These are great cars. So much character which is the vital ingredient missing from so many new cars these days. It truly makes you feel like a 9 year old playing with hotwheels on the carpet every time you drive it. I imported mine in 2007 from Florida and have loved and cherished every one of the 35,000 miles I've done in it since. Unfortunately needs must, I've got a racing car to pay for so she's got to go to a new home. Dunno if its bad form putting links to classifieds in here but here is mine up for sale: http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/ford/mustang/ford-mustang-gt-2005-manual/2015404
I have had two '197s, an 05GT which ended up being supercharged amongst many modifications & my current '08 GT500. So you could say a bit of a fan! Previously owned a 69 Mach 1 & various Fox models.
This one has a VMP TVS blower, Eibach springs & Tokico shocks, it was clocked at 179 mph (stock blower) during a Vmax event at Bruntingthorpe, has run 11.2 at Santa Pod & been to Le Mans 3 times.
Sorry to say, but I have no desire to own an S550, it looks too "generic" to my eyes & could be anything whereas its predecessor could only be one car...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvYGtiMeRvk
photo by Steve aka Track Demon
Edit to add youtube link
This one has a VMP TVS blower, Eibach springs & Tokico shocks, it was clocked at 179 mph (stock blower) during a Vmax event at Bruntingthorpe, has run 11.2 at Santa Pod & been to Le Mans 3 times.
Sorry to say, but I have no desire to own an S550, it looks too "generic" to my eyes & could be anything whereas its predecessor could only be one car...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvYGtiMeRvk
photo by Steve aka Track Demon
Edit to add youtube link
Edited by mrkipling on Friday 24th January 12:59
I had an 05 convertible for 3 years. I never even realised it was bigger than a "normal" car - are you sure? Also I liked the interior which was simple but pleasingly retro. I didn't much care for the cornering ability though, maybe because it was a convertible?
Its the only car I've had where I've actually leapt in and offered to run my daughter around rather than hide so my wife had to do it. Just loved firing it up :-)
Its the only car I've had where I've actually leapt in and offered to run my daughter around rather than hide so my wife had to do it. Just loved firing it up :-)
300bhp/ton said:
While 300hp was a big step up for the GT, the big talk re: power in 2005 was that Ford had managed to still not keep up with a 1998 Fbody.
The 3v'er unit also isn't as revvy as older DOHC 4.6 variants of the same engine, nor a Chevy LS6.
The exhaust note of an S197 is almost the same as any other modular V8 powered vehicle.
I agree 300 bhp in reality didn't feel all that much. For a couple of years I also owned a 96 LT-4 (330bhp, 6 speed manual) Corvette C4 and I'd say that would leave my S197 standing. Corvette is about 250lms lighter and the "330bhp" was often said to be underrated in the LT-4. Maybe that's all the difference was.The 3v'er unit also isn't as revvy as older DOHC 4.6 variants of the same engine, nor a Chevy LS6.
The exhaust note of an S197 is almost the same as any other modular V8 powered vehicle.
Regarding the 3V, well it's a production engine made in huge numbers whereas the DOHC was a more limited production, almost "exotic" engine and the LS-6 is a performance engine something above the regular small block.
You have to remember the base GT Mustang was a cheapish car and the 300bhp lump really only slightly more than a "grocery getter" lump as the 261 V8 is in a lot of cars, like the base 350 Chevy is/was...
Malc
[quote=dhmotorsport]These are great cars. So much character which is the vital ingredient missing from so many new cars these days. It truly makes you feel like a 9 year old playing with hotwheels on the carpet every time you drive it. quote]
That is exactly the point and going by my experience of people's necks craning out of their cars when I took mine for a spin this morning, I'd say a lot of people would like to have the chance to feel the same...
Malc
That is exactly the point and going by my experience of people's necks craning out of their cars when I took mine for a spin this morning, I'd say a lot of people would like to have the chance to feel the same...
Malc
StangGT said:
Malc350, what section are your rear tyres? Any trouble getting the power down? Mines a 5.0 Coyote, but as yet unaltered in the engine bay. The Hellion twin turbo kit is apparently good for 1200bhp, but requires stronger internals.
Hi, my car has the stock 285 rear tyres and in stock form the car can obliterate them quite easily. Remember the GT500 engine is actually made to be supercharged: with a low compression ratio and forged internals which is why it's reportedly strong enough to take 750 rear wheel horse power.The 4.6 3V engine and Coyote as far as I know are at their limit at 500 rwhp. Add a supercharger and too much boost and it's easy to grenade the lump...
Be under no illusions: that Hellion kit will not be 1200 bhp out of the box and will need a lot of configuration no doubt to give that sort of power. The cost of that plus a stronger clutch and flywheel as well as a diff that will take the power will be prohibitive.
Best thing you can do to get the power down is invest in lower control arms with less flax. I have the Blow By Racing billet aluminium LCAs as does Jeff who has that white GT500 on here 9he's where I got the idea for them from, thanks Jeff) as the stock rubber bushed ones flex a lot and cause a lot of axle tramp...
Malc
Just emigrated and picked up my 2014 gt premium with the coyote 5.0 totally bone stock no brembos, Recaros or anything. Having come from a multair Alfa Giulietta it's an absolute riot to drive. Agree about the interior but only find the really naff centre console an irritation along with the slightly rattly door cards in my example. Other than that I love the whole retro-modern take with the classic dials and steering wheel. I looked at buying the previous gen but doesn't look as special and I got it on a 12k per year contract for just 290 quid a month (equivalent) with 2,000 quid down. Epic value 
lmaoGibbo205 said:
Miss my near 600BHP Saleen at times. 
Those who have owned 4.6's and now have the GT500's how would you rate the handling between the two cars as am I right in thinking the GT500 is a lot heavier upfront due to the heavier engine?
Yes you are right and there is about 400 lbs more weight , most of it due to the big block and supercharger.Those who have owned 4.6's and now have the GT500's how would you rate the handling between the two cars as am I right in thinking the GT500 is a lot heavier upfront due to the heavier engine?
When I bought my GT500 I still had my Gt as it didn't sell in time for me to collect the Shelby.
The only difference I noticed was if turning sharply into a roundabout the weight could be felt slightly at the front but its very easy to overcome with the light steering.
Since then I have fitted Ford Racing struts, springs and shocks as well as aluminium lower control arms.
In fast road driving it easily feels as sharp as my GT which was in fact fitted with a full Roush handling kit. The Ford Racing hardware is quieter and smoother over bumps.
No doubt on a track a hard driver will notice more dumbell effect on the GT500 due to the engine weight but on the road, even driving fast through the twisties, the Shelby is a very capable car.
It is in fact far from the. lardy pig that people who have never driven one would have you believe.
Malc
MadDog1962 said:
It's great value for money in the USA and makes sense on American roads, but not in the UK or most of Europe.
Bulk? EXACTLY the same size as an XKR, upon which it is based, is the XKR "too bulky" for European roads?
A C6 Corvette is 13" shorter and 1" narrower, about the same size as a 911, or Maserati 4200.....
Ah, forgot, this IS PH. No need to check facts before posting.....
V8 FOU said:
Here we go again....
Bulk? EXACTLY the same size as an XKR, upon which it is based, is the XKR "too bulky" for European roads?
A C6 Corvette is 13" shorter and 1" narrower, about the same size as a 911, or Maserati 4200.....
Ah, forgot, this IS PH. No need to check facts before posting.....
Yeah but it's far too heavy for our roadsBulk? EXACTLY the same size as an XKR, upon which it is based, is the XKR "too bulky" for European roads?
A C6 Corvette is 13" shorter and 1" narrower, about the same size as a 911, or Maserati 4200.....
Ah, forgot, this IS PH. No need to check facts before posting.....
V8 FOU said:
Here we go again....
Bulk? EXACTLY the same size as an XKR, upon which it is based, is the XKR "too bulky" for European roads?
A C6 Corvette is 13" shorter and 1" narrower, about the same size as a 911, or Maserati 4200.....
Ah, forgot, this IS PH. No need to check facts before posting.....
I will correct you on the XKR thing, it isn't based on it, its common misconception. My car is MOT'd and worked on (when I haven't got the tools and capabilities myself by an ex Jag mechanic, he says they look totally different underneath. Some parts are shared though, like the automatic gearbox which has a similar case (5R55S in the Mustang, 5R55N in the Jaguar S-Type) with altered internals, its also used in some of the Ford trucks too.Bulk? EXACTLY the same size as an XKR, upon which it is based, is the XKR "too bulky" for European roads?
A C6 Corvette is 13" shorter and 1" narrower, about the same size as a 911, or Maserati 4200.....
Ah, forgot, this IS PH. No need to check facts before posting.....
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