Ford Mustang 2013 GT Track Pack
Discussion
Here is the Chevy Colorado with extended cab doors open and tailgate down.
It looks like this truck is sold as the Isuzu Yukon in the UK. Same underneath, but a much uglier body. The uk model is cheaper and you get the diesel as standard. However the U.S. version comes with way more features as standard, z51 package and baby duramax for 8k more. For 36k you can get a toyota tacoma trd pro which is nicer and depreciates like a Porsche 930.
Time to drive a real man's truck...
I went back to Bowling Green for the Corvette factory tour. Tickets must be booked 24hrs prior to the actual tour. I was running late and my GPS took me on the dead end road literally a street away from the correct road I needed to be on. I ended up getting back on the interstate, going the wrong way and had to double back 8 miles one way.
I floored the truck and had Corvette Valhalla in sight.
The parking lot for the Corvette factory is huge and there's a Chevy Volt charging station for employees which was cool.
The tour itself was about 2-3 hours and it is right on the assembly line. It was awesome. The American rawness of the blue collar hero was in full glory.
The staff will take you to each station and you will see the car being assembeled, to the car leaving the factory for delivery. I believe on the VIP tour, if you order a new Vette you can see it being built from scratch. It takes around a day and a half from start to finish for a full vette to be completed.
So at the time no Z06's were being produced, the 2017 z06 production won't begin for a few weeks. There were no signs (obviously) of any prototype zr1 that I spotted.
They were building stingrays and grand sports.
There is the NCM National Corvette Muesum Racetrack, right outside for track days and corvette experience days.
Unfortunately, strictly no cell phones are allowed inside the factory.
It really was a bad idea visiting Bowling Green. All I can think about are corvettes. My wife keeps going on about how much she wants a C3 Corvette. Early C3's are expensive since they're from the muscle car era like a 427. However the later c3's from the disco era (Dirk Diggler Boogie Nights had the orange C3) can be found pretty cheap. I missed a deal where one was sold for $3000. However the engines are gutless due to the smog and emission regulations (climate change lies) of the fear mongering 1970's.
It would involve an ls swap which I don't think would be that hard since the engine accessibility on corvettes is excellent. It's just the time and motivation needed to complete that undertaking, is not there. I need to get this mustang done and I've not even started on the performance side.
Having said that I purchased a white line adjustable panhard bar and a white line panhard mount for preparation when I lower the car with the Bilstein B12 Pro kit. When the Bilstein kit is fitted, it will throw the solid live rear axle out of adjustment. It will shift left or right. The factory panhard bar is non adjustable. This allows me to re center the axle, improves rigidity, traction and reduces wheel hop.
I also got the white line panhard support brace which should build on the rigitity, the stock item is pretty thin.
http://www.americanmuscle.com/enlargedviewer/34236...
http://www.americanmuscle.com/whiteline-panhard-su...
I got the whole setup for $180 including shipping via ebay, saving $110 from msrp.
A lot of mustangs have been lowered, however most people slap lowering springs on and call it a day. Worsening the handling for the "dropped look." I want this done right the first time.
It looks like this truck is sold as the Isuzu Yukon in the UK. Same underneath, but a much uglier body. The uk model is cheaper and you get the diesel as standard. However the U.S. version comes with way more features as standard, z51 package and baby duramax for 8k more. For 36k you can get a toyota tacoma trd pro which is nicer and depreciates like a Porsche 930.
Time to drive a real man's truck...
I went back to Bowling Green for the Corvette factory tour. Tickets must be booked 24hrs prior to the actual tour. I was running late and my GPS took me on the dead end road literally a street away from the correct road I needed to be on. I ended up getting back on the interstate, going the wrong way and had to double back 8 miles one way.
I floored the truck and had Corvette Valhalla in sight.
The parking lot for the Corvette factory is huge and there's a Chevy Volt charging station for employees which was cool.
The tour itself was about 2-3 hours and it is right on the assembly line. It was awesome. The American rawness of the blue collar hero was in full glory.
The staff will take you to each station and you will see the car being assembeled, to the car leaving the factory for delivery. I believe on the VIP tour, if you order a new Vette you can see it being built from scratch. It takes around a day and a half from start to finish for a full vette to be completed.
So at the time no Z06's were being produced, the 2017 z06 production won't begin for a few weeks. There were no signs (obviously) of any prototype zr1 that I spotted.
They were building stingrays and grand sports.
There is the NCM National Corvette Muesum Racetrack, right outside for track days and corvette experience days.
Unfortunately, strictly no cell phones are allowed inside the factory.
It really was a bad idea visiting Bowling Green. All I can think about are corvettes. My wife keeps going on about how much she wants a C3 Corvette. Early C3's are expensive since they're from the muscle car era like a 427. However the later c3's from the disco era (Dirk Diggler Boogie Nights had the orange C3) can be found pretty cheap. I missed a deal where one was sold for $3000. However the engines are gutless due to the smog and emission regulations (climate change lies) of the fear mongering 1970's.
It would involve an ls swap which I don't think would be that hard since the engine accessibility on corvettes is excellent. It's just the time and motivation needed to complete that undertaking, is not there. I need to get this mustang done and I've not even started on the performance side.
Having said that I purchased a white line adjustable panhard bar and a white line panhard mount for preparation when I lower the car with the Bilstein B12 Pro kit. When the Bilstein kit is fitted, it will throw the solid live rear axle out of adjustment. It will shift left or right. The factory panhard bar is non adjustable. This allows me to re center the axle, improves rigidity, traction and reduces wheel hop.
I also got the white line panhard support brace which should build on the rigitity, the stock item is pretty thin.
http://www.americanmuscle.com/enlargedviewer/34236...
http://www.americanmuscle.com/whiteline-panhard-su...
I got the whole setup for $180 including shipping via ebay, saving $110 from msrp.
A lot of mustangs have been lowered, however most people slap lowering springs on and call it a day. Worsening the handling for the "dropped look." I want this done right the first time.
Edited by 5ohmustang on Wednesday 14th September 07:38
Home, home again.
I like to be here when I can.
When I come home cold and tired
It's good to warm my bones beside the fire.
Far away across the field
The tolling of the iron bell
Calls the faithful to their knees
To hear the softly spoken magic spells.
I am home again from the Mojave in California. It was around 45c plus gear took it to around 50c.
The desert does funny things to a person, a whole lot of reflecting on life goes on. It would have been a good time for Jim Morrison to appear.
Once I get some rest in a comfy bed, next up will be the installation of the Whiteline Support Bar and adjustable panhard bar. I might as well fit it now and save some time when the struts and shocks go on. I will have to readjust again it when the mustang is lowered, but adjustment takes a minute once the rear end is jacked up.
I nearly purchased a set of Eibach multipro R1 coilovers and maximum motorsports caster camber plates for a cheap price but the spring rates were far too high. Eibach ers motorsport springs are available with a better rate of 225/250lbs but I can wait longer.
First I must feast and get this M.R.E. crap out.
Kapiteinlangzaam I salute you!
I like to be here when I can.
When I come home cold and tired
It's good to warm my bones beside the fire.
Far away across the field
The tolling of the iron bell
Calls the faithful to their knees
To hear the softly spoken magic spells.
I am home again from the Mojave in California. It was around 45c plus gear took it to around 50c.
The desert does funny things to a person, a whole lot of reflecting on life goes on. It would have been a good time for Jim Morrison to appear.
Once I get some rest in a comfy bed, next up will be the installation of the Whiteline Support Bar and adjustable panhard bar. I might as well fit it now and save some time when the struts and shocks go on. I will have to readjust again it when the mustang is lowered, but adjustment takes a minute once the rear end is jacked up.
I nearly purchased a set of Eibach multipro R1 coilovers and maximum motorsports caster camber plates for a cheap price but the spring rates were far too high. Eibach ers motorsport springs are available with a better rate of 225/250lbs but I can wait longer.
First I must feast and get this M.R.E. crap out.
Kapiteinlangzaam I salute you!
I swapped out the dim incandescent trunk bulb to a Diode Dynamics led bulb. It's much brighter than before. It cost around $5.
Next I jacked up the car and installed the white line panhard support bar and the adjustable panhard bar. Both items are much much heavy duty than the factory originals.
I had to tape 550 cord guts to a socket on both rear fenders. Then measure the distance from the top center of the tire to the lip. The axle had kicked out 1/4 inch to the drivers side. I unscrewed the two locknuts on the bar and brought the axle back to center, thread locked the lock nut and all is good.
I have not had the chance to properly test the mustang to see if there is a noticeable difference. Regardless it's required for lowering when that comes in the future.
Next I jacked up the car and installed the white line panhard support bar and the adjustable panhard bar. Both items are much much heavy duty than the factory originals.
I had to tape 550 cord guts to a socket on both rear fenders. Then measure the distance from the top center of the tire to the lip. The axle had kicked out 1/4 inch to the drivers side. I unscrewed the two locknuts on the bar and brought the axle back to center, thread locked the lock nut and all is good.
I have not had the chance to properly test the mustang to see if there is a noticeable difference. Regardless it's required for lowering when that comes in the future.
I spotted another Buick Grand National, this one was mint with t tops.
There's something very magical about a Grand National.
Worth a watch, Black Air, the Buick Grand National documentary.
http://youtu.be/X2MrvWPByAA
There's something very magical about a Grand National.
Worth a watch, Black Air, the Buick Grand National documentary.
http://youtu.be/X2MrvWPByAA
With the thought of switching to the lightest and widest wheel possible at the best value for money, I've been looking at Forgestar f14s.
Rotary forged flow formed and made in the USA, this 19x11 weighs 25lbs. They are really wide and is the maximum width allowed under regular mustang arches.
Anything wider will require a wide body kit which don't look right.
These will take 315 tire profile which will help it put the power down once it's supercharged.
Just tried the one for now, as I can get single wheels very cheap every so often.
Rotary forged flow formed and made in the USA, this 19x11 weighs 25lbs. They are really wide and is the maximum width allowed under regular mustang arches.
Anything wider will require a wide body kit which don't look right.
These will take 315 tire profile which will help it put the power down once it's supercharged.
Just tried the one for now, as I can get single wheels very cheap every so often.
I drove the Mustang for the first time since the last upgrade. It seems to be more stiffer in the corners but still on heavily rutted corners the lateral movement of the axle is still noticeable. Really it will need upgraded upper and lower control arms to remove those issues.
A spirited drive through the mountains on the Cherohala Skyway and onto the Blue ridge Parkway to Asheville, North Carolina. I managed up to 36mpg (UK) hypermiling on a mountain highway which was really good considering the hilly roads. It settled at 33 UK mpg for the trip back.
A spirited drive through the mountains on the Cherohala Skyway and onto the Blue ridge Parkway to Asheville, North Carolina. I managed up to 36mpg (UK) hypermiling on a mountain highway which was really good considering the hilly roads. It settled at 33 UK mpg for the trip back.
I spotted a Focus RS in the wild. This is the first one I've seen close up.
It looks well put together but it seemed really small. As you can see from the pics how much longer the mustang is, still there were 3 inches sticking out from the rear.
It does not look like a maintenance friendly car.
The interior materials looks very similar to my mustang.
The nitrous blue in person is close to grabber blue except it has the glitter speckles.
I can't wait till the new type r gets here, hopefully it will be bigger than the focus.
It looks well put together but it seemed really small. As you can see from the pics how much longer the mustang is, still there were 3 inches sticking out from the rear.
It does not look like a maintenance friendly car.
The interior materials looks very similar to my mustang.
The nitrous blue in person is close to grabber blue except it has the glitter speckles.
I can't wait till the new type r gets here, hopefully it will be bigger than the focus.
Some interesting cars on my travels.
C4 vette, those wheels look very similar to Compomotive CX's.
The regular v6 grill (no fogs) and the roush splitter look classic, if I did not use the fogs, this is how I'd do it.
The perfect ride height.
C4 vette, those wheels look very similar to Compomotive CX's.
The regular v6 grill (no fogs) and the roush splitter look classic, if I did not use the fogs, this is how I'd do it.
The perfect ride height.
Edited by 5ohmustang on Tuesday 31st January 05:36
Spotted this nice Challenger, the Monster decal needs to go.
I am now going to replace the factory shocks and struts. The track pack had GT items but had been revalved. The springs were still too soft, allowed for some body roll and nose dive under heavy braking was pretty bad. The Boss 302 had adjustable Toxico's, the GT500 had adjustable Bilsteins (electronically adjustable button next to the launch control.)
The best shocks and struts I have found are Bilstein B12's. Which are the B6/HD Shocks combined with Eibach Springs. There's a pro kit and sportline. The difference are the spring's ride height and rate. The sportline being the lower drop, however some people have reported they are too harsh for the road. The kit I have ordered is the pro kit.
https://www.steeda.com/bilstein-b12-suspension-pro...
I believe these are the springs alone https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b64ta21YFkA&li...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MN6BBhIumFA&in...
It should be a 1 inch drop, due to the drop not being aggressive, camber plates and a bumpsteer kit are not needed.
Easy installation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9LEV5CtMV8&in...
The best part of this is the kit costs $1k, frugality and patience netted them for $500.
It's been a long time since I last had Bilstein.
I am now going to replace the factory shocks and struts. The track pack had GT items but had been revalved. The springs were still too soft, allowed for some body roll and nose dive under heavy braking was pretty bad. The Boss 302 had adjustable Toxico's, the GT500 had adjustable Bilsteins (electronically adjustable button next to the launch control.)
The best shocks and struts I have found are Bilstein B12's. Which are the B6/HD Shocks combined with Eibach Springs. There's a pro kit and sportline. The difference are the spring's ride height and rate. The sportline being the lower drop, however some people have reported they are too harsh for the road. The kit I have ordered is the pro kit.
https://www.steeda.com/bilstein-b12-suspension-pro...
I believe these are the springs alone https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b64ta21YFkA&li...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MN6BBhIumFA&in...
It should be a 1 inch drop, due to the drop not being aggressive, camber plates and a bumpsteer kit are not needed.
Easy installation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9LEV5CtMV8&in...
The best part of this is the kit costs $1k, frugality and patience netted them for $500.
It's been a long time since I last had Bilstein.
Today I came across 2 dudes at work with Mustangs. I've seen both cars around and they are pretty damn loud. I took a closer look.
These are the Eibach Sportline and they look great. It is actually on the bumpstops so they need replacing with shorter ones. It is only using the Eibach Camber bolts ($20) to correct it. It's not running an adjustable panhard bar as the axle is very slightly off center.
Kooks shorty headers, catless, BBK X pipe, resonators deleted, Roush axle backs, bigger injectors, boss 302 intake, bama tune, it runs on E85 Flexfuel.
On the boss intake the cavity is huge between the intake and the top of the engine.
GT500 Steering wheel.
Boss 302
Boss intakes on the Boss are serialized while the off the shelf boss intakes have the ford racing badge.
Boom!
Boss strut bar, the coil covers are blue, the trim pieces on either side of the intake hide the lines and a spacer cover to cap off the large cavity I mentioned to reduce heat being trapped there.
These are the Eibach Sportline and they look great. It is actually on the bumpstops so they need replacing with shorter ones. It is only using the Eibach Camber bolts ($20) to correct it. It's not running an adjustable panhard bar as the axle is very slightly off center.
Kooks shorty headers, catless, BBK X pipe, resonators deleted, Roush axle backs, bigger injectors, boss 302 intake, bama tune, it runs on E85 Flexfuel.
On the boss intake the cavity is huge between the intake and the top of the engine.
GT500 Steering wheel.
Boss 302
Boss intakes on the Boss are serialized while the off the shelf boss intakes have the ford racing badge.
Boom!
Boss strut bar, the coil covers are blue, the trim pieces on either side of the intake hide the lines and a spacer cover to cap off the large cavity I mentioned to reduce heat being trapped there.
The Bilstein B12's arrived today.
Unpacked and inventoried all components and hardware, everything is present.
Eibach pro kit
No Nick's, gouges, scratches all struts and shocks are brand new.
This ripped packaging, patience and frugal shopping got me $500 off. Do your research, compare and buy wisely. There are bargains to be had, you just have to hunt the good stuff.
So for around 400 quid all in. I'll loan a free spring compressor from AutoZone tomorrow and get working on the stang.
Edited by 5ohmustang on Friday 10th February 12:01
The 13-14 GT500 electronically adjustable bilsteins was only on the SVT performance pack. They were known as Bilstein Damp-Tronic. I previously was looking into what it would take to have these installed to my GT. They will bolt up straight up and work, however they will not adjust. I believe it will stay in the mode it as selected in.
2 settings were available, normal and track.
However you need more than the shocks to adjust electronically. Some part of the wiring is required too as the shocks interact with the car. This suspension came with a control module.
Occasionally a cheap used set will pop up for sale as take off's on a car at Shelby American, all the take off parts are sold through the ebay store. New they are around $500 a corner, plus the control module is $500.
It changes the brake bias a little rearward to help turn in, re-tunes the ABS, reduces advance track stability control, turns off nibble control in the EPAS and defaults to the sport steering setting.
It's really cool and all that, but not worth the expense or hassle to have the luxury of electronic adjustability. I like the idea but it's just one more component to break.
2 settings were available, normal and track.
However you need more than the shocks to adjust electronically. Some part of the wiring is required too as the shocks interact with the car. This suspension came with a control module.
Occasionally a cheap used set will pop up for sale as take off's on a car at Shelby American, all the take off parts are sold through the ebay store. New they are around $500 a corner, plus the control module is $500.
It changes the brake bias a little rearward to help turn in, re-tunes the ABS, reduces advance track stability control, turns off nibble control in the EPAS and defaults to the sport steering setting.
It's really cool and all that, but not worth the expense or hassle to have the luxury of electronic adjustability. I like the idea but it's just one more component to break.
Edited by 5ohmustang on Friday 10th February 11:57
There was no way to install the bilstein kit without an impact gun.
The rear shocks and struts were pretty easy to install. I had to drop the sway bar from the end links to access the lower shock bolts.
At this point I realized the track pack swaybar is actually the same size as the regular gt, 24mm. I did some research and the boss sway bar and gt500 svt performance pack use 25mm. Most aftermarket upgraded sway bars run 25mm.
It turns out the boss 302 Laguna secs used 26mm. These are available from Ford for like $80. Bargain of the century, combined with upgraded bushings and BMR end links this should provide a big improvement over stock.
Anyway when it came to the front strut, the strut mount separated in half. Dropping ball bearings on the floor. I spent half an hour finding them all and putting them back in the bearing race.
Unfortunately there is no way to connect the two halves properly again.
Most people use the gt500 strut mounts which also fits 05-10 GTs. 11-14 GTs use a thicker stem so the only option is to buy new crappy OEM strut mounts or go aftermarket.
I just ordered Steeda heavy duty caster camber plates, normally $330 but I found a set for $150.
To be continued.
The rear shocks and struts were pretty easy to install. I had to drop the sway bar from the end links to access the lower shock bolts.
At this point I realized the track pack swaybar is actually the same size as the regular gt, 24mm. I did some research and the boss sway bar and gt500 svt performance pack use 25mm. Most aftermarket upgraded sway bars run 25mm.
It turns out the boss 302 Laguna secs used 26mm. These are available from Ford for like $80. Bargain of the century, combined with upgraded bushings and BMR end links this should provide a big improvement over stock.
Anyway when it came to the front strut, the strut mount separated in half. Dropping ball bearings on the floor. I spent half an hour finding them all and putting them back in the bearing race.
Unfortunately there is no way to connect the two halves properly again.
Most people use the gt500 strut mounts which also fits 05-10 GTs. 11-14 GTs use a thicker stem so the only option is to buy new crappy OEM strut mounts or go aftermarket.
I just ordered Steeda heavy duty caster camber plates, normally $330 but I found a set for $150.
To be continued.
The steeda heavy duty caster camber plates arrived too late to install this weekend.
I also got the call from Ford to say the takata airbag parts for the recall had arrived. I have been waiting for 2 years.
Once the alignment is done I'll test out the new new shocks and struts on the Tail of the Dragon and adjust it from there. Interestingly no instructions came from bilstein on adjusting the units.
Meanwhile, watch this with the volume turned up.
https://youtu.be/45mFYpFRvtQ
I also got the call from Ford to say the takata airbag parts for the recall had arrived. I have been waiting for 2 years.
Once the alignment is done I'll test out the new new shocks and struts on the Tail of the Dragon and adjust it from there. Interestingly no instructions came from bilstein on adjusting the units.
Meanwhile, watch this with the volume turned up.
https://youtu.be/45mFYpFRvtQ
It looks like the msd 2 step and catless is the key. Hey Kappa, does your s550 come with launch control from the factory?
The msd 2step is $230.
Install https://youtu.be/WAC-kqY7JFg
Flames https://youtu.be/lY5yNcRIyPo.https://youtu.be/aWunB5kOsbI
The msd 2step is $230.
Install https://youtu.be/WAC-kqY7JFg
Flames https://youtu.be/lY5yNcRIyPo.https://youtu.be/aWunB5kOsbI
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