The Official Mustang Thread

[CaminoRacer]

Yeah, but the C8 isn't exactly underpowered.  Plus it has a weight, traction, and acceleration advantage over the 'Stang so it can brake later and go to WOT sooner which would theoretically offset it, but it looks like Ford really dialed the GT500 in.  Pretty impressive that they seem to have made an actually decent cross between a dragster and track car.  Shame its so heavy.

The acceleration advantage is only from a stop - the Mustang is a bit faster in the 45-65 MPH test and I assume keeps up with the C8 in 5-60 too.

While an MR car doesn't need as much front tire, I wonder how much the C8 would do with a 275 up front instead of 245. Would probably help with the understeer without ruining things.

[MrH]

The acceleration advantage is only from a stop - the Mustang is a bit faster in the 45-65 MPH test and I assume keeps up with the C8 in 5-60 too.

While an MR car doesn't need as much front tire, I wonder how much the C8 would do with a 275 up front instead of 245. Would probably help with the understeer without ruining things.

I think it's mostly an alignment decision from the factory.  FOGs going golfing don't need balance at the limit, but safe, predictable understeer.  Didn't a publication just do a more aggressive alignment and got much better results?

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

I think it's mostly an alignment decision from the factory.  FOGs going golfing don't need balance at the limit, but safe, predictable understeer.  Didn't a publication just do a more aggressive alignment and got much better results?

YUP! IIRC 3 Degrees of Caster adjustment knocked 3-4 seconds off each lap!!

[Xer0]

The acceleration advantage is only from a stop - the Mustang is a bit faster in the 45-65 MPH test and I assume keeps up with the C8 in 5-60 too.

While an MR car doesn't need as much front tire, I wonder how much the C8 would do with a 275 up front instead of 245. Would probably help with the understeer without ruining things.

Looking at MT's data, the Vette out accelerates the Mustang up through 100 mph, and while I can't find a GT500 5-60 stat, C&D clocked the Vette at 3.5 so its a decent amount slower then that blistering 0-60 but still faster then the GT500's 0-60 so I'd assume faster then its 5-60.  I wonder if there is still some transmission fine tuning to do on the Vette?  I got the impression that MT was much more impressed with the GT500's DCT vs the Vette's. 

It does seem like the Vette is purposely neutered from the factory though and more tire and less understeer are easy fixes for it.

[565]

https://www.thedrive.com/news/31522/car-carrier-hauling-new-2020-ford-mustang-shelby-gt500s-flips-in-detroit


Look at all these GT500s committing suicide out of shame.

[MX793]

https://www.thedrive.com/news/31522/car-carrier-hauling-new-2020-ford-mustang-shelby-gt500s-flips-in-detroit


Look at all these GT500s committing suicide out of shame.

Just saving their future owners the trouble of crashing them at the next C&C event.

[r0tor]

YUP! IIRC 3 Degrees of Caster adjustment knocked 3-4 seconds off each lap!!

Wut

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

Wut

My bad. The Track Alignment has 3 Degrees of Camber. Shaved 3 secs per lap with that setting....

[Soup DeVille]

My bad. The Track Alignment has 3 Degrees of Camber. Shaved 3 secs per lap with that setting....

Either are pretty extreme changes for a road car.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

Either are pretty extreme changes for a road car.

It's a track setting. IIRC it can be adjusted up to 8 Degrees! The street (factory) alignment is not as aggressive....

[GoCougs]

I think it's mostly an alignment decision from the factory.  FOGs going golfing don't need balance at the limit, but safe, predictable understeer.  Didn't a publication just do a more aggressive alignment and got much better results?

This is an important fact.

The C8/Z51 is a sporty-ish version of the Corvette, to be bought new by the typical FOG demographic (or mostly - Chevy seems to have snagged some of the European demographic) - it is not in any way some sort of track master. The GT500 is an attempt at a balls-to-the-wall $100k Mustang track monster. A $100k C8 (Z06, L88, whatever) is a different story.

[r0tor]

I think it's mostly an alignment decision from the factory.  FOGs going golfing don't need balance at the limit, but safe, predictable understeer.  Didn't a publication just do a more aggressive alignment and got much better results?

I'm sure it has nothing to do with tire wear

[CaminoRacer]

I'm sure it has nothing to do with tire wear

A lot of people running 2-3 degrees of camber don't notice any wear from it. If you're tracking the car, you'll actually notice less wear since it won't destroy the outer edges like a "street" alignment will.

[r0tor]

3 Degrees of negative camber will kill tires quickly for the 99th percentile of owners... Especially the width we are talking about.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

3 Degrees of negative camber will kill tires quickly for the 99th percentile of owners... Especially the width we are talking about.

That's why it's called Track Alignment...... 

[MX793]

Got this for Christmas.  The ultimate Lego Mustang.  Remarkably detailed.

[veeman]

What "brand" is that lego Mustang?  That's awesome!  I've never seen LEGO make model real cars. 

[MX793]

Lego Creator Expert series.  They also have a classic VW Beetle and Bus, a Harley motorcycle, and James Bond's Aston DB5.

They also have a line of smaller real car sets with classic and modern Mustangs, classic and modern GT40s, a couple of Porsche models, etc.

[veeman]

Thanks!  I'll have to check this out.

[AutobahnSHO]

nice!  I haven't seen personal photos of completed builds before. I wish they weren't stupid expensive!!

[Raza]

Got this for Christmas.  The ultimate Lego Mustang.  Remarkably detailed.

That looks great! I have a LEGO F40, but I haven't built it yet.

[cawimmer430]

Got this for Christmas.  The ultimate Lego Mustang.  Remarkably detailed.

I don't want to sit on those seats for hundreds of miles. They don't look very comfy. 

[MX793]

GT500 vs 911 GT3RS on a road course.  I'm shocked it was that close given that the new GT500, like the last one, is a bit of a front-heavy pig.

Split screen Track Battle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogxgxNfjxlg

Full review
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcQWMHYCrO8

[CaminoRacer]

Ugh that second video and the stupid yellow chin spoiler protectors.

[Laconian]

Ugh that second video and the stupid yellow chin spoiler protectors.

Yo dawg, I heard you liked chin spoilers, so I got you a chin spoiler for your chin spoiler..

[MX793]

Yo dawg, I heard you liked chin spoilers, so I got you a chin spoiler for your chin spoiler..

Those yellow things on the corners of the front splitter are part of the shipping protective kit (along with vinyl covers they put on the hood and wheels), they aren't actually intended to be left on the car, but it's a big trend among the Chally crowd to leave them on.

[Raza]

GT500 vs 911 GT3RS on a road course.  I'm shocked it was that close given that the new GT500, like the last one, is a bit of a front-heavy pig.

Split screen Track Battle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogxgxNfjxlg

Full review
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcQWMHYCrO8

(1) I didn't realize the 812 Superfast was so good looking.  It's far from Ferrari's heyday, but it could have been so much worse.
(2) As much as an automatic enhances the GT500's capabilities, it seems a shame to see an old school icon fall to modern tech without an option of a manual as well. 
(3) I am surprised at how much I like the looks of the GT500 and how quickly I warmed to this generation of Mustang in general.
(4) I would still prefer a lesser light with a manual in the Mustang range.  Give me a Bullitt, GT350, or GT350R.  I'm happy to live outside of the top echelon of performance.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

Those yellow things on the corners of the front splitter are part of the shipping protective kit (along with vinyl covers they put on the hood and wheels), they aren't actually intended to be left on the car, but it's a big trend among the Chally crowd to leave them on.

YUP!!!!! Irritates me to no end......

[GoCougs]

It's finally here, Posting ITT as the GT500 is the newer of the bunch: Betting on the Ponies: Mustang GT500 versus Camaro ZL1 1LE.

In short, no "clear winner" but they choose the Camaro as it's almost $30k cheaper, had equivalent or better overall performance (albeit the Mustang was quicker past the 1/4 mile) and is easier to drive fast. The GT500 also had better ride, better ergo and some nicer touches. 

[GoCougs]

I mean, it's great that these cars are out there and available, but the GT500 seems only about 85% baked: 4,000+ curb weight, peaky engine, no M/T and top speed governor because of aero/handling limits.