Handling

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4WD

Original Poster:

2,289 posts

238 months

Tuesday 31st October 2006
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Seems to be the only part to tweek. What's the best bolt on upgrade?

(I presume the lighter GT has a large advantage over the 500 straight away).

zektor

583 posts

254 months

Wednesday 1st November 2006
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If we are talking about the new Mustang. The car can be lowered with uprated springs, panhard bar and camber bolts for under £500. If you do the work yourself (it's easy!).

The car will have a lower C of G and corner much flatter. Vast improvement over stock.

To improve even further, replace the wheels and tyres for a much bigger low profile option. Big improvement also.

If you are keen to stretch it further, the Mustang has plenty off parts available at reasonable cost. The car is so damn easy to work on too! An absolute bonus!

LuS1fer

41,747 posts

252 months

Wednesday 1st November 2006
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The stock tyres are, in my view, the biggest failing. The tyres are 55 profile so the steering is a lttle rubbery. Unfortunately, to keep the same rolling radius on a 35 profile tyre requires new bigger wheels but you get sharper steering, less roll and better grip.

After that, lowering springs do wonders with uprated shocks if really necessary but I wouldn't worry.

A cold air induction kit and a tune is also well worth it.

4WD

Original Poster:

2,289 posts

238 months

Wednesday 8th November 2006
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How do you guys find them in the wet? Scarey? Any moments?

LuS1fer

41,747 posts

252 months

Wednesday 8th November 2006
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4WD said:
How do you guys find them in the wet? Scarey? Any moments?


Mine is supercharged, lowered and wears Dunlop Sportmaxx 275/35's. I recently went on a wet PH run through Brecon along the A470, over the Beacons and down through twisting country lanes and switchbacks. I never had any monments despite giving the car a thorough work-out and this involved chasing both GT3 and Elise and never really being found wanting. Only the brakes could have been phased if I'd worked them harder.

zektor

583 posts

254 months

Wednesday 8th November 2006
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Ha! Ha!

To be honest, it's not very often my GT is used in the wet. But it is actually very good fun in the wet, you can slide it around at much safer speeds!!!

My car tends to respond to steering inputs very well. So I don't often find myself almost out of control no matter how hard I throw it about.

Twin Turbo

5,544 posts

273 months

Wednesday 8th November 2006
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Zektor & LuS1fer, are both your cars 5-speed manuals? I always think a manual box gives you much more control in poor conditions. My 300zx is an auto, and it's the one thing I'd change on the car as it hampers my interaction.

LuS1fer

41,747 posts

252 months

Wednesday 8th November 2006
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Mine's a 5 speed shifter. I agree having had an auto Z28 that you can get caught out far more easily both by the kickdown and the urge to mash the throttle and let the torque convertor thump the power home. Also trying to use an auto like a manual upsets the back end especially given the wide ratio spacing. But seriously, the Stang is very good - those saddlebag fuel tanks really help the weight distribution and stop the tail being a pendulum.

zektor

583 posts

254 months

Wednesday 8th November 2006
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Mine's a 5-speed manual too. Nothing like slamming 2nd gear in and chirping the tyres!

My biggest grin experience went like this...

Negotiating a big roundabout that had been temporarily turned into a mini-roundabout (road works) in 1st gear. As I turned towards my exit, I had plenty of space and so gunned the throttle. Instantly the back end lit up and I shot towards the exit. Held the throttle in until the limiter cut in. A fairly big bang from the exhaust was heard as the engine limiter came in. Just after that moment, slammed 2nd gear in and powered through that gear as well with the tyres scrabbling for traction before backing off for the next roundabout. It was a proper "Muscle Car" event, and gave me a real buzz.

It sounds brutal, but this car is built like a brick sh!t house, and can easily take this all day long! And in reality, it wasn't that hard on drivetrain at all!

Massive fun!

Cheers

Twin Turbo

5,544 posts

273 months

Wednesday 8th November 2006
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driving thumbup

4WD

Original Poster:

2,289 posts

238 months

Thursday 9th November 2006
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Bad Boy's evil