Are we down with the ecoboost Mustang?

Now all of you have got me looking for cheap 1960s mustangs and a crashed F150 with an eco boost v6. 

I haven't driven either version of the current Mustang, but based on numbers and words on a screen, I think my money would be spent on the EcoBoost and some basic mods rather than the Coyote. You'd have a lighter, better balanced car with plenty of power.

You can use boost-by-rpm to accentuate the type of powerband you want. If you're happy with the midrange torque and want it to pull harder past the hp peak, just start ramping up boost at that rpm.  You may end up with 7 more psi at 6000 than you had at 5000rpm, but it'll make it feel like it wants to rev and it won't change the behavior anywhere else. You just have to make sure you have the fuel and cooling for it. 

I have mixed feelings about the modern Musclecars having 4 and 6 cylinder variants. On one hand they are "musclecars" and a big part of that has always been the sound of 8 cylinders under the hood. It doesn't matter that these boosted little engines would spank a Hemi 'Cuda in the 1/4, they just don't sound right. 

Having said that, the original Mustang and Camaro had 6 cylinder engines as well so it's in their DNA. I guess these are actually Pony Cars, not Musclecars. Then I see a V6 Camaro win its class at the 2017 SCCA Solo Nationals and am more than a little impressed how far these cars have come

In reply to loosecannon :

When has the base variant of any "muscle car" not had a 4 or 6 cyl engine?  Pony car or not.

I wrote a blog post about the Pony vs Muscle car phenomenon:  http://motorosophy.blogspot.com/2017/07/pony-car-or-muscle-car-aka-staying-true.html

I don't know, Dwight. That was a pretty girly post if you ask me ;)

But seriously, good reading. 

Fueled by Caffeine said:

I'd like to see a base model camaro vs an ecoboost mustang base model grm review.

They need to offer the 2.0T Camaro with the performance pack. If they did I would probably hop on it. 

goingnowherefast said:

Fueled by Caffeine said:

I'd like to see a base model camaro vs an ecoboost mustang base model grm review.

They need to offer the 2.0T Camaro with the performance pack. If they did I would probably hop on it. 

I agree. The 2.0T Camaro does have larger brakes and upgraded cooling system options, but good luck finding a base model car with those options on a dealer lot (at least around here). The EB Mustangs with performance pack can be easily spotted just driving by the dealer.  

Not Ecoboost related, but new, Base, Manual, V8 '16 Mustangs are in the $26-27K range on Cars.com

They do have the GMPP (GM performance parts) handling/lowering package for the 4-cyl and you can spec it on the options sheet, but I believe the dealer will install it.  GRM reviewed it.

There are different versions of the kit for different models.  The V6 1LE is literally just parts from the base SS (FE3).  Here's my thinking, buy the lowering kit for the SS, I don't know if it's appreciable difference, but worst case it's the top spec.  GM published a lap time figure which shows significant improvements for a SS.  There has been no direct comparison, but given the improvement quoted, I suspect it could get you beyond the ZL1/SS 1LE (FE4) level of suspension.  The 4-piston calipers were used on other models like the ATS.  ZZPerformance sells new 4-piston calipers for $130.  Buy the GMPP sway bars and end links for a few hundred new.  Now you've effectively built a 4-cyl/V6 "1LE+" from a performance perspective with OEM level integration.

The cooling stuff involves two additional small radiators placed at each side of the main rad.  I suspect this would be easy to implement.  The oil cooler probably is reasonably doable as well, although it's conceivable it might require a bit of line/connector customization on the 4-cyl.  I'm not sure if the transmission cooler is realistic to DIY install.  The diff cooler connects to a cooler in the transmission, so I don't think that's easily DIYable.  I have to wonder how necessary it would be...