So I'm getting back into having a fun car after way too long. I'm looking at getting something recent, such that the bank would finance it at a reasonable rate. I've had my fill of FWD econoboxes (Neon ACR, B13 SE-R) and Miatas (early NAs); and I want something that is a bit more powerful this time around. That currently has me looking at the 13-14 Mustang. The cyclone V6 appeals to me because it's a bit more economical than the GT. Stuff this car will be asked to do includes:
- Road Trips
- Autocross
- HPDE
- Drag Racing
- US 129
- Misc Club Events
I understand these cars have a very low speed limiter due to driveshaft harmonics. I presume an ECU reflash and aftermarket driveshaft would resolve that. Are there any solutions that wouldn't put me in some sort of tube-frame & slicks autocross class?
Do these do well in autocross, at least on a regional basis? I don't see any represented at nationals. I seem to recall something about a new STP class for cars like this to play in, which is where I'd likely want to end up.
Anything else I should know about or look for?
I "think" the driveshaft is outside of what can be legally modded to run in ST and such. Though for local events you should be ok.
A reflash should remove the limiter ST legal, you'll need some shocks and such too. get good ones, shoot for 550#-650# fronts and 250#-350# rear. 11" width wheels, and C&C plates. Car will still ride great if you pay for shocks. I still have some Motons!
Good cars, should be able to shed some weight with new seats and such. Depends on how in depth you really want to get.
Thinkkker wrote: I "think" the driveshaft is outside of what can be legally modded to run in ST and such. Though for local events you should be ok.
Yeah, I figured that is probably the case. Fortunately I'm not trying to win nationals with the car.
Thinkkker wrote: A reflash should remove the limiter *ST legal*
Yeah, looking at the torque curve, the car could probably use a bit higher rev limit as well.
Thinkkker wrote: you'll need some shocks and such too. get good ones, shoot for 550#-650# fronts and 250#-350# rear. 11" width wheels, and C&C plates. Car will still ride great if you pay for shocks. *I still have some Motons!*
Good cars, should be able to shed some weight with new seats and such. Depends on how in depth you really want to get.
The plan is to do consumables first, so tires -> brake pads -> shocks. Being the HPDE champion with the driveshaft upgrade and motons can probably wait until I get comfortable with the car next year sometime. I'll have to see what Strano likes with the stock springs.
MCarp22 wrote:
The plan is to do consumables first, so tires -> brake pads -> shocks. Being the HPDE champion with the driveshaft upgrade and motons can probably wait until I get comfortable with the car next year sometime. I'll have to see what Strano likes with the stock springs.
Strano....ppftt. Tell him Kent said hi.
With stock springs, get a big front bar. Then go have fun. I would change the endlinks as I broke one stock one, and also bent a steeda one not a whole lotta options when I did this. It may be a fluke, but the car destroyed them :). I have strano's on the front, they are beefy and no issues.
The S197 is hard to get in trouble with. It can cover a lot of things up.
So where's the go-to place on the web for handling-oriented tech info and discussion?
NickD
HalfDork
3/3/16 3:09 p.m.
MCarp22 wrote:
I understand these cars have a very low speed limiter due to driveshaft harmonics. I presume an ECU reflash and aftermarket driveshaft would resolve that.
The thing with the driveshaft on these is that they are a 2-piece design that uses a companion flange on both the tailshaft and the rearend with a slip yoke in the middle. Silly design. There are aftermarket one-piece driveshafts out there.
If the harmonic issues is anything like the Crown Vic/P71 it will eventully cause the rear tranny seal to work its out and dump all the fluid after enough time spent above "X" driveshaft speed.
This is a decent source.
http://forums.corner-carvers.com/showthread.php?t=43954
I recall reading something about an option package called "mayhem" for the V6 in that time bracket. I thought it was a great idea. The "lesser" pony cars are actually great cars. I enjoyed my V6 gen-4 camaro. If the Mustang is similar it should have pretty good balance, for a bigger car. The milage was pretty good too.
I rented an ecoboost mustang last year and it was nice. The interior is a step up from the previous generation and the rest of the current pony cars. It was pretty quick and handled well. It may be worth poking around to see if you can find a deal on one of those.
Give a V8 a try though. Also the camaro (v6 or v8) from a few years ago is a bit better on track but is not as nice to looking as the Mustang and feels cramped inside. I'm a big GM guy but the mustangs are great cars and the new ones are damn good looking.
