A Mustang with a live axle beating an R8 and M3? Surely not possible!!

Gibbo · 4 Jul 2011 at 21:44

Hi there

First of all if I posted this previously then sorry, but I really can't remember, so here goes:-

This is the even faster version which Ford claims is upto nearly 2s a lap faster again than the above version as this is the hardcore track varient, wheras the above was the road going version:-

Whichever way you look at it it cost half the price of the M3, has a live axle so its quite some accomplishment. It also goes to show how far ahead Ford are in the handling stakes compared to say GM with the independent rear suspension Camaro and Dodge with the Challenger. Plus how much quicker it is compared round the track to the more powerful GT500.

Clarkey · 4 Jul 2011 at 21:59

Looks to go well around there. I have to say I was pretty darn impressed with how yours went, wouldn't underestimate them.

Gibbo · 4 Jul 2011 at 22:22

Clarkey said:
Looks to go well around there. I have to say I was pretty darn impressed with how yours went, wouldn't underestimate them.

Yeah its great to see Ford doing what I did and more to their factory cars.

The handling of this one should beat mine and that new 5.0 is a gem, gotta admit I kinda would love a BOSS 302.

hurfdurf · 4 Jul 2011 at 22:26

How many HP does it have? Is there mayhaps some manufacturer trickery going on? I have been wary of lap times as benchmarks for awhile...

Fr0dders · 4 Jul 2011 at 22:27

444bhp i believe.

Lashout_UK · 4 Jul 2011 at 22:28

Yup! And, with the same driver, a Corvette ZR1 lapped the 'ring in the same time as a 458 Italia. Which costs about £50k more.

Saying that, the fastest a 458 appears to have run is 7:33. That's around seven seconds slower than the quickest recorded standard ZR1 time.

Gibbo · 4 Jul 2011 at 22:31

hurfdurf said:
How many HP does it have? Is there mayhaps some manufacturer trickery going on? I have been wary of lap times as benchmarks for awhile...

I firmly believe it to be honest, having driven the new M3 and owned a sorted Mustang, I am confident the Mustang is truly the better car in the twisties.

For a start the Mustang is probably nearly 200kg lighter than the M3.

Raymond Lin · 4 Jul 2011 at 22:32

If only they make a LHD

hurfdurf · 4 Jul 2011 at 23:28

Gibbo said:
I firmly believe it to be honest, having driven the new M3 and owned a sorted Mustang, I am confident the Mustang is truly the better car in the twisties.

For a start the Mustang is probably nearly 200kg lighter than the M3.

I remember your mustang feeling so much better planted as a passenger at the RR than the M3's I have experienced, its the R8 I was thinking about

Also saw a thread on PH, disgusting that someone may have done that to you, but then, Porsche are notorious for being harsh with their warranties so they are also at fault if they turn the car down.

Dr Who · 4 Jul 2011 at 23:35

That front splitter will never pass an SVA test

GSXRMovistar · 4 Jul 2011 at 23:39

Raymond Lin said:
If only they make a LHD

I'm guessing you mean RHD but why is that such an issue?

As for the car itself.....awesome! :cool:

panthro · 5 Jul 2011 at 01:59

Gibbo said:
I firmly believe it to be honest, having driven the new M3 and owned a sorted Mustang, I am confident the Mustang is truly the better car in the twisties.

For a start the Mustang is probably nearly 200kg lighter than the M3.

For a start you completely changed the suspension set up.

Gibbo · 5 Jul 2011 at 07:03

panthro said:
For a start you completely changed the suspension set up.

I sure did, but now Ford are doing what I did and more to cars out the factory. The BOSS 302 basically has done to it what I did to my suspension whilst the Leguna Seca even more.

Dr Who · 5 Jul 2011 at 08:10

Someone at Ford US is a big DS3 Racing fan

Gibbo · 5 Jul 2011 at 08:11

Dr Who said:
Someone at Ford US is a big DS3 Racing fan

Works well on a Mustang though, like TG said, the DS3 just looks like a big trainer.

sunny007 · 5 Jul 2011 at 08:24

Gibbo, Where did you buy your mustang from ?

Gibbo · 5 Jul 2011 at 08:29

theone91 said:
Gibbo, Where did you buy your mustang from ?

Private sale.

nucastle · 5 Jul 2011 at 09:07

Gibbo said:
I firmly believe it to be honest, having driven the new M3 and owned a sorted Mustang, I am confident the Mustang is truly the better car in the twisties.

For a start the Mustang is probably nearly 200kg lighter than the M3.

So a tweaked car, is better than a stock car? Easily enough done wouldnt you say?

How about a tweaked mustang, versus a tweaked M3 (GTS) as a true comparison. Remember these are special editions being compared here, as opposed to the version they sell to 99% of everyone else.

burns · 5 Jul 2011 at 09:08

People complain about live axles, but on a flat surface having the wheels fixed at 0 degrees camber regardless of body roll can't be a bad thing really. A different matter on the road of course.

Dr Who · 5 Jul 2011 at 09:43

burns said:
People complain about live axles, but on a flat surface having the wheels fixed at 0 degrees camber regardless of body roll can't be a bad thing really. A different matter on the road of course.

If the car is setup stiff and the track is smooth there is little disadvantage with a live axle, but like you say, on the road with bumps and potholes, they can unsettle badly as a bump on one wheel affects the other side.

Having learnt to drive fast on 60/70's Fords (Tuned Escort Mk1/2, Anglia Super, Ford Capri Mk1) I always found them fun to slide, predictable and with a lot of feedback to the butt.