NEARLY 2 YEARS WAITING: New Mustang GT PP is finally mine!

[Gibbo]

Ahaha, is everyone still claiming it's not a big car...

As are all GT cars then:
So - the Mustang: Width (inc mirrors) 2080mm. But then, the Mercedes SL is 2099mm. The BMW 6 coupe is 2090mm. The new Mondeo 2121mm Etc. All GT/Saloons.

So it is really a rather pointless point to make, it is no bigger than other GT's, hey its smaller than the latest Mondeo, just the way its proportioned makes it look big but last time I checked this is a muscle car, its supposed to have a huge hood, sorry bonnet.

But to say its gigantic is fine if the other GT's from BMW, Mercedes are also classed as gigantic considering they are actually wider than the Mustang.

 

[Gibbo]

Hi there


OK this is long overdue, so today I went to make a video on our industrial estate, unfortunately timing was not the best as people were leaving work even though there was a crowd of people waiting to see what was about to unfold. I was tempted to line lock, but as the road surface was a bit rough and on cold tyres I value my axles. So I just did a gentle pull away and then floored it, only managed to get upto around 6000rpm as I new the VW was going to pull out so had to factor in slowing down.

Still gives you a good idea how loud the Corsa Sport catback is, I am kind of glad I now went this route as its damn loud can hear the car easily from a very long distance if anything over half throttle. I was tempted by the Extreme version which is more exotic (raspy) and a further 10-12Db louder so glad I went sport route especially as it will be more track day friendly or just about on the limits.

Really impressed now weather is warming on warm tyres how this car can be floored in 1st gear and just go, or if you do get wheelspin you can keep your foot right in it and the car stays straight.

But as you can hear it is a lot louder past 4500rpm at full throttle compared to the videos I posted a few weeks ago.

 

[Gibbo]

Spotted an ecoboost in the wild Friday night, offered the owner a swap for my Mini but they weren't keen! Said they might've done in the first week of ownership though, the size takes a bit of getting used to apparently.

Depends what you come from, compared to my 911 its big for sure as I could hurtle that down single track country roads with no worry knowing if need be I could make it fit should worse happen.

The Mustang however nope, but compared to other cars I've owned like BMW 5 series, Mitsubishi 3000GT the Mustang feels no bigger really but I am always looking ahead of me when pushing and looking for potential obstacles or people who might pull out or do some odd manoeuvre causing me to take evasive action. But that is just my driving style to look far ahead and to think for other drivers doing funky stuff.

If you were to come from a Fiesta, Corsa though then yes it would feel huge car and the massive bonnet/hood gives the impression its a lot bigger than is but as previously mentioned it is actually slimmer than some other GT cars from Europe.

 

[Gibbo]

Ahh was a good industrial estate for cars, speed limit challenge, hill climb - and the handling circuit just off at the top

Yes sure was, all people were coming out from the meat factory they clearly knew what was about to happen.

Shame the VW guy pulled out but kind of expected him too, but yeah it was that corner at the entry to the estate which snapped the 911's engine mount and then the engine was dragging along the floor on the way down, OK maybe exaggerated a little.

But the engine trying to fall out due to snapped engine mount was no joke!

 

[Gibbo]

yes, but the Challenger wont hold the road as well as a Mustang, even if you modded it, it's just too big ! .........but you dont buy a Challenger for its roadholding do you.

this could be a big week for me, fingers crossed

Challengers are pure Muscle cars, huge road presence and they Hemi can make great power as long as your change out the glass pistons they use or go with a tuner who is aware of the issues they have shattering the pistons.

Problem for Challenger is its weight, it actually needs to be a Hellcat with 700+ horsepower.

Yes agreed they are not very good at changing direction and the weight makes them well not great and the interior is still shocking. But looks, noise and power along with tuning ability is great.



P.S. 2.0l Camaro, yes 2l, but with a turbo, so is this a hint GM will come to the EU, I bloody hope so as the Mustang handles well out the box but does need some work to bring it upto BMW standards on the regular GT PP as we don't get GT 350 so kind of have to do it yourself. But GM with Camaro and Corvette are exceptionally good out the box with great steering as well, I for one hope they come would probably upgrade to a Corvette Grand Sport or Z06 if they come in RHD.
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2016-chevrolet-camaro-first-drive-review

 

[Gibbo]

Another review for the Mustang:

Really enjoyed this, the reviewer gets the car and this is also exactly how my car looked when I took delivery, on stilts with lots of lean/sway in the stock suspension.

 

[Gibbo]

it's a Street and Strip car only and even then, you're miles better buying a 2nd hand muscle car that's already a drag racer as well............ but these are pretty expensive too !!

Why I went Mustang, good handling that can be made excellent and incredibly quick in a straight line for little money, its nice to know that fitting a Roush or a Whipple makes them quicker than a Hell cat in a straight line let alone corners. It does everything well and represents absolute best bang for buck.

Quite a few guys now running the Whipple setup in the UK too and say its savage, I am saving for mine as even though its good value it is still 6-7k so not pocket change. Will start out with mine around 670HP then if I want more I know the kit can safely go far far higher should one wish.

 

[Gibbo]

of course...........for drag racing the more HP the better, but this comes at a price

The Whipple kit is good for a safe 670-800HP as the kit comes, just change pulleys as the tune auto adjust. Some even shoot for 1000BHP with upgraded belt kits, pulleys and bigger injectors and just accept the engine is on borrowed time as some blow at 950BHP and others around 1000BHP but its enough to get into the high 8s without have to build a true dedicated drag car. To go faster cost lots more though or just easier to buy a Cobra Jet Mustang from Ford if you have deep pockets and want just a straight line warrior that is not road legal, which to me is zero interest.

I shall go Whipple and run the largest pulley I can fit so around 675 horsepower and then if I want more I can just put on the standard pulley the kit comes with so cost nothing and will then be around 750BHP, more than enough for a road car.

 

[Gibbo]

Now we are talking

I'll try and listen out for info on this box. It also depends on how much power it can take before eating itself.

Huge power, the ZL1 is 640BHP and 640Lb/ft so it can handle big power and torque. Ford/GM I imagine have tested this upto 800BHP as this is bound to make a showing in some super fast insane Corvette at somepoint and Ford are rumoured to be unveiling a new Shelby any day, could be GT500. One can only wish its 750-850BHP and has this latest 10-speed auto, that would be like 0-100mph in sub 6s from a RWD muscle car.

 

[Gibbo]

Nice!

The current auto isn't great which meant the car was out for me. However this could very easily work out perfect timing.

Even if Ford put this box into the MY18 you won't see it in UK cars until 2018 and most likely 2019.

If Ford announce GT500 and EU/UK/RHD my order goes in the same day and a deposit shall be paid.

 

[Gibbo]

670 hp will be enough for the street easily............ but 900hp + on your motor will be asking for trouble and you know that already.

you'd need to get the engine rebuilt first, the block will probably be ok, but you'd need racing pistons and con rods, main bearings and take a look at the cylinder heads...

you can buy a racing crate engine, but by god they're expensive, but with that much HP on the street you'd probably get nicked and loose your licence, because the coppers will hear you coming a mile off

They already can hear me coming from miles off.

 

[Gibbo]

Book a track day at somewhere like Donnington. I have taken a few of my cars and it's great fun as long as you don't crash...

Should be at Donnington later this Summer in both Mustang and M3 to do some lap time comparisons.

 

[Gibbo]

Donnington is 98db though...

I recommend Snetterton as it's 105db and the race controller is a Mustang owner

I came in at 98db, but held back a few rpm during the test...

Yeah but will be OK as OcUK shall be hiring the circuit, so kind of get free reign and track pretty much to myself.

 

[Gibbo]

Don't you hire it from MSV though and they still have to enforce the sound limits? I thought it was a council enforced thing?

It is a great track though, really want to take mine on it, but wouldn't risk booking and then failing the sound test

Yeah but you get warning not just an instant off so could just ease off passed sound meters.

Worse case I jump into the M3.

 

[Gibbo]

Are you going to go for the Dreamscience map since they released the figures a little while back?

Their map is just an SCT base tune or as Americans call it canned tuned:-
https://www.sctflash.com/Products/p...MakeId=5&vehicleModelId=68&vehicleEngineId=46


Fortunately I have access to the SCT device or as UK know it Dreamscience, exact same thing just with Dreamscience stickers over SCT stickers quite literally.

Not 100% sure if they made any alterations but I just suspect its the base SCT tune as in fairness SCT have way more experience with the 5.0l Coyote, but I've being offered the tune for free so with a few more miles on the clock gonna get the car back on a dyno nothing to do with SCT or Dreamscience, re-run it stock, then flash SCT map, re-run, then flash the Dreamscience map and re-run. Compare differences and then as I have access to the dyno and with someone who writes maps for Ford they can if need be perfect it to the car if required.

In theory peak gains should be 25-40BHP and 30lb/ft from the map with much bigger gains in mid-range of upto 60BHP. If not I can get a tune from America's biggest tuner for 2015, LUND its about £140 and also re-run and compare that, but hopefully the SCT will be spot on. Then in a years time Whipple will happen with Ford/Whipples stock tune which is spot on.

 

[Gibbo]

Didn't sound that loud in the video of you trying to crash into the back of someone's car, and prioritising double clutch down-shifting over avoiding the possible crash.

Not even remotely close, knew he was gonna pull out hence no drama and time for some nice revs.

 

[Gibbo]

I love the noise they make. How practical are you finding it day to day?

And ready for the giggles.....what's the fuel economy like? Lol

One of the most practical cars I have had, it is far comfier than the 911, cost miles less to run, due to no warranty cost, no big servicing bills as one annual service at sub £100. I can park it in a space like any other car, its got plenty of toys, it is just a nice place to be and to be frank I do not know a car with more heritage, personality and soul than it.

Yesterday said it all, R35 GTR coming along other way, guys rolls down window and gives a massive thumbs up as I pass in opposite direction.

My average mpg is now 17 which is the same as my 911 was doing and my M3 is an average of 20mpg. Difference is this sounds way better and feels much quick, though the performance is the same.

 

[Gibbo]

17!

Still, I guess you don't mess about with eco driving tactics.

That said, its only 8 less than when I go for a spirited weekend drive... And I have half the cylinders and less than half the displacement!

For what it is it is good, because it is matches the 911 with two more cylinders and more weight to lug around and on a run it can achieve over 30mpg which is better than the 911, so economy is way beyond my expectations of 11-14 day to day and around 25 on a run.

Plus fuel is much cheaper, servicing cost is absolute peanuts and insurance is also peanuts, not only is the car incredible value it also cost very little to run for a V8 and the performance it offers.

Yes it would be nice if it had some of the neat touches the GM cars have such as 4 cylinder eco mode (4 cylinder shut down) along with a decent modern DCT/Auto style box but small niggles and I enjoy driving it so much and I just stand looking at the car, always looking back at it and taking photos. Out of all the cars I owned only my past Mustang and the 911 I could just simply look at because they looked so damn good.

 

[Gibbo]

dont make me laugh............eco mode on a V8 Mustang, who gives a damn

When your cruising on a motorway at 80mph it makes perfect sense and can improve economy on such a run by 8-10mpg. Like a say would be a nice feature but not a deal changer in the slightest.

 

[Gibbo]

but, but, the speed limit is 70

I flow with the traffic so is fine.