If I could spec a Mustang...

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MGregoir

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I really wish Ford would make a package that has:

- The 5.0 DOHC Cammer engine in a rating around 400 hp.
- T-56 6-speed transmission.
- big brake/handling package. Maybe delete some "extra" stuff like the big stereo, power seats, etc. as part of a sports option.
- Highly unlikely wish but independent rear suspension would be nice too.


If they could do it and price it around $35,000 US with a choice of luxury or sports for the same price, it would be between the price of the Mustang GT and Challenger SRT8/Camaro 2SS while being about 500 pounds lighter, nearly as powerful and better handling.

I doubt it would happen but I would love to see it. It's pretty bad when the V6 Camaro has a 304 horsepower V6 versus the Mustang's 310 hp V8.
 
I saw the new Camaro on the highway today and it looks pretty cool, but I was surprised at just how large the car is compared to the pictures I've seen in car magazines.

Ford V8 N/A engines have always been underated in the HP department.
 
Champagne tastes on a beer budget......
04.gif


Yours is one of the most common sentiments I hear or read about from car enthusiasts. I'm surprised you didn't throw in the old saw, "They'd sell a million of 'em!!!"
19.gif
 
I see you're in Canada. For some reason you guys up there get gouged when you buy a new car. For example, the Impala I drive was assembled in Canada, but I can buy it cheaper here. I don't think it's an issue about taxes, either. Because Canadians can buy the car in the US, transport it back, and with the duties it's still cheaper. Last I checked the Canadian dollar was worth a little less than the US, and a year ago it was actually stronger. Don't know, but we would definitely sell more domestic cars to you guys if they could lower the price a bit.
 
Originally Posted By: MGregoir
I really wish Ford would make a package that has:

- The 5.0 DOHC Cammer engine in a rating around 400 hp.
- T-56 6-speed transmission.
- big brake/handling package. Maybe delete some "extra" stuff like the big stereo, power seats, etc. as part of a sports option.
- Highly unlikely wish but independent rear suspension would be nice too.


The 4th gen Camaro's and Trans Am's did something similar but isn't that part of what killed them? They had the 6-speeds and more powerful engine, but their pricing was just too steep for people -- especially for an f-body.

I just find $35k to be a little too much for these cars. But I guess I am the minority when people are shelling out $43k+ for the new Challenger.
 
The regular GT comes in around $29,000, the Challenger R/T and Camaro SS are closer to $33,000. It would be a $6,000 price difference over the GT, and Ford themselves have said IRS would add $500 to the price so I am sure they can find other things to do with the $5,500.

They could still produce the regular GT, but this would be an up-option package so they could compete with/beat the higher performance Challenger and Camaro models. The Mustang is pretty much Ford's halo car in the US, and it would be worth it to offer as a package.

As it is, the Mustang is close due to being lighter. Limit the options to two packages (track pack or comfort/performance with better stereo/leather/climate control), a few colors (black, white with blue stripes, blue with white stripes, Foyt orange with black lower body striping and maybe a couple of others), and endeavour to make one less than the market will bear.

With the right option combinations (and limited combinations to produce) with the higher performance at a competitive price point, I am sure they could make enough to justify a production run.
 
Yes they did. I think a car like that would fall right smack between the GT and GT500, where the old SVT Cobra was in naturally aspirated form. With the 5.0 DOHC engine they have a motor that can put out 400 hp without forced induction.
 
Originally Posted By: jigen
03/04 Cobras had IRS right? They were around $35k I think. 390 rwhp stock. Nasty little cars.


with an IRS packaged into a 25 year old platform. they are awesome cars, dont get me wrong, but when you go to SVT forums people are dumping the IRS for a solid axle.

o and if i could have a mustang any way i wanted, it would have some V8 that was all aluminum with as much hp as possible N/A, a sequential gearbox, coilovers, fixed multi piston calipers on carbon brakes, centerlocking hubs, airjacks, fuel cell, cage, and the widest slicks that i could fit. id take that and spend the rest of my life going from road course to road course.
 
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Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
but when you go to SVT forums people are dumping the IRS for a solid axle.


No kidding? For what reasons? Reliability? Better launches on the track?
 
Originally Posted By: jigen
Originally Posted By: bdcardinal
but when you go to SVT forums people are dumping the IRS for a solid axle.


No kidding? For what reasons? Reliability? Better launches on the track?


better launches, especially when they are over 600-800rwhp. also there are more options for tubular control arms with a solid axle. the only aftermarket control arms for IRS ive seen were from a company that is out of business. to get the IRS to really work for you, you have to convert to coilovers, and replace all the rubber bushings with solid aluminum.

one would say that he IRS is preferable for road racing, which is true, however you can build a solid axle to perform as good or better than an IRS on that platform for less money.
 
Originally Posted By: bdcardinal


one would say that he IRS is preferable for road racing, which is true, however you can build a solid axle to perform as good or better than an IRS on that platform for less money.


Less money than what? You would spend less money getting the IRS to outperform the solid axle again after it was all said and done.
 
you can swap a solid axle from any GT, usuallyu GT owners really want IRS. so that is free, you can get a complete rear suspension from any suspension supplier, Maximum Motorpsports was my drug of choice, but Griggs Racing and Agent 47 Racing make nice setups as well.

also servicing the solid axle is a lot easier compared to the IRS.
 
True. You could trade straight up and probably come out ahead. But I'm up at the local road course all the time and its easy to see that IRS > Solid even on the prepared cars.
 
Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
I saw the new Camaro on the highway today and it looks pretty cool, but I was surprised at just how large the car is compared to the pictures I've seen in car magazines.

Ford V8 N/A engines have always been underated in the HP department.


I dont really agree... remember the 98 cobra? LS1's were heavily underrated IMO. And since the introduction of the lt1 in 93, camaro/bird was always superior to the mustang in terms of speed. Of course not including the supercharged cobra!
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: VW_TDI_PD
Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
I saw the new Camaro on the highway today and it looks pretty cool, but I was surprised at just how large the car is compared to the pictures I've seen in car magazines.

Ford V8 N/A engines have always been underated in the HP department.


I dont really agree... remember the 99 cobra? LS1's were heavily underrated IMO. And since the introduction of the lt1 in 93, camaro/bird was always superior to the mustang in terms of speed. Of course not including the supercharged cobra!


corrected. 98 did not have the issue.
 
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- The 5.0 DOHC Cammer engine in a rating around 400 hp.
- T-56 6-speed transmission.
- big brake/handling package. Maybe delete some "extra" stuff like the big stereo, power seats, etc. as part of a sports option.
- Highly unlikely wish but independent rear suspension would be nice too.

Substitute a blown 4.6 (which makes 400+hp stock) in place of the 5.0 cammer engine, and you're describing a 2003-2004 mustang cobra.
 
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