Muscle Evolved: Modding a Mustang GT
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- čas přidán 6. 04. 2014
- When it comes to cornering, the Ford Mustang has always been a bit lack luster. Factory attempts to cure this have been valiant (Boss 302, SVT Cobra R), however sometimes you need to think outside the box to get to the next level. The /BIG MUSCLE garage acquired a 2013 Mustang GT last year and were thrilled, until that is, we took it to the track. There we found Cortex Racing and with that, the understanding that with the right set of legs underneath it, even an over weight pony car can be made into an evil piece of track day weaponry.
Owner:
• /BIG MUSCLE Garage
Special thanks to:
Cortex Racing: www.cortexracing.com/
Hooked on Driving: www.hookedondriving.com/ - Auta a dopravní prostředky
When I first got my coyote 5.0 I said "my god this thing handles so much better than previous Mustangs I've driven." But literally everything he pointed out was true.
The pan hard bar alone is definitely a weak link. Shoot, mine was bent when I replaced it.
The stock springs were good for cruising but so damn bouncy around turns. Glad to see the progression of this-it was pretty cool. Great video.
How many of them bit where and or are on your cars shopping list?
Dude it's like every car video I watch you're up on the comments! Guess car enthusiasts are about it.
It is however plenty of fun to heel-toe downshift into a turn, trailbrake a little bit and pivot the Stang on that front-heavy Coyote motor! Nothing like readjusting mid-corner with a bit of throttle steer! I did this on my roomie's '14 5-Hoe and got him a bit nervous under an overpass. It was my first time driving her and I actually enjoyed it. This is all coming from someone who prefers a Miata for handling. Hahaha! Definitely a HUGE improvement from that last clunky model.
That's what makes it so fun. You get raw power when you want it, but the car can be figured out how to make it drive and handle decent in the corner. It's just a blast.
I liked your RSX vid
For those of you interested in what was done to this car for Day 2 here is the list. No welding was involved for installing this these parts. To gain clearance for the torque arm we generally remove a tab on the exhaust mid-pipe clamp to allow re-clocking which are the sparks you see in the video. For one person with a lift the installation time is about 10 hours plus alignment. We did it in 3 hours with 4 guys including a quick and dirty alignment and stopped for food and filming. After the track day Mike came back for a 4-wheel laser alignment and corner balance. Next step is big, sticky tires!
1. CorteX Xtreme-Grip street front and rear coil overs with JRi double adjustable dampers, camber plates and the ability to fit 315mm tires on all 4 corners (have not done the big tires yet). The vehicle was lowered approximately 1.5 inch.
2. CorteX Xtreme-Grip street watts link with poly bushings.
3. CorteX Adjustable street tubular rear lower control arm system with geometry correction brackets.
4. CorteX Torque arm system, which does not require aftermarket exhaust in most cases.
5. Eibach 3-position adjustable front anti roll bar. CorteX Spec rear anti roll bar that is significantly softer than the OEM bar.
6. Front drop ball joints to adjust the roll center after lowering the car and a bump steer kit to match.
The key to the performance is all the parts working together and knowing how to tune system around the driver.
What’s the average price for that work. ?
@@SLOTHXx look up the prices on theCortex website, then figure 10 hours for installation @100/hr at a decent shop
cortexracing.com/product/xtreme-grip-s197-suspension-system-track-complete-system-2005-2014-mustang/
I wish you guys would have posted the lap times and cost of parts and labor.
I see some Ford butt hurt on here. you know, I used to be into that whole Ford vs Chevy vs Dodge thing...but then I grew up..and now I just love cars....just a thought.
Which is exactly the right attitude!
What was the lap time before and after? How much did all of those modifications cost? What was the on road drivability like afterwards? These are crucial bits of information you guys should have included.
they didn't because this video is an advertisement
MuscleCarOz yeh.. not very objective.. guy probably got a deal on the mods and all he had to say is "wow.. it's a different car!!" everybody wins!
$5,000
Funny cause the basic reaction from Mike is exactly the same reaction I have had after completing overhauling my '12 GT suspension. Bought the car for 40, spent 10 on doing various performance mods and now I have a car that makes me smile. Hell, it drives more like a car worth 70 grand now.
Whether you like mustangs or not, this was a great video and quite eye opening.
This season is pretty awesome so far... the production value has come leaps and bounds from where it was prior... keep up the great work... simply the most bad-ass place to hang out on CZcams... thanks Mike and et. al.
This is probably one of my favorite videos that has ever been uploaded to youtube. You guys did a PHENOMENAL job, and it's pretty Damn cool to watch a grown man giggle like a school girl. CorteXracing, good job on the suspension build. It's absolutely amazing.
One of my favorite episodes so far. Love seeing before and after mods impressions.
Dear Mike,
This has to be one of your nicest video's yet. The drive team continually manage to impress, this was a fantastic way of telling a story, please keep it up.
Thanks man!
two important things that were left out:
1) how much does this suspension upgrade cost?
2) does it ruin the ride quality on the streeT?
1) I would also love to know the full suspenion package used - and what it cost, parts and labor.
2) I would imagine this can be adjusted or tuned to somewhere in-between very stiff for ultimate track performance and still get good ride/cruise quality/comfort.
- What also fixes all or most of the Mustang 5.0's handling - the BOSS Mustang 2013 - and some or all of these have adjustable suspensions - where you can ride soft like the GTs or make it tighter for the track. The Boss Laguna Seca was the top track dog, back in the day, for 5.0 performance.
@@drx1xym154 try the post below yours
Great episode. The expert setup advice from the instructor is invaluable.
That was a very well done video. Loved the creative "hands-on" camera angles. Filip is a heck of an engineer and his designs continue to impress. I had the opportunity to talk with him at length during the Pirelli World Challenge races in Toronto this past summer. He's a gentleman with a brilliant mind. I hope all is well Fil. Keep up the good work!
Always nice to see a build, hope there is more videos
to the Mustang
Awesomeness Mr. Musto and crew.
Awesome segment. Goes to show it's not power being the only thing that matters. It means more that you can actually use the power you have. Getting used to the car and how it handles and working to overcome its quirks and/or modifying the car to compensate for them. It's very rewarding.
put a couple racing stripes and you'll gain 50hp
Mighty Car Mods fan?
NegativeNumbers427 He's still right though
Way ahead of you.
kostman23 Because Race car.
😂
Loving the E36 chasing him, lots of cool cars out there!
I wonder if that E36 ever passed him... it was gaining; awesome video mike! would have been nice to see lap times before & after the upgrade
The E36 was lapping him...
Aaron Elliott I agree I track my e36 and my buddy also has the same year GT but its all stock; and he can't keep up at all; but his is stock; except for a catback ; we weight both of our cars; mine was 2987 his was 3640 lol
I owned two E36 before my 06 GT. No doubt the E36 is a much better track car....better car in general right out of the box. But the GT is much more fun and I'm addicted to the exhaust note....it's like crack for gear heads. Both great cars but very different. GT needs lots of suspension mods to handle properly.
Among all the hateful comments, I want to say this is a really helpful video. I have an 08 GT and I know personally how bad they are at handling. I honestly want to upgrade it's handling before I do any power so this is a nice guide thanks!
Did you end up doing it?
Great video, guys. I hope to see more with this format.
Thank you so much for that video. I am looking for information on Mustang track tuning and this is the first video on mods that is not about drag racing or pimp my ride style mods.
Can't wait for the new 2015 Mustang GT models to start hitting the tracks... thank you Ford for finally producing IRS as standard equipment, lol (not since the 99, 01 and 03-04 SVT Cobra) and I hear that it is a couple hundred pounds lighter, we shall see......
The 2000 Cobra R 5.4L 4V was IRS too. I am also antsy to drive a new 2015 and waiting patiently for Ford to release official power specs on the engines. I hope the 2.3L EB is better than expected and I hope the 5.0 is an over 450hp monster. I hope they get an 8 speed auto and 7 speed manual by 2016. I traded out of my 2011 5.0 for a top dollar before the official 2015 design release lowered prices. My lease on the vehicle we picked up in the meantime is up in 2016.
hendo337 That's a lot of hoping.
Awesome video. Learned a lot just from this 11 minutes since I wanna build my 5.0 for the twisties.
Refreshing to see a show mod a heavy street car with decent suspension first. I thoroughly enjoyed this episode. I only wish it was longer.
Great info! While my car is the puny V6, it comes similarly set up to the GT suspension wise since it has the performance pack, but there is only so much sticky Pirelli P Zeros can do. I was cracking up as Mike described the nose-heavy, brake divey, twitchy feel of the car. With 100 lbs more motor over the front, I can only imagine the GT is a little worse in those areas, but I still would love to have the extra 100+ hp.
I am glad to see I was on the right track for modding my car. Power mods are and will be minimal. I'd rather put the money in the suspension and brakes. While the watts link is nice, I can do adjustable shocks, springs, camber plate, and panhard bar for about the same cost. Perfectly adequate for a street car that may see a couple of track days.
Good program guys!
This is what I’ve been looking for. Thank you for the great input and facts.!
Almost felt philosophical. I got a 2013 v6 and I absolutely freaking love it. Even when it's completely stock, it's so much fun, I gotta get rid of that body roll though. Oddly enough, if you get a body roll on a BMW or a Nissan Maxima, even though they make similar horse power, nobody really cares because we think Mustang is a track car, when it's really not, at least not out of the box. But this video shows what it can do, when modified properly.
Beautifully edited piece here. Props to the editor. Well done.
That's why the first mod I did was a full eibach suspension, it makes the car a seriously competent track car.
"OH SON!" Best Mike Musto reaction ever... That's how you know he was happy with the car!
Sick one handed track driving bruh. Paul Walker is looking down on you with great admiration.
Awesome camera work, especially during the 'build' phase.
Excellent suspension set up. I am looking forward to a similar set up for my 5.0 " black stallion"
Videos like this are why I subscribed to DRIVE. Thanks.
Very informative, great job. Currently own a 14 GT/CS with total FMS suspension upgrades.
How do you like the car? I'm actually going to look at a 2014 GT/CS on Friday, but I don't know if I can bring myself to get rid of my 2002 WRX lol.
I love it, very predictable and hooks up nicely.
Hehe, the camera work during the build phase with all the people running about doing their jobs to that music gave a sense of little elfs running around in santa's toy factory. :D
Filip is just one of those guys you just instantly want to be friends with. Seems like a laid back fun kind of guy.
Watts linkage, just like the Aussie Falcon used from 1981 to 1998, the same setup that all V8 Supercars including GM used with a Ford 9" up till about 2011 when they went to IRS. My 97 Falcon has that with twin wish bones at the front, great handing car for its size and age.
Love it!! Great ep! Keep it coming.
Great Video. Mustangs can handle with the right mods. Both Cortex and Kenny Brown make some great parts to make them real corner carvers.
I wasn't really a fan of mustangs until i drove my step dads 2014 mustang gt. Mustangs were always big and heavy and had so much body roll. But this 2014 with the track pack and recaros is an awesome ride. It handles like a sports car, its still feels heavy but it's controllable. The 6 speed manual w/ the 3.73 ratio is really close in gears. I had to get use to shifting, but after that it was smooth sailing. Suspension is tight but def wouldn't mind driving it as a daily car. Brembos were awesome. If your in the market for one, i would def get one, there practically giving them away now!
One of your best episodes yet.
Great ep.! Never heard or that torque arm before.
I think tires, brakes and suspension do it for having fun on a track or a winding road. No need of going super tire shredding power. Great video!
"Yeah Son" lmao
Great Video Mike . . . . Really Liked Video , and Advice .
I can tell that you're impressed by the improved handling dynamics of the Mustang! Cortex seems to be situated between Grigg's Racing and Maximum Motorsports, or at least my impression. I am a fan of the current mustang, but contact patch and compound also seem to be major limitations to consistent lap times! I really enjoyed this addition to your content, and I think you have greatly improved your on air presence! Have fun with the new toy, and keep us abreast of your improvement!
Your new project peeked my interests, so I looked into wheels, and, in this niche market, aren't inexpensive. A relatively affordable option is (Jongbloed Racing's) JRS 700s -18 x 10.5 w/.45mm back spacing(check with the kid from Cortex on the tire brand he recommends) this will allow you to install 305's all the way around. With the correct compound, even take offs, your going to really haul the mail!
PS Apparently their are two suppliers who essentially say the same thing and, I didn't see Cortex's web page till after posted! I'm still excited to see your projects progress!
Cool! I love my 86 Mustang. A few cheap suspension mods can really turn it around.
PS
I'm sold on your torque arm! I'll be emailing you some questions. I think I'll be sticking with my konis and ffr stuff for now. But that torqe arm and watts are sick!
my sn95 had bad handling too everytime id hit the track, the nosedive (as pointed out) was ridiculous and gets me everytime. Luckily, I thought of purchasing koni shocks/springs, (which I did later on) and that changed everything best $800 spent
Now that it's been sorted out, I hope you'll consider coming down south to run the Ultimate Street Car event at Auto Club Speedway in June. I need more late model Mustangs to run against!
Excellent episode!
That's why my car went to Shelby American. It not only get the GT350 package, I also went a couple steps further. By going with the wide-body kit. Which allows 10 inch wide wheels in the front and 13 in the back. A chassis stiffening with subframe connectors and a Watts link set up in the back. A completely adjustable front and rear suspension and lastly, 700 hp at the crank. Anymore horsepower and I would have to pull the motor and build up the bottom end. It will be track driven after the four point roll cage and fire suppression has been installed. Shelby American will not install it, because of insurance issues. Which sucks! I'm seriously considering joining the Spring Mountain Motorsport Resort. It's a beautiful track and resort just 45 minutes north of Las Vegas.
fantastic presentation...!
the only question i have is.:
assuming the car is a daily driver, do any of the shown adjustments and/or parts change present any relatively significant compromise for everyday use ?
Interesting and enjoyable episode!
Hey Musto, you just saved me a hell of a lot of time doing research. I have a 2013 GT and plan to modify it. Now I know what I'm going to do to it. Your best video so far.
You won't be disappointed!
Drive BigMuscle
BTW, I don't know if you remember but I asked you a few months ago if you could do a video on your 2013 5.0
So thanks!
still my favorite Big Muscle video
First mods I did on my 2013 stang include koni yellow shocks and struts, eibach pro kits, steeda HD mounts and toyo tires. Believe me, the car isn't a mustang anymore. It turns fast, responsive, more stable and eliminated nose dive. Stock suspension fails a lot.
Excuse me, but I have a Question - what was the time of the car with stock suspension and what was the time after all the modifications?
P.S. Is there any chance to know also the time of that white BMW M3 E36 which is behind the Mustang on a few frames... :)
In short, track to identify weaknesses, and tune to fix them. For muscle cars, you may have to look at the suspension. For something like a Miata, you can add power. Simple mods like brake pads are good in general.
Though it wasn't said, but tires are the most important thing and you should buy the most you can afford.
We posted this on our Facebook page and so far we have 30,000+ views! Great video guys!
You guys put on any power adders? CAI and a tune at minimum would have woken that stang up a little bit more.
Yes!!! Great episode!
Good stuff. How much would those mods cost to average joe? Definitely will look into the panard bar replacement system. Does it use a torsion/spring or what
My coyote 5.0 was exactly like this off the lot; bouncy, wheel hop, tons of roll in the turns. I was like wtf? With all that power, it was a little dangerous for anyone who knows how a car should handle. I put on an Eibach pro suspension kit, springs, struts, shocks, roll bar, which over all lowered the car about an inch and a half. Replaced the panhard bar and lower control arms. Threw on a set of staggered Foose 20's" with Zredestein tread and it definitely got things going in the right direction. Caution: If you lower this car, get a camber kit as well or you will eat up tires quickly. This years' 5.0 definitely needs suspension upgrades.
Awesome episode!! I think we've been seeing a good bunch of cars on the show this season. Ever considered featuring an '82-'92 Firebird? I'm curious to see what a well prepped one can do:)
Track times before & after mods?
Yeah, I know I'm late to the party on this one, but noticed a few interesting things watching this video:
1) Torque-arm setup is the best performing setup on a sold-axle car. Ford when a step in the right direction with the 3-link, but a proper torque-arm is still dramatically better. The improved rear suspension geometry main upgrade in this example.
2) Watt's link is great when you are wringing out every last bit of tuning, a properly designed Panhard bar still works great though.
3) Proper spring rates and shock can be dramatic as well, but improved suspension geometry can do more to balance the car's ride control and ride quality.
4) As the driving instructor pointed out, proper braking is the first step to safely entering turns.
5) Next step: tires. While comparing before and after for just suspension mods is cool, track oriented tires can be the easiest and most dramatic change you can make to shave off track time.
But how does it handle on a bumpy track? Keep the wheel travel if you street drive.
I wanna know exactly what parts/kits they used. I want this set up for me 13' gt.
This was the most enjoyable episode starring Musto that I've seen. The music seemed different throughout and created a nice atmosphere. Shazam, guys. Shazam.
btw, I'm never buying a Mustang. lol
Nice video! Can you give us an idea of cost? Stock car + mods etc... also: did you buy this car new or used? Thanks!
This great Input on what to do with a "given" type of car, what you should have mentioned is the cost of those modifications so that your listeners can judge if they can afford them or not, I shouldn't be mentioning this.
Such a fun track to be on.
Great video! Anything posted online for details about the suspension upgrades?
Finally keeping up with the Miata! Lol. But yeah, Mustangs can handle well. We actually got a bunch of them in our local Autocross. I love seeing them run. Still not as competitive as the Miatas, S2000s, and BRZs. But that's to be expected from the tight courses we get around here.
This guy. I like this guy. Specifically, the guy at the shop turning the car into a track car. GG.
the Boss was the Boss for a reason!
That was awesome, really great detail! Any plans on what might be the next upgrade/ removal to get lighter?
@Scott Hill You don't have to build up the lower end at 700. Maybe upgrade rid at 800
Another great episode! Thanks, 'really do love this show...woof(Sam too!}
Great video. I wish you where recording your lap times to see his much of a difference it made.
Those speed holes on the hood look really cool.
How were your lap times affected when you selected the TRO?
Anyone know what the cost of all the parts they added in this video cost?
Great video! Going to check out Cortex Racing supplies now. Hoping the rear Watts system allows for lowering of the wheels...
+opinionatedjam The Watts linkage is basically just a "double panhard bar", the rest is the same.
+ziiofswe Awesome! Thank you!
Nice video wish it was longer. Would like to see the difference in this car vs the Leguna Seca edition.
What were the best lap times before and after the mods?
Great video - would have been interesting to know how much the modding cost.
Cortex said that the Mustang is nose heavy, so did they move the battery to the rear?
Anybody know the spring rate for the front and back?
Good stuff. Nice work.
did the stock care have the brembo brake package?
Nice suspension set up. Watts link looks like it kept the rear end tight. Did you notice a big difference switching from the stock Brembos to the Willwoods? I was surprised to see you change the brakes out.
Great video, and it's a very scientific approach far removed from the pissing contests of inflated HP/torque figures people like to engage in. Brake, tire and suspension mods, when properly done, can be felt much more often than peak power. Let's see more of these, /DRIVE.
1:32 what is this guy doing with his exhaust? Noise reduction for the racetrack?
Just put a Cortex watts link and torque arm on my ‘12 Mustang GT, rear of the car feels so planted
i love my Griggs Racing GR40 Systems on my sn95 it really made it handle well,
Nice vid - even for a euro guy ;) - back to back testing is such a treat especially when you find a shop to get it done in 1 day - actually very rare unless you have your own shop! so how much did your lap times change roughly?
did they mention how much all those mods cost with the installation?