GT Handling vs. V6 (Full Version)

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GT Handling vs. V6

  

HerNameIsScarlet -> GT Handling vs. V6 (4/24/2008 11:25:55 AM)

Does anyone know how/why the V6 handles worse than the GT?  What is the best way to make up for this?  I know that a base Mustang V6 gets .81 or so on the skidpad, but a GT gets .89.  What is the reason for this/  Is it only the swaybar?  Thanks again.

  
imnutz66 -> RE: GT Handling vs. V6 (4/24/2008 11:39:58 AM)

 the GT has lower profile tires, different spring rates, and sways front and rear - the GT front sway is alot heavier and th 6 has no rear sway at all (non pony).  The easiest and cheapest way to improve the handling is to get a pair of GT take off sways

HerNameIsScarlet -> RE: GT Handling vs. V6 (4/24/2008 12:39:40 PM)

My car has the Pony Package, so I know that it already has both sway bars.  Would the handling improvement be worth my effort if I got GT takeoff sway bars to replace my existing ones?

Also: do you know if lowering my car would make it handle closer to a GT?

Also (somewhat unrelated) do you know what the advantage of having thinner tires is?  Is it just looks?

Thanks for the reply!

hutcccch -> RE: GT Handling vs. V6 (4/24/2008 2:02:18 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: HerNameIsScarlet

My car has the Pony Package, so I know that it already has both sway bars.  Would the handling improvement be worth my effort if I got GT takeoff sway bars to replace my existing ones?

Also: do you know if lowering my car would make it handle closer to a GT?

Also (somewhat unrelated) do you know what the advantage of having thinner tires is?  Is it just looks?

Thanks for the reply!

Yes lowering the car will, your center of gravity is lower.

danbevsv6rumbler -> RE: GT Handling vs. V6 (4/24/2008 4:01:23 PM)

lower profile tires, although heavier, will tend to have less lateral flex than higher profile. The sidewalls tend to be a lot stiffer than higher profile tires. I took my car out to a parking lot with some buddies one night after I bought it and every time I tried to mess around and turn real quick my buddies would yell "FLEX!!!" as they saw my 16" rims nearly scrape the sides of the ground. It would also help to run the correct tire pressure (as my tires were NOT at the correct pressure during these stunts...).

EDIT: By heavier I mean overall wheel setups. Generally lower profile tires call for bigger rims = heavier set up, as more metal is a lot heavier than more tire rubber. Same reason why most (yes, MOST because I know there is the possibility...) guys wouldn't choose to drag race with 22" DUBS. Also lower profile wheel set ups generally come in wider setups compared to our oem wheels, which can help traction and handling too.

HerNameIsScarlet -> RE: GT Handling vs. V6 (4/24/2008 5:35:08 PM)

    Thanks for all the info!

SlideWRX -> RE: GT Handling vs. V6 (5/7/2008 8:24:31 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: HerNameIsScarlet

My car has the Pony Package, so I know that it already has both sway bars.  Would the handling improvement be worth my effort if I got GT takeoff sway bars to replace my existing ones?

Also: do you know if lowering my car would make it handle closer to a GT?

Also (somewhat unrelated) do you know what the advantage of having thinner tires is?  Is it just looks?

Thanks for the reply!


Lowering would probably help, as most lowering spring also stiffen the springrate.  The lower the car the better the handling usually, although there are other factors in play.  You could also get a take-off set of V8 springs.  Take off V8 strut/shocks are probably stiffer than V6, but a much better option would be Tokico D-specs.  They are more expensive, but you can tune the ride/handling to your taste.

Thinner tires usually have less rolling resistance, for better mileage.  They are also cheaper to make.  If we are also talking 16" V6 rims & tires vs 17" v8 rims & tires, the 17" reduces the sidewall height, which means less flex and less compliance on bumps (slightly).  The tire compund is also a big deal; Generally, the higher the treadwear rating, the lower the grip.


157db -> RE: GT Handling vs. V6 (5/7/2008 12:27:04 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: HerNameIsScarlet

My car has the Pony Package, so I know that it already has both sway bars.  Would the handling improvement be worth my effort if I got GT takeoff sway bars to replace my existing ones?


YES, YES IT IS WORTH IT.
And Poly bushings all around as well.
http://www.mustangforums.com/m_3441950/mpage_2/key_/tm.htm

Paulejr13 -> RE: GT Handling vs. V6 (5/8/2008 4:37:31 PM)

different susp and noooo sways

Sancho805 -> RE: GT Handling vs. V6 (5/8/2008 4:44:43 PM)

i felt a difference just from upgrading to the 17" bullitts. a bit stiffer and felt like they grabbed a bit more on cornering. i'm trying to get a hold of GT sways right now so hopefully i can make my car a much better all-around street performer. [8D]

Wishbone -> RE: GT Handling vs. V6 (5/9/2008 6:32:52 AM)

Just remember there is a trade off in ride quality. Even from the base six to the pony package. I drove both and the non pony V6 has a much nicer highway ride. The 16" wheels probably help a lot too but not having the stiff suspension stuff really helps on ride quality.

Sancho805 -> RE: GT Handling vs. V6 (5/9/2008 10:13:22 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Wishbone

Just remember there is a trade off in ride quality. Even from the base six to the pony package. I drove both and the non pony V6 has a much nicer highway ride. The 16" wheels probably help a lot too but not having the stiff suspension stuff really helps on ride quality.


good point. more rubber, softer ride. still prefer the bullitts though.

157db -> RE: GT Handling vs. V6 (5/9/2008 1:34:48 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Paulejr13

different susp and noooo sways


He means noooo rear sways. [;)]
They all gots some sort of FRONT sway bar.

Paleoc -> RE: GT Handling vs. V6 (5/13/2008 11:32:52 AM)

I followed a Pony Package car at a good clip through some winding roads.  It handled quite well.  Unless you did some major suspension upgrades (resulting in a very stiff suspension), I'll bet that any changes (like GT take-off parts) would result in only incremental improvements. 
If it was mine, the one thing that definitely needs improvement for any kind of handling course is the brakes.  The V6 brakes are inadequate.  If you are on a budget, GT take offs would be a major improvement.  Aftermarkets even better.  Not only does this help the car on a road course but it is a major safety improvement as well.


redmenace -> RE: GT Handling vs. V6 (6/25/2008 10:38:05 AM)

I was looking at takeoff parts, it looks like the GT Convertible has different rear sway bars than the GT Coupe - I assume the convertible has thicker bars, to compensate for not having a roof to keep up the structural integrity of the car?

mylittlepony08 -> RE: GT Handling vs. V6 (6/25/2008 5:11:47 PM)

i bet you the v6 is a smoother ride

swissdan -> RE: GT Handling vs. V6 (6/29/2008 12:38:03 AM)

Not only brakes, but the greatest difference between a stock V6 and a GTor a V6 Pony Package is the rear sway bar!

It''s night and day! Since I install my rear Hellwig sway on my 6 I can tell you, driving feeling is a lot better! A lot less body roll (it''s more confortable) more precise on turning roads ! Do it !

157db -> RE: GT Handling vs. V6 (6/30/2008 7:07:46 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: redmenace

I was looking at takeoff parts, it looks like the GT Convertible has different rear sway bars than the GT Coupe - I assume the convertible has thicker bars, to compensate for not having a roof to keep up the structural integrity of the car?



No, the convertable bar is the same thickness as the PP rear sway.
The Vert rear sway is bent differently to clear the undercar braces
the S197 Verts have. Crawl under your Vert and see those two big
ol braces running from under the rear spare tire well up to just under
the doors? The rear sway has to clear those bars. A PP rear sway
will not fit on a Vert but a rear Vert sway will fit a non-Vert.

FyouGitive -> RE: GT Handling vs. V6 (7/9/2008 9:33:45 PM)

I have seen what seems to be reliable information indicating:

 the V6 front bar is smaller than the 34mm GT bar which is common with the Pony Package front bar (also 34mm).
 
 the GT rear bar is 20mm, four mm larger than the Pony package rear bar (18mm for the dysnumeric).


My experience tells me there are compromises in everything. You want excellent handling, you pay by sacrificing comfort; and vice versa. The one modification that enhances the cornering experience without major costs in harshness are the sway bars. In ordinary touring they only come into play when you are turning, and then only in relatively radical direction changes. Speaking of moderately expensive cars. Expensive cars, some of them, have enough sophisticated engineering and exotic materials thrown at them that they do very good jobs in both arenas. In their cases, you sacrifice big dollar amounts and get what you want.




157db -> RE: GT Handling vs. V6 (7/10/2008 2:51:19 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: FyouGitive

I have seen what seems to be reliable information indicating:

the V6 front bar is smaller than the 34mm GT bar which is common with the Pony Package front bar (also 34mm). No, the PP front sway bar is 31.5mm like the V6 front sway bar.

the GT rear bar is 20mm, four mm larger than the Pony package rear bar (18mm for the dysnumeric).  ???
No, its 2mm bigger. PP is a 18mm rear sway bar and the GT is 20mm rear sway bar.


My experience tells me there are compromises in everything. You want excellent handling, you pay by sacrificing comfort; and vice versa. The one modification that enhances the cornering experience without major costs in harshness are the sway bars. In ordinary touring they only come into play when you are turning, and then only in relatively radical direction changes. Speaking of moderately expensive cars. Expensive cars, some of them, have enough sophisticated engineering and exotic materials thrown at them that they do very good jobs in both arenas. In their cases, you sacrifice big dollar amounts and get what you want.





  

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