GT Handling vs. V6

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GT Handling vs. V6

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Mustang >> Ford Mustang Tech >> 2005 - 2008 Mustangs >> 4.0L V6 Specific >> Handling Performance >> GT Handling vs. V6

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GT Handling vs. V6 - 4/24/2008 11:25:55 AM

HerNameIsScarlet

Posts: 11
Joined: 3/3/2008
Status: offline

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.

Post #: 1

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

imnutz66

Posts: 52
Joined: 8/29/2006
Status: offline

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

(in reply to HerNameIsScarlet)

Post #: 2

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

HerNameIsScarlet

Posts: 11
Joined: 3/3/2008
Status: offline

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!

< Message edited by HerNameIsScarlet -- 4/24/2008 12:45:22 PM >

(in reply to imnutz66)

Post #: 3

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

hutcccch

Posts: 17
Joined: 3/3/2008
Status: offline

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.

(in reply to HerNameIsScarlet)

Post #: 4

RE: GT Handling vs. V6 - 4/24/2008 4:01:23 PM

danbevsv6rumbler

Posts: 346
Joined: 10/4/2007
Status: offline

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.

< Message edited by danbevsv6rumbler -- 4/24/2008 4:07:09 PM >

_____________________________

2005 4.0L
17" Ant. Bullitts*GT Takeoff 8.8 Rear*3.55*JLT II w/ C&L*B@MA 91 Torque Tune*XCAL III
*Hurst Equipped STS*JBA H-pipe w/ GT Takeoffs*3D500 Spoiler

(in reply to hutcccch)

Post #: 5

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

HerNameIsScarlet

Posts: 11
Joined: 3/3/2008
Status: offline

Thanks for all the info!

(in reply to danbevsv6rumbler)

Post #: 6

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

SlideWRX

Posts: 156
Joined: 8/16/2007
Status: offline

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.

_____________________________

DD - '07 Mustang GT White

(in reply to HerNameIsScarlet)

Post #: 7

RE: GT Handling vs. V6 - 5/7/2008 12:27:04 PM

157db

Posts: 4379
Joined: 5/16/2007
From: NW Arkansas
Status: offline

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

< Message edited by 157db -- 5/7/2008 1:46:42 PM >

_____________________________

AiRaid CAI
Saleen Short Shifter
F/R GT Sways
GT M/T TakeOff Muffler
Roush Rear Shocks/Springs
Roush Hoodscoop
Roush Window Louvers
SS Eleanor Grill
Pony Emblems
CDC Decklid Panel
CDC Sequentials
Raptor Shift Light
MSD DashHawk

(in reply to HerNameIsScarlet)

Post #: 8

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

Paulejr13

Posts: 19
Joined: 4/8/2008
Status: offline

different susp and noooo sways

(in reply to 157db)

Post #: 9

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

Sancho805

Posts: 2242
Joined: 10/11/2005
From: Southern California
Status: offline

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.

_____________________________

:: '06 4.0 Stang :: Auto :: 3.73/T-Lok :: Bama Tuned :: C&L Intake ::
:: JBA H-Pipe Dual Exhaust :: 17" GT Bullitts :: Tint :: Chick Magnet ::

(in reply to Paulejr13)

Post #: 10

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

Wishbone

Posts: 99
Joined: 3/23/2008
Status: offline

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.

_____________________________

(in reply to Sancho805)

Post #: 11

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

Sancho805

Posts: 2242
Joined: 10/11/2005
From: Southern California
Status: offline

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.

_____________________________

:: '06 4.0 Stang :: Auto :: 3.73/T-Lok :: Bama Tuned :: C&L Intake ::
:: JBA H-Pipe Dual Exhaust :: 17" GT Bullitts :: Tint :: Chick Magnet ::

(in reply to Wishbone)

Post #: 12

RE: GT Handling vs. V6 - 5/9/2008 1:34:48 PM

157db

Posts: 4379
Joined: 5/16/2007
From: NW Arkansas
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Paulejr13

different susp and noooo sways

He means noooo rear sways.

They all gots some sort of FRONT sway bar.

_____________________________

AiRaid CAI
Saleen Short Shifter
F/R GT Sways
GT M/T TakeOff Muffler
Roush Rear Shocks/Springs
Roush Hoodscoop
Roush Window Louvers
SS Eleanor Grill
Pony Emblems
CDC Decklid Panel
CDC Sequentials
Raptor Shift Light
MSD DashHawk

(in reply to Paulejr13)

Post #: 13

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

Paleoc

Posts: 241
Joined: 9/29/2006
Status: offline

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.

< Message edited by Paleoc -- 5/13/2008 11:37:14 AM >

(in reply to 157db)

Post #: 14