Now all GM needs to do is bring back to 305 and we can relive the 80's!

 

I would agree with you if the GM 305 had as much positive impact as Ford's 5.0 did to performance enthusiasts.

 

Ha. Maybe L98 but not 305.
If that's the criteria, they would bring back a modern version of the LS1. Oh wait...

 

+1 I love the pushrod V-8.

 

Am I the only one here who's afraid this will catapult the Mustang past the Camaro in terms of sales?

We've seen a ~9 month period where Camaro has outsold the Mustang, and it sounds like everyone thinks it'd be an impossibility for Mustang to start selling more than Camaro, like it has done for years...

 

I think the new 305HP V6 will help the Mustang sales more than the new V8. That old V6 was extremely out of date, would have been ok in the 90's but not in a 2010 car.

 

Even back then, Mustang was able to craft a more honed image for it's Mustang powerplant. Whether it was the '82, 2 bbl, 157 hp version, or the '83 4 bbl, 175 hp version, or the later port fuel injected 225 hp version - they were ALL the vaunted "5.0L HO motor".

Contrary to Ford's focused image, GM had a varitable cornucopia of 5.0 liter engines.
The bread and butter LG4 and LO3.
The technically interesting but design flawed LU5 Crossfire.
The hot 4 bbl L-69 High Output.
And various versions of the TPI LB9 - from the milktoast "peanut cam" version, to the very hot, roller L-98 cammed, dual cat, M5 version.

If you were an F-bod fan, you needed to be pretty proficient with the order form if you wanted to get the hot combos. If you were a Mustang fan, all you needed to know was 5.0.

 

I am not afraid, per se...but I am anticipating the sales competition heating up pretty good.

 

Such a hard argument to pick a side on. There are many things at work.

First the Camaro hating crowd will have you believeing that the reason why the Camaro is outselling the Mustang isn't because the car is liked more by the public but because the enthusiasts are holding out for the 2011 Mustang. On the other hand if you have ever read a thread with the 4th gen sales mentioned in it you would know that enthusiasts don't amount to many sales. Then you will hear something about how Mustang buyers have never cared about HP, which then raises the question well why aren't these people scooping up 2010 Mustangs for such a great deal?

Basically just take whatever facts you see and bend them to your will.

 

You make a point.

But if you go lurk on some Mustang sites you'll know that '05-'09 Mustang owners have been waiting to buy the re-engined cars for at least two years now. Call it a similar 'pent-up demand' situation as the Camaro has enjoyed for the past few months. Whatever the final sales numbers are is speculation - but I think it's safe to say that compared to MY2010, Mustang sales will increase and Camaro sales will slow.

 

Just to pick a nit:L98 was 350--never available with 5-speed.

This is speaking from the POV of someone who ordered a 1989 IROC convertible with the hottest 305 available--the dual-cat, G92-axle, 5-speed car.

But yeah, you did have to be VERY familiar with the order book.

 

L-98 cammed LB9 vs the more common LG4/LO3 cammed (aka 'peanut cam') LB9.

BTW, I don't think your '89 had the dual cats. I tried to order a convertible that way too in '89. If you wanted a dual cat, M5, G92 you needed a hardtop only. No convert. No t-top.

 

 

So the worst kept engine secret is finally out. The Coyote is certainly going to be very impressive as Ford has done their homework. I feel bad for anyone who bought a 2010 Mustang GT or V6 for that matter as the 2011's are likely a lot better in all areas.

I think it's safe to say that the 2011 GT should be the first Mustang GT to hit 12 sec ET's out of the box. (Shelby/SVT/BOSS not withstanding.)
I would think a curb weight around 3575 to 3650 should be expected and that will be low enough to enable the Mustang GT a better power to weight ratio than the SS.

So how does Chevy respond? IMO 1 L E.
Chevy could maintain the 1SS and 2SS just the way they are for those who don't care and still offer a track pack type option for those that do. The SS has a lot that can be refined without even really getting expensive.
-First tighten up the suspension. If someone checks 1LE on the option list then they are waving their rights to soft handling and touring. This is Z51 kind of hard and focused.
-The LS3 needs gears so let’s get the 3.73's as part of the option. We all know the benefits there.
-1LE should also have wider front wheels and tires for handling. Lightweight wheels could be a great way to save some weight and set the style of the 1LE apart from the other SS's.
-Exhaust upgrade. We've seen how aftermarket exhaust companies have added power and cut weight with some very nice systems.
The goal is to get the 1LE equipped SS to cut 40-50lbs and have an increase of 10-15hp while dramatically tightening up the cars suspension and making full use of the IRS advantage. How to combat the 2011 GT Track Pack, --- Wheels and tires, Gears, exhaust and suspension= 1LE.

 

There is no question in my mind that the Mustang will regain the sales lead. The new powertrains will help. Also, as hot as the Camaro is, once some of the "pent-up" demand is fulfilled, its numbers will settle into something a bit lower.

Remember, Mustang has a convertible option too. Unless / until GM finally releases the Camaro droptop, that will be several buyers that GM simply won't be able to please.

If I were going to go plunk down $35k-$40k on a new pony car, for me the Mustang is the only option because it is the only convertible. Having 400 hp pretty much removes the only real bummer of having to go that route (well, that plus missing out on the Camaro's sexy styling). Buying a 2010 Mustang GT convertible with only 315 hp would sort of hurt next to a 422 hp SS Camaro. In 2011, that pain goes away.

Note, however, that for those who plan to mod for some more power, I say the LS3 still has a huge advantage there. It seems pretty simple and painless to get a clean 500+ hp (flywheel) out of that engine with just a cam maybe a few bolt ons.

For those who just want to buy the car and drive as is, however...