Gee, I kinda like the RWL tires. It's a cool touch.

Then again, I was raised back in the 70s too.

 

Just got an e-mail back. Earlier today I read at BON that the Mustang GT's horsepower is underrated.

It now seems that is true. The new Mustang GT 3V engine puts out as much as 325 ACTUAL Horsepower!!

The car weighs 3450, axle ratio is 3.55, and actual torque is right at 320. Anyone want to take a stab at guessing how quick this car is?

 

When you say actual do you mean SAE net crank HP or SAE rear wheel HP as measured on a dyno?

If its the latter, then we're going to have a lot of suprised/ticked LS1 owners out there.

if its the former, its still not super-impressive, but still, underrated is underrated.

 

If it's the former, I won't invest in a remote bottle opener just yet!

 

By the way...those look like the exact same power numbers as the Mach if that is at the crank. However, doesn't the Mach weigh less

 

The conventional wisdom is........low 13's.

 

From what i've seen on the net.

Mach 1: 3450lbs
05 GT: 3425lbs

A difference of about 25lbs, and so they're pretty much the same as far as weight goes.

 

I hope the aftermarket can do something with that "chicken-wire-fence" grill, maybe even a more modern looking front nose kit...other than that it's startin' to grow on me...But I too need to see one in person before any final judging..
Sounds a LOT like the last LS1's, should have similar times...maybe a smidge quicker...low 13's avg, good driver & tires = high 12's..

 

Here is a sobering thought.

The '05 Mustang GT. The entry level V8 Mustang...........will probably be darned near, the fastest stock Mustang in history, short of the '00 Cobra R and '03/'04 Cobra.

 

The new Z just got "ante'd", I wonder what the GT's power level will be by the time the Z returns???
15 years ago, did you ever think we'd see power like this again??
Great days indeed!..

 

YUP.

 

I recall someone on this board advising someone else on this board to be careful jumping on the new GT with his LS1, that he might just get a surprise if the driver knows how to shift.

Nice post there guionM. Don't know who your email was from, but the boys in the tuner shops are seeing similar numbers on a few units. Consider your source "validated" if you didn't already.

Oh and BTW, anybody think it will be hard to find anything "aftermarket" to make them go into the 12's? Considering the aftermarket has already been working on these cars for 6 months or so, and they won't be released for another 6!

At this point I am simply astounded at the HP companies are putting out with warranties. I expect that in the next few years, we will se governmental mandates and/or insurance policies set forth that will render these cars "unattainable". And if those 2 don't do it, the gas prices will.

 

Similar power and weight to the current Mach1, however, I'll mention something no one here has yet. The 3V 4.6L has more low end torque than the current Mach1 due to the VCT. I fully suspect that we could see low 13's very easily with a good driver and very high 12's with a set of drag radials (some Mach1s have hit 12.9 with drag radials).

 

This new stang has been a puzzle to me...When I first saw the photos, I hated it, but thought differently when when I saw and sat in Detroit. At some angles, the car is pure beauty, and at other angles, it's hideous...I do admit that the stripes go a long way to improving the look.

I do feel that FoMoCo went in the wrong direction with the styling; with a new ground-up design, they should've been looking at fresh thinking, instead of 1968. My biggest points of contention other than styling are the high-drag front, huge rear overhang, and 60s gauges. I think the car could look light years better with no foglights or rear spoiler, and concept tailights.

That having been said, I will still look closely at buying a performance model with IRS (SVT or whatever they decide on calling it) in the future...

 

Horsepower figures are SAE.

The 3v engine's torque curve starts lower than the Mach1 and has more torque overall. The GT also does weigh marginally less than the Mach1.

These things are obviously made to top LS1s in acceleration.

Before you start saying "Well I'll just add (whatever performance parts) to my Camaro, and show him my tailights", keep in mind the Mustang guy can do that too.

Chances are, he has more aftermarket options at lower prices than you do... even before the car comes out!!