C&D's Lightning Lap 2011

Dave07997S wrote

The Mustang Shelby GT500 did it in 3:04 flat...

Wow..

That is quite impressive too me. I hope to pick up a 11 GT 500 when I get back stateside. I miss my 03 Cobra...T76 Turbo and 811rwhp:happyanim:

I also can't help but notice how far behind the M3 the Mustang GT was. All I have been hearing is how it is all over the M3.

Then again, I guess they didn't test the M3 this time. I am still very impressed with the 5.0 Mustang overall though...Ford got that one right.

The new Mustangs are damn impressive. The new GT laptime is faster than the old GT500 lap time, if I am not mistaken. And the GT500 is faster than the similar in weight and power CTS-V coupe. I think the Boss will equal the GT500 next year when they test it, and the Boss LS may very well come in at 3:02.

I was a little surpised and disappointed the new STI with its suspension tweaks didn't come in closer to the EVO.

....I am just kidding.

The Mustang 5.0 still did great even if it was slightly behind the M3. The ditto goes for the IS-F and the new Vette Z06 (Z7) version.

Dave07997S wrote

Do you care at all about NVH? That Torque Arm bar can be loud, well at least from the experience of the one I drove.

Dave

It's not bad at all. I visited Griggs and drove their shop car. Yes there is a little NVH, but nothing obnoxious. Also, I am doing the panhard version, not the watts link version.

mastek wrote

Aaahhaaaa - I always knew u were a poser ... have fun in ur Bustang ;(

Sorry, I'm a performance guy first, a snob second. Not vice versa.

TRZ06 wrote

Sorry, I'm a performance guy first, a snob second. Not vice versa.

That's good that ur a 'performance guy' .... cause ur gonna be 'performing' a lot of repairs on that plastic heap of shhit.

mastek wrote

That's good that ur a 'performance guy' .... cause ur gonna be 'performing' a lot of repairs on that plastic heap of shhit.

Well except the Ford Mustang won the JD Power associates for sporty car with least amount of problems. BTW, have you seen that Ford was up to#5 on the JD Power and Associates. Its OK not to like the Mustang...last I checked this was still the USA where you are entitled to your opinion (fanbois as it is) but to spread your misinformed information is what is a shame.

I agree in the respect the Mustang is a little to plasticy for me on the interior, but it is also over $20k cheaper fully loaded than to a stripper M3.

Dave

Whats interesting I wonder what the V6 Mustang would have done it in...it was bouncing off the speed limiter for 15 seconds per lap at 114mph. I think it would have been the Evo.

Dave

Dave07997S wrote

I agree in the respect the Mustang is a little to plasticy for me on the interior, but it is also over $20k cheaper fully loaded than to a stripper M3.

It's $20K because Ford chooses to sell it at a far less price point; therefore they compromise far more in the design and materials. In the end, buy what you like and who cares what anyone else thinks.

I'm very impressed with mastek's mod list.

TRZ06 wrote

Sorry, I'm a performance guy first, a snob second. Not vice versa.

Shhhhh! You're supposed to be a snob first and performance enthusiast second on this site...but don't tell anyone I told you...I don't want them to start busting my balls too.

mastek wrote

That's good that ur a 'performance guy' .... cause ur gonna be 'performing' a lot of repairs on that plastic heap of shhit.

Are you serious? While I will be the first to admit the Mustang's short comings I will also come to the car's defense when such uninformed statements are made.

My GT500 has been issue free from day one. On the other hand my previous E90 M3 had a few small issues right after I got. One of these issues required the preset buttons on the nav to be replaced. I'm not saying my experience proves anything, but if you are going to be narrow minded then obviously the Ford is more reliable.

MVF4Rrider wrote

It's $20K because Ford chooses to sell it at a far less price point; therefore they compromise far more in the design and materials. In the end, buy what you like and who cares what anyone else thinks.

I'm very impressed with mastek's mod list.

Yes but obviously not the performance...I also dont' get your point that Ford decides to sell it for $20k less? The whole point of the Mustang is for it to be affordable...hell, Mustang zealots are up in arms now for the cars fully loaded $40k price range for the GT. Imagine if it was selling near or at the price of an M3.

I miss my Porsche...

I'm just busting ballz ... don't take it so seriously - I've driven and raced all sorts of cars of all kinds of makes and owned a ton too.

In the past, the Bustang's rep was one of bad handling and cheap build quality - if this has improved, that's great... and I'm glad Ford and GM are getting their shit together.

The new Bustang chassis has been surprisingly nimble as a race car (see Continental Challenge) ...so I believe the lap times and the low-level hype.
It appears that modded car for car the M3 and the Bustang will be fairly even at the track - they are both equally heavy and similar power and the Ford is less $$$.
Although you will sacrifice in some interior build-quality and OE parts quality, it IS a cheaper car - not intended for comparison.

That being said - I have never seen great lap times at the race tracks from these cars in all my years there ... so I look forward to the challenge - and hope to uphold the ///M track reputation.

mastek wrote

I'm just busting ballz ... don't take it so seriously - I've driven and raced all sorts of cars of all kinds of makes and owned a ton too.

In the past, the Bustang's rep was one of bad handling and cheap build quality - if this has improved, that's great... and I'm glad Ford and GM are getting their shit together.

The new Bustang chassis has been surprisingly nimble as a race car (see Continental Challenge) ...so I believe the lap times and the low-level hype.
It appears that modded car for car the M3 and the Bustang will be fairly even at the track - they are both equally heavy and similar power and the Ford is less $$$.
Although you will sacrifice in some interior build-quality and OE parts quality, it IS a cheaper car - not intended for comparison.

That being said - I have never seen great lap times at the race tracks from these cars in all my years there ... so I look forward to the challenge - and hope to uphold the ///M track reputation.

Listen I'm with you...I put my money where my mouth is by buying an M3. The Mustangs build quality is much better than before and the handling is actually quite good. I was shocked on the car I drove didn't have the rear step out over bumps during aggressive cornering like most live axle cars do. Ford really dialed in this live axle car to the limit of this Flintstone era technology.

What also stopped me from buying a Mustang was I'm really sick of this "retro" theme for US made muscle. I want to see a completely thoroughly modern version of the Mustang before I jump back into the herd. I have owned at least 10 Mustangs during my youth and have always loved them, but you know you are getting older when you start to care on how the interior is buttoned together...

Dave

Mastek... what is your best time at Auto Club Speedway in your M3? (Assuming you track your car there?).

I'd like to compare to my IS-F times...
Dave

GT-R .. wow
is the M3 stick or 6MT?

The M3s were both DCT. The latest M3 tested had pilot sport cup+ tires.

Each time they complained of DCT not yielding downshifts at times.

saeedg48 wrote

GT-R .. wow
is the M3 stick or 6MT?

Huh?

SCCAForums.com wrote

Mastek... what is your best time at Auto Club Speedway in your M3? (Assuming you track your car there?).

I'd like to compare to my IS-F times...
Dave

Sure -- here you go:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=315097

Not bad... a few seconds slower then my Stock IS-F...

Car: 08 IS-F 8Spd Auto
Track/Course: Auto Club Speedway Roval
Best Lap Time: 1:52.553
Brake Pads: Carbotech Pads (on OE Calipers)
Tires (Size & Model): Hoosier R6 285
Suspension: Stock
Other Mods: Borla Catback, Drop in Air Filter, 3650lbs. w/o Driver & Fuel

SCCAForums.com wrote

Not bad... a few seconds slower then my Stock IS-F...

Car: 08 IS-F 8Spd Auto
Track/Course: Auto Club Speedway Roval
Best Lap Time: 1:52.553
Brake Pads: Carbotech Pads (on OE Calipers)
Tires (Size & Model): Hoosier R6 285
Suspension: Stock
Other Mods: Borla Catback, Drop in Air Filter, 3650lbs. w/o Driver & Fuel

Few seconds?? .... that's a great lap time man!!
Pretty much same weight, similar power and stock suspension?? ... great driving.

LOL, Thanks... yeah... car really worked well there... Lexus did an article on it.. after it stirred up some of the TTB competitors in the class... Here's the link:

http://drivers.lexus.com/lexusdrivers/magazine/content.do#:/pub-share/magazine/html/Lexus-News/news_2010_08_31.html

Yeah, most complain about the stock stiff suspension, but on the track, with Race Rubber, and good Brake Pads, the car honestly felt right at home.