EcoBoost "Sally" Dual Street/Track Build
Specs & Mods
- Lap times
- 1
- Ownership Status
- Currently Own
- Year
- 2017
- S550 Model
- EcoBoost
- Transmission
- Manual
- Mods - Handling
- Suspension: Mach 1 swaybars, Steeda 200lb/in minimum drop front springs and BMR SP082 740lb/in rear springs, Steeda adjustable Pro Action shocks/struts
Chassis: BMR CB006 front K-brace, jacking rails
Brakes: GT calipers, Steeda 2-piece rotors, NACA belly pan air scoops, Vorschlag cooling vanes, G-Loc R8 pads
Wheels/Tires: APEX EC-7 18"x9"wheels with 275/40r18 Firehawk tires (gonna move up to 275/35r18 Kumho Ecsta v730 200tw tires when I wear the Firehawks out)
- Mods - Power
- MAP Stage1 2.0 shortblock w/upgraded internals, NX2 Turbo, PP radiator, cp-e intercooler, Airaid intake, CVF catted downpipe, Magnaflow Street Series Catback, 100 octane tune, UPR DVCC catch can and crankcase breather
- Mods - Exterior
- California Special front splitter & GT350 TrackPack rear spoiler (technically could be considered handling mods for increased downforce), ZL1 tow points front and rear, 2.3 HP emblem to give it more HP
- Mods - Interior
- Schroth QuickFit Pro Harness, Steeda clutch spring
... and other assorted stuff I am probably forgetting
- Background & Plans
- I bought this new as a daily driver and chose the Ecoboost model for better mpg as I drive a lot (currently have 138k miles on it) but now that I am retired will be putting a lot less miles on it in the future. I took it to an HPDE event on a lark at the (now closed) Texas Motor Speedway in 2017, had more fun than I could ever have imagined, and got a little hooked on HPDE. I have a very busy life but since then have made an effort to go to at least two or three HPDE events per year and now that I am retired plan to increase that to five or six per year.
I have added mods at a leisurely pace to improve track manners over the years as needed and in its present condition I am very satisfied with its dual street/track setup while realizing any dual setup is a compromise at both ends. I'm 67 years old and can stay happy at intermediate level and don't anticipate growing to advanced level; happy where the car is at and for me it's all about the fun and learning better driving skills with more seat time and coaching. So far I've enjoyed tracking at Texas Motor Speedway, AMP, VIR, CMP, Sebring, the FIRM, Daytona: and am looking forward to adding more different track stickers on my rear window in the future.
I've pretty much done most of what can be done to Sally in making it the best dual street/track compromise I think I can do. My future plans are limited but my next step needs to be safety mods so HANS and a permanent fire extinguisher install in the interior are on the list; after that just a bunch of wish list items: Steeda IRS braces, Race Louvers center hood vent, and finally a 3.55 torsen diffy would be nice to have (update: I got the 3.55 Torsen and plan to install it this winter).
As a final note I've yet to dyno this car but with the power mods I have (upgraded short block, full bolt ons, big turbo, and 100 octane tune) this thing is significantly quicker than it was stock, and several who ran with me on the track commented in the paddock afterwards that they were surprised it was a little 4-banger when they realized what it was. I'm a little curious and will probably dyno it sometime soon just for funzies to learn what hp/tq it is producing.