This is the Build Thread for Pumpkin GT. Reply below.
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S550 Pumpkin GT Build Thread Profile - S550 Mustangs
- Thread starterEwheels
- Start date
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- Thread starter
- #2
I've always been a car nut and always admired road racing though I never thought I would ever get to that point nor did I know where to start. I knew basic mechanics from tinkering on my first car but never did anything major. Once I was in the financial position to buy a new car, I jumped on the opportunity. I purchased this Mustang new in April of 2018. I wanted a car that was fun but also something that I could learn from. I had the intention of taking some advanced driving class of some sort somewhere along the way.
One day, a friend of mine tells me about NASA and an open track day they had at my local track. I looked into it and was instantly hooked on the idea of HPDE. I finally found where and how to start.
I want to add that in no way, shape, or form do I know what I'm doing. I'm learning as I go and meeting some great people along the way.
(the beginning of this journey started here)
One day, a friend of mine tells me about NASA and an open track day they had at my local track. I looked into it and was instantly hooked on the idea of HPDE. I finally found where and how to start.
I want to add that in no way, shape, or form do I know what I'm doing. I'm learning as I go and meeting some great people along the way.
(the beginning of this journey started here)
Last edited:
JDee
Ancient Racer
Love that! We all were there at one time or another, but it's the smart ones that admit it. Some of us failed that test and that just lengthened the learning curve!! Car looks great and you look like you're on the right track with mods.
- Thread starter
- #4
Thank you sir! I've seen bone stock Mustangs do quicker lap times than myself so I see no reason to throw more money at the car than I already have. Need more driver mod haha
- Thread starter
- #5
I noticed in your build that you want to replace your brake ducts with the Vorshlag deflectors. I'm in the same predicament. My current backing plates do not sit close enough to the rotor for optimal air flow through the rotor vanes. I've considered the Vorshlag plates as well but I'm concerned they wouldn't provide sufficient cooling, compared to good ducts. (Pretty much every race car uses ducts so I would assume those work the best.)
From what Terry says in testing ,the deflectors cool the brakes better than 3” hose kits. I bought a set from him and will see in April how they work.
That's exactly what I thought until we did the tests. I figured the flaps would be OK, but there was no way they would be better than a pressure ducted backing plate. I'll admit I was floored when we did the test and found the flaps performed better than the backing plates in every scenario. The only caveat is that you -have- to have the tunnels in the front undertray. These came in all the Performance Pack and Shelby cars, but weren't in our base model GT until we added the PP splitter and tray.
- Thread starter
- #8
I read the report when you guys released the test results. Awesome results! My only hesitation was that it compared the flaps to the rather "smooshed" 4" ducts which I would think could possibly restrict air flow. Not trying to discredit or be rude here, just pointing out potential concerns. Maybe you've already debunked this and I'm late to the game.
We put fresh hoses on for the test and took care not to smoosh them before hitting the track.
- Thread starter
- #10
That works for me!
JDee
Ancient Racer
Yes, good to hearJason. I read through all the testing on Vorshlag's website and decided to give it a try. Even with 3" hoses I continually have trouble with them getting crushed. Mine should be here Friday.
- Thread starter
- #12
Finally getting some fun work done on the car! I've been wanting to add hood venting for awhile now and decided today was the day.
Now, I've never cut up a car before and I only have minimal metal working experience so this was quite the pucker! The instructions supplied are very clear and the template works great. I have to add, Race Louver customer support is second to none! I've been annoyingly emailing Albert for months now with various questions and he is beyond helpful. I called him halfway into cutting and he was quick to answer my questions. He even called me back later in the day to check on my progress and see if I had anymore questions before he left for the day. Albert, if you see this, THANK YOU!
The entire process was quite straight forward. Time consuming, but straight forward. I HIGHLY recommend taping the entire hood as metal shards and fragments get everywhere. I then used moving blankets to cover the engine and the windshield.
For finding dead-center, I used a long strip of floss and taped it to the center of the windshield (small decal label there perfectly in the center) and then pulled it tightly over the hood and lined it up with the crease line in the front bumper. Then simply measure about 17 different times and tape down the template.
I used a Dremel to cut the whole thing. Took 1 diamond cutting disc (or whatever the more expensive disc is made of) and 2 regular metal cutting discs. I tried to cut it all with the hood still on the car but getting the bottom layer cut correctly requires the hood off. After that, it's cut, trim, measure, and repeat till it all fits snug.
Now, I've never cut up a car before and I only have minimal metal working experience so this was quite the pucker! The instructions supplied are very clear and the template works great. I have to add, Race Louver customer support is second to none! I've been annoyingly emailing Albert for months now with various questions and he is beyond helpful. I called him halfway into cutting and he was quick to answer my questions. He even called me back later in the day to check on my progress and see if I had anymore questions before he left for the day. Albert, if you see this, THANK YOU!
The entire process was quite straight forward. Time consuming, but straight forward. I HIGHLY recommend taping the entire hood as metal shards and fragments get everywhere. I then used moving blankets to cover the engine and the windshield.
For finding dead-center, I used a long strip of floss and taped it to the center of the windshield (small decal label there perfectly in the center) and then pulled it tightly over the hood and lined it up with the crease line in the front bumper. Then simply measure about 17 different times and tape down the template.
I used a Dremel to cut the whole thing. Took 1 diamond cutting disc (or whatever the more expensive disc is made of) and 2 regular metal cutting discs. I tried to cut it all with the hood still on the car but getting the bottom layer cut correctly requires the hood off. After that, it's cut, trim, measure, and repeat till it all fits snug.
Bill Pemberton
0ld Ford Automotive Racing Terror
Congrats, that is some mighty fine carving on the pumpkin!! Sure the new face will scare some Camaros the next time you hit the track!
PaddyPrix
If breakin' parts is cool, consider me Miles Davis
Haha, join the club.
- Thread starter
- #16
That's exactly what I was afraid of, haha! "I've already cut it once, what's another hole?!"
That never stopped a lot of great folks from achieving what they were after!!!...Continue to carry your torch.....It's the light to your goals.......................
I have a Son that's proving this to be very true...............
At least fenders and hood can be replaced.
- Thread starter
- #20
A little late to update here but suspension has finally found its way on the car! No more floaty boat feeling!
BMR SP083 Springs (250/980#)
Ford Track Shocks
Vorshlag CC Plates
BMR Front Sway Bar (35mm?)
GT350R Rear Sway Bar
BMR CB005 IRS Lockout
Thanks to @flyhalf for the great hand-me-down parts! Maybe his Italian spirit will carry over to my driving, haha!
As far as alignment specs, the car is currently at -2.6 front camber and -1.1 rear. The tech was having a bit of trouble getting the rear camber to where I wanted it (-1.5 desired) so we ended the day at -1.1 I'll likely go up from there but I'll try the car as-is first.
Haven't had much time to really feel out the new setup yet but it definitely feels stiffer and more responsive. I'll have to go through some canyons this weekend.
BMR SP083 Springs (250/980#)
Ford Track Shocks
Vorshlag CC Plates
BMR Front Sway Bar (35mm?)
GT350R Rear Sway Bar
BMR CB005 IRS Lockout
Thanks to @flyhalf for the great hand-me-down parts! Maybe his Italian spirit will carry over to my driving, haha!
As far as alignment specs, the car is currently at -2.6 front camber and -1.1 rear. The tech was having a bit of trouble getting the rear camber to where I wanted it (-1.5 desired) so we ended the day at -1.1 I'll likely go up from there but I'll try the car as-is first.
Haven't had much time to really feel out the new setup yet but it definitely feels stiffer and more responsive. I'll have to go through some canyons this weekend.
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