S197 2011 Pandora's Box S197 Build Thread Profile - S197 Mustangs

[Bree789]

I gotta admit, I did take a few bites while taking the pilot bearing out...Needed the sugar

 

[raidernixon]

Quite a few updates to report over the past month or two. The car has received the following:

-Boss302S grill
-Boss 302 front splitter
-ZL1Addons tow hook
-GT500 rear splash guards
-Roush side splitter
-SVE flowformed Mach 1 HP knockoff wheels - 19x10 +35MM Spacing (squared)
-Continental ExtremeContact Force 295/30/R19 tires (squared)
-Girodisc front rotors
-GLoc R12/R10 pads








In progress:
-Clutch replacement
-Clutch divorce (Shelby clutch divorce reservoir kit is in place)
-Stainless steel clutch line
-New main seal
-Replace pilot bearing
-Installation of Schroth Quickfit Pro harnesses
-autoblip module

 

[raidernixon]

More updates to report.

Over the summer, the car has received the following:

New third link arm and GT500 upper axle bushing (original bushings were torn)


I will never do the above job again. what a pain in the ass. But, the car feels much better and less sloshy in the rear.

Oil temp gauge from glowshift:



Derale S197 16 row air oil cooler:



Results of this oil cooler so far have been great. I am seeing an average of 20-30 degrees difference in the summer heat. Prior to installing this cooler, the oil temp gauge had pegged out several times over 290 degrees. I did have to do some significant trimming of the bumper cover in order to fit everything.

New exedy Mach 500 clutch, stainless steel clutch line, new starter. Also replaced the ignition coils and various sensors to address persistent misfire issue when car is under load. All resolved now, car runs as if it is new.


Vorshlag deflector plates with ducting secured to the belly pan (similar air flow path as what the new Mach 1's utilize against the OEM deflector plates):





Until something breaks, I believe this is how the car will live for a while. It will get a true shakedown in mid-November during a planned track event.

 

[Bree789]

Hello @raidernixon, listen to PatientZero "LS3 Pony" latest update. Look at the video that he posted. His car makes a sound nearly identical to yours. Maybe you can get in contact with him to know the cause???

 

[Bree789]

I also just remembered that to fix your low oil temps, get a thermostat sandwich plate so that oil remains at operating temperature which is usually around 190F.
I run the Mishimoto (MMOP-SPTRM22) (CHECK PART NUMBER TO MAKE SURE IS THE RIGHT ONE!!) sandwich plate with thermostat. I have driven my car in cold weather down to 30ish degrees and the temp always stays at 190.
The one caveat is that the inlets are of a ~10AN size, the sandwich plate from Setrab has inlets of ~12AN.
I personally run -12AN lines on my oil cooler and wish I would have bought the Setrab unit instead.

 

[raidernixon]

I've had this car out for one full track weekend now where I am actually pushing it, and then for a member day at MSR Houston yesterday afternoon where it got pushed harder. Also, the car is now running 285/35/R19 Bridgestone RE-71S tires. I want a few more hours on the tires before I provide an opinion, but so far they seem promising except for not being offered in a 305 for the S550. In summary, the first track weekend for this car was spent with me learning the the nuances of a solid live axle vs. the S550 IRS that I am used to in the 21 Mach 1. I gotta say, there is something fun about the S197 and the live axle that is missing from the S550, but they all have their quirks!




As a baseline, my best time to date at this track (recorded at least) with the 21 Mach 1 is a 1:48.9.

During the full track weekend, I managed to get a 1:50.7. Here is a video of that lap:

Yesterday during the member day, I managed to get a 1:48.7 out of the car. Here is a video of that lap:

Question 1: In the first video, you can hear a strange vibration sound when letting off throttle. I am still not sure what this is. I got under the car to investigate and found nothing obvious with the driveline nor with anything loose, such as heat shielding or vibrating exhaust. The mic is mounted in the trunk for that session. I asked one forum member on here about a similar sound on his car and mentioned his was axle slack, but said his also sounds a bit different. Any ideas on what it might be?

Question 2: During all of the above sessions, differential fluid is blowing out of the axle vent on the drivers side to the point of making a huge mess under the car. I am running the GT500 differential cover with the vent at the top, so one question I have for the experienced folks is will it cause any issues to plug the axle vent, since there is a vent on the GT500 diff cover?

The other issue I am noticing is in the second video, you can see the coolant temps are starting to creep up despite it being 70 degrees and low humidity outside. After that lap, the car seemed to be pulling timing, as it would no longer pull nearly as hard on the straights (no CEL or anything like that). OBD2 data shows a max coolant temp of 225 during the power reduction. Given that experience, I am expecting running the car like this in the summer will not be an option unless something is done. Based on what I've seen, it seems boxing in the radiator/oil cooler is the most "bang for buck" on the S197 to get temps down, followed by hood vents. If anyone has any other suggestions, please chime in!

 

[Bree789]

Question 2: During all of the above sessions, differential fluid is blowing out of the axle vent on the drivers side to the point of making a huge mess under the car. I am running the GT500 differential cover with the vent at the top, so one question I have for the experienced folks is will it cause any issues to plug the axle vent, since there is a vent on the GT500 diff cover?

I used to have oil flowing out of the hole every event for the best part of 2021. I am now running the Ford Performance finned aluminum diff cover since September 2021. I removed the vent valve from the axle, plugged the axle hole and placed the vent valve at the top of the diff cover. I have not had an issue with spillage since. I would not recommend plugging the axle completely. The pressure has to come out through somewhere and it may find alternatives like the axle or pinion seals.

BTW, congrats on your 1:48 my man! Keep shooting for the moon!

 

[stevbd]

I did the same as @Bree789 with the axle vent many years ago and it fixed the problem for me. I also installed the “turkey baster” vent for some extra assurance but not sure it’s necessary. The most assurance is to install a catch can but I haven’t done that. Cortex sells one and probably a number of other vendors.

Congrats on running on par with your M1, that’s awesome.