Hello folks, wanting to consult the oracles on a build that my family and I are in progress (well, just started, technically). We are building an endurance-race 2011 Mustang. It has a 3.7 V6 and a 6-speed. And the 8.8 with 2.73 gears. Everything is stock right now. We have a few upgrades mapped out but need some suggestions on a few things. We're very limited on the modifications we can make to the car without having to take penalty laps and we're doing this series to stay budget-minded, so bear in mind we simply aren't able/willing to throw the best of the best of the best parts at this. We will do it where needed OR where the upgrade would net us enough gain to offset the penalties (that's very difficult, though).
We can upgrade the radiator for no points, so it's on the agenda (along with hood and fender louvers). We're looking at a Mishimoto unit for around $400. I have also seen the C&R (that are close to $1000) and the elusive Ford Racing Boss 302R radiator is still out there for around $750. We're leaning toward the Mishimoto, but before we pull the trigger, has anyone had any issues with that one? I can't imagine it wouldn't help us; it's still an upgrade over stock (plus entirely aluminum so removing the plastic end tanks as a failure point), and several people have told me they have no issues with their V6 on track with stock radiator. The size/number of cores is on par with other aftermarket offerings, and this is just a V6...but endurance racing is hard on everything, so we want to be sure it'll be up to the task.
We can replace any suspension bushings we want with aftermarket urethane or delrin at no points-cost. We can't use spherical/heim without taking penalties. We've seen the Ford Racing Competition Delrin front control arm bushings. We've also seen the $550 price tag for them. Are they going to be $450 better than some Energy Suspension or Prothane urethane bushings and will those hold up to hard track use? If not, we'll sink the coin, I'll just have a real tough time doing it.
I also saw the GlobalWest Delrin front control arm bushings. They list these as 1994-2014...which seems like it CAN'T possibly be right...the bushing diameter inside the arm not having changed for 20 years? Anyone ever looked at these or run them? They appear to be the cheapest option for Delrin IF they're legit.
What are the key points for the S197 rear suspension when maintaining factory 3-link? I know on the SN95s (what I'm familiar with) a PHB/Watts, torque arm, and complete removal of the upper arms are fantastic upgrades. All that's not an option here. Will switching to urethane bushings in any/all of the rear arms reduce compliance and induce bind like it does with the factory 4 link cars? Will the urethane destroy itself in the first 5 laps under hard cornering? Are stock replacement arms with rubber gonna be the way to go back there?
Brake hoses...my brother was told that the rubber brake hoses used on the Boss were not only stiffer than the standard V6/GT but even more than aftermarket stainless lines. That seems impossible to me, but, hey, technology changes, I dunno. I still like the idea of stainless. Less chance for a tire or sharp edge rubbing through. What say you fine folks?
There are a bunch of plans I didn't mention. Gear swap, 1-piece driveshaft, things like that.
I'm sure there will be some other questions coming...I've stayed somewhat knowledgeable on the SN95, but this is a new platform to me.
We can upgrade the radiator for no points, so it's on the agenda (along with hood and fender louvers). We're looking at a Mishimoto unit for around $400. I have also seen the C&R (that are close to $1000) and the elusive Ford Racing Boss 302R radiator is still out there for around $750. We're leaning toward the Mishimoto, but before we pull the trigger, has anyone had any issues with that one? I can't imagine it wouldn't help us; it's still an upgrade over stock (plus entirely aluminum so removing the plastic end tanks as a failure point), and several people have told me they have no issues with their V6 on track with stock radiator. The size/number of cores is on par with other aftermarket offerings, and this is just a V6...but endurance racing is hard on everything, so we want to be sure it'll be up to the task.
We can replace any suspension bushings we want with aftermarket urethane or delrin at no points-cost. We can't use spherical/heim without taking penalties. We've seen the Ford Racing Competition Delrin front control arm bushings. We've also seen the $550 price tag for them. Are they going to be $450 better than some Energy Suspension or Prothane urethane bushings and will those hold up to hard track use? If not, we'll sink the coin, I'll just have a real tough time doing it.
I also saw the GlobalWest Delrin front control arm bushings. They list these as 1994-2014...which seems like it CAN'T possibly be right...the bushing diameter inside the arm not having changed for 20 years? Anyone ever looked at these or run them? They appear to be the cheapest option for Delrin IF they're legit.
What are the key points for the S197 rear suspension when maintaining factory 3-link? I know on the SN95s (what I'm familiar with) a PHB/Watts, torque arm, and complete removal of the upper arms are fantastic upgrades. All that's not an option here. Will switching to urethane bushings in any/all of the rear arms reduce compliance and induce bind like it does with the factory 4 link cars? Will the urethane destroy itself in the first 5 laps under hard cornering? Are stock replacement arms with rubber gonna be the way to go back there?
Brake hoses...my brother was told that the rubber brake hoses used on the Boss were not only stiffer than the standard V6/GT but even more than aftermarket stainless lines. That seems impossible to me, but, hey, technology changes, I dunno. I still like the idea of stainless. Less chance for a tire or sharp edge rubbing through. What say you fine folks?
There are a bunch of plans I didn't mention. Gear swap, 1-piece driveshaft, things like that.
I'm sure there will be some other questions coming...I've stayed somewhat knowledgeable on the SN95, but this is a new platform to me.