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I had my first track day at VIR last weekend and the Boss did NOT disappoint. The only problems I had were brought on by my own aggressive downshifts which I think put a little too much heat in the transmission and clutch. Other than that, the engine temps stayed fine, the brakes didn't fade, and even though the tires got a little greasy towards the end of the 30 minute sessions, the car still felt great. I was able to put up a best time of 2:32. I have no idea how fast that is compared to other stock Bosses, but it felt good. My instructor made me cap top speeds at 120 after I told him we were doing 140 one time, heh heh. Anyway, here's my impressions of the individual aspects of the car:
Engine: The power is great. The usable low end and top end, combined with the instant throttle response was very refreshing coming from a background of turbo engines. I almost never had to give point by's on the straights except to a C6 Z06, or to other cars that were faster through the rest of the course (of which there weren't many. No ego here, the Boss gets the credit.) So I'm happy enough with that to consider it "done."
Brakes: Excellent for factory gear. Hauling down a 3,600lb car with 350lbs of man meat in it (instructor and myself) is a tall order. I thought for sure I was going to have some fade towards the end of the sessions, but they held up fine. I was braking hard enough to engage ABS bringing the car down from 120 so I know I got some heat in them. As I continue to go faster, we'll see if they still hold up.
Suspension: Even at it's firmest setting, it's still too soft. Having said that, I was able to keep up with some very nimble little cars through the corners, so it seems that it's a good compromise for a street/track car. Also, this car is INCREDIBLE at putting power down. The whole weekend I thought the traction control was subtly nannying me through rolling into the throttle exiting some of the longer turns. Once I turned off the traction control, I realized that there was no nannying, the rear end just plants and goes. I'm amazed at what Ford is able to do with a solid rear axle. When the rear finally does lose grip, it's very predictable and controllable.
Overall I LOVE this car. When I first got to the track, I was envious of the C6 Z06's. I passed on one of those to buy the Boss because I thought the Boss was a better street car. Towards the end of the session, I realized that yes the Z06's are still great, but so is the Boss. I have absolutely no regrets about my purchase.
Engine: The power is great. The usable low end and top end, combined with the instant throttle response was very refreshing coming from a background of turbo engines. I almost never had to give point by's on the straights except to a C6 Z06, or to other cars that were faster through the rest of the course (of which there weren't many. No ego here, the Boss gets the credit.) So I'm happy enough with that to consider it "done."
Brakes: Excellent for factory gear. Hauling down a 3,600lb car with 350lbs of man meat in it (instructor and myself) is a tall order. I thought for sure I was going to have some fade towards the end of the sessions, but they held up fine. I was braking hard enough to engage ABS bringing the car down from 120 so I know I got some heat in them. As I continue to go faster, we'll see if they still hold up.
Suspension: Even at it's firmest setting, it's still too soft. Having said that, I was able to keep up with some very nimble little cars through the corners, so it seems that it's a good compromise for a street/track car. Also, this car is INCREDIBLE at putting power down. The whole weekend I thought the traction control was subtly nannying me through rolling into the throttle exiting some of the longer turns. Once I turned off the traction control, I realized that there was no nannying, the rear end just plants and goes. I'm amazed at what Ford is able to do with a solid rear axle. When the rear finally does lose grip, it's very predictable and controllable.
Overall I LOVE this car. When I first got to the track, I was envious of the C6 Z06's. I passed on one of those to buy the Boss because I thought the Boss was a better street car. Towards the end of the session, I realized that yes the Z06's are still great, but so is the Boss. I have absolutely no regrets about my purchase.