Upgrade to Mach 1 or GT350? Looking for advice from the experts

[jaylarold]

I have done a few track days in my 2022 GT PP1 and have started to get to the point that things are overheating on the track. This is not my daily driver and I definitely want to continue to track my car even more in the future and also want to keep doing so in a Mustang, but would rather not spend the money to add cooling mods to my existing car and rather use those funds towards an upgrade. I have been scouring the market in my area and have found some promising leads. Just wondering what you guys would recommend if you had to do it all over again? (Also, I still don't like the S650 body style so that's out for me. Maybe it will grow on me someday...)

I have driven in a GT350 on track but have not yet driven one myself. I know they are awesome, but purchasing a 6 year old car (2018's are the only ones on the market for a decent price) gives me some pause and would almost certainly require me getting some sort of extended warranty. This is something I would probably do anyways, so not a huge deal.

A Mach 1 is obviously newer, maybe more reliable depending on who you ask, and has all of the built in cooling that an Intermediate level driver such as myself should need for a while. I can also find 2022 models that still have a good chunk of warranty. I would prefer to purchase a Handling Pack if possible but I would also be fine with adding those pieces myself, as I would almost certainly be buying new 11" square wheels anyhow. I don't know if the HP has any additional "special chassis tuning" at all or what that even means.

I currently live in MD so I try to get to NJMP, Summit Point and hopefully Pocono. I will be moving back to upstate NY in the near future so Watkins Glen will be my new playground once that happens. Appreciate any and all thoughts or suggestions!

-LJ

 

[flyhalf]

Go with mach1. Many goodies of a 350 with a strong coyote engine. Best of both world.
However
Buying a Mach 1 will cost q lot of money vs 22 PP1
you mentioned you don't want to spend money of upgrading cooling.
Cooling upgrades are max 1500$ including a bigger oil cooler and radiator. 2000 if you include the racelouver vents.
Buying a Mach 1 or a 350 will cost waaaay more with also the incognito of not knocking the status of the engine.
My point is if cooling is your ONLY need. I would spend that money and with the extra money u saved cause not buying a mach1 u can get new upgrades or simply just pay for more track days

Ale

 

[jaylarold]

Thanks, Ale. Your opinion is always most welcome.

I should add that I would like to get something with the Tremec manual, mainly to hone my skills since I've never owned a real stick shift. And I found a super low mileage HP Mach 1 nearby for a smidge less than what I paid for my current Mustang. The guy barely drove it and it sat in his garage. It's not that I'm too cheap to invest in quality cooling upgrades, I'm just thinking it may be better value in the long run to get something that's more meant for the track.

 

[flyhalf]

Fair enough. Check what brakes it has. Having the upgraded brakes vs the pp ones would be great

 

[Dave_W]

In that case, I definitely second the choice of a Mach 1 with Handling Package. The HP does get you some upgraded suspension parts, including adjustable camber plates. From a few threads here, there's a bit of a trick with a set screw to first allow adjustment in the camber plates, but I think it's somewhere in the owner's manual or an insert.

What I like is that you can get the Mach 1 in dark green so it look like a Bullitt. However, they seem about as unicorn as a white Fiesta ST with Recaros and no moonroof.

Now pardon me while I pull up AutoTrader...

 

[jaylarold]

Thanks, Ale. Your opinion is always most welcome.

I should add that I would like to get something with the Tremec manual, mainly to hone my skills since I've never owned a real stick shift. And I found a super low mileage HP Mach 1 nearby for a smidge less than what I paid for my current Mustang. The guy barely drove it and it sat in his garage. It's not that I'm too cheap to invest in quality cooling upgrades, I'm just thinking it may be better value in the long run to get something that's more meant for the track.

I assumed all the Mach 1s had the same Brembos as the PP1. It's a 22 Mach 1 HP, what should I look for as far as differences?

 

[flyhalf]

I assumed all the Mach 1s had the same Brembos as the PP1. It's a 22 Mach 1 HP, what should I look for as far as differences?

actually brakes are the same. what is different is the PP2 master cylinder.

 

[byronj]

Get the Mach 1. This is coming from someone with a GT350. I love my GT350 but the Coyote in the Mach 1 will be kinder to your wallet in the long run. The a Mach 1 and GT350 are almost identical when you are under them.

 

[JDee]

My 23 Mach 1 (non HP) came with a full suite of oil coolers for the engine, trans and diff. They're in the driveshaft tunnel under the car, as I remember. That car had zero cooling issues. It did not come with camber plates.

 

[byronj]

Another option, send your current car to Trent Musser at Sonoma and he will make your car handle better and be quicker than a GT350. He did that for my buddy Mark. Trent called me one day, said you need full coilovers now. I asked why now? He stated, " I cant have a GT beating my GT350s on the track". Mark is a good driver but I am more refined with my driving. Needless to say, I had to upgrade, HAHA! and Talk to @flyhalf about making a GT PP fast. OH the rabbit hole. LOL

If you want turn key the Mach1 is the most affordable and quickest way.

Keep us posted so we can help spend OPM.

 

[biggsy]

I don’t have much to add but that you can also swap in a 3160. Well I know you can for a 15-17 so it may be possible for 18+. You can get all OEM equipment for less than 5k. Obviously if you go with CF driveshaft or aftermarket clutch the price can go up. Don’t know the cost difference between offloading your car and getting into an M1

Edit: Ahh just saw you have an auto. Nevermind then

 

[blacksheep-1]

IMO the 2022 Gt is a pretty capable car, plus the fact that you already own it. @flyhalf and others are getting good performance out of them.

 

[Bill Pemberton]

Agree with Byron and others ---had a GT350 and a Mach 1 with the Track Spec and it was a great machine. It came down to the butt meter just saying the GT 350 was a bit faster in a straight line, but all else they were equal. The Mach 1 came with the Factory Camber plate and I got virtually the same negative camber as with the Vorshlag plate on the GT350.

 

[jaylarold]

Thanks for the comments, Bill. I was curious how much camber you can get out of the factory camber plates or if Vorshlag's would be necessary to get close to 3 deg. or greater up front. I'm pretty set on going with the Mach 1 and I am test driving a fully optioned HP version tomorrow that I have already negotiated all the numbers on so wish me luck.

I was wary about flex fuel and ethanol setups but it seems that tons of guys are doing it. Going that route seems like it might it put it smack dab in the GT350 power range, but one step at a time...

 

[Bill Pemberton]

I was able to get a little over -2.8 and I found that was sufficient for decent tire wear, but that said I also had 315s all the way around , hence 25mm spacer and ARP style studs ( I happened to get them from Leo at Capaldi Racing ). You can get those from OPMustang also -- both are site sponsors. I was running around -1.95 in the rear.

 

[jaylarold]

Great info, thanks. I would plan to start at around those same numbers as you to start, as that's more or less what I was running on my 22 GT.

To everyone that has given answers/comments/suggestions on here and elsewhere, I appreciate it. Thanks/No thanks to you guys I am hooked on this hobby now and have brought a new pony into the stable. Will update my profile accordingly in due time.