1/4 Mile Question
 

I HAVE A 2001 GT MANUAL. WITH STRAIGHT PIPES (I HAD FLOWMASTER BUT I WANTED TO TRY STRAIGHTS), K&N, AND AIR SILENCER REMOVED, SALEEN RACECRAFT PROGRESSIVE RATE SPRINGS, & I HAVE 18X9 STEEDA ULTRA LIGHTS WITH 265-35-18'S.

WILL 18" WHEELS SLOW ME DOWN???

WHAT IS THE NORMAL 1/4 TIME FOR A STOCK 2001 GT MANUAL?

WHAT KINDA TIME SHOULD I EXPECT OUT OF MINE?

Stock manuals run anywhere from a 14.5 to 13.9. The air silencer removed and straight pipes are doing nothing for you and the K&N may give you 3 HP so really your still at the stock power level. Of course with 18" tires and a lowered suspension it will be tought to get any traction with that set up so I would think you'll be right around 14.4 or so. The 18s won't slow you do because overall they are the same height as a 17 wheel and tire but there is less sidewall meaning nothing to absorb the launch of the car.

Bill

When I bought those SALEEN Racecrafe springs, they told me it would help my 1/4 mile do to it being a progessive rate spring? And when I bought my tires I ended up paying around $1,500.00 for tires alone because everywhere I went they said the Toyo Proxes T1-S's were the best All around tire-even for the track. They told me that the compound in the tire is very soft when the tempature is warm out so it will grip ALOT better than reg. street tires? And I always heard that Straight pipes add about 15-20 HP?

Go to the track and see for yourself.

Any lowering spring will reduce the amount of weight transfer, that is the purpose of lowering your car to prevent body roll and stiffen up the ride on the street for handling. By doing this it prevents weight from being transfered to the rear on launch at the track regardless if they are progressive rate they are still stiffer than stock so it will hurt your times.

Straight pipes will never add power to your car especially not 15-20HP with a stock H pipe. The stock mufflers on our cars flow near perfect and there is very little to nothing to be gained by changing or eliminating the mufflers other than a little bit of weight loss.

As for the Toyos I don't know personally but fact is I seriously doubt they will hook that much better than any other street tire out there. If so it will be marginally, they will never hook even close to that of a Nitto DR which is barely considered a DR.

Again go to the track and see for yourself. Manufactures will tell you anything if it means getting more sales but fact is they don't have experience at the track. I can't begin to tell you how many people I've meet at the track that get a new stang and get big 17 or 18 wheels with big tires, lower the car and hit the track and complain about how slow the car is or how they roast the tires through 2nd or 3rd. Or even better how some people think a set of upper and lower control arms will make their car hook like a drag car with lowered stiff suspension and street tires.

Bill

Thanks for all the help Bill.

I do plan on putting some gears in my car. I had a Ford Master Mechanic tell me to go with 3.55's, the owner of Speed Freaks where I live in Cincinnati OH told me to not go over 3.73's. But the guys that work at Cincy Speed to me to go with 4.10's. Alot of people say that with the new Mustangs they rev alot higher so 4.10's are perfect? I do alittle bit of Highway driving, not much. Mostly around the town. What should I go with?

Depends on what your future plans are for the car. If your staying all motor then 4.10s are the perfect gear, if you have plans for a power adder then 3.73s may be more resonable. 3.55s would be a big waste of time and would barely be noticable over the stock 3.27s. I drive my car on the freeway every day with 4.30s and have no problems and get 19/23MPG.

Bill

Hey there
 

It's kewl to finally see someone from Florence. i just moved here about 4 month's ago and haven't seen too many stang hang outs. Your stang looks tough in the pic and just wanted to let ya know, you got someone in town if you have any questions.