SCCAForums.com

I've been away from the SCCA for a while, unfortunately, but fortunately, I'm starting again, this time in FS, in an American car.

No. 1 on my bucket list was a new Mustang. Initially, I thought I wanted a C Shelby, but I've outgrown the bling, and the Bullitts came along about that time and changed my mind. I see a few of the folks don't think she's much different than a GT. Same thing my buddy said who bought a black 2007 GT. Oh well, guess we'll just have to wait & see?  It won't make much difference though, since it should mainly be driver skill, as long as they are both FS cars.  The course may actually decide which set up is best.

I will probably have to shed the stock tires, and was wondering about recommendations for tires on the 18" wheels. My buddy is not much help since his 2007 GT is on stock size 17" wheels. Also, any discussion regarding which Hoosiers are best & legal, and any changes in geometry would be helpful. Right now, the 50 series BFG's give a nice, compliant ride, but a slightly larger patch with a  better compound and slightly lower radius might be beneficial. Heck, I'm still learning to adjust to that floating rear axle. Do you guys run with the TCS on, or off?  

Does Hoosier still offer discounts to SCCA autocrossers?  

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

---

The Older I get, the Faster I was......

If I were you, I would call Sam Strano.  Not only does he know what makes those cars fast, he knows what doesn't, and he can sell you just about everything you need.  I thnk you're on the right track with Hoosiers.  I used to think Kumho was just as fast, but I was wrong.

---

Mike Minear

There is another local here in Houston who has a CS Mustang for FS.

+1 on Strano being the one to talk to. Get Kazera wheels from the tire rack and some 285 Hoosiers for all 4 corners (might as well get it as a M&B package from the TR.

Sammy can then set you up on the rest of the parts for the car.

We will all be at Gulf Greyhound Park for the next autocross in July on the 1st weekend.   go to houscca.com/forum and join up. Introduce yourself and we'll help out all we can :)

 

---

David Hedderick
Pearland (Houston), TX
01 CRG YZ125 (FOR SALE! $2500)
08 Mazda 3s
02 Mazda Protege (automatic tow vehicle)
92 Miata SE - Fun half-arsed STS2 Car

Call Sam. He was very eager to help when I called. The new Bullitt is an excellent choice for F-Stock.

Happy to help.  Just give me a ring.  Not a lot to setting them up.  There are some tangilble differences in the setup of a GT/Bullitt vs. a Shelby GT due to spring/bar differences. 

 

---

Sam Strano
Strano Performance Parts
814-849-3450

Thanks guys & Sam.

Since I'll plan to stay in FS, I'm not really looking ( or planning ) to make any changes that involve "parts" or "settings". At least not at this time, since I am fairly pleased with the way the car behaves and handles already.

I was in, all over, and under a 2007 Shelby GT last night, measuring springs, bars, shocks, as well as under my bud's 2007 GT, so I noted the differences. While it is lower, and carries a larger front bar, and different springs, shocks and bump stops, and uses Delrin bushings, it was also, (in my opinion), less of a 'joy to drive' than my Bullitt model, and the ride was noticeably harsher, as should be expected with the  FR3 handling pack set up.

I was still hoping for a discussion / recommendation on the Hoosiers, and sizes.

If I elect to go with another brand, does anyone know if Bob Vilven still "shaves" tires?

BTW, I saw a post somewhere with a question about how fast does a Bullitt go in second gear at redline?. I checked, and I'd say it's about 69 to 69.5 mph or so on stock 50 series tires ( 27.2" diameter ), with stock speedo gears, and standard Stock gearing. Seems enough for me, especially since it pulls strong in third. Since the Shelby only comes with the 3.55:1, but also has a lower redline, I couldn't notice the difference, especially since I was bouncing more, and that 2% wasn't really noticeable to me.  

 

Thanks again!. Steve

 

---

The Older I get, the Faster I was......

I assume since your considering shaving the tires, you are considering something besides a V710 or an A6 because you wouldn't want to shave either of those tires.  My guess is you would want adjustable shocks, bigger front bar and an alignment at the very least.  I'm not sure about the bullet, but Ford seems to be very fond of heavy exhaust, you might consider a lightweight cat back as well.  I think the tire most have been using is the 285/35/18 Hoosier A6.

---

Mike Minear

Thanks. I'm looking at various tire options, but would never change the wheels.Yes, no need to shave those Hoosiers. 

Since the Ford engineers have already modified the chassis and suspension to fine-tune handling and ensure the extra horsepower and torque are put to good use. I'll give the Ford FRPP set up an opportunity before making any changes. Since they have already swapped out the Stock Mustang GT shocks and struts for new units that allow for a more aggressive driving dynamic, plus added a front tower-to-tower brace for additional torsional and lateral stiffness to the chassis for improved cornering, it's worth a try, as is. 

The brakes also have been improved versus the base Mustang GT’s. More aggressive front pads were added to improve fade resistance and pedal feel. The exhaust is already an upgraded dual 3.5".

The wheels are unique, easy to clean, cast-aluminum wheels, which I'll keep, but the tires are P235/50ZR 18 BF Goodrich g-Force T/A KDWS tires, which I anticipate will eventually need an upgrade, since I don't anticipate driving in snow.

 

Thanks.

 

Steve

---

The Older I get, the Faster I was......

When you mention shaving tires.... when was the last time you autoXed and what was the hot tire then?

Your not going to want to drive around on ANY tire today.... A6's, 710's etc... all are NOT rain tires and not street worthy. Even the Victo racers on a 3500lbs car will be junk in the rain after 1 event.

Bret

---

Bret
Camaro SS FS

Give me a call (on Monday, I'm off to National Tour in Peru in a few minutes) and all can be answered.

 FWIW, the Shelby rides like crap stock because of the dampers.  They were dumped off our car pretty much first thing and the ride improved greatly.  The Bullitt will ride better because the springs are softer, the shocks are tuned more for ride. 

 I don't have time to get into it now.... though I can't reveal all my secrets out here in public anyway.....    I'm not hard to find.

---

Sam Strano
Strano Performance Parts
814-849-3450

I would have a couple quick suggestions.  Take everything that brochure tells you was done to the car to make it 'different' and ignore it.  The only things you gain actually are the strut tower brace and cold air intake.  The rear end is another plus since its from the GT500KR and is matched with the higher red line, plus with the computer tune the rev limiter is smooth like butter unless of course you are like me and have no idea you are on it for any length of time.  The rest of the suspension and its sport tuned blah blah are actually quite inaccurate.  Its a GT with some cosmetic changes as it stands right now.  Granted I would be extremely curious to have your spring part numbers along with your door codes.  Front and rear bars are GT bars along with all bushings.  Be sure you double check those bracket bolts since they are probably not torqued to spec.  And what is said here about switching bars or anything else, talk to Sam.

 

The upgrade to Konis will instantly give that car a better daily ride and is very noticeable over the stock setup.  Night and day difference actually.  The last set of Kazera's in the country are sitting in our garage, so who knows what everyone will go to next to shave the weight of those stock wheels along with picking up a slight offset advantage.

 All things considered, we have had a blast so far in ours and I dont think there are any regrets in purchasing one regardless of differences between it and a regular GT.
 

---

Rob S.
116 FS 2008 Ford Mustang Bullitt

South Carolina Region

Thanks, Bret.

Let's just say it's been quite a while. I don't want you younger guys laughing, at my expense. Back then, stock meant basically stock, and lowering was only done by going to a lower (55) profile tire, on stock rim sizes. Pro Solo had just started and was then called the Goodyear Pro Solo series. The Pro Solo stock categories were 1, 2, 3, 4, etc., and it was not yet sanctioned by the SCCA. You could change out front bars, bushing material, and shock brands all around, but no changes to the mounting points, or other mods. Many of the mods suggested, and mentioned in the new SCCA rules would have automatically qualified the car for "prepared" category, which seems to be the case now. Wow....I guess I'm way out of date.

Stock cars didn't run on Hoosier race rubber, they ran on street tires, which I plan to do, for now. I guess F "stock" and the SCCA Rules have changed. I can accept that.

If I can't be competitive in F stock, then maybe I'll move to a street tire category. In any event, I still believe driver skill is the most important modification that can be made. My first goal will be to learn to drive the car smoothly at it's absolute limit. Once I can do that, then I'll have to consider if there are significant gains to be made in lap times with specific mods, and weigh them against other issues.

From my experience, I can say that certain mods only count if the driver can skillfully drive the car beyond it's absolute limit. These skilled drivers are typically the ones you only encounter at the National level. Unfortunately, my current job will probably not allow me the luxury to run consistently on a National level, so I'll just have to see what happens.  You only get better by running against the best. I'll be running my first event in a Looong time on July 6th. The car will be stock, on factory rubber. Hopefully, the driver will get past the butterflies and be up to the task. The main goal will be to have fun and learn.
 

 

 

 

 

---

The Older I get, the Faster I was......

Sam, Good luck.      Sorry I missed you.  I was away on business in California the past 4 days, trying to stay alive on I-405 & I -91.  Now I need a

I'll be driving my first event in a long time on July 6th. Just hoping I'll be competitive.... and not a .

 

SteveS

2008 Bullitt - Black  118 FS

2008 Bullitt - DHG 

---

The Older I get, the Faster I was......

Rob: Thanks. Be assured that I'm not relying on the hype. The car "feels" right to me. I just need to learn to drive it at it's absolute limit, which might be more than I expect. Thanks for the tip on torquing the bar bracket bolts. No upgrades planned until I can achieve the car's limit. I'll wait and see how we both perform on July 6th.

 

SteveS 

 

2008 Bullitt Black  118FS

2008 Bullitt DHG 

---

The Older I get, the Faster I was......

Bucketlist:

 Thanks for the tip on torquing the bar bracket bolts. No upgrades planned until I can achieve the car's limit. I'll wait and see how we both perform on July 6th.

 

On the subject of sway bar brackets, those brackets aren't the strongest pieces in the world and have been known to break...end links also. Sam Strano has billet brackets and adjustable, heim joint end links available...

---

In slow, out fast.
In fast, out backwards.

Welcome to Houston!  Yeah another fs car!  Houston group is real helpful so ask away at the event.  I cant make this one but will be at the next one.  Hope to see out there

 +1 on Sam Strano  helped me out a ton

---

John Anthony

Congratulations to Sam Strano on his nice win at Peru !!!!.

John: Sorry I'll miss you this weekend. I'll probably have butterflies anyway.....at least until I mash the accelerator and let out the clutch. 

Steve S 

---

The Older I get, the Faster I was......

Steve,

It'll be nice to see another Mustang in Houston.  The course looks fun this Sunday.  I've got the white '00 GT in SM.  I'm working tech and running both morning and afternoon.  Stop by and say hi.

Chris B.

Chris: Thanks. Will do. See you there. I'll be the "older" guy in the black, sedate-looking, stock Mustang with factory 3.5" dual exhaust pipes, 118 FS in bright yellow numbers. I may have a few butterflies since it's been a long time since I've autocrossed.  I used to run quite a bit in SCCA in a '71 BRG MGB and then later in D stock in a '79 280 ZXR and CS in a '71 240Z, way back when. I then made the mistake of getting an AM Formula car.'Nuff said.

I also competed in the early years of ProSolo in Stock 4 ( Nat'l Champ), and "almost" won DS at Nationals in Salina that same year in the ZXR. Blew a 1.7+ second lead after the first run . Actually, I didn't "blow" the lead. The 2-time Nat'l champ put together a better run, and all I managed was to collect a conehead.

Butterflies and coneheads!! Do I really miss them?

I'm looking forward to learning to drive this new Ford. I'll be on BFG street tires, and trying to learn what pressures to run.

 Steve S.

   2008 Bullitt - Black - 118 FS

   2008 Bullitt - DHG
 

 

---

The Older I get, the Faster I was......

Steve,

 I'll be there Sunday in my Shelby GT. My wife and I will run it in the afternoon.  This is assuming that the Koni's etc all get bolted on Saturday. I'll be running a friends Boxster S in the morning (and the afternoon).

Come by and say hi, look for a white Shelby parked next to a silver Boxster.

 So you have one of each color?  

 Doug 

 

P.S. _ Definitely give Sam Strano a call.  He is THE BEST. He sells the right parts at good prices and gives excellent advice. I can't say enough good things about Sam. Everything I bolt on tomorrow came from him, and that has been the case for every car I have owned for the past 10 years!