metroplex

I was doing research for something else when I came across the original data sheet for the 05 Mustang GT and compared it with the 08 Bullitt:

05 Mustang GT w/ 17" Pirelli P-Zero nero tires:
0-60 mph: 5.2 sec
1/4: 13.8 @ 102 MPH
Braking: 70-0 in 183 feet.
300' skidpad: 0.87G

08 Bullitt w/ 18" tires:
0-60 mph: 5.0 sec
1/4: 13.6 @ 104 MPH
Braking: 70-0 182 feet
300' skidpad: 0.85G


I thought the Bullitt received handling mods and better front brake pads? Why is it Bullitt has slightly lower roadholding and only slightly better braking? I can understand the faster acceleration times due to the 3.73 rear gears, exhaust upgrades and air intake upgrades though.

Kirk

I'm gonna say tires.

The Pirelli's are summer tires with treadwear 220. The Bullitt's BFGoodrich KDWS are all-season tires with a treadwear of 400.

mot250

Are you sure?

I thought the stock Pirelli's in the 17's were all seasons. I can't confirm the treadwear on them until later.

adrenalin

I think I am one of the few that doesn't think there is a huge difference between the GT and Bullitt as far as performance goes.

metroplex

I have the 17" stock Pirelli's and they're all-seasons, specifically "ultra high performance all-season" tires. I forgot the treadwear as well, but they're not sticky summer tires. I was expecting significantly better braking with the Bullitt as well.

2k7gtcs

I thought a brake upgrade didn't necessarily stop your car shorter, that would be up to the tires, but it would resist brake fade, and therefore stop it shorter after the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th braking.

metroplex

So what's the best formula for OEM-quality (low/no dust, low/no noise, long lifespan) brake upgrades that would reduce 70-0 stopping distance but also be resistant against fade?

Kirk

The Perelli PZero Nero at Tire Rack: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Spec.j...tirePageLocQty=

Performance Category: Max Performance Summer

UTQG: 220 AA A

I don't know what was available as tire options for the '05, but maybe C&D had an '05 GT with a tire upgrade.

EDIT:
Oops, my mistake I missed the M+S at the end of the tire description. It looks like they are at the same performance level as the Bullitt's tires: Tire Rack again: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Spec.j...tirePageLocQty=

Carry on.

MBK

seems like cat back exhaust, intake, gears and tune will net a GT drive with a fast enough car

Five Oh Brian

Different cars tested on different tracks on different days with different weather = results that are difficult to compare meaningfully.

Ministang

Different cars, different days, different weather, possibly on different surfaces, etc will often yield even more difference than what is posted above. Production tolerances can vary, drivers can vary, there are just to many variables unless the cars are tested on the same day by the same driver.

I did get the chance to drive both a new Bullitt and a regular '08 GT in anger on the same day, and there was definitely more grip and better handling with the Bullitt. The dealer I bought my '08 from has their own "test track" set up on their property which is basically a small autocross course involving several corners of varying degrees, a slalom, 180 deg turn, straightaway, etc. My salesman told me to give it all I had, and not hold back. He regretted that not long after he said it. I didn't tell him I had been autocrossing for eight years, although it came out when he asked me "you've done this before, haven't you?". I also autocrossed a bone-stock 2005 GT three years ago for a few laps.

The Bullitt has better tires than the standard 17" Pirelli's, and feels much more composed when cornering at speed, as well as having more ultimate grip. They both need much wider tires than what comes stock, but I understand that the stock tires are a compromise for driveability and mpg. Put the right tires on either car and they will approach (or exceed) 1g on a skidpad or autocross course.

IIRC there was no tire upgrade for the 2005 Mustang, the 18" wheel/tire option didn't arrive until 2006.

mot250

I've driven my 06 GT with both the 18 inch BFGs and the 17 inch Pirellis and I can attest that the Pirellis are not stickier than the BFGs, in fact the opposite is true, not that the BFGs are great.

Speaking of needing wider tires... Dodge did not pay any attention to what the Mustang has to offer. The stock 18 inch wheels that come on the Challenger R/T are only 7.5 inches wide. The Mustang GT's stock 17's are 8.0 inches and the optional Ford Mustang wheels in 18's get you to 8.5 inches.

Going to the bigger optional 20's on the Challenger R/T only nets 8 inch side tires.

MetalMustang

Ministang - where is that Dealer and how can I get on that test course? Ha ha, I'd love to have access to something like that. The only way I can do autocross or time trial stuff is to go out to the Porsche club outings...Some of them are nice people, but they have a few guys there in high places that are really horrendous people...That sounds like the best way to test drive a performance car ever though!

2006stang

I will never know the handling differences because I have no desire to get on a skid pad, autocross, or take 30 MPH curves at 80 MPH on the way to a car cruise or show on the weekend. A quiet smooth ride and a straight road on a sunny Saturday afternoon is all I care about so the stock Pirellis more than fine.

Black GT500

Wow! Are you serious? What did I miss? That sounds like having a Gorgeous Supermodel Wife and not sleeping with her. What's the point?

2006stang

Let me borrow one of your and I will run the hell out of it. Just drop the keys to the GT500 over next Sunday. I should be free that day. I will even fill it up when I am done. Seriously though there are not any road courses around here and I would rather drag race but the closest track is 104 miles away soooo I only get to go once or twice a year. The twisties just have never appealed to me. If I was into road courses I would get a Torch Red or Black C5 Vette. They are reasonably priced nowadays. The rest of the time I have more fun taking one of the cars to cruises or shows and taking road trips on weekends when the weather cooperates. I like checking out other peoples cars too. Besides my other two cars don't hang curves the best in the world. Do you have any pics of your cars especially the Bullitt? I like the black Bullitts better than the Hyland Green ones.

Stoenr

Kirk, you are looking at the wrong tire. Its the Pirelli Pzero "M&S"
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Spec.j...irePageLocQty=

metroplex

The Pirelli's on my Stang work great on dry and wet roads. They have minimal road noise and seem to get decent treadwear based on the comments here at TMS.
A few co-workers have S197 GTs and have driven in MI snow with the stock Pirellis and stock BFG's. They claimed their top speed was around 5-15 MPH in the slush.

Kirk

Yup, you are correct.

Stoenr

Like were gonna drive these cars in Mud! Snow, maybe