BOTTOM LINE

Ford Needs to at least have a Notch more Horsepower Than The GTO. If not in the GT than in a Intermediate Offering Bettween The Gt and The Shelby.

kc

 

Not to mention the SRT8. 425hp.

 

Shows you just how heavy the car is though....can only run low 13's (some have seen 13.0 sec at tracks).

 

Yeah, but put that in the 'Challenger' and see it run...
Could be interesting...

 

I called around the

5.4L Iron block ~ 180lbs
5.4L Alum block 110lbs
FRPP 351 Alum Block 92lbs

If it will make Ford put a 5.4 in the Mustang, I would take the Iron block with a 3V head, ie f150 Engine, with the Mustang's valve springs.

I'd like the Aluminium better but the bean counters would see the $$$$$ in the Iron Block.

I also think until you get in the higher realms of absolute power the 3V heads could hold their own against the 4V heads.

 

Now Lets Hope they Offer the 6 Speed with the New engine and a beefier Auto with a Performance Shifter.

kc

 

Let me preface this by saying I understand that Ford is trying to bring this new stang in at a bang for the buck price point, which they did and then some, by far the best stang in awhile, and nearly at the same price as an 04.........Now that being said enough of the 425 Hp dodge station wagons (Magnum), and the 306 Hp V6 Lexus's (IS) out there.... Yes we have a near 500 Hp Shelby on the way, awesome, great, but most of us will never touch that car becuase of the Dealers and limited run. Just please give us a solid 350 - 375 Hp model, with a terminator type forged bottom end, then you could add a aftermarket supercharger or just leave it alone and your good.....I think for the most part Ford has listened to the buyers on the new stang, thats why it came out so strong, just give us another (decent) engine option. I tell you what would be sweet, is at minimum, an H.O. version of the 4.6, as an option for around $1500 or so, that would give you the same 3 valve, with a forged bottom end, maybe even with an iron block. I mean come on the Shaker 1000 is a $1200 option, what's the difference, other than from a manufacturing stand point?? Anyway just my .02 cents. Other than that Ford deffinatley hit a home run...........

 

It will be interesting to see how the horesepower wars shake out. I personally think they won't last all that long. With high gas prices (note the SUV sales) and low volume sales (note GTO) and stiff foreign competition, I am not sure if the "just put more power in it" answer is going to be good long-term.

Hopefully they will be able to offer it without raising price too much as this may keep interest high. If the last four months are any indication, Mustang sales have dipped to average 131k. This could be an indication of outside sources (hurricanes, etc.) or a clue that the initial hysteria is finally dying down to numbers closer to where they were before the new car came out.

Either way, it will be interesting to watch.

 

If sales Drop then Better offerings should Follow!

kc

 

I'm sure ford is holding some cards for the what-ifs on the 'other cars'

Smart move, even if we can't sit still and want EVERYTHING NOW...

 

Don't count on it.

The way Ford works is that if a model is selling well, they invest more in the future of that model. If a model isn't selling well, no investment.

At one of the 05 Mustang preview events, the Ford manager in attendance made it real clear that funding for future Mustang SE models and enhancements was going to be tied to how well the 05 & future model years sold.

 

What aluminum 5.4 block?

The only 5.4 aluminum block that I'm aware of is the Ford GT engine block. I don't think that they'll be using that block in a Mustang.

 

Not to rain on everyones parade but here is another thought:

The price of gas, the cost of insurance.

These two things will determine what Ford will bring to the table.
The EPA could be all over the newwer hi-horsepower cars, as well as the Insurance Institute.


It could be the early 70's all over again. Not necessarily a drop in power but I would honestly believe that may start to cinch down on the consumtion of fuel.

 

The 3V engine is so much better then the 4V. Why would they put the 4v in the car? The 4v weighs more then the 3v, it was worse low end torque, requires 91 octane.

 

I would disagree as I don't think that is a smart move. Ford is not doing well right now and they need to turn things around. Holding your cards isn't the best way to do it.

Also, if you hold your best stuff now, by time you release it, it will be passe. Look at Ford 3.5L V6. Sounds like a good engine, right?

But how long has Nissan's VQ35 been out? How much profit have they already gotten from that (by putting it in virtually everything they sell and getting low price per unit numbers, etc.)? How close are they to the next, even better generation?

As I see it, holding the "good stuff" for future models is playing catch up. And that is no way to get ahead in the auto industry.

 

Yes the GT Engine, also they already have the castings so that would be the most plausible way to go if they did go with an Aluminium 5.4.

 

Being Pro-active rather than Re-active is better in ANYTHING you do...
just because you don't see it, doesn't mean its not there....
Think about it.

 

I don't belive that the GT block is economically viable for anything byt a low volume high price model like a new Cobra-R

 

Ummm, no, the 4v flows tons better than the 3v. everyone has tuned the 3v for prem anyway, the 4v has the same tq and a lot more top end and makes up for the small weight gain.

 

Just wondering if this engine is the same mentioned by Shatter in this thread (4.6L 350 hp Mach 1 V8) http://forums.bradbarnett.net/index.php?sh...ndpost&p=568534