MustangFanatic

Since it seems Ford is at least considering a GT350 at some point, anyone else here want to weigh in on what we'd like to see included in that offering. Here's my wish list:

- 5.4L 4V NA with min 375 HP
- 6 spd manual transmission
- 6 spd automatic option
- Extensive use of aluminum and other lightweight components, target curb weight of 3,300 lbs
- IRS standard (sorry, as one of the IRS snobs I had to include!)
- HID Headlights
- Sequential Taillights
- Revised front facia without splitter and possibly no fogs
- 18" wheels
- GT500 brakes
- Rear seat delete option

V10

- 4.6L 4V NA with min 375 HP and 8,000 RPM redline
Reportedly Ford has liners that increase the bore by 2mm & meet durability requirments, so why use the bigger bore & go to 4.8L. Also needs VVT and the Cammer big port heads

- 6 spd manual transmission
yes, T56 with wide ratios

- 5 spd automatic option
The 5R55S will not handle that amount of torque, so why not a 6 speed auto from the trucks or a ZF 6 speed auto.

- Extensive use of aluminum and other lightweight components, target curb weight of 3,300 lbs
I'd love to see 3,300 lb., but I wouldn't hold much hope when you are starting off by adding 70 lb for the 4V engine, 30 lb for a T56 and 50 lb for IRS

- IRS standard (sorry, as one of the IRS snobs I had to include!)
Yes

- HID Headlights
Yes

- Sequential Taillights
Sort of stupid on a performance car, don't need them.

- Revised front facia without splitter and possibly no fogs
Should have fogs, could be in the bumper not the grille

- 18" wheels
At lest 9" wide wheels with at lest 255 wide tires

- GT500 brakes
Or similar

- Rear seat delete option
Yes


Add to your list:

A 3.90 strong limited slip rear end, Ford's traction lock won't do.
Better front seats
Painted Mirrors
Improved exhaust with X pipe
Adjustible shocks
Front shock tower brace

jsaylor

For me, the perfect GT350 would start with a n/a 5.4L V-8. Yes, I am aware of the bore/stroke issues with this motor, but power delivery in these motors reminds me of the old big-blocks which is no bad thing. I think Ford could successfully utilize either the 3 or 4 valve heads in this car, but it needs to make at least 370hp or so.

The same 6-speed manual the GT500 will use makes sense, as does using something similar, if not identical to, the GT500's suspension setup. I would also like to see the GT500's "Shelby" front fascia make the move. Ford could use this and still retain GT500 exclusivity by using a different hood, wheels, and rear spoiler. The wheels need to be wider than the GT's, I agree with the above that 255's would be about right.

I would be happy with a curb weight between 100 and 200 lbs more than the standard GT. GT500 brakes would be great, but a slightly less expensive/more conservative version of the same would be welcome as well.

freebass55

Don't they use the 5.4 4 valve in the Aussie Falcon? I believe that produces about 390hp. Wouldn't that be an easy engine to drop in there, and call it the 350?

That would be at the top of my list..

MustangFanatic

V10, I know the 3,300 lbs curb weight is a REAL stretch but since this is a wish list, it can't hurt to wish!!

Great suggestions everyone, I think we are all on the same page regardless of engine size, give us a NA powerplant with 4 valve heads and at least 375 hp.

For me, I'd would like to see Ford take the GT350 in a different direction that the GT500, not just provide a different flavor of the same. A lighter, more responsive Mustang definitely geared to the high performance driver who is less concerned with creature comforts and more focused on lateral g's, braking performance and slalom trap speed. A lean, mean performer in similar vein to the original '65 GT350. There is the potential to offer something similar to the Competition Prep Option on the '85 - '86 SVO's deleting most of the options except the basics such as air conditioning and stereo.

I'm undecided on the exterior appearance, I think it should differ enough from the GT500 not to be confused but I do LOVE the GT500's styling.

GTJOHN

18 inch Wheels
4.6L 350-400hp or 5.4L 350-400hp
6 speed

scottie1113

And make Dark Highland Green a color choice.

V10

We can make this a philosophical discussion:

Should all new Cobras / Shelbys be 5.4L?
Should all new Cobras / Shelbys have 4V heads?
Should all new Cobras / Shelbys be S/C?
How many different SEs can the Mustang support?

I guess my vote would be that Cobras / Shelbys have 4V heads and 5.4L. GT-350 should be similar to (but not identical to) the GT-500 in appearance but be N/A not S/C (375 HP / 400 lb ft). Designed to be the best possible balance and handling Mustang (IRS & weight reductions).

This leaves the door open for other Mustang SEs (not SVT / Cobra / Shelby).

A new Mach 1 seems like a natural, 5.4L / 3V / 350 HP / 375 lb ft., solid rear axle, big brakes, suspension tweaks & reasonably priced ($3K more than a GT).

Another SE with a 4.6L, 3V, S/C engine (400 HP / 400 lb ft) seems like a no brainer.

And there also should be a "Super GT" model (Think Bullitt), 4.8L, 3V, N/A 350 HP / 360 lb ft, IRS, bigger brakes, better suspension. exhaust, etc.

Don't forget the rumors that the lowely GT will get a HP bump in 2007 (320 HP / 340 lb. ft.)

MustangFanatic

The points you raise are certainly valid, here's my opinion.

Should all new Cobras / Shelbys be 5.4L? I don't necessarily believe all Cobras/Shelbys HAVE to be 5.4L but to maintain their position as the top-shelf performance Mustang they NEED to feature only the 5.4L. I will ammend my original post to reflect this point, thanks for bringing it up

Should all new Cobras / Shelbys have 4V heads? Yes, only 4V heads on the Cobra/Shelby

Should all new Cobras / Shelbys be S/C? No, but they have to produce a minimum of 375 hp in NA form. I'd love so see a 400 hp minimum but I'm just being greedy now!!

How many different SEs can the Mustang support? Hard to say but I don't think Ford would offer more than one SE at a time. Maybe the Mach 1 is offered first for a few years and then replaced with a Boss or a Bullitt or a CA Special, etc.

GTJOHN

I highly doubt Ford would have two Mustangs positioned between the Mustang GT and the Shelby GT500. We are either going to get a Boss, Mach1 or GT350 in that middle position. $29k-$32k. 350-400hp.
My best bet is a SC 4.6L
2007 - 2008MY

Zc527

My list:

GT-350 Rocker panel stripes (painted)
5.4l engine w/ 400-425 hp
18 or 19 inch chrome deepdish bullitts or fr500's, OR, 18 or 19 inch bbh raceline rims....both wrapped in pirelli p-zero tires
air bag suspension
5000 watt sound system w/ in-dash multi-purpose lcd screen
sparco racing seats, rear seat delete
painted lemans stripes
very wide variety of color combos

jsaylor

I don't know if I would say that. The 05 Mustang GT is not that much more money than the previous model was and several cars found themselves lodged between the GT and Cobra price-wise.

Obviously Ford gave us the Bullitt and Mach-1, but in truth the old Cobra fit into that niche too as the GT500's price looks to be increasing substatially, relative to the Cobra it replaces, when compared to the small increase we saw with the GT model.

I wouldn't be surprised to see two different cars slotted in-between the Cobra and GT during the course of the next four years or so. However, also I wouldn't be surprised to see Ford stagger their production much the way the Mach-1 and Bullitt's production runs were handled.

V10

Time to let go of the "deep dish" wheels.
Times have changed, the S197 Mustang uses high offset wheels to improve the suspension geometry and make space in the engine bay for 5.4L DOHC engines.

GTJOHN

jsaylor, you won't see two SE Mustangs being produced between the Stang GT and Shelby at the same time. Ford is too conservative and it doesn't make good business sense either. They will follow the same pattern like they did with the Bullet and Mach1 - as you stated at the end of your last post. I think you misunderstood my last post.

Your only dreaming if you think you'll be able to go to a Ford Dealership and have a choice between a 2007 Mach1 and a 2007 Boss. It would be nice though!!

68notch

4.6L 4V S/C a la 2003-04 Cobra and a rear seat delete.

MustangFanatic

Let's just hope some members of Team Mustang are viewing this site and incorporate our suggestion into their business case. The GT350 with most of what has been proposed here would be an excellent addition to the Mustang stable.

TrueBlueCajun

All I want is a 400+ hp '05 style Vert. that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. (35K to 40K would suit me fine) What they call it makes no difference to me.

adrenalin

I can already hear people calling me a wannabe for having GT350 rocker stripes.

hayburner

The '65 and '66 GT 350's were smallblock cars that revved and handled.

If you were to follow that line today, an iron 5.4 would be out. How about an alum 5.0?? The car needs to drop some lbs. as it is . So lose the weight and balance the car.

Put in all the good FRPP suspension pieces and use the GT 500 body work.
Voila!...Mustang sportscar! Excellent for week-end warriors. Give some to Hertz..GT 350H. The "H" would mean high insurance premium.

scottie1113

I'm old enough to have been around when the GT350 first came out and Hertz offered them in black with gold stripes. A lot of them ended up on road courses over the weekend--I think the motto at the time was "drive it like you don't own it--because you don't!".

I doubt that Hertz will do this again, for obvious reasons.....