I don't know whether this is the correct place for this thread, but I'd like to start one on the suspension of the 2010 Mustang. There are several questions I'd like to see answered (by people in the know).

1) What improved suspension parts is Ford putting on the 2010? What about this new "Track Pack"?

2) Can these parts be retrofitted onto an '08?

3) Are these parts currently available from Ford or Ford Racing? I know the Bullitt stuff is available, but what further does the 2010 have over the Bullitt?

I'm leaning more towards this avenue for a suspension upgrade, first because I prefer to keep the car with Ford parts, and second, I suspect it may be cheaper than going with an aftermarket provider like Roush.

 

"A $1495 TrackPack includes 19-in. wheels with summer performance tires, a limited-slip differential, shorter 3.73:1 gearing (versus the stock 3.31:1), GT500 front/rear anti-roll bars, GT500 rear lower control arms, retuned shock absorbers, a front tower brace and more aggressive brake pads at all four corners. This transforms the car, reducing body roll and understeer while retaining the Mustang's forgiving-to-slide-around nature. It's a heckuva lot of fun."
Road and Track

 

Isn't limited slip offered on ALL the GTs, though?

 

Yes.

Ford still needs to read the reviews and take notes. The braking system is still being described as lackluster, even with the track pack pads.

 

aftermarket stuff is still way better dont bother going nuts over it.

 

It's a shame that Ford is scrimping on the details, because the S197 platform/chassis is really quite good.

 

You're definitely correct there. I'm hoping that Ford is saving such items as bigger, better brakes and, at the very least, a Watts Linkage for the 2011 Mustang. Let's put it this way, if the 5.0L makes nearly 100 more horsepower than the current car, it's going to need bigger brakes! I'm not going to say that it needs the Watts Link, as all of the initial reviews regarding the suspension / ride / handling seem to be very positive.

 

Agreed. Hardly surprising considering the current economic climate, but there has been serious buzz that an upgraded take on the Mustang's D2C platform could end up pulling GRWD duty largely because it is cheap to produce and just som happens to be an excellent basic design.

 

If that does turn out to be the case, wouldn't that pretty much force the development of an IRS at some point?

 

Well, given that the current platform was always designed for an IRS, I'd say that's a pretty safe bet.

 

I agree that the current platform, augmented with some lighter, more-rigid materials, would be a great candidate to underpin the next Mustang (2014-15). That way, instead of spending the majority of their budget on an entirely new platform, they can use said funds to develop a solid IRS, among other items.

 

Exactly. The current platform was all-new for '05, and is very good. In fact, it is only let down by not having IRS and a few other peripheral tweaks (including better brakes).