The R was a 5.4L, which makes a difference. I personally think that Ford will give us 375hp with the non DI 5.0L when all is said and done. Infiniti couldn't muster up 400 hp on their new 5.0L and its got a long list of technology.

 

Very true, I have a motor trend from when the cobra R came out and they put it on the dyno. 376rwhp. 9hp drive train loss... sure

 

I know the R was a 5.4 4V. However, I was addressing your comment that "Ford has never produced a production modular with that type of power."

You didn't state 5.4L or 4.6L. But I understand your point.

 

I can't seem to find evidence of this. Do you have a link?

 

You got me an a technicality

 

It should be. Even at normal city driving speeds, I find the rear end quite jumpy when traversing rough pavement. It results in two effects:

1) A LOT of NVH is transmitted up through the chassis and into the cabin;
2) The steering gets "darty" even when moving in a straight line and the whole car becomes "upset," even if it's only for an instant.

Never had any such problems with my previous cars (all of which had IRS).

Not a deal breaker, but this is the 21st century, and you'd be hard pressed to point out ANY performance coupe left in the entire world that still uses SRA. As for muscle cars only being about straight line performance, that's a crock. If that were true, you wouldn't see them being raced in Grand Am ... and the new Camaro would also still use a spruce log for its rear suspension.

 

I would much rather have a better handling car. While the Mustang increasingly evolved into a muscle car as the '60s went along, it was originally just supposed be a sporty little Italian-style coupe. I would especially love for the GT to return to it's roots as a true Grand Touring moniker.

 

I can't find the original link, but I found another one on Motor Trend Read More

 

you guys are overrating irs. I have it on my current car and I still feel bumps and potholes in the road. Yes it improves handling but it is not the end all be all.

and the current mustang is doing just fine in grand am right now isnt it?

 

Well, actually, when it comes to handling and comfort - especially on bad pavement - IRS is the end all, be all - which is why EVERY other performance car in the world uses it.

I think you missed my point. I was pointing out that muscle cars aren't all about straight-line performance, which, I believe, is what you were asserting.

The current Mustang has a very good chassis (originally intended for an IRS). I can only imagine how much better the car would perform in any race with a good IRS affixed to it.

I expect the new Camaro to walk the Mustang. Ultimate test? Take a 2010 Camaro V8 (IRS) and a 2010 Mustang GT (SRA). Same driver. One lap each around the Nurburgring. That would quickly determine the better car.

Won't happen, though, cause I doubt Ford would ever chance testing the Mustang around the 'Ring.

 

Over-rating? How come every serious performance manufacturer uses an IRS rear?

As for GAC, it's about as useful as NASCAR. The series is heavily regulated, just look at the rules. The Mustang gets a lot of upgrades per the rules.

 

Right on the money. I think were going to see more than a few seriously surprised folks when the 2011 GT hits the streets. Reliable insiders, including those who are almost certainly genuinely on the inside, have gone beyond leaking estimates and have gone straight to talking about how the Mustang is going to floor the competition. Confidence levels are very high right now. And like Boomer, I'm going to place more value in the word of reliable insiders than those who base their arguments simply on what they think Ford will do.

 

you're missing my point. Having irs does not instantly solve all ride comfort/ handling problems. Like i said i have irs on my current car and i still feel the bumps.

And if you think whichever car runs the Nurburgring faster determines which car is better than thats pretty sad. I don't know about you but I'm not taking any trips to Germany soon, so I couldn't really care less...Being a better car means so much more than that. As we both know, the more a car is tuned for race track performance, the less comfortable it is on normal roads.

Plus the KR just pulled 1g with its stick axle.

First of all give the Mustang credit for doing well competing against porsche's and BMW's with their almighty IRS. You are on a mustang enthusiast site, so at least give it some props

Don't get it twisted, I do think IRS is important. If given the choice I would probably rather have irs. But I'm not going to sit here and complain relentlessly about the car not having it. If Ford can sell me a 2010 Mustang GT with a 400hp 5.0L V8, six-speed, 3600lbs, and sra starting at $27k I'll be happy.

 

I hope you are right sir. Confidence is high right now for sure. I can live with a stick axel. Just save me some money and weight. I have read so much BS about how the camaro is going to rub this car out its not funny. What would be funny was for Ford to get on top for a change and do it will less horses. The GM brigrade would start stripping seats out and who knows what else. I really want to buy another mustang but they are going to have to bring the goods to the party this time.

 

Really? when?what date?

Why will this engine more than 99% come out you ask?

Being that the 6.2 BOSS is not all its cracked up to be and pretty much a 'never going to happen' in the car....for its **** poor fuel economy....

The 5.0 is better on ALL fronts compared to its 4.6/5.4 old ancestors.
Now... what do you think Ford would do right now. (putting aside the 'well dumber things have happened')
Scrap a 400hp, worldwind of an engine that gets better MPG than its predecessor..?
Or put out an engine that will whoop its its predecessor on all counts.

This engine is coming...all i'm sayin
I would be INCREDIBLY STUNNED if this engine doesn't come out.

 

I missed nothing. The facts are this: No other manufacturer in the world uses an SRA setup on a performance vehicle - indeed, few use it on any passenger car at the Mustang's price point anymore.

Whichever car makes it around first will be the better performer. Period. End of story. What's sad about that? And for whom?

That in no way diminishes the significance of the Nurburgring. I'm sure that those who traverse and test on the 'Ring could care less if you ever go to Germany.

You can pull 1g getting flung sideways by an elephant, too. But it doesn't handle very well and ride comfort is a bit dodgy.

Huh? Wa...? This is a Mustang site? Gosh! You'd think after 5000 posts and owning an '07 GT for fifteen months I'd know that by now. And all this time I thought this was a Lada enthusiast site!

And finally, at the end, there's the tacit admission right there: IRS is better.

And since Ford could give it to us for $400 more (according to that survey they sent out a while back), then there's really no excuse for not doing so, other than corporate greed.

Don't get me wrong, though. I think they "get it" now. Rest assured that the next Mustang complete redesign (after the 2010 refresh) will most assuredly sport an IRS.

 

That stinks! Can't believe MotorTrend would have the news before other sites. But thanks for finding/posting the link.

 

I give the Mustang credit, but am trying to tell the whole story. BMW and Porsche don't get as many tweaks. Go on Grand Am Cup's website and look at the rules. Notice the disparity in modifications a Porsche Carrera gets vs. the FR500C.

At the end of the day, a IRS rear would make the Mustang a better handling car, period!

 

i think too many people put the faith/thought in anything tuned at the ring.
Its a publicity/look at the size of my **** - stunt.

Here's why.
It's a public track that is a true test of a cars capabilities, that I'm not disagreeing with....
... but it is a public 'what can YOUR car do around this track' pissing match.
And while us on the internet LOVE to throw around any number that shows that 'our brand/car' is better than the next guy... all it really proves in the public eye is how fast that car can do around THAT track.

Who's to say that other manufacturer's don't have their top secret test track that is more grueling test of abilities and better? You don't know because...its ... wait for it.. top....secret.... (not saying they are.. just trying to make a point)

I can see why Ford doesn't get involved in such a pissing match...even though its fun to watch on a consumer side (moreso enthusiast side than anything)

I don't see when they sell a car exactly flaunting how well the car does at one specific track.... cause no one outside a very small community really cares and understands its mean.

It's a good tool for testing/tuning, but in the end, it doesn't have as much clout as people think.
It's a publicity stunt more than anything.

 

I never said the 5.0L isn't coming, I just don't buy into the 400hp number. I think Ford will tune the car more for fuel economy, putting it shy of 400.