Question for all you track pack and Brembo guys:

How many of you actually take your car to the track and put those packages to use and how many buy them just to say they have them? Just curious!

John

 

Mine will probably never see a drag strip or road course but I ordered the Brembo package because I liked the wheels and the idea of having a little bit of an upgrade on the brakes and suspension for spirited driving. Plenty of nice curves in southern Ohio to rip up.

 

I want to share my fantasy if I were to do it all over again. I'd do GT Premium (400A) with all the options I have (Elect, Comfort, Backup Cam/Sensors) plus Recaro, minus Brembo/TP Pkg and choice of gear ratio. AND THEN, add Ford Racing Handling Pkg plus GT500 wheels/tires all factory pre-installed. Wait... did I forget the Brembo brakes? lol.

My initial thoughts towards the Brembo/TP's were "Sport Package". They ride better, not necessarily Stiff like some of you would describe. I think my friend's base GT rides stiffer than Brembo car, mine's actually comfy.

But sadly, neither of them are "Real" Track-Grade Option IMHO. This is probably why so many upgrade their suspensions?

 

Thanks guys, then it's decided - I'll go with the track pack if I decide to get a manual car. Sitting in traffic with a clutch sucks though (been there done that with my old '98 GT), so I'm still 50/50 on manual or auto...I wish the auto cars could at least be optioned with the track pack and the 3.73s, an auto car could be driven just as hard.

 

Auto doesn't need 3.73's and you can get it with the Brembo package, although it will come with goodyears instead of pirellis.

But, the hydraulic clutch on these cars is way lighter and easier to apply than the crappy cable pull clutch on the '98 so traffic is easier to use it in.

 

Main reason I got the car was for track time. Wish I could get out more than I currently do

The track pack in this car for street driving is not worth it. Brembos for street driving are overkill too - really just for looks, which is fine. The finned rear diff cover, oil cooler, Boss radiator, and Torsen diff are all not useful on the street either. Certainly don't hurt anything, but they are made to perform at the track, and I think they do a good job for parts available from the factory!

If only they offered the track pack with 3.55's as well... would have been perfect

 

Where did you get an e-diff? I prefer the Torsen to a clutched diff .

Oh, and the Track Pack gets the entire Boss rear axle, not just the 3.73s, finned cover, and Torsen. You get welded axle tubes too.

I love my Torsen. I've driven both and I like the way the power is distributed on throttle in a corner much better. And the Brembos? The pedal feel is worth it. People spend hours of install and bleeding and hundreds of dollars chasing pedal feel like this. The extra $400 is totally worth it.

 

You did say that the extra pieces don't have much effect. However you also said that it was worth the extra chunk of money for these parts.

I'm stating that it is not. Hence the "I disagree".

 

Other than driving to work one or two days a week. All she sees is track time. AutoX and open road.

 

I can prove that false. The finned rear diff cover, oil cooler, Boss radiator, and Torsen diff make no measurable difference on the track in any metric.

 

Finned cover dude? Are you really making that part of the perk list? It's cosmetic....why don't you add some VTEC fluid on the next oil change while you're at it.

And I call bs on any difference in axles on track pack vs brembo + 373.

I do agree that the brembos pedal feel is great. But since both options we are comparing include this, it's a moot point.

 

living in Washington DC the Brembos have probably made a difference multiple times now.

 

Would be very interested in seeing the data. Assuming you have back to back comparison data from various telemetry at the track? I will not be swapping any of my parts out to test against non track pack hardware, so I won't have data to prove the oil cooler cools the oil or the boss radiator removes more heat, but I find it very hard to believe there is absolutely no difference at all between different setups.

Do most people push the car hard enough to take full advantage of the parts? Definitely not.

I have seen a couple non TP GTs have overheating issues at the track putting them in limp mode and my feats logs have shown coolant temps hover 97-103C on 80F day. Unfortunately don't have rear diff temps or oil temps at this point but adding that telemetry is something I'll get to eventually

 

I use mine. Already had my 2014 TP at a road course last year. Planning at least 2 events this year.

But back to the point. I have 0 regrets about buying the TP. I also got the Recaro package, and that was a really good buy too. Not just for the track, but every time I take a fast corner, or clover leaf ramp. They are surprisingly comfortable on long drives too.

I can't recall, is the TP suspension setup same at Brembo?

Either way, get one of the packages and winter tires and you should be solid.

 

Agree on the recaros. One of the best decisions getting them!!

 

I have the Track Pack and all-season Continental DWS tires, and the car does great in the snow. When it spins, it always spins both rear tires at once, not just one.

And the Recaros just make it that much more comfortable in there

 

Here is my reply to the snow question in another thread.

I purchased top of the line Hakkapolita R snows. First snow storm here in Northern NH this winter I nearly wrecked the car doing less than ten miles per hour and a 100 yards from my house. And I am a former SCCA racer and HPDE instructor. Was amazed at just how easily the car slid with just a few inches of snow. Sold the tires to a guy with an STI and added a cheaper winter car to my garage that actually has some traction.

My local tire dealer, a car guy himself, had a good laugh at my expense as he had told me to not buy the snow tires and park the car. Cost me 450 dollars net to find out he was correct.

 

With all due respect, $450 for "top of the line" 19" tires that nobody has ever heard of?

 

They're Nokian tires, very highly regarded among the Saab crowd.

Like I said though, I've driven mine with 275/40R18 Continental DWS tires all around, in the recent snow storm we just had this last Saturday, and with the Advancetrak off, I had no problem making it to my destination, which was about 35 miles away, snowing heavily the whole way.

 

Ah ok, personally never heard of them. I think the Conti Extreme Contact DWS or whatever they are are considered one of the best out there.

Yeah I've never had a problem with just all seasons on RWD cars, I was just concerned about the TORSEN in the snow vs a traditional limited slip like other cars I've ran in the winter.