Apples and oranges make great Kool-Aid.

The length of our discussions do not equal that of Ford's projects. There's also been talk of a retractable roof for the Mustang for years. If it were to become a reality one could say it was 20 years "in the making". Whether Ford uses its resources, time, and money for that length of time is another matter.

 

I wasn't saying that the Bullitt should have the Terminator engine. What I was saying is that I can't believe Ford has not dusted off the Terminator engine and used it for some sort of S197 Mustang SE that would slot right in between the 300 HP GT and 500 HP GT-500.

As Knight pointed out, all the engineering work to put a heavier engine in the S197 was already done for the GT-500. Besides the 4.6 S/C Terminator engine is 70 lb lighter than the GT-500's 5.4 S/C. IIRC KarKraft used to sell new Terminator engines for around $10K - $11K. Deducting the cost of of a new 4.6 - 3V production cost difference is pobably less than $5K.

A 2003 SVT Terminator Cobra stickered for about $9K more than a similarly equipped GT. For that extra $9K. besides the 390 HP engine the Cobra included a lot of extras like a T56 6 speed trannie, big brakes, IRS, larger tires & wheels, upgraded seats, gages, different hood, front and rear facias, etc.

So skipping the IRS and a few other items, it seems to me that Ford could give us a S197 SE with 400 HP for ~$8K more that a GT by dusting off the Terminator engine, and thowing in some other off the shelf parts like the GT-500 brakes, T6060 trannie etc. Such a Mustang is exactly what Mustang fans here on TMS and other Mustang forums have been crying for.

 

And that's exactly what I wanted to see in the '08 Bullitt. Something
"special" under the hood of this special edition
Mustang, not some puffed-up regular GT. I would've paid the difference to have it done right from Ford. Give it some substance! But it probably would've been too close to the GT500 in performance because of the weight difference. A low-profile, understated car (with lots of power) is what the Bullitt should've been all along. A Shelby is still a Shelby and the Bullitt would have flown under the radar quite nicely as a "black sheep" car. Ford should offer a "power-pack" option that would enable potential Bullitt buyers to upgrade their cars to acceptable performance levels. Ford could make some good money on the deal by having the dealers install the required components to bring it up to speed. It's still not too late Ford!
Yes, I know, I'm whining about what could have been. But Ford seems to be losing sight of their loyal customer's wants/needs.

 

OK, I see...

Sure, I understand that. It's that weight difference between the eingines for which I am suggesting they would have to retune shocks. Of course, I am not an engineer, so this is all my supposition, but 70lbs is a difference.

Are you saying that you think a reapplication of the Terminator engine would include the use of the different heads (DOHC v SOHC)?

Yep, amortization of parts over the volume would allow for this.

Depending on fuel ecomony standards, that indeed might be possible. The volume would have to be there.

 

There is a "power pack" option...it's an aftermarket one. I assume you mean an option on the order sheet.

 

Hey Tony:
Yeah, I mean something "extra" for those who want it, that would bump the hp up to a respectable level. By aftermaket, what exactly do you mean? Something from FRPP?

 

Maybe because without major development costs it would never pass the new emission standards that went into effect in 2004 (2005 MY)? In 2004 NOx requirements dropped from 0.3 to .07 gpm. Most likely it's the reason for the new 3V head with VVT and charge motion plates on the 4.6L and 5.4L.

I'm not saying that Ford won't bring out a SC 4.6 or a 5.4 NA GT, just not yet. And when they do it will carry a name actually worthy of the power.

 

Very disappointing news, Ford drops the ball (again) If Ford doesn't step up their program in a big way, GM and Chrysler are going to clean their clock in '09.

 

Got it...yes, I meant the FRPP Power Pack, although some would say "That ain't enough!"

 

And it ain't enough for me. I need a wallop that will let me know it's more than a regular GT. I just sold an '03 Cobra and would want similar power. Got any good ideas?

 

used e55(03+), used cts v(heads and cam, long tubes would make this car move), mustang gt and add blower(better chasis, though your 03 had the better drivetrain), or wait.
in 09 the 6.4 hemis(500+hp n/a) will be out with the 7 speed tranny's, the camaro should be close(2 choices n/a v8 400hp, or the blown v8 with 550hp), or the 2010 mustang which should have the boss motors in it!

 

The thing I think you're losing site of is- only a very, VERY small segment of people want a car with this type of power.
Cars like this are not really money makers. You need volume to make profit.

While I was hoping the Bullitt would have at least 350hp, I am now beginning to see this from a different persepective. It's easy enough to do a few mods and boost the Bullitt's HP yourself.
Ford will be selling a vehicle that is more in line with what most people can comfortably afford and if you want more HP you add some power packs, etc.

Because of this forum, and others like it, I have been introduced to how you can boost performance in your Mustang. Next week I'll be having a FRPP cold air intake installed on my 05 GT. While the HP boost will be modest I am still looking forward to it. It will also give me a chance to see first hand what type of power the Bullitt will have.
My lease will be up next year and I'll know if I want to spend the extra for a Bullitt or just get another GT (which I can boost depending on if I feel the added power is something that I want).

 

i was just answering his question. and for those who were looking for more have forgotten. ford wanted to do more. they wanted to put that more in the new boss mustang. because they could not pull that off in the 08 time period, they went to the bullitt.

i was hoping for something different than intake, tune, and exhaust though. those three things one can do yourself with very little effort and cash. i was hoping for the new heads, maybe a new cam, or high flow intake plenum? things that most people would not do to thier mustang gt. i was hoping ford would make the bullitt different, not just a mustang gt with cia and x pipe.

 

That looks nice. I'm not so sure about the performance upgrades, though. I'm with the majority here, this should have at least 350 horsepower. , Ford? Putting all the development money into the next Stang? You can do better with what you have now!

 

The above photo is probably pretty close to what the car will look like. But for me....without the dual induction hood, it just isn't true enough to the '68. If Ford isn't going to do more in the performance upgrade dept. then at least make the car look more like the '68. Which would include the hood and the louvers for the quarter windows.

 

I agree. That is a nice pic, but finish the job! A '68 style hood would be the only hood to be put on such a car. As well, I hope they make the wheels a grey color to match the rear panel or paint the wheels a flat or satin (krinkle) black to seperate it from the Shelby GT style. As Ford has not released any photos yet, let's hope they get the exterior right anyway. Now if they could just shoehorn a DOHC into the engine bay..................

 

Absolutely.

Disappointment is an understatement considering our expectations, dissecting analogies, and what we thought were reasonable demands. Not to be. In reality the main casualty in all our planning has been our pride.

I guess Ford surely proved who wears the pants.

 

Yeah, and instantly void your warranty.

What people here want in an SE like the Bullitt is a turn-key solution for which they have to do little if anything in the way of mods.

 

I agree about the hood, for sure. But the louvers on the quarter windows would never happen, even if Ford wanted them to, because of the visibility impediment.

 

Well Ford offers louvers as options- or at least they make and sell them.
And not all mods void your warranty...I think you need FRPP parts and need to have them installed by a Ford dealer.