Has anyone had a good look under the hood to see where the engine is located? How is the engine located fore/aft relative to the front axle center line?

This is one of the things that I like about the S197, the engine sits back in the chassis. In fact it is way better than the current Camaro and Challenger. Keeping that big lump of aluminum and steel behind the front wheels is important.

 

there are shots of it from some of the "prototypes" to lazy to look for them but there are pictures somewhere on here.

 

Since the wheelbase is the same I'd say not all that much.


One of the advantages the MOD and Coyote motors offer due to their smallish bore and bore spacing is less engine over the axle without having to resort to pulling the engine further under the cowl.


While they didn't specifically pull this trick on the 4th gen F-bodies I used to shake my head at how far the engine was stuffed under the cowl due to the steeply raked windshield not to mention GM's habit of placing the AC evaporator under the passenger side of the hood. It made changing plugs on the pushrod engines somewhat of a hassle as well as anything to do further back on the engine.


That's one of the things I really like about Ford's OHC engines it makes changing the plugs a snap(well 3v two-piece issues aside). Not much of an issue with a stocker but when your running 16+ pounds of boost its a much harsher environment for the ignition system and requires more frequent plug changes. And while I've never owned a Mustang without COP ignition not having to worry about burnt wires was another good reason as well.

 

Based on some chatter on 6g having the new double ball joint front suspension will allow for a bit more caster so although it appears from the open hood photos the engine is in roughly the same spot (if not a bit lower) relative to the shock towers it might be another few inches rearward of the front wheels due to increased caster. I think the expectation should be that weight distro will be the same or better to help balance the car in pursuit of fords handling goals.

 

LOL! Almost forgot about that... Third gen's weren't great either. I believe it was the #7 plug on my '85 Camaro was a PITA.

 

Another related consideration is the CG and the aspect the engine (placement) plays in that. The Toyobaru twins really played on that point for their handling excellence, where it's short, flat and low boxer four provides an ideal configuration for a low CG and centralized mass for a low polar moment of inertia.

The S197 seemed pretty good in this regard, far more so than the previous Fox chassis with the motor perched way out front and high, resulting in an almost FWD weight distribution and handling.

Hopefully the S550 will continue the migration of the CG backwards and down to further enhance its basic handling balance.

 

They did move the base of the windshield back a bit on the S550 so maybe that was also an opportunity to move the engine back slightly.

 

Thanks for the responses. Engine placement is the first thing I look at on RWD car. I guess it is a racers habbit I have. And, like I said before, I hope ford doesn't make it worse with the new car.

For the record the best "pony car" V8 engine location was in a 67-81 camaro. In those car the #1 spark plug on the small block was in line with the front axle center line. The worst was the Mustang II with a 302...by comparison a FOX/SN95 is practically mid engine!

 

At least Ford could have put the battery in the trunk for better weight distribution. Hopefully , the SVT GT350 will have the battery in the trunk.

 

I'm getting a feeling of deja vu. Didn't we agree it should go in the glovebox?

 

No, gauges above glove box. Battery in trunk.

 

Yep, it was amazing how much space opened up on the passenger side when the AC system was gutted.