Bone stock 2011 Mustang V6 runs 13.75 @ 101.97 MPH

[wbt]

Originally Posted by MatchbookSS

Very nice runs. Amazing what a free flowing exhaust, CAI, tune and a bit better than stock tires will do for your car. Especially considering those mods don't cost that much, yeah?

That's what I've noticed across the board though, the new GT's really respond well to a minor bolt-ons and a tune...

Thanks!

Yessir on not much cost.

I initially bought a 2010 Camaro 1SS LS3 with the intention of hitting the strip once more. Used to race a decade ago and decided I wanted to get back to it. Got the Camaro in Feb. 2010 and started investing in mods. Tried out a couple of CAI's and a cat-back exhaust.

Long story short, I was facing about $6.5K in mods to create a 11 sec., reliable daily driver with the Camaro. Majority of this was upgrading the rear end and half-shafts. I was also looking at opening the motor and moving to smaller brakes.

No more drivetrain warranty and significantly compromising the braking integrity (had to move to v-6 brakes to fit a wheel that would support good rubber) were the final issues that pushed me to make the decision to trade the Camaro in on the 2011 GT.

With the Camaro I was looking forward to having that lopey idle and single cam replacement/cost part. My old 1320 car was a foxbody Mustang with a 302. Pushrod motors are what I knew and was comfortable with. I also bought into the rumor that the new 5.0 was "maxed" from the factory with very little left on the table for improvement.

I read a few articles and followed a few vendors on the 5.0 and saw with minimal mods, an 11 sec. daily driver was easily achieved for ~$1.5K. $5K less that I was looking to spend on the Camaro.

I took delivery of my 2011 5.0 in June. Took it to the track in August to make some baseline runs. By December I had met my goal and spent just under $1.5K. My car payment and insurance were less for the same loan term as the Camaro.

All said, If I hadn't bought the car to hit the strip with, I would still be driving the Camaro. I have no reservations of owning one.

A little back story on why I moved from the Camaro to the 2011 GT.

[MatchbookSS]

Originally Posted by wbt

Thanks!

Yessir on not much cost.

I initially bought a 2010 Camaro 1SS LS3 with the intention of hitting the strip once more. Used to race a decade ago and decided I wanted to get back to it. Got the Camaro in Feb. 2010 and started investing in mods. Tried out a couple of CAI's and a cat-back exhaust.

Long story short, I was facing about $6.5K in mods to create a 11 sec., reliable daily driver with the Camaro. Majority of this was upgrading the rear end and half-shafts. I was also looking at opening the motor and moving to smaller brakes.

No more drivetrain warranty and significantly compromising the braking integrity (had to move to v-6 brakes to fit a wheel that would support good rubber) were the final issues that pushed me to make the decision to trade the Camaro in on the 2011 GT.

With the Camaro I was looking forward to having that lopey idle and single cam replacement/cost part. My old 1320 car was a foxbody Mustang with a 302. Pushrod motors are what I knew and was comfortable with. I also bought into the rumor that the new 5.0 was "maxed" from the factory with very little left on the table for improvement.

I read a few articles and followed a few vendors on the 5.0 and saw with minimal mods, an 11 sec. daily driver was easily achieved for ~$1.5K. $5K less that I was looking to spend on the Camaro.

I took delivery of my 2011 5.0 in June. Took it to the track in August to make some baseline runs. By December I had met my goal and spent just under $1.5K. My car payment and insurance were less for the same loan term as the Camaro.

All said, If I hadn't bought the car to hit the strip with, I would still be driving the Camaro. I have no reservations of owning one.

A little back story on why I moved from the Camaro to the 2011 GT.

Very nice. I mean, if anything, I get the impression the 5.0 is underrated from the factory, and *gasp*, dare I say it, even though it would cost money for R+D and all that crap, GM could get with the times and start developing a DOHC VVT V8 themselves. I still love LSx engines, however, so don't get me wrong. Things are damn near bulletproof.

But, again, new GT is very impressive and anyone who says otherwise, well, I don't know what they're smoking, but I want some of it.

The only thing, honestly, that kept me out of one, was the fact that I don't particularly car for the aesthetics/looks of it, to be honest. I'm perfectly fine with a mildly modded SS that runs high 12's, (if I can ever get my sorry ass to drive it properly), in the future.

But then, it comes down to simply consumer preference and priority. Would I drive a GT as a second car? If I could afford it, I would. But then I would probably just rock a Boss 302 at that point.

[a_Username]

Originally Posted by wbt

Was having Hell all night working on that 13.3 pass that never happened. The stock 18" wheels with all season tires were having none of it. Traction control off was a disaster. I have raced for years and had no answer for controlling the wheel spin.

Our GT500 is soon to have a new owner. We were in need of a larger car. Wife liked the Equinox but I could not stand the thought of it. It was a nice family SUV-like vehicle and give GM credit on a well made unit. Our other option was the Challenger. Local dealer was offering $6.5K in rebates/incentives which brought it in under $30K with the options we were looking for.

Kids now have plenty of room and we don't feel so neutered.

She wanted an automatic which was fine with me as they seem to post better 1/4 mile times. Already have a list of mods planned out over the next few months however the Mustang comes first. What is left over will go towards the Challenger upgrades.

If your primary concern for the Stang was a strip car, then why didn't you keep the GT500 over the 5.0? It would seem to have a lot more potential for a budget-minded weekend warrior. That was a curious choice you made there.

[BigDan]

Originally Posted by wbt

Thanks!

Yessir on not much cost.

I initially bought a 2010 Camaro 1SS LS3 with the intention of hitting the strip once more. Used to race a decade ago and decided I wanted to get back to it. Got the Camaro in Feb. 2010 and started investing in mods. Tried out a couple of CAI's and a cat-back exhaust.

Long story short, I was facing about $6.5K in mods to create a 11 sec., reliable daily driver with the Camaro. Majority of this was upgrading the rear end and half-shafts. I was also looking at opening the motor and moving to smaller brakes.

No more drivetrain warranty and significantly compromising the braking integrity (had to move to v-6 brakes to fit a wheel that would support good rubber) were the final issues that pushed me to make the decision to trade the Camaro in on the 2011 GT.

With the Camaro I was looking forward to having that lopey idle and single cam replacement/cost part. My old 1320 car was a foxbody Mustang with a 302. Pushrod motors are what I knew and was comfortable with. I also bought into the rumor that the new 5.0 was "maxed" from the factory with very little left on the table for improvement.

I read a few articles and followed a few vendors on the 5.0 and saw with minimal mods, an 11 sec. daily driver was easily achieved for ~$1.5K. $5K less that I was looking to spend on the Camaro.

I took delivery of my 2011 5.0 in June. Took it to the track in August to make some baseline runs. By December I had met my goal and spent just under $1.5K. My car payment and insurance were less for the same loan term as the Camaro.

All said, If I hadn't bought the car to hit the strip with, I would still be driving the Camaro. I have no reservations of owning one.

A little back story on why I moved from the Camaro to the 2011 GT.

Nice runs and decision you made to trade in the SS due to the added costs.

Sounds similar to my story but I lucked out and never bought the SS and went straight for the GT500 for my 11 second daily driver but my $1.5k bought me 10's instead of 11's and is only $100 a month more then my would be SS payment

[wbt]

Originally Posted by a_Username

If your primary concern for the Stang was a strip car, then why didn't you keep the GT500 over the 5.0? It would seem to have a lot more potential for a budget-minded weekend warrior. That was a curious choice you made there.

Good question.

It comes down to being the wife's car. The GT500 was bone stock and really had no plans to mod it much. Looked at a pulley and tune and could have had 100 more HP for ~$700. She drops the kids off at school and did daily errands. 540HP is plenty for that and decided not to pursue it.

We also tended to use her car more for taking the family places. We have 2 small dogs and never really had the space to take all 4 of us and them out of town hence the decision to get something larger.

Secondly, pushing the 5.0 to it's limits N/A became a goal I wanted to pursue.

I am glad we had the pleasure to own and drive the GT500. It was the best car we have purchased to date hands down. Practicality and personal goals essentially lead to the decision to replace.

[Sax1031]

13.75 stock for the 6er is pretty damn good.

[WadeWilson]

Originally Posted by wbt

Here is what happens at SAR with a 5.0 and no traction in the Summer months. Mind you I had traction control ON. D/A was ~2,500 ft.



Here is what happens at SAR with a 5.0, minimal bolt-ons, decent traction and D/A:



Agree traction is the bugaboo of the new 5.0.

Nice runs!

[wbt]

Originally Posted by Shardik2SS

Nice runs!

TY sir!

[a_Username]

Originally Posted by Sax1031

13.75 stock for the 6er is pretty damn good.

I believe the more impressive feather on the V6's cap is how it outran the STi around the Lightning Lap.

[big hammer]

Originally Posted by THE EVIL TW1N

thats auto LS1 territory!! WOW

that was such a troll thing to say. you know better.

in the same conditions where the v6 mustang runs this speed, the auto ls1 runs 13.0.

[Sax1031]

Originally Posted by a_Username

I believe the more impressive feather on the V6's cap is how it outran the STi around the Lightning Lap.

Definitely. Especially while being on the rev limiter for 15 seconds.

[BigDan]

Originally Posted by a_Username

I believe the more impressive feather on the V6's cap is how it outran the STi around the Lightning Lap.

That could also be due to C&D's sucky test driver. Remember when Jeremy Clarkson tested the 08 STI/ EVO and he sucked at driving the STI but loved the EVO and knew the EVO was a way faster car, but The Stig was able to master the STI and it beat the Evo X in a major upset. It takes a rare breed or racing driver to turn a good lap time in an STI. This years lightning lap is all screwed up due to their test driver selection. Hopefully Motortrend will go back to Laguna Secca for is best drivers car with their same test driver as last year, I liked that driver and his onions. He felt like the ZR-1 was trying to kill him.

Here part 2 of STI vs EVO on Top Gear

[devildoc]

I have seen WBT at the track in that blue 5.0 but that hugger blue 5.0 & several 2010 GTs that goes out there was what I was comparing to. If the driver can't get traction then as WBT stated then that GT is a wash for that race! Thank you for making me not seem like I am talking out of my ass....

[lil_chef]

Originally Posted by BigDan

That could also be due to C&D's sucky test driver. Remember when Jeremy Clarkson tested the 08 STI/ EVO and he sucked at driving the STI but loved the EVO and knew the EVO was a way faster car, but The Stig was able to master the STI and it beat the Evo X in a major upset. It takes a rare breed or racing driver to turn a good lap time in an STI. This years lightning lap is all screwed up due to their test driver selection. Hopefully Motortrend will go back to Laguna Secca for is best drivers car with their same test driver as last year, I liked that driver and his onions. He felt like the ZR-1 was trying to kill him.

Here part 2 of STI vs EVO on Top Gear

did they change test drivers from last year's lightening lap? that would explain a lot.