by Jerry Albertus
This Mustang is a gift from Ford to the customers who want to take it to the road course track. It is a balanced, fun to drive package. A factory track ready (almost) car. Ford gives you a head start on making the track preparations with a box of goodies in the trunk. These are a front brake cooling kit and a transmission cooling scoop. My dealer installed these for me (Did I mention that Homes Tuttle Ford is a neat dealership?) Sent separately is a larger front splitter which must be owner installed. Ford also included a bullet list of things to change.
This Mustang is a gift from Ford to the customers who want to take it to the road course track. It is a balanced, fun to drive package. A factory track ready (almost) car. Ford gives you a head start on making the track preparations with a box of goodies in the trunk. These are a front brake cooling kit and a transmission cooling scoop. My dealer installed these for me (Did I mention that Homes Tuttle Ford is a neat dealership?) Sent separately is a larger front splitter which must be owner installed. Ford also included a bullet list of things to change.
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| "I'm sure it says to look under the car!" |
So now the work begins and choices must be made about what’s best for the road and what’s best for the track… On One Lap, as in life, a balance must be maintained.
Ford says:
1) Change the brake fluid to Super DOT 4. Plus we will add track brake pads and disks.
2) Remove rear brake dust shields and rear tire spoilers.
3) Install the trans cooler and front brake cooling kit.
4) To allow more cooling air…remove the upper grill. We replace the stock grill with a Roush version.
5) Install the bigger front splitter kit.
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| "Where's my spare?" |
In addition to all this, we must have Tire Rack One Lap approved tires installed, which must last the entire event. There have been shifting problems reported so we elected to install a MGW shifter kit. Finally a front tow loop was fabricated. No changes were made to the rest of the car. It’s the stock drive train and suspension for us!
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| New grill is the one on top... now Scarlet can breathe! |
Modern cars have a mind numbing amount of computer power which monitors and controls almost every aspect of the vehicle’s operation. From how fast the windows go up and down to what happens when you step on the brakes, or gas , or turn the wheel. The computer makes a judgment about what is best for safety, economy, comfort and performance. But Ford has the Red Track Key and programming (available for an additional charge of course,) which is a Ford computer re-programing for use on the track…… Verrrrry Interesting!
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| New spoiler is the one on the bottom... bigger is better! |
All we need now is a map (Folding GPS, no batteries needed,) a supply of fresh underwear, a smartphone app showing the nearest 24 hour Starbucks and fast food joints, and some other stuff, which I’m sure we’ll remember at 2 am while crossing Nebraska!
