Not everyone can afford to buy a brand new Mustang and use it solely for the track, so David Freiburger and his team at Hot Rod Garage show us how we can turn a late-model, fifth-gen Mustang into a track competitor that can double as a daily driver.
Outside of the all-new sixth-gen Mustang with its fancy independent rear suspension, Mustangs are traditionally known more for their ability to go fast in a straight line. But the guys at Hot Rod Garage demonstrate that with some minor modifications, the pony can hold its own in an autocross event. For those who plan on following this video for their own car, keep in mind the great tips David gives for do-it-yourselfers.
David picks up a 2005 Ford Mustang GT with the 4.6L V8 and five-speed manual transmission. The following mods follow:
- EBC brake pads and rotors give the pony some reliable stopping power. David explains the different series of EBC brake pads, each with their own specific purposes. The Yellowstuff EBC pads, for instance, are perfect for withstanding some aggressive braking at the track, and they also perform well when cold.
- 18-inch American Racing wheels wrapped in beefy Falken Azenus tires, 295/40 in the rear and 255/40 in the front. The wheels simply look good, and the sticky rubber gets a huge thumbs-up from David.
- The final modification is about a one-inch drop in ride height thanks to the very popular Ford Racing lowering springs
The upgrades improved the Mustang’s 60-0 braking distance from 120 feet to 105 feet. And though the new pads enable the pony to stop consistently while diminishing brake fade, but the real difference is with the stickier tires, which are also the game changers for the autocross improvements, lowering David’s lap time by nearly two seconds. Watch the video for yourself, and then tell us in the comments which mods you’ve already made or are planning on making to your pony.
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