101, you are correct. The GT is a big, heavy car and you need to be smooth laying it into a corner with the stock shocks and springs. However, for me the stock suspension provides a good level of comfort for every day driving and (for now) an acceptable level of track performance with my existing set up. This is not to say better spring / shocks would not help on the track. Surely a lower spring with improved shocks would be a benefit. However, driving over speed bumps, going up a drive way, etc all become issues for me. So, for now I’m keeping the stock ride height. In the future I might be persuaded to go 1” lower but not much more than this. I really look forward to the track comparison of the Ohlins / Multimatic, Kinetic Speed Shop, Roush package, etc : to the stock shocks / springs.
On the other hand I’ve already had my alignment tweaked. Basically more negative camber front and rear (plus some other small changes) and this noticeably improved the front end grip and corner speeds. This was a relatively easy change (compared to spring and shock changes), very inexpensive by comparison and provided noticeable improvements on the track. It also eliminated all of the on center dead spot in the steering thus making the car more responsive to input on the track. While for daily driving this change did not cause the car to become overly sensitive and has made no difference to the wear / overall mileage on the stock tires. Another advantage to this is that it took very little time to dial in the tires / air pressure as this is a small change in comparison to shocks and springs. So, I would rate the alignment change as providing a big bang for the buck.
The other big change I would recommend is the use of race slicks. The Hoosiers are great. The wear is good and the grip they provide is a big step up from street tires. I’m using spare set of stock Forged rims, readily available (very inexpensive if you purchase a set from Ebay, etc). So I would rate this change as providing a big bang for the buck too.
I’ve also had Bob Ida’s exhaust installed. It reduced my peak engine temperatures just as advertised. Another good bang for the buck. Peak engine temperature on the track was just 220 deg! If you send your car to his shop I strongly recommend you talk to him about modifying the air intake, changing the pulley and have him chip the car too. The data he logged, has access to and used to make improvements is just unreal. For now I would not recommend going too much above 600 RW HP for two reasons. First, you need to be careful with 2nd gear on the track and forget about 1st and 2nd at WOT on the street. Second, with this set up very few (if any) cars will be passing you on the track.
Everything is give and take.
Better high speed handling can be realized with a lower car or aero package.
Better springs and shocks may provides more grip so it could increase your speed through the turns, thus your exit speed is higher and your top speed down the next straight is higher.
A lower car or better aero package will improve high speed handling and provide more confidence to run higher down the straight. However with the above you may sacrifice some daily driving capabilities, ground clearance, etc.
More power will also lead to higher straight line speed (regardless of exit speed) but you will have to be even more cautious applying the power coming out of the turns.
On the street additional power is of little benefit as you basically can not apply it in 1st or 2nd and straight line speeds of the stock car are already outrageous so in my opinion has little benefit here.
Both of the above mean higher speeds and the need to brake harder and the stock brakes are already showing their limits so for me the safe way to go is to start looking for bigger brakes / different pads, etc.
Just my opinions, but real excited to see how others compare their modification to the stock set up on the track.
On the other hand I’ve already had my alignment tweaked. Basically more negative camber front and rear (plus some other small changes) and this noticeably improved the front end grip and corner speeds. This was a relatively easy change (compared to spring and shock changes), very inexpensive by comparison and provided noticeable improvements on the track. It also eliminated all of the on center dead spot in the steering thus making the car more responsive to input on the track. While for daily driving this change did not cause the car to become overly sensitive and has made no difference to the wear / overall mileage on the stock tires. Another advantage to this is that it took very little time to dial in the tires / air pressure as this is a small change in comparison to shocks and springs. So, I would rate the alignment change as providing a big bang for the buck.
The other big change I would recommend is the use of race slicks. The Hoosiers are great. The wear is good and the grip they provide is a big step up from street tires. I’m using spare set of stock Forged rims, readily available (very inexpensive if you purchase a set from Ebay, etc). So I would rate this change as providing a big bang for the buck too.
I’ve also had Bob Ida’s exhaust installed. It reduced my peak engine temperatures just as advertised. Another good bang for the buck. Peak engine temperature on the track was just 220 deg! If you send your car to his shop I strongly recommend you talk to him about modifying the air intake, changing the pulley and have him chip the car too. The data he logged, has access to and used to make improvements is just unreal. For now I would not recommend going too much above 600 RW HP for two reasons. First, you need to be careful with 2nd gear on the track and forget about 1st and 2nd at WOT on the street. Second, with this set up very few (if any) cars will be passing you on the track.
Everything is give and take.
Better high speed handling can be realized with a lower car or aero package.
Better springs and shocks may provides more grip so it could increase your speed through the turns, thus your exit speed is higher and your top speed down the next straight is higher.
A lower car or better aero package will improve high speed handling and provide more confidence to run higher down the straight. However with the above you may sacrifice some daily driving capabilities, ground clearance, etc.
More power will also lead to higher straight line speed (regardless of exit speed) but you will have to be even more cautious applying the power coming out of the turns.
On the street additional power is of little benefit as you basically can not apply it in 1st or 2nd and straight line speeds of the stock car are already outrageous so in my opinion has little benefit here.
Both of the above mean higher speeds and the need to brake harder and the stock brakes are already showing their limits so for me the safe way to go is to start looking for bigger brakes / different pads, etc.
Just my opinions, but real excited to see how others compare their modification to the stock set up on the track.
