Motor Trend NFGT testing

[BtwoG]

Some comments from Randy Pobst

"Yeah, it’s great, no, not perfect, quite, yet, yes one of fastest ever. And so gorgeous"

" I think it is soooo gorgeous and desirable"

"GT runs like a supercar"

"Still compliant, somehow, mostly. It does seems to hit the jounce rubbers (travel limiters) on a big bump going into Turn Nine at Willow. Never really noticed on other cars. But it does not destabilize the chassis."

Wonder if Ford encouraged them to give the GT another test in more favorable conditions (not 110 degrees).

 

[Sinovac]

Has the article been published?

 

[BtwoG]

Has the article been published?

Facebook comments. He said the article is 2-4 weeks out.

 

[Sinovac]

Thank you.

 

[DoctorV8]

GT - 647hp/3.5 = 184.9hp/L
720S - 710hp/4 = 177.5hp/L

Pretty impressive for an F150 motor, making more power per liter than those purpose built engines. To get any more power, you'd probably need water injection like the GT2 RS has, which still doesn't make the same power per liter as the GT.

Ron, the 720s is making closer to 775 flywheel HP, which isn't far from 200 HP/L. Just amazing.

 

[DoctorV8]

Ha, Randy Pobst! I bet Sanjay could get the NGT into the low one twenties at Willow!

Ed

Haha, I'm late to this party, but you give me too much credit!

 

[DoctorV8]

Wasn't the 720 on P-Zeros as fast a 675LT on Trofeo Rs on track?

That's right, Ron. I just got back from COTA with a fresh set of Trofeo Rs on my 720s, and I shaved 3 sec off the time with oem Pirelli Corsas. This thing is insane.

 

[DoctorV8]

Yes, I believe that's accurate. The 720S power output is ridiculously underrated, dyno testing shows closer to 800 bhp or more, and let's face it, that means a lot in lap times, as long as the chassis is not a total loser.

And it's not. Best handling street car I've ever driven. Haven't had the pleasure in NGT yet though...

 

[stuntman]

Ron, the 720s is making closer to 775 flywheel HP, which isn't far from 200 HP/L. Just amazing.

Frank, I've seen they put down almost 700whp SAE. That's almost 175whp/L. The GT would have to make 612.5whp/L to match that.

 

[DoctorV8]

Frank, I've seen they put down almost 700whp SAE. That's almost 175whp/L. The GT would have to make 612.5whp/L to match that.

Frank? I hope you aren't mistaking me for that pathologist with the porn 'stache. Oh, and your math is a little off too.

Sanjay

 

[stuntman]

612whp* lol

 

[Gary(SF)]

Still no updates on the NFGT lap time at Big Willow? Feb C&D Lightning Lap article makes me even more eager to see the numbers.

 

[dbk]

Still no updates on the NFGT lap time at Big Willow? Feb C&D Lightning Lap article makes me even more eager to see the numbers.

You should check with Motor Trend.

 

[cobra498]

http://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/revi...-the-price-of-priceless/ar-AAv05xf?li=BBnb7Kz

Easy fix, 265/35 ZR20 fronts to cure under steer and more aggressive brake pads. I assume drive by wire throttle can be programmed to provide any opening rate desired so that can be adjusted too.

 

[DoctorV8]

Easy fix, 265/35 ZR20 fronts to cure under steer

Might be even simpler....I'd look closely at the alignment first.

 

[cobra498]

Might be even simpler....I'd look closely at the alignment first.

Yes but sometimes that can lead to instability, my 991 GT3 had a similar issue, I tried rear toe, front toe out and more rake angle. Finally substituted 285/19 fronts for the 245's and the car is pulling more lateral G's by .1 to .2. Braking is also better because of larger front foot print and no stability issues.

 

[DoctorV8]

Yes but sometimes that can lead to instability, my 991 GT3 had a similar issue, I tried rear toe, front toe out and more rake angle. Finally substituted 285/19 fronts for the 245's and the car is pulling more lateral G's by .1 to .2. Braking is also better because of larger front foot print and no stability issues.

That might ultimately help, but it can also create more problems.

A wider front tire will affect balance of the car that Ford (and Porsche) dialed in, which is in itself causing some degree of "instability," ie more oversteering tendencies.

Always best to start with the basics, which often get ignored, such as pressures and alignment, before taking drastic measures like changing tire size, which, in this case, means not only a 20mm wider tire, but a slightly taller one.

That's going to affect the ride height, which affects aerodynamics.

It might have unintended consequences with ABS and stability control, and possibly clearance issues as well. Modern exotics have very little tolerance engineered in for big changes to the car, such as a tire swap. It's not as simple as some may think.

 

[cobra498]

I always start with the easy minor adjustments, for example 2005 GT's had geometry designed to produce roll under steer that could be adjusted out which I did on my 2005 GT. Ride height can effect more than aerodynamics it also effects the roll axis so whenever making a tire size change I make sure ride height is adjustable to offset any height changes the ABS should accommodate minor diameter changes. I am just saying I went down all those roads on my Porsche before making the tire change and it solved the issue with no side effects. All modern cars are developed with the lowest common denominator in mind (the driver). A car that responds well to a skilled driver would be unsafe in the hands of an average driver so there is always room for improvement. It is a very small change that might very well improve the balance of the car. Since the car has torsion bars a spring change would be very difficult at either end.

 

[stuntman]

Easy fix, 265/35 ZR20 fronts to cure under steer and more aggressive brake pads. I assume drive by wire throttle can be programmed to provide any opening rate desired so that can be adjusted too.

How does that fix the power down rear grip issue?

 

[cobra498]

How does that fix the power down rear grip issue?

Throttle opening rate vs pedal travel and velocity can help with power down and rear grip issues. Since it is drive by wire it can be programmed to not exceed available rear grip levels at varying lateral loads and speeds.