Ten Questions with: Part 2


I was wondering what Jamal is up to presently. Still with Ford? Sorry, I do not know this.

PS. Nice avatar Dave!!!!
 
mine is in two part, what were the names of the two girls I saw your picture with in DBK's computer, and may I get an invite to the next event.:wink
 
A question with a practical application for many of us.

Jamal,

As the Ford GT is delivered from the factory, it looks a little nose high with too much space between the top of the front tire and the top of the front wheel well. Many of us have lowered the front of our cars 1/2" or so for aesthetic reasons. I read somewhere however, that although lowering the front end slightly does increase downforce at speed, it also increases drag.

I have a photo of my car at the finish line of the Texas mile and at 175 mph the front end appears to have been pushed even lower by aerodynamic forces.

So here's my question.

Does the Ford GT have the least amount of aerodynamic drag in it's stock configuration with the belly pan absolutely parallel to the ground? With the belly pan level would drag increase or decrease as the car is lowered? By lowering just the front end 1/2 inch, so the belly pan is no longer parallel to the ground, are we increasing drag and hurting our one-mile times?

Thanks Jamal!

Chip
 

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Jamal,

As the Ford GT is delivered from the factory, it looks a little nose high with too much space between the top of the front tire and the top of the front wheel well. Many of us have lowered the front of our cars 1/2" or so for aesthetic reasons. I read somewhere however, that although lowering the front end slightly does increase downforce at speed, it also increases drag.

I have a photo of my car at the finish line of the Texas mile and at 175 mph the front end appears to have been pushed even lower by aerodynamic forces.

So here's my question.

Does the Ford GT have the least amount of aerodynamic drag in it's stock configuration with the belly pan absolutely parallel to the ground? With the belly pan level would drag increase or decrease as the car is lowered? By lowering just the front end 1/2 inch, so the belly pan is no longer parallel to the ground, are we increasing drag and hurting our one-mile times?

Thanks Jamal!

Chip

Chip - glad you asked this of Jamal.

Indy GT would use up the bandwidth of Google,Inc with his response.:lol
 
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. Good one Jeff.
 
Ok Jeff and FRANK...

All I am going to say is Chip asks a very important and intelligent question.
I am interested in Jamal's response as well...

Chip's question also dovetails with the use of the extended front splitter. Wonder what his car profile would look like at the end of the mile utilizing this aero modification?
 
...Chip's question also dovetails with the use of the extended front splitter. Wonder what his car profile would look like at the end of the mile utilizing this aero modification?

and, while the extended splitter might correct the profile, would there be increased drag which would reduce his maximum speed?
 
Exactly Ralph!
 
Were there particular times in development when Carroll Shelby was brought in to provide feedback / 'bless' certain stages of the project.

I have seen video of him in a early test/mule, and others shots as well.
 
When Ford considered/approved the project, what was the greatest concern from the legal department with the proposed development of a 200+ mph super car? How were these concerns addressed in the production of the car?
 
Knowing where you grew up, what made you decide to do this and what schools did you attend to get there and build your career?

Next question, which one of you smarta**es thought up the front fender liners?
 
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Was the "100" in the headlights intentional (and for the centennial) or was it something that someone noticed afterward.
 
Did Ricardo take a need as presented for the Team at Ford and then present to the Team the transaxle and clutch package or was Ricardo given design specifications and then simply asked to create it?

Thank you for your time

Takes care

Shadowman
 
What is the REAL story about trying to use the GT-40 name?. What other names were considered?


Why not GT-44:thumbsup
I am getting tired of getting mustang parts:lol
 
I had a lengthy discussion with presumably the "right" people at Autometer regarding the GT gauges. The jist of it was that I was trying to convince Autometer to PLEASE consider a repair program for GT owners. Allegedly (and quite easy to understand), Autometer, by their contract with Ford, cannot accept these "Ford" parts for repair. This is probably boiler-plate type of contract terminology with the intent of preventing Ford-chosen suppliers from competing with Ford.

However, in consideration of the inordinate amount of gauge failures combined with the inordinately high replacement cost, I am wondering if there's some kind of middle ground where either the consumer (GT Owner), an intermediary (like Shadowman, myself, etc) or even a Ford dealership can have an option to send gauges in for repair?
 
I would think if a middleman disassembled the gauges to internals only (so that it is not a recognizable Ford gauge), the internals can be sent to Autometer to repair or replace.
 
Why not GT-44:thumbsup
I am getting tired of getting mustang parts:lol

It's actually not a Ford GT. It's a "Ford GT not the Mustang, the Supercar". And even that doesn't always work. :ack
 
re: Gauges

The conversation to have is with a automotive gauge restoration facility. I know in vintage german cars a number are famous for doing Gullwing/300 SL.

Some are: Palo Alto Speedometer Repair, Lauderdale Speedometer, North Hollywood Automotive Guages (FL), etc.

These folks are like watchmakers in dis-assembling instruments and even do laser cut silk screen gauge faces from original patterns; in addition, to conversion to electronic/quartz for clocks.

Not sure if there is similar for Italian (Veglia) or Shelby/Smiths that people know.
 
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If the interview is still pending... Why did they go with dual blade throttle body, rather than a large single blade?
 
It is. Jamal came over the other day but because he still works for Ford Motor Company, he has to clear all the answers with public affairs. I'll throw it in.