Hey All,

I am going to buy my first 5.0 in the near future. I would like some rational, real world advice. I would not be drag racing, street racing, or auto x-ing it. It will be our date car and fun commuter. I was thinking of going GT base with Track pack and Recaro's. The question is this. Should I skip the track pack and have the local Roush dealer install a TVS 2300 blower instead of ordering the track pack?

I think that having the blower would be akin to having a gold plated toilet. Functional and fun to show off to your friends, but is it a really good idea to have one? Fun factor is the main reason I am considering it. But is it just as fun NOT having an FI motor?

2 grand is a lot of dough. Which skipping the track pack would give me toward buying the blower setup. I am assuming the blower setup would add about 6k to the price. Is the ratio of dollars spent vs fun factor reasonable?

If anyone has run into this scenario or met someone who has, it would really, really help me in the decision process. And since I don't know of any base GT's with Recaro's out there, I will most likely have to do a factory order. And I have access to the Ford X-plan.

Thanks,
Chris

 

Chris, I would actually find a Mustang with those Recaros and sit in them to see how you like 'em. My 5.0 has the stock leather seats and I find them to be fantastic. If you're not going to be doing any sort of performance-oriented driving, I think getting a supercharger would be a complete waste of money, but that's just my opinion. But, when you start driving the 5.0 you will probably get the bug to race it

Oh, and welcome to the site

 

If your a bigger guy those Recaro's arnt very comfortable IMO. Adding FI to a fiveOh is quite the car. You definitely should research before you buy anything.

 

Here's my perspective about FI. There's quite simply nothing like it. Ive been blessed to have 5 stangs, 2 of which are FI. To go back to NA...I don't think I can do it nor would I want to. After supercharging my '10 GT is completely changed the car and was a blast. As for the features you get with a track pack, I see those as small incremental upgrades. I've done the suspension and gearing and cold air, etc....and frankly, it simply doesnt compare to having forced induction. I put my money on the supercharger. You WILL feel a huge difference and if you like go fast, there's nothing better. It doesnt sound like you plan to track the car so I personally don't see the value in the track pack. One last note, make sure if you go with a FI system and it's really boosting your power a lot, do the research to make sure you have the right brakes. You want to be able to stop just as fast as you got there.

I'd also say you'd better check the recaro's vs the standard leather. I personally prefer the regular leather seats over the recaro's.

 

Oh wait...you asked for RATIONAL advice. The rational thing to do is to not modify the car at all. Buy a stock 5.0. Then again, is buying a Mustang in Utah a rational thing to do? Hmmm...you guys probably get snow like we do in Denver...you might want to google F150 forums! lol

 

You're posting this on the internet. The amount of rational advice you're going to get is automatically diminished to a great extent. That being said...

I've never heard the term "date car" before. WTF is that? I assume that means you'll be doing mostly night driving and parking in restaurant and movie theater parking lots. You'd be better off with a nondescript Toyota, because then you won't mind the eventual door dings and scratches that accompany that kind of use in those kinds of places. I've had my Mustang for almost a year, and can count the number of times I'm had another car withing two parking spots of it on one hand. I wouldn't be able to say that if I used it as a "date car". When my wife and I go somewhere that I can't pretty much guarantee I can park well away from other cars, we take her Explorer.

If you want a commuter car, don't get FI. In fact, you'd be better off with a V6 in that regard - uses 87 octane gas, gets better mileage, has better insurance rates, and it's still a Mustang with a reasonable amount of power - for a commuter. I have a V6 and it could definitely be labelled as a "fun commuter". Yes, I'd REALLY like to have a 5.0, but with gas approaching $4 again, I'm REALLY glad I got a V6.

Regarding the track pack, if you're after a "fun commuter", and want your girlfriend to ride in it as a "date car", don't get Recaro's. In fact, that's one of the best ways to ensure that you'll never have a female in the car with you. Recaro's are like jeans for women - they're simply not made for the curvy nature of a woman's hips. Besides, women don't generally understand that the seats "are cool" - all they understand is that you sacrificed their comfort for incomprehensible reasons.

Get a V6 with premium interior and performance pack, and call it a day. Then, you can dress it up on the outside if you feel so inclined.

 

The rational thing would be to test drive a base 5.0 with recaros (hard to find) and then find someone local that would be willing to give you a ride in there FI stang. I personally love my base with recaros. If you aren't going to do any sort of racing why spend the $6k or so on a supercharger? I know it's cool but pointless for you it seems. The stock 5.0 is plenty fast enough as is.

 

Personally, I'd get the track pack and enjoy the power you have for now. If you ever decide to get into more aggressive driving (autoX, etc), you will be glad you have the track pack. The 5.0 makes great power and is plenty fast out of the box. Now, I'm not saying don't ever get a blower (I just sold my blown 2006 TVS1900 GTO), but I think you should drive and appreciate the stock power first, as it will only make you respect and appreciate the FI power more later. Also, you may want to consider a TVS1900, its a bit cheaper, and is a more efficient setup for an otherwise stock 5.0. A 2.3L blower is somewhat out of the efficiency range for a stock 5.0 motor. I had 1.9L on the 6.0 GTO, and I put down 550 with a 3" pulley setup, LPE intake and 1 7/8th kooks headers. I made more power than a LS3 6.2L Camaro SS with a TVS2300 with the same supporting mods. Also, both cars were tuned on the same day, by the same tuner.

That's my opinion though.

 

Either way, post some pics once you get it!

 

I really appreciate the feedback you guys have been providing. I have 4 kids, so "date car" means exactly that. Just for me and the wife. And I would never park near another car if I could avoid it.

The GTI we own has aggressive seats. Similar to a Recaro. If anyone has sat in a new GTI, at first it will seem cramped and something no one would want to sit on for a 500 mile road trip. Which is what I thought. Wife wanted it, so we got it. And they are the most comfy seats I have had in any of my cars. I would wonder if those who have the factory Recaro's have had the same experience. And those who report that they are not functional, have only briefly sat in them at the dealer. I am not sure of course. I plan on skipping the Premium option, so I would not have the leather option.

I also ride motorcycles, and am used to that rush of power. "wcgman" seemed to have the most experience with NA and FI and made a good point. After owning both, you just can't go back to the former. I will try and get behind the wheel of one of the Roush stage 3's down at my dealer and see for myself. If it has that "gotta have it" rush.

v6 is completely out of the question, since I have wanted a 5.0 since 1989. But if I were truly after a daily commuter, that is a great option.

I'm not sure about the smaller alternatives "aenima4six2" mentions. I haven't really researched that option. I am just aware of the Roush package that the dealer can install and warranty.

As far as buying a blown Mustang in snowy Utah a rational choice. I found that one of the guys here at work bought a '12 5.0 and auto X's with it about 14 times a year. Put a set of Blizzaks on it, and reports no issues in our snow so far. And we are just south of SLC. And since I have spouse approval, it would be irrational to not get one. And I plan on attending a couple URSCCA events with him to check it out and see if it is something I might want to do.

In the end, it all comes down to money. Sounds like losing the Track Pack isn't a major loss. And I think I would prefer a S/C with 3.31 combo instead of 3.73's. I still need to sell one bike and one car before I order/purchase. The snow needs to melt first. So have some time to think about it.

You guys are awesome for taking the time and giving some feedback.

Thanks,
Chris