GT Perpormance Pac versus base DH

[Cobrakit]

Planning to trade in my 19 GT PP1 MR DD in a year or two. Will probably be the DarkHorse, possibly Blue Ember. Understand some of the differences of DH, but was wondering about suspension. Looks like same brakes and sway bars, but what about spring rates, MR and driving mode tuning? I saw some where that DH has different steering ratio and rear-end cooler. K brace, rear lower control arms, cradle??? Not sure about anything. Obviously the PP gets better every year, and also the DH was sold as an upgrade to the Mach 1. It would be nice if Ford would just list all the differences!​

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Hate to keep bothering people, tried to do a search, but trying to plan ahead and I'm anal!​

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[GT0038]

The performance advantages of the DH really show up when you take it to the track. IMHO if you don't plan on ever going to a local HPDE then save your money and go with a GT PP.

 

[roket]

Item	GT PP (401A)	Dark Horse (600A, non-hp)
Brakes	1-piece front rotor, Black/Red/Grabber Blue calipers	2-piece front rotor, Black/Grabber Blue/Notorious Blue calipers
Suspension	Optional Magneride	Magneride Standard
Interior	Chrome trim, heated and cooled leather seats, heated leather steering wheel, leather door panel inserts	"Black Alley" sparkly dark grey trim, heated vinyl and alcantara seats, heated leather and alcantara steering wheel, alcantara door panel inserts
Seats	Recaro optional	Recaro optional
Transmissions	Getreg MT-82 6-Speed Manual or 10R80 10-Speed Automatic	Tremec TR-3160 6-Speed Manual or 10R80 10-Speed Automatic
Extra Cooling	Auxiliary oil cooler, Auxiliary transmission cooler (10R80 only)	Auxiliary oil cooler, Auxiliary transmission cooler, Auxiliary differential cooler
Differential	Torsen Standard	Torsen Standard
Badging	Chrome/Black/Bronze front pony emblem or Blue "GT/CS" badge, Chrome/Black/Bronze/Blue "5.0" fender badging, Chrome/Black/Bronze GT "Performance" deck lid badging or Blue GT "GT/CS Performance" deck lid badging, pony emblem puddle lamps	"Dark Tarnish" sparkly dark grey front pony emblem, Dark Horse fender and deck lid badging
Other	Black and grey/Black and red/Black transparent optional or Black and blue stripes standard	Black and grey hood stripes standard, painted hood and trunk stripes optional

 

[BrianJ77]

I looked at a DH recently at a local dealer. Beautiful car, but I really like the brushed aluminum look of the door handles and the lighted door sill guard in the GT premium over the DH interior.

I agree if you aren't going to track it the added cost may not be worth it for the DH, but you will have something special with the DH if that's your thing. Personally, I love my PP GT and have no buyers remorse not getting the DH. It does everything I want it to.

 

[Cobrakit]

Not trying to say one is better than the other, just identifying the difference to the handling aspects of the cars. I know the DH has other differences as well. This was my first draft, please update if you have better info.

	GT PP1	DH
Springs	upgraded	stiffer?
Sway Bars	33.3/24	33.3/24
MR	Yes	Yes
MR Tuning	Unique	Unique
Traction Control	Unique	Unique
F. Brakes	15.3/6	15.3/6
F. Rotors	1 piece ?	2 piece
R Brakes	14/4	14/4
Steering Ratio	15.5 to 1	quicker ?
K Brace	Yes	Yes
Wheels	9/9.5	9.5/10
Radiator/fans	?	Upgraded
Oil cooler	?	Aux
Diff Cooler	?	Yes
Drift E Brake	No	Yes

 

[Upacurb]

The performance advantages of the DH really show up when you take it to the track. IMHO if you don't plan on ever going to a local HPDE then save your money and go with a GT PP.

Never driven a Dark Horse- but if anything like the GT vs Mach 1 - I would say back road canyon carving would expose the differences as well - I could tell a difference just driving around between a GT and a Mach 1 Handling pack

 

[timd38]

I never considered a GT, I wanted the Dark Horse because it looks cooler and with limited available, will hold its value better than a GT.

 

[Rated R]

My experience with the MT-82 in two '13 B302's was lackluster at best. If there haven't been any updates with that transmission in the new GT, enjoy the 3rd gear grind when trying to accelerate. For that reason alone I'd go with the DH. I haven't any negative comments about the Tremec and that transmission was fantastic in my GT350's.

 

[Cobrakit]

Was hoping to get more techinical difference on handling related differences. Ford is terrible at describing their cars.

 

[Upacurb]

Was hoping to get more techinical difference on handling related differences. Ford is terrible at describing their cars.

Comparing Mach 1 I drove with HP to GT PP1 I owned at the time ....

Car just felt more sorted - more predictable - turn in was better - dampening was better
I definitely felt like I could push the car more then my Performance Package car (this was even with springs and lighter weight HRE wheels on my PP car)

If you are just cruising down the highway or to cars and coffee or looking for just straight line- my Performance Pack GT was an awesome car

But the handling pack Mach 1 I drove was just better - I wasnt even pushing at 10/10 - it was better even at 7/10s -

I would imagine the Mach 1 with lighter wheels - lets just say my 350R is not even the same car as my GT Performance Pack was

 

[mark46l]

Not trying to say one is better than the other, just identifying the difference to the handling aspects of the cars. I know the DH has other differences as well. This was my first draft, please update if you have better info.

	GT PP1	DH
Springs	upgraded	stiffer?
Sway Bars	33.3/24	33.3/24
MR	Yes	Yes
MR Tuning	Unique	Unique
Traction Control	Unique	Unique
F. Brakes	15.3/6	15.3/6
F. Rotors	1 piece ?	2 piece
R Brakes	14/4	14/4
Steering Ratio	15.5 to 1	quicker ?
K Brace	Yes	Yes
Wheels	9/9.5	9.5/10
Radiator/fans	?	Upgraded
Oil cooler	?	Aux
Diff Cooler	?	Yes
Drift E Brake	No	Yes

The GT PP1 have the drift e brake...

 

[infinitemberstang]

The chassis tuning on the DH is way better as well as the handling around corners(even with the DH non HP)
I test drove both the GT PP and the DH non HP and the DH non HP suited my driving style as well as what I plan to use the car for. Not a straight line person - it’s all about canyons and spirited driving around the track.

PS - the GT PP was ready to go sideways on sharp corners at a high speed whereas the DH non HP held its ground and was more predictable.
Not to forget the torque/throttle response is a lil better - could be placebo

if you have the extra change - buy a DH I feel, but purely depends on what you are looking for. Track/spirited drives over straight lines.

 

[Germansheperd]

Buy a PP1 and put the DH tires on. You will be 99% there and you will never be able to notice the difference. The car will drive beyond your capabilities.

 

[Awt2858]

Buy a PP1 and put the DH tires on. You will be 99% there and you will never be able to notice the difference. The car will drive beyond your capabilities.

And don’t forget to add a diff cooler, then you’re there

 

[Germansheperd]

And don’t forget to add a diff cooler, then you’re there

Not needed drain and fill with a high quality synthetic.

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