GT vs Dark Horse

[Zig]

Cool to see a '24 manual convertible GT in your signature. Good play Man.

Thx

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[faser]

Whats funny the people with DH's act as if a Mustang GT with the PP are shopping carts when it comes to twisties. The only real advantage I would say for the DH is the fact you get the tranny/diffy coolers. If you want to leave the suspension stock the DH will have an advantage. A lot of the advantage of the DH HP is the Trofeo's. I don't even think the Tremec anymore is a major advantage with the DH anymore. The Getrag MT82D4 got the kinks worked out of it back in mid 2019. A set of 4.09 gears will get you darn near the gearing of the Tremec. Not to mention the MT82D4 for the S650 also had some more refinements done to it.

What I don't like about the DH is the fact you only get one hideous color choice for the interior of that nasty Indigo Blue and a limited color palette for the exterior vs. the GT.

Even if I had a DH I would want to switch out the springs for something a tad lower as the DHs still sit too high. A Mustang GT with a nice suspension setup and wheels and tires will be no slouch around a corner.

Found this table comparing the Getrag/Tremec 3160. Interesting and demonstrates what you are saying.
TRANSMISSION Standard 6-speed manual with revmatching and no-lift-shift N/A Getrag MT-82 Tremec TR-3160 Gear ratios: 1st - 3.237:1 3.25:1 2nd - 2.104:1 2.23:1 3rd - 1.422:1 1.61:1 4th - 1.000:1 1.24:1 5th - 0.814:1 1.00:1 6th - 0.622:1 0.63:1
Significant difference in some gears especially 3rd and 4th.

 

[Dave2013M3]

Found this table comparing the Getrag/Tremec 3160. Interesting and demonstrates what you are saying.
TRANSMISSION Standard 6-speed manual with revmatching and no-lift-shift N/A Getrag MT-82 Tremec TR-3160 Gear ratios: 1st - 3.237:1 3.25:1 2nd - 2.104:1 2.23:1 3rd - 1.422:1 1.61:1 4th - 1.000:1 1.24:1 5th - 0.814:1 1.00:1 6th - 0.622:1 0.63:1
Significant difference in some gears especially 3rd and 4th.

That is where the 4.09 gears come into play. Also, look at the results. The acceleration numbers between the DH and the GT are basically the same. The 4.09 geared GT I feel will have an edge over the Tremec DH.

 

[REV745DH24]

One question, does Dark Horse with Magneride Damping System need anti-hop to be installed to prevent hopping the rear tires?

 

[steyr]

I was 100% sold on a Dark Horse then got to test drive one and a GT back to back and realized I was paying an extra 13k or whatever (I got A/Z plan on GT) for just better handling.

Like you said OP the power difference between 486hp and 500hp can't be felt at all, especially since the GT is like 150lb lighter than the DH and I think actually has a better power-to-weight ratio.

If you're going to track the car, or just want to say you have something different than a GT then get the DH. If you're going to the drag strip or just want a fun daily get the GT.

After I drove them back to back I immediately eliminated the DH for contention, and was between a '23 Mach 1 still sitting on a lot and the GT. Ended up getting the GT because the Mach 1 had Recaros which I hate.

 

[Karguy]

Whats funny the people with DH's act as if a Mustang GT with the PP are shopping carts when it comes to twisties. The only real advantage I would say for the DH is the fact you get the tranny/diffy coolers. If you want to leave the suspension stock the DH will have an advantage. A lot of the advantage of the DH HP is the Trofeo's. I don't even think the Tremec anymore is a major advantage with the DH anymore. The Getrag MT82D4 got the kinks worked out of it back in mid 2019. A set of 4.09 gears will get you darn near the gearing of the Tremec. Not to mention the MT82D4 for the S650 also had some more refinements done to it.

What I don't like about the DH is the fact you only get one hideous color choice for the interior of that nasty Indigo Blue and a limited color palette for the exterior vs. the GT.

Even if I had a DH I would want to switch out the springs for something a tad lower as the DHs still sit too high. A Mustang GT with a nice suspension setup and wheels and tires will be no slouch around a corner.

Interesting...Thanks for the info ! The Trofeos are really only an advantage if you track the car otherwise they wear quick/$$$ ,tramline with the geometry/steering knuckles Ford uses and can be dangerous in rain/cold weather because they are basically a street legal race tire put on to help the ancient S650 platform to post decent laps in the various media venues to help it keep up with the alpha platform/2016 Camaro and smaller tired M2 that has tires that are slower on track but also work on colder days / rain and Dont tramline...

 

[The Ghost]

I was 100% sold on a Dark Horse then got to test drive one and a GT back to back and realized I was paying an extra 13k or whatever (I got A/Z plan on GT) for just better handling.

Like you said OP the power difference between 486hp and 500hp can't be felt at all, especially since the GT is like 150lb lighter than the DH and I think actually has a better power-to-weight ratio.

If you're going to track the car, or just want to say you have something different than a GT then get the DH. If you're going to the drag strip or just want a fun daily get the GT.

After I drove them back to back I immediately eliminated the DH for contention, and was between a '23 Mach 1 still sitting on a lot and the GT. Ended up getting the GT because the Mach 1 had Recaros which I hate.

Right. That's a critical detail. The KIND of GT you get is important. If you spec out a GT with Performance Package with 3.73 gears and Brembos, MagneRide, and Active Exhaust, you won't be able to tell much of a difference between the two. If you go base GT with none of that... you will.

What I don't like about the DH is the fact you only get one hideous color choice for the interior of that nasty Indigo Blue and a limited color palette for the exterior vs. the GT.

That was probably the biggest thing that put me off of a DH. I really don't like that interior color. I was put off by the lack of interior color options that the GT gets. Also was not a fan of either cloth seats or Recaros being the only seating options.

 

[roadpilot]

One question, does Dark Horse with Magneride Damping System need anti-hop to be installed to prevent hopping the rear tires?

I see four different flavors of Steeda's 'Stop The Hop' handling kit for 2015-2024 Mustangs (Starter, Street Enthusiast, Drag Enthusiast, and Ultimate), and all four specifically state: Does not fit 2024+ Dark Horse.

Not sure if there are other anti-hop kits by other manufacturers.

P.S. - I posted a link to their site for these kits, just in case someone wanted to claim this post is based on an assumption.

 

[GhastlyTT]

One question, does Dark Horse with Magneride Damping System need anti-hop to be installed to prevent hopping the rear tires?

Yes, my HP had terrible wheelhop. A month ago I installed Steeda's subframe bushing system, subframe alignment kit, and subframe support braces and still had wheelhop. I just finished installing everything else in their stop the hop line and am waiting on my alignment appointment with Ford. Tried to get a Lifetime alignment from Firestone and they wouldn't touch my car lol

 

[roadpilot]

Yes, my HP had terrible wheelhop. A month ago I installed Steeda's subframe bushing system, subframe alignment kit, and subframe support braces and still had wheelhop. I just finished installing everything else in their stop the hop line and am waiting on my alignment appointment with Ford. Tried to get a Lifetime alignment from Firestone and they wouldn't touch my car lol

You installed one of these kits? Thats' good to know it fits - their listings say different.

 

[GhastlyTT]

You installed one of these kits? Thats' good to know it fits - their listings say different.

I have everything here installed except for the toe link bearing.

 

[Karguy]

Right. That's a critical detail. The KIND of GT you get is important. If you spec out a GT with Performance Package with 3.73 gears and Brembos, MagneRide, and Active Exhaust, you won't be able to tell much of a difference between the two. If you go base GT with none of that... you will.



That was probably the biggest thing that put me off of a DH. I really don't like that interior color. I was put off by the lack of interior color options that the GT gets. Also was not a fan of either cloth seats or Recaros being the only seating options.

What put me off the DH and decided to go with Challenger WB instead were really 2 things...I could have lived with the goth eyeshadow or Ninja Turtle mask however you want to call it as I think the regular GT looks cleaner/sharper.I wanted the Tremec so the GT was out but what put me off was the fact that the Coyote felt gutless as in lack of Torque I love as also the Recaro seats that are not electrically or height adjustable if I remember right are really only for people with small frames or otherwise feel like a vice on a work bench...I am not fat but worked out all my life...LOL

 

[roadpilot]

I have everything here installed except for the toe link bearing.

Thx.

Maybe @SteedaTech can let us know why all their anti-hop kits indicate they won't fit the DH if/when they do?

 

[Stangerous]

The OP began by sayino “I was ser on a DH….” So I would say GO FOT IT.
Once you start second guessing your first choice………I’ve done that often, and I must say it’s never helpful.
I bought a base GT and couldn’t be happier, but I had no interest whatsoever in a DH.
As far as SW Florida is concerned I’ve spent the last 15 winters in Naples, and while I didn’t own a Mustang, even bringing a motorcycle down made no sense. No twisties, no elevation changes, inattentive drivers….. for sporty drivers or riders, it’s hopeless.

The work around for the flat roads, no twisties is TNIA events at Sebring or Daytona. PBIR was fun too but they closed. Besides, it's much safer in a controlled environment than on these Florida roads with all the crazies. Worth a little travel time to be able to drive the car the way it was meant to be driven. Granted, most of us aren't driving them to their full potential either, on or off track.

 

[roadpilot]

What put me off the DH and decided to go with Challenger WB instead were really 2 things...I could have lived with the goth eyeshadow or Ninja Turtle mask however you want to call it as I think the regular GT looks cleaner/sharper.I wanted the Tremec so the GT was out but what put me off was the fact that the Coyote felt gutless as in lack of Torque I love as also the Recaro seats that are not electrically or height adjustable if I remember right are really only for people with small frames or otherwise feel like a vice on a work bench...I am not fat but worked out all my life...LOL

To each their own, right? Coyote is designed for higher RPMs and torque, not low end torque.

As far as the RECAROs: I'm 6' 2" and 220# and they fit me great.

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