unique tuning?

[Deleted member 63333]

Hey, I've just been a lurker here for a year or so. Dont post much on social media but had questions I can't find answers to. It's probably here but i tired of looking sorry.

I bought a 2024 GT 400A close to a year ago but want to upgrade. All I have done is put meatier wheels/tires on it. 285's front, 305's rear with Velgen VF5's. Love my car, it's a blast to drive but not quite punchy enough. I started out looking at GT's with PP but they would not budge on price, I ended up practically stealing what I bought. Test drove a PP model, manual trans with 3.73 but that was a month or so before I test drove the manual with 3.55 and bought it.

Currently looking at 4 different mustangs that are fitting my budget. 1 DH automatic non-HP, 1 DH manual non-HP. 1 GT PP automatic, and 1 GT PP manual. All close to the same price. I have not driven any automatics, right now I am working excessive hours and have been "shopping" on line and talking over phone/emails. Unfortunately, I don't have time to visit the dealerships yet. Starting up a new manufacturing facility, working 7 days, 11-12 hour days for the next few weeks. None of my prospects are local, closest is 3 hrs away, one of them is 8 hrs away. Of course I will get to test drives eventually, just trying to narrow it down here, would appreciate some help!

-Anybody driven, one after the other, a manual with 3.55 and a manual with 3.73? noticeable difference?
-Driven one after the other a manual and an automatic? Love manuals, but open to automatic. Out of 7 muscle cars I have built in my days 6 were manual.
-I keep seeing "unique tuning", but can't find a definition of exactly what it is.
-Im just a street guy, will likely never see a track but do play on country roads. Is there noticeable difference in GT PP's and non-HP Dark Horses? Handling differences? Power differences? Im not a top end person, but love quick and agile.

Thanks in advance for your knowledge!

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[86pagt]

You love what you have and got a great deal. Why not fix the agile part with some suspension pieces and see how that goes? Then for the quick part —— Whipple stage 1.

 

[Paul's stable]

Hey, I've just been a lurker here for a year or so. Dont post much on social media but had questions I can't find answers to. It's probably here but i tired of looking sorry.

I bought a 2024 GT 400A close to a year ago but want to upgrade. All I have done is put meatier wheels/tires on it. 285's front, 305's rear with Velgen VF5's. Love my car, it's a blast to drive but not quite punchy enough. I started out looking at GT's with PP but they would not budge on price, I ended up practically stealing what I bought. Test drove a PP model, manual trans with 3.73 but that was a month or so before I test drove the manual with 3.55 and bought it.

Currently looking at 4 different mustangs that are fitting my budget. 1 DH automatic non-HP, 1 DH manual non-HP. 1 GT PP automatic, and 1 GT PP manual. All close to the same price. I have not driven any automatics, right now I am working excessive hours and have been "shopping" on line and talking over phone/emails. Unfortunately, I don't have time to visit the dealerships yet. Starting up a new manufacturing facility, working 7 days, 11-12 hour days for the next few weeks. None of my prospects are local, closest is 3 hrs away, one of them is 8 hrs away. Of course I will get to test drives eventually, just trying to narrow it down here, would appreciate some help!

-Anybody driven, one after the other, a manual with 3.55 and a manual with 3.73? noticeable difference?
-Driven one after the other a manual and an automatic? Love manuals, but open to automatic. Out of 7 muscle cars I have built in my days 6 were manual.
-I keep seeing "unique tuning", but can't find a definition of exactly what it is.
-Im just a street guy, will likely never see a track but do play on country roads. Is there noticeable difference in GT PP's and non-HP Dark Horses? Handling differences? Power differences? Im not a top end person, but love quick and agile.

Thanks in advance for your knowledge!

I would suggest the Dark Horse with the manual so you get the Tremec 6spd.

 

[Deleted member 63333]

You love what you have and got a great deal. Why not fix the agile part with some suspension pieces and see how that goes? Then for the quick part —— Whipple stage 1.

I never really got over not getting that Dark Horse I guess? Making those fixes were part of the plan, but turns out I don't really have time. It used to be a passion, I guess it isn't anymore. I'm 64 yrs old, and have a demanding career, spare time spent keeping myself young in home gym lol.

My ride is black, gorgeous when clean, but keeping it that way is a pain. Yeah, they all get dirty but other colors don't show it as much. I despise finish swirl, so hand wash is all she gets, no car wash.

I used to be a muscle car geek, then career took over, drove pick up truck for years but got an itch for something fast. So here I am. No time to make improvements but want quicker and more agile.

So, its coming down to a GT PP, or a non HP DH because deals are out there. Pretty much decided on a Carbonized Gray, tremec, premium 700A. Just curious now as the differences between a non-HP DH and a GT PP. I have since found some links. But, still want to know exactly what they mean by "unique tuning".

Thanks for your replly!

 

[Deleted member 63333]

I would suggest the Dark Horse with the manual so you get the Tremec 6spd.

Yep, leaning that way for that reason. Thanks!

 

[86pagt]

Gotcha good luck in your search..

just my opinion is if you want a manual go with the dark horse because of the Tremec trans.. All dark horse come with magna ride which will help with the agile part.. it’s an option for the GT PP..

 

[86pagt]

The unique part is in the software for suspension and other things ..
I had a 19 PP that I sold and currently drive a 24 PP both were non-magna ride cars and I swapped out springs, shocks and struts to make them feel like the PP should have come..
I have never owned a magna-ride car so really can’t speak for them but some say the ride is great.
I got a PP each time because of what the PP came with, brembo brakes, 3:55s for the auto, larger radiator and so on. good luck

just a quick search


Ford's "Dark Horse unique tuning" refers to
the specialized hardware and software modifications made to the Mustang Dark Horse for track-focused performance, including a specially tuned 5.0-liter V8 engine, unique chassis and suspension tuning, and upgraded aerodynamics and cooling systems. This includes everything from a strengthened engine to a uniquely calibrated damping system, making the Dark Horse the most track-capable 5.0-liter V8 street-legal Mustang ever, according to Ford.
Chassis and suspension

• Tuning: Unique chassis tuning, larger rear sway bars, and heavy-duty front shocks are included.
• Magneride: The computer-controlled MagneRide damping system is standard and specially tuned for enhanced handling without sacrificing ride quality.
• Stiffness: A new lightweight Ford Performance-designed strut tower brace and K-brace improve chassis stiffness and handling feedback.
• Differential: A Torsen rear limited-slip differential comes standard.

 

[LouG]

Money no object, DH man or auto. Money quite a big object (like me) GT PP and decide the g/box on whether you play more than daily drive

 

[AZ_Ryan]

The unique part is in the software for suspension and other things ..
I had a 19 PP that I sold and currently drive a 24 PP both were non-magna ride cars and I swapped out springs, shocks and struts to make them feel like the PP should have come..
I have never owned a magna-ride car so really can’t speak for them but some say the ride is great.
I got a PP each time because of what the PP came with, brembo brakes, 3:55s for the auto, larger radiator and so on. good luck

just a quick search


Ford's "Dark Horse unique tuning" refers to
the specialized hardware and software modifications made to the Mustang Dark Horse for track-focused performance, including a specially tuned 5.0-liter V8 engine, unique chassis and suspension tuning, and upgraded aerodynamics and cooling systems. This includes everything from a strengthened engine to a uniquely calibrated damping system, making the Dark Horse the most track-capable 5.0-liter V8 street-legal Mustang ever, according to Ford.
Chassis and suspension

• Tuning: Unique chassis tuning, larger rear sway bars, and heavy-duty front shocks are included.
• Magneride: The computer-controlled MagneRide damping system is standard and specially tuned for enhanced handling without sacrificing ride quality.
• Stiffness: A new lightweight Ford Performance-designed strut tower brace and K-brace improve chassis stiffness and handling feedback.
• Differential: A Torsen rear limited-slip differential comes standard.

Except that is utter BS and just marketing speak. Lol

It was the same with the Mach 1s. I had one so I know all about it. "Special chassis tuning" just refers the alignment and the adjustable camber plates (if equipped).

Both the PP and DH cars have the same Magnaride. Contrary to myth, THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE IN THE MAGNARIDE SYSTEM between the two cars. This was confirmed by Ford with the Mach 1s. It is the exact same system. The Magneride system used in the Mustang isn't made by Ford and is not "tuned" differently at the factory.

The only difference is the springs, sway bars, and camber plates and rear diff cooler. Both cars have the Torsen rear diff and same gear ratios. Of course the DH is tuned for and extra 14 HP. So there's that.

The one MAJOR consideration is the Tremec that only comes on the DH. It is far and away better the Getrag on standard and PP GTs.

So unless you really want the Tremec, I don't think the DH separates itself enough from the PP to justify the price bump. That's not a shade at the DH, just my opinion. I doubt you will notice any difference in handling off the track between the two cars.

 

[Deleted member 63333]

Except that is utter BS and just marketing speak. Lol

It was the same with the Mach 1s. I had one so I know all about it. "Special chassis tuning" just refers the alignment and the adjustable camber plates (if equipped).

Both the PP and DH cars have the same Magnaride. Contrary to myth, THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE IN THE MAGNARIDE SYSTEM between the two cars. This was confirmed by Ford with the Mach 1s. It is the exact same system. The Magneride system used in the Mustang isn't made by Ford and is not tunable.

The only difference is the springs, sway bars, and camber plates and rear diff cooler. Both cars have the Torsen rear diff and same gear ratios. Of course the DH is tuned for and extra 14 HP. So there's that.

The one MAJOR consideration is the Tremec that only comes on the DH. It is far and away better the Getrag on standard and PP GTs.

So unless you really want the Tremec, I don't think the DH seperates itself enough from the PP to justify the price bump. That's not a shade at the DH, just my opinion. I doubt you will notice any difference in handling off the track between the two cars.

Thought I saw a comparison chart that shows the same springs and sway bars between the PP and a non-HP DH? I thought there was some "marketing speak" which is why I posted.

Read somewhere there is only like a tenth of a second difference 0-60mph between the DH and the GT? So Im not really gravitating to the DH for that extra horse power.

It all started when I was at dealership waiting for my car to get the recall done, was looking at GT and DH inventory. Of course I was approached by a salesman. One thing lead to another and I got a good offer for mine and a good offer for what I was looking at.

Im thinking there will be better re-sale value with a DH down the road? Retiring in 4 yrs, will likely sell it and spend my glory days actually building old muscle cars, for now I am going to enjoy these amazing new mustangs. Since price and performance are so close between the DH non-HP and a GT PP Im going for the DH for the tremec and interior.

I have another question. Regarding tuning. My experience in American muscle goes way back ;-). I understand a little about tuning, but tuning seems to be more for automatics correct? If/when tunings are available how much will it benefit a manual trans car?

Thanks all for your help!

 

[Alan Applegate]

It should go without mentioning... There is more to the Dark Horse than just the tranny. The engine's internals are different (stronger) and can better handle the extra loads imposed by a Whipple add-on.

 

[robvas]

Except that is utter BS and just marketing speak. Lol

It was the same with the Mach 1s. I had one so I know all about it. "Special chassis tuning" just refers the alignment and the adjustable camber plates (if equipped).

Both the PP and DH cars have the same Magnaride. Contrary to myth, THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE IN THE MAGNARIDE SYSTEM between the two cars. This was confirmed by Ford with the Mach 1s. It is the exact same system. The Magneride system used in the Mustang isn't made by Ford and is not tunable.

https://www.mustang7g.com/forums/threads/magneride-various-calibration-configurations.158062/

 

[Junkyard Dog]

There are companies that offer tuning for the magneride suspension in Corvettes - I was considering buying a C7 Z06 at one point, and the forum members for that car raved about the magneride tunes of one person in particular, claiming that it vastly increased the handling, especially on keeping the rear end planted while applying throttle out of a turn.

 

[AZ_Ryan]

https://www.mustang7g.com/forums/threads/magneride-various-calibration-configurations.158062/

And?

 

[Junkyard Dog]

And?

And what? Did you click on the link?

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