New S197

[RuffnerRacing]

I want to build the perfect car for less than 22K! I bought a motor out of a 2009 GT500 and brought it to a local speedshop that actually specializes in those motors. I’m expecting to make 800HP I bought a 2009 mustang GT with a blown motor and I want to build this car’s suspension. I’m coming from drag racing and now I want a canyon killer, I have to put down a 1:34 at laguna seca. Here’s what I’m looking to buy and install in my car I’m hoping someone with experience can comment and push me in the right direction!
I have steeda suspension in my foxbody and it handles well so I started there
I’m looking to buy all three stages of the handling kit to get their adjustable sway bars non adjustable shocks and struts springs and control arms along with an adjustable banhard bar strut mount and front sway bar mount
I want the cortex watts link with the torque bar
And I’m looking at the wilwood six piston brake kit
CorteX Racing Mustang Rear Suspension System - RSS-40-2000
Steeda Stage 1 - 555 2114
Stage 2 - 555 2224
Stage 3 - 555 2350
Wilwood front brake kit - Z59-S5MK-2300-UF
All this totals almost $9,000 and I would still need rims tires some better rear brakes and a transmission so if anyone has experience with these kits I would love Feedback before I buy and if anyone knows of better suspension please let me know I want to be able to put down 800HP and I don’t care one bit about ride quality I just want the fast lap times also I could use some input on gearing and suggestions for limited slip differentials
Lastly do you need a banhard bar if I have a watts link and is 18 Inch rims really the magic number for racing

 

[GriffX]

No racing experience beside high speed German Autobahn
There is somewhere a Vorschlag Racing blog where they build a racing Mustang.
From my personal modification effort the flat front undertray is a huge win on the Autobahn in front end stability and the S650 underbody strikes right after the front tires helps too.

 

[fast Ed]

If you want an S197 for cornering, you’re handicapping it by starting with an iron block 5.4 SC. Look at the curb weight of 07-10 GT500 vs. GT … it’s about 400 lbs. difference from the iron block, supercharger, and beefier trans, and all in the front of the car. I have a 12 GT500 with the alloy block (approx 100 lbs. lighter) and the nose weight is still very apparent. I used to have an 07 GT with modded suspension for comparison.

Not saying you can’t make it work, but a built Coyote swap would make more sense to me for your intended usage.

 

[JC SSP]

Sounds like a cool project.

Post some pics of the car and the parts.

 

[RuffnerRacing]

the stock motor before any work

 

[1 Alibi 2]

Welcome to the s197 forum, good luck with your project..

 

[AHaze]

How do you feel about cutting the firewall? I would think moving that engine as far back as possible will be a big help. It may also allow you to use a transmission with a direct mounted shifter instead of the normal S197 remote mount "gear suggestion maker"

 

[RuffnerRacing]

I’m ok with cutting out the firewall and taking out the dash I also want a roll cage I did switch a few things up on my list I’m thinking of getting the steeda front end swaybar and links along with there tie rod ends and swaybar mount and then using the BC racing ER kit if anyone has a better suggestion for suspension or if anyone knows someone in Southern California that can put in a roll cage for a reasonable price I’m open to more suggestions I’m adding the fire wall and the skid plate to my idea wall now but what would I do for motor mounts if I push the motor back because typically the mounts would sit right above the K Member

 

[RuffnerRacing]

Also might buy this GEN3 2.9L supercharger it has 50K miles on it

 

[SilverMustangGT]

I have a few Steeda parts on my 2008 Mustang GT, but don't have the Stage kits you mentioned. I have their adjustable motor mounts, front adjustable sway bar, and rear lower control arms.
I think coilovers will be your best option for handling. It lets you customize the spring rates and corner balance your car. Cortex and Vorshlag make nice coilovers, but I went with the cheaper option made by Ground Control.

Keeping the intake air temperatures under control is the challenge with supercharger. The Department of Boost should have some options that will help you. I installed their supercharger kit with the Super Single heat exchanger on my car.

I also bought a hood from a junkyard and installed race louvers to help with intake air temperatures.

 

[Recon]

Ambitious project. Look forward to the progress.

But I agree with Ed, you’d be better off with a coyote in that car. Or at the very least try to find a aluminum condor block, and use that.

 

[DieHarder]

If money were no object I'd take it to Cortex for their entire handling package but that setup will eat up your entire budget and then some.

 

[RuffnerRacing]

Well this is what I have so far I moved away from the Cortex rear end I spent most of my money on a really nice set of coil overs along with APEX rims I got 6 piston Brembo brakes along with DOT4 and Kenny Brown racing brake cooling kit and Goodyear super car R3 tires I do have a heat exchanger and an inner cooler! As far as switching engines I’m too far along with my motor now and I actually built the car around the engine because I got the engine for such a good deal and I expect it to make a lot of power I trust this block to make power reliably I put a lot of eggs in the 5.4L basket lol I am making a YouTube video putting the car together in about a month or so when I get back to California!

 

[RuffnerRacing]

 

[RuffnerRacing]