[cal_gecko]

I haven't driven a Mustang with the Performance Package yet .. but I have driven one (a 2012 V6/Manual) without it, and was a little disappointed with how mushy the suspension felt. I've got a 2012 V6/Manual with PP on hold with deposit at a dealership, and will be picking it up next week... I'm curious how much better the handling/suspension is on the PP versus non-PP?

I know it won't handle as good as my current car (1994 Miata with Bilstein HD shocks, upgraded springs, sway bars, roll bar, strut brace, etc), and it's a completely different type of vehicle.. but I am hoping there will be a significant difference between the PP and non-PP Mustang from a driving standpoint. I really like taking corners

I've had my Miata on the track (Thunderhill Raceway) a few times and it's fun turning faster lap times in an old Miata than what many guys in new Corvettes are capable of doing!

 

[Strange Mud]

http://www.allfordmustangs.com/foru...60437-open-invatation-new-england-cruise.html

the 1st post in this thread links to a review that GT made after trying both a rental v6 then mine....it doesn't drive as fun as a Miata but for a big car it's great. The two biggest things are the upgraded tires and the 3.31 read end. #rd gear is the monster gear you can keep in it till 80+ it's a hoot.

biased opinion

 

[Ltngdrvr]

Before the boss came out, the Performance Package V6 was the best handling and stopping Mustang made.

The handling difference between a base car and the PP will be very dramatic.

 

[Guest]

You really think it's a drastic difference? Do the springs make that big of a diff?

 

[cal_gecko]

You really think it's a drastic difference? Do the springs make that big of a diff?

More than just springs

3.31 rear end gears
larger sway bars (front and rear)
upgraded brake calipers and pads
front shock tower brace
Higher performance, low profile tires
Upgraded springs

 

[jonDwon]

You really think it's a drastic difference? Do the springs make that big of a diff?

Yes, it is a drastic difference. I first test drove a manual base then test drove my performance pack model and it felt like a whole different car. :bigthumbsup

 

[gt1120]

Enough of a difference to be well worth the extra cost. IMO.

 

[Rockaholic]

I hate to be the debby downer here but compared to my ford lightning it handles like crap! I was not very impressed with its characteristics. Yes it is "ok" for what it is. But all i did to my lightning.. and dont forget this is a 1995 lightning.. big and bulky! I added gen 2 rims and had 295/45/r18 tires on all four corners... 2" drop shackles, and 1"lower springs on the front.. autozone shocks.. think that how you spell it.. and a nice alignment.. I will put money down all day that my lightning could handle more of a turn than this car. This car sways way to much for my comfort. I can barley take an on ramp at 80 and when i hit 85 the back tires start to hop. Proven time and time again.

When you shift using a manual the transfer is so squishy i almost get whip lash with the forward and backward movement. And i shift VERY VERY fast, precise, and full throttle once i hit gear again.

Don't get me wrong. For a factory car it is great. But after being spoiled by a truck that out performs a car i was not very impressed with the PP.

And I literally had no other upgrades... and drive the same, biggest difference would be the lightning was an auto and mustang a manual.

It just struck me odd that the cay with all this suspension would sway SOOOOOO much!

 

[FNGFOG]

Actually Car and Driver said the PP V6 mustang handled better on the skidpad and stopped shorter than the Boss 302 ..FNGFOG:bigthumbsup:bigthumbsup

braking V6 wins by 8 ft
skidpad V6 wins .95 vs .90

 

[Guest]

Enough of a difference to be well worth the extra cost. IMO.

Unless you're a compulsive modder

I wouldn't mind the wheels (they're sick) or the 3.31 but I'm shooting for better-than-boss handling so the PP stuff would have gone to the swap meet pile anyway.

Also, are better brakes needed? I got hawk pads and plan to add ducts but even stock this car has by far the best brakes I've used.

 

[Guest]

I'm guessing the PP magic is all in the tires.

 

[Ltngdrvr]

I hate to be the debby downer here but compared to my ford lightning it handles like crap! I was not very impressed with its characteristics. Yes it is "ok" for what it is. But all i did to my lightning.. and dont forget this is a 1995 lightning.. big and bulky! I added gen 2 rims and had 295/45/r18 tires on all four corners... 2" drop shackles, and 1"lower springs on the front.. autozone shocks.. think that how you spell it.. and a nice alignment.. I will put money down all day that my lightning could handle more of a turn than this car. This car sways way to much for my comfort. I can barley take an on ramp at 80 and when i hit 85 the back tires start to hop. Proven time and time again.

When you shift using a manual the transfer is so squishy i almost get whip lash with the forward and backward movement. And i shift VERY VERY fast, precise, and full throttle once i hit gear again.

Don't get me wrong. For a factory car it is great. But after being spoiled by a truck that out performs a car i was not very impressed with the PP.

And I literally had no other upgrades... and drive the same, biggest difference would be the lightning was an auto and mustang a manual.

It just struck me odd that the cay with all this suspension would sway SOOOOOO much!

Your experience is in the minority, most have just the opposite opinion about the Mustang V6 Performance Package.

I have a '94 Lightning myself, and it is all stock and they do handle really well but the PP car in the hands of an experienced driver would run off and leave it on the track.

I'm guessing the PP magic is all in the tires.

You'd be guessing wrong then.

Tires are a big part but there's a lot more to it than that.

 

[Rockaholic]

I have a '94 Lightning myself, and it is all stock and they do handle really well but the PP car in the hands of an experienced driver would run off and leave it on the track.

I can say the same for the lightning.. if someone is of course experienced and the other is not as experienced they should be able to leave them vehicle for vehicle. But again. Yours is stock. Do the additions i had on mine and camber in .5 degrees with the toe angled slightly out with those wide tires on the front and that truck grips soooo hard and doesnt roll. I guess it is just an opinion and we are all entitled to one. I ran at a industrial track with my truck after street sweeper and did same thing with the mustang and the truck had it hands down. Not by much, but enough to say i was impressed and upset i got rid of it.

I give koodos to everyone who loves it, and i am not saying it is not worth the money, it is alone in rims IMO... but i just was not as impressed with it as i thought i would be.

 

[donfromnaples]

1995 Lightning

60-0 braking distances (7.2 seconds and 143 feet). The Lightning managed to edge out the 454 SS in the quarter mile (15.6 seconds/87.4 mph versus 15.8/84.7), skidpad (0.84 g versus 0.78), and slalom (62.2 mph versus 60.7)

Not really in the Mustang's league. But for 1996, it was pretty good. I had a 1996 MX-6 that was surprising great in the handling and braking department, just a bit slow 0-60 mph (7.5 seconds)

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

I haven't driven a Mustang with the Performance Package yet .. but I have driven one (a 2012 V6/Manual) without it, and was a little disappointed with how mushy the suspension felt. I've got a 2012 V6/Manual with PP on hold with deposit at a dealership, and will be picking it up next week... I'm curious how much better the handling/suspension is on the PP versus non-PP?

Its night and day. I found the handling of the standard GT and V6 to be VERY mushy to use your words. Everyone has different wants and needs but I could not have lived with those. The GT Brembo package and the V6 Performance package are like entirely different cars when pushed. Its a combination of suspension and tires. If you want to drive a stock setup these are the way to go. If its primarily a track car, skip the packages since you'll want to replace everything anyway.

 

[spaz2203]

My PP handles AMAZING, I am impressed for a stock car.

Sent from my SGH-I777 using Tapatalk 2

 

[TRMNTR]

I also think my PP handles amazing. Very happy with it.

Sent from my GT-P6210 using AutoGuide.Com Free App

 

[cal_gecko]

Thanks for all the responses.. I'm glad to hear from folks who have driven both a standard V6 and a PP V6, and that it's a significant difference. Heck, the sidewall height on the tires is enough to make a difference, not even considering the other advantages of the PP.

I would like it to be a little bit lower, but in looking around, it looks like a good set of springs can be had for less than $300... that may be an upgrade for later down the road

 

[RodgerJerney]

After a ride in my Perf Pac car, my friend bought a `12 vert. He isn't at all happy with the ride and handling of his new vert. He said at 90 mph, in a straight line, he was starting to get uncomfortable with it. To paraphrase, he said it was mushy, floaty and disconnected. He raved about how my car felt.

I've been on Putnam Road Course on motorcycles. The track is a differnt world. Haven't had the car on the track. But I will say, that on the curvy roads around here, the car has bigger balls than I do. I haven't done it, but I'll bet that a PP car can pull so much g force for so long without strain, it'll wear out the average guy.

For a guy like me that doesn't want to spend a lot of time and money re-doing a lot of stuff, the Perf Pac option is the way to go. Glad I did. Added bonus: you don't see many PP cars on the street.

 

[Careener]

I own a 12 v6 perf pkg and track it regularly (road course)
It is a great handler. The brakes do heat up pretty easily though.