GT500KR
03-31-2007, 09:05 PM
#13
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That's the conundrum that Ford is in. They can continue to build it the way they have and keep costs down, but weight goes up. Or they can implement aluminum parts of the engine block (might compromise the ability of their huge aftermarket to add hp), and even body parts to pare down the weight, but it would increase costs of the car. They could probably cut a good 300-400 lbs off the car if they made the block aluminum, and implemented an aluminum body/frame. But the question is how many mustang owners would be willing to pay that much more for it.
03-31-2007, 11:22 PM
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They have already used an aluminum block in past Cobras and the Mach 1. I'm not sure why they went for the iron block in the 03-04 cars, since it has been demonstrated the aluminum block was the strongest. It clearly wasn't due to any weakness in the aluminum block. I'm fairly certain the use of the iron block has to do with power output. Iron retains heat better, and all else being equal, an iron block is going to make more power than an AL block.
You'd save less than 100 pounds by going with AL instead of iron in the block. Going with an aluminum body structure would just add ridiculous expense to a car that is supposed to be affordable. And if you let people drive two otherwise identical cars, the heavier one is going to get better marks on ride, because a heavier chassis tends to react less to road imperfections. So if you use any kind of focus group to determine future production trends, heavier is going to win out. Just read al the reviews favoring the newer car over the smaller, lighter, more aerodynamic previous generation. The public can be stupid, and people who review cars are often the pinnacle of that stupidity.
You'd save less than 100 pounds by going with AL instead of iron in the block. Going with an aluminum body structure would just add ridiculous expense to a car that is supposed to be affordable. And if you let people drive two otherwise identical cars, the heavier one is going to get better marks on ride, because a heavier chassis tends to react less to road imperfections. So if you use any kind of focus group to determine future production trends, heavier is going to win out. Just read al the reviews favoring the newer car over the smaller, lighter, more aerodynamic previous generation. The public can be stupid, and people who review cars are often the pinnacle of that stupidity.
04-01-2007, 12:47 AM
#15
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Originally Posted by GT_2003,Mar 31 2007, 11:22 PM
They have already used an aluminum block in past Cobras and the Mach 1. I'm not sure why they went for the iron block in the 03-04 cars, since it has been demonstrated the aluminum block was the strongest. It clearly wasn't due to any weakness in the aluminum block. I'm fairly certain the use of the iron block has to do with power output. Iron retains heat better, and all else being equal, an iron block is going to make more power than an AL block.
You'd save less than 100 pounds by going with AL instead of iron in the block. Going with an aluminum body structure would just add ridiculous expense to a car that is supposed to be affordable. And if you let people drive two otherwise identical cars, the heavier one is going to get better marks on ride, because a heavier chassis tends to react less to road imperfections. So if you use any kind of focus group to determine future production trends, heavier is going to win out. Just read al the reviews favoring the newer car over the smaller, lighter, more aerodynamic previous generation. The public can be stupid, and people who review cars are often the pinnacle of that stupidity.
You'd save less than 100 pounds by going with AL instead of iron in the block. Going with an aluminum body structure would just add ridiculous expense to a car that is supposed to be affordable. And if you let people drive two otherwise identical cars, the heavier one is going to get better marks on ride, because a heavier chassis tends to react less to road imperfections. So if you use any kind of focus group to determine future production trends, heavier is going to win out. Just read al the reviews favoring the newer car over the smaller, lighter, more aerodynamic previous generation. The public can be stupid, and people who review cars are often the pinnacle of that stupidity.
Also this block is part of the modular motor series.
In effect, they saved additional monies from design, materials, and tooling because the block is used all over the place in their vehicle range.
04-01-2007, 06:29 PM
#19
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Originally Posted by umop-apisdn,Apr 1 2007, 05:27 PM
So, what's the excuse for no IRS this time?
04-01-2007, 07:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Fanman,Mar 31 2007, 09:05 PM
That's the conundrum that Ford is in. They can continue to build it the way they have and keep costs down, but weight goes up. Or they can implement aluminum parts of the engine block (might compromise the ability of their huge aftermarket to add hp), and even body parts to pare down the weight, but it would increase costs of the car. They could probably cut a good 300-400 lbs off the car if they made the block aluminum, and implemented an aluminum body/frame. But the question is how many mustang owners would be willing to pay that much more for it.
People are already stupid enough to pay 60 - 80k on a car like this so why wouldn't they pay for the weight reduction and thus better performance.
I'm a die hard Mustang fan but I'm really getting sick of seeing these so called limited edition, only going to make 1000 of them, pay the ADM or don't get one, specials. Ford needs to focus on the base car which is their bread and butter. There's a lot of competition coming out in the form of the Camaro and Challenger. IMO they will give the Mustang a lot of heat and if Ford doesn't watch it their going to get left behind.
Like some one posted above, the Mustang is about cheap performance. That's why it's been so successful for all these years.