Dark Horse v. GT Performance Package Differences

[Mustang406]

From what I can tell, they get the same sized wheels and tires.

They both can come with Magneride dampers.

Both come with Brembo 6 piston front brakes and 4-piston rears.

It seems they are the same, in terms of suspension and handling, unless there are some "other" differences. If so, what are the differences? Show off your brand knowledge and save me from a life of wearing white New Balance shoes at Corvette meets!

Suspension tuning "should" be different on the base DH vs GT PP. I am assuming the difference is similar to the 2021 GT PP and the base Mach 1. The suspension differences will be subtle but noticeable.

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[RLE55]

I have a GT premium, PP, MR, Active exhaust in manual. I drove a dark horse at the Ford performance school and honestly couldn’t really tell the difference in speed or handling (although the DH was an auto, so there’s that) I’m fine with the lesser tranny but I did put a MGW short throw on it that was an improvement. If $ isn’t the biggest issue the. why not go DH but for me I got the best I could afford and have zero regrets. It’s been about a year and I still smile when I walk up to it.

 

[RaceRedder]

2024+ F-150 has entered the chat

I didn't understand this post until someone else asked what you meant by that.

I don't see it on the F150, but I actually don't care about how other cars look like. For me it's only the Mustang that I'm following since many years ago and it hurts a bit to see a top range model look bad. But I'm happy with the looks of the GT.

 

[Dxm]

and you also get the "speedbump scraper" in the front...

 

[Paul's stable]

Right, but suspension-wise, they seem "fungible"

Different sway bar size and sits 1 inch lower.

 

[LoneRanger57]

Simple for me, I get just about the same fun factor in my GT PP for over 20k less than the DH.
It's a matter of economics, not a matter of my car is more badass than yours

 

[GrabberB]

From what I can tell, they get the same sized wheels and tires.

They both can come with Magneride dampers.

Both come with Brembo 6 piston front brakes and 4-piston rears.

It seems they are the same, in terms of suspension and handling, unless there are some "other" differences. If so, what are the differences? Show off your brand knowledge and save me from a life of wearing white New Balance shoes at Corvette meets!

A couple comments...

1. The GT PP includes an engine oil cooler.
2. MagneRide is an option not part of the PP.
3. I believe others have stated this.... Tire size? Depends on whether you're comparing a DH w/HP vs. DH to a GT PP.
4. Not mentioned but.... Active Exhaust is an option regardless of package or trim.

 

[BreadBurner]

IIRC, the MT-82 can actually handle a fair bit of additional power, and better than the TR-3160. so, if you plan to make a lot of power, you might be in better shape with the GT's manual transmission than the DH's

how would the MT-82 be able to hold more power than the tr-3160 if the mt-82 has been prone to lockout, occasional grind, and all sorts of problems from it not being mounted to the body? Shouldn't the Tremec on paper be more durable against additional power?

 

[Old School1]

Ahhh yes, I forgot the Tremec! The reason I have the A10

I like my 6-speed and have not had any issues of the past. it is hard to get out of the penalty box from past issues

 

[Jonyxz]

A PP with comparable options of the regular DH is 67k
https://shop.ford.com/configure/mus...P8C..PJS...60G.COU.96D.45B.19X.17P.GT.YZTAC.]

A regular DH is 71k.
Just 4k more than the "comparable" GT(not 20k as someone stated)and still doesnt have all the goodies the DH has standard such as tremec, coolers, rods, calibrations...
https://shop.ford.com/configure/mus...ang|2025|1|1.|700A.P8R..PG1...COU.MAC.YZTAC.]

There's a missconcept that the Dark Horse is overpriced compared to a GT. They're actually very close when compared properly.

bottom line...
If you want magnaride and manual transmission(and can afford it) then the DH is a better package.
If you're ok with the a10, dont take it to the track and dont want magnaride then go with a regular GT PP.

 

[Mustang406]

how would the MT-82 be able to hold more power than the tr-3160 if the mt-82 has been prone to lockout, occasional grind, and all sorts of problems from it not being mounted to the body? Shouldn't the Tremec on paper be more durable against additional power?

The 3160 is a great tranny but it is pretty light duty. The 6060 can handle more power and that is why the 6060 came in the 14 GT500.

People have put some big power in front of the MT-82 and not had an issue.

 

[snakeyes]

Tremec
Engine oil, transmission, differencial coolers
Gt500 connecting rods
Different Crankshaft, camshafts
Extra HP
Louder exhaust
Chassis tuning
Steering more sensitive
2 piece front rotors

HP gets additional goodies

Don't forget the $20K difference as well if you think the above list is worth $20K go for it, you can do a lot of upgrades to that GT with $20K Whipple, Twin Turbo, wheels, tires, suspension, exhaust, coolers and still have money left over

 

[Jonyxz]

Don't forget the $20K difference as well if you think the above list is worth $20K go for it, you can do a lot of upgrades to that GT with $20K Whipple, Twin Turbo, wheels, tires, suspension, exhaust, coolers and still have money left over

What 20k difference are you talking about???

Between a magneride gt and a dh there's only 4k difference

 

[Mustang406]

What 20k difference are you talking about???

Between a magneride gt and a dh there's only 4k difference

Without Nite Pony and some other options I built on the website a 2025 GT PP Magneride Active Exhaust Premium for 62xxx. Almost 9k difference from the base DH. If I'm throwing 9k into mods then I am buying a base GT Premium at 51xxx and then I would have almost 20k difference for a lot of mods.

The options on the S650 seem a lot more expensive than the S550. Maybe they aren't but sure seems that way. You can actually option a GT to 67k that is crazy.

 

[Jonyxz]

Without Nite Pony and some other options I built on the website a 2025 GT PP Magneride Active Exhaust Premium for 62xxx. Almost 9k difference from the base DH. If I'm throwing 9k into mods then I am buying a base GT Premium at 51xxx and then I would have almost 20k difference for a lot of mods.

The options on the S650 seem a lot more expensive than the S550. Maybe they aren't but sure seems that way. You can actually option a GT to 67k that is crazy.

Thats my point: if you load a GT with the options you get on a base DH you get too close to its price and still not get a lot of stuff. A GT is worth it only skipping a lot of options.

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