My Mustang Journey

[DFB5.0]

Thanks Deyon! Yeah its been a long wait but this car is just so epic, that it was all worth it. I just cant stop smiling when I drive it. Someone asked me just now how good the audio system is. I had to confess that I really dont know. I havent turned it on at all. Havent listened to a single song. Not tested at all. I'm just in track exhaust, with the auto rev matching on, and both windows cracked open all the time. This car does not need an audio system!
A friend of mine had an S550 with an H-pipe, and after driving this today, he said he honestly would just leave it alone. Its deeper and more throaty that his car he reckons. I'm sure its not as loud, but it just sounds epic.

I have not gone to extreme lengths yet with detailing it, but at least I got the dealer dust off the car. I started by foaming with Gyeon Foam, a pre-wash, and then pressure rinse afterwards. Then I opened my bottle of GSF that I've been saving for this car. I ended up foaming the car for a second time with GSF and then contact wash with GSF and a new wash pad and 2-bucket method. Maybe overkill, but nothing but the best for by new baby. GSF smell's so nice. I love it.

Oh I forgot to mention. Before the wash I also cleaned the wheels. I didnt even notice when I picked up the car but weirdly one of the wheels had the generic dealer slimy tyre shine on it. I told them not to touch it, but one idiot at the dealer must have slapped that on there before someone probably shouted "You better stop that if you love to be alive!". It took me probably 5 cycles of scrubbing with Brake Buster and a tyre brush to get that crap off the tyre. Got there in the end, and its now wearing some Carpro DarkSide. I can see though this car is going to need a wheels off session. There are some black dots on the wheels which I think is the underbody protection stuff they spray on the EU and AU cars. I'm ok with that. Will get that sorted soon.
I did have a bit of the burning smell everyone talks for the first while, but weirdly I had no smoke.

Another question. My dealer left the tow hook in the boot. Does that have a better home or place where it can be stowed away? I had a very quick look but could not see where its proper home is.

Comparing my S550 with the Borla Touring, found the removal of the factory resonator, it balanced out the sound from engine to exhaust tips. With my unmodified S650, I find the noise is heavily skewed to the rear. As you say, the Active Exhaust is plenty loud, so I think there would still be a benifit of adding an X or H pipe to balance it out more.

With the tow hook, its odd that there isn't a proper location for, from memory it was stored with the mobility kit on S550. On the S650, I just wrapped it in a microfiber towel and put it with the mobility kit.

Sponsored

 

[bfets]

Comparing my S550 with the Borla Touring, found the removal of the factory resonator, it balanced out the sound from engine to exhaust tips. With my unmodified S650, I find the noise is heavily skewed to the rear. As you say, the Active Exhaust is plenty loud, so I think there would still be a benifit of adding an X or H pipe to balance it out more.

With the tow hook, its odd that there isn't a proper location for, from memory it was stored with the mobility kit on S550. On the S650, I just wrapped it in a microfiber towel and put it with the mobility kit.

Have you decided what to do with yours? X or H pipe?

 

[DFB5.0]

Have you decided what to do with yours? X or H pipe?

My S550 had the Borla resonated H-pipe, so I'd probably go for an X-pipe this time for a different tone.

My S550 was a 2016 model, so it really needed to be modified, I'd say it was quieter than the Active in Quite mode. Having said that, I think I'll be leaving the S650 alone.

 

[bfets]

My S550 had the Borla resonated H-pipe, so I'd probably go for an X-pipe this time for a different tone.

My S550 was a 2016 model, so it really needed to be modified, I'd say it was quieter than the Active in Quite mode. Having said that, I think I'll be leaving the S650 alone.

Yeah fair enough. The pre-facelift S550s were renouned for being too quiet which Ford fixed for the most part with the 2018 onwards cars.

Right now I'm with you. I don't think I'll mess with the exhaust on mine.

 

[DFB5.0]

Yeah fair enough. The pre-facelift S550s were renouned for being too quiet which Ford fixed for the most part with the 2018 onwards cars.

Right now I'm with you. I don't think I'll mess with the exhaust on mine.

I certainly wouldn't touch the exhaust tips on yours, they are simply perfection on the Darkhorse.

 

[prestj1]

Thanks Deyon! Yeah its been a long wait but this car is just so epic, that it was all worth it. I just cant stop smiling when I drive it. Someone asked me just now how good the audio system is. I had to confess that I really dont know. I havent turned it on at all. Havent listened to a single song. Not tested at all. I'm just in track exhaust, with the auto rev matching on, and both windows cracked open all the time. This car does not need an audio system!
A friend of mine had an S550 with an H-pipe, and after driving this today, he said he honestly would just leave it alone. Its deeper and more throaty that his car he reckons. I'm sure its not as loud, but it just sounds epic.

I have not gone to extreme lengths yet with detailing it, but at least I got the dealer dust off the car. I started by foaming with Gyeon Foam, a pre-wash, and then pressure rinse afterwards. Then I opened my bottle of GSF that I've been saving for this car. I ended up foaming the car for a second time with GSF and then contact wash with GSF and a new wash pad and 2-bucket method. Maybe overkill, but nothing but the best for by new baby. GSF smell's so nice. I love it.

Oh I forgot to mention. Before the wash I also cleaned the wheels. I didnt even notice when I picked up the car but weirdly one of the wheels had the generic dealer slimy tyre shine on it. I told them not to touch it, but one idiot at the dealer must have slapped that on there before someone probably shouted "You better stop that if you love to be alive!". It took me probably 5 cycles of scrubbing with Brake Buster and a tyre brush to get that crap off the tyre. Got there in the end, and its now wearing some Carpro DarkSide. I can see though this car is going to need a wheels off session. There are some black dots on the wheels which I think is the underbody protection stuff they spray on the EU and AU cars. I'm ok with that. Will get that sorted soon.
I did have a bit of the burning smell everyone talks for the first while, but weirdly I had no smoke.

Another question. My dealer left the tow hook in the boot. Does that have a better home or place where it can be stowed away? I had a very quick look but could not see where its proper home is.

There is a spot for it under the boot floor where the can of gunk is the fix flats

 

[bfets]

There is a spot for it under the boot floor where the can of gunk is the fix flats

Thanks. I'll have a better look tomorrow and check it out

 

[kuribojim]

I've been waiting for my Mustang for 3 years and 1 month. After it finally arrived in November, it was further delayed by the 24C35 stop sale/recall. Today, after overcoming numerous hurdles, I finally took delivery! It feels like I ran a marathon with many highs and lows, but I got there in the end. So far, the car is everything I dreamed it would be. I've already put 130 km on it today, just getting acquainted with the car and brushing off 15 years of rust on my manual driving skills. I'm surprised how quickly it all came back. I told the dealer not to wash the car, so detailing it is my first job tomorrow morning – it's a little dusty. Thanks to the community here for all the support. It not only made the lows bearable but also made the highs even higher. Being able to share our passion for these cars is something special. Special thanks to @DFB5.0 and @5.0ALM for sharing their valuable thoughts, videos and information. It feels like I know you all, even though we've never met. Pity I'm on the other side of the country or I would have bought you all a beer!

Some photos of me and my son picking up the car today:

Was a little bit worried she might not fit in the garage, but fits:

This beast is finally home

So happy for you! I joined this forum only recently due to the recall stuff, and until now I hadn't read your original message with your full story. Wow. What an incredible journey, haha. Now I don't feel quite so bad with my relatively short wait.

Your car is STUNNING mate. What a gorgeous thing. So glad to hear you're enjoying it already.

 

[bfets]

So happy for you! I joined this forum only recently due to the recall stuff, and until now I hadn't read your original message with your full story. Wow. What an incredible journey, haha. Now I don't feel quite so bad with my relatively short wait.

Your car is STUNNING mate. What a gorgeous thing. So glad to hear you're enjoying it already.

Thanks mate. It's been quite the journey. Some have an easy one, some hard, but in the end it's all worth it

 

[N1T3MRE]

Thanks Deyon! Yeah its been a long wait but this car is just so epic, that it was all worth it. I just cant stop smiling when I drive it. Someone asked me just now how good the audio system is. I had to confess that I really dont know. I havent turned it on at all. Havent listened to a single song. Not tested at all. I'm just in track exhaust, with the auto rev matching on, and both windows cracked open all the time. This car does not need an audio system!
A friend of mine had an S550 with an H-pipe, and after driving this today, he said he honestly would just leave it alone. Its deeper and more throaty that his car he reckons. I'm sure its not as loud, but it just sounds epic.

I have not gone to extreme lengths yet with detailing it, but at least I got the dealer dust off the car. I started by foaming with Gyeon Foam, a pre-wash, and then pressure rinse afterwards. Then I opened my bottle of GSF that I've been saving for this car. I ended up foaming the car for a second time with GSF and then contact wash with GSF and a new wash pad and 2-bucket method. Maybe overkill, but nothing but the best for by new baby. GSF smell's so nice. I love it.

Oh I forgot to mention. Before the wash I also cleaned the wheels. I didnt even notice when I picked up the car but weirdly one of the wheels had the generic dealer slimy tyre shine on it. I told them not to touch it, but one idiot at the dealer must have slapped that on there before someone probably shouted "You better stop that if you love to be alive!". It took me probably 5 cycles of scrubbing with Brake Buster and a tyre brush to get that crap off the tyre. Got there in the end, and its now wearing some Carpro DarkSide. I can see though this car is going to need a wheels off session. There are some black dots on the wheels which I think is the underbody protection stuff they spray on the EU and AU cars. I'm ok with that. Will get that sorted soon.
I did have a bit of the burning smell everyone talks for the first while, but weirdly I had no smoke.

Another question. My dealer left the tow hook in the boot. Does that have a better home or place where it can be stowed away? I had a very quick look but could not see where its proper home is.

Hey bfets,

I was looking at an X pipe for the DH to replace the resonator - but a strange thing happened around 1400km - it actually got a more throaty and deeper sound, even to the point where my wife thought I was driving around town in Track mode - but was definitely in Sport (my go to mode for everything) - it also started making a lot of lovely popping noises as well in sport - especially when leaving it in 2nd and coasting up to a red light, it emits a beautiful symphony as the car comes to a stop......now when it is in Track mode, it is crazy loud, and cracks and pops on every up and down shift, or even lifting of throttle under deceleration. Also noticed that the induction noise is more pronounced now as well when blipping the throttle at idle - almost sounds like a small SC is tucked under the bonnet, checked the filters and no holes, but filthy as, so going to invest in a good quality replacement.

The warm up idle has also changed as well, it idles down fairly quickly now to a very low rhythmic thumping.

So I am sort of sitting on the fence now, I really do enjoy the sound and the driving experience at this time.

But have noted that the RHS headers have been cut and shut with a slightly smaller diameter pipe - so may just go a set of headers.

Have tried to google to find out why, and have only seen one other person mention same thing, but think it may have hit a timing milestone and learnt itself a new tune - seeing how the program is locked, its a little hard to confirm.......but throttle response has changed, sound has changed, idle reverberation has changed.....and I am not complaining.

Side note - still doing Supercharger, just waiting for new bonnet and tower brace to come out to suit

 

[bfets]

Hey bfets,

I was looking at an X pipe for the DH to replace the resonator - but a strange thing happened around 1400km - it actually got a more throaty and deeper sound, even to the point where my wife thought I was driving around town in Track mode - but was definitely in Sport (my go to mode for everything) - it also started making a lot of lovely popping noises as well in sport - especially when leaving it in 2nd and coasting up to a red light, it emits a beautiful symphony as the car comes to a stop......now when it is in Track mode, it is crazy loud, and cracks and pops on every up and down shift, or even lifting of throttle under deceleration. Also noticed that the induction noise is more pronounced now as well when blipping the throttle at idle - almost sounds like a small SC is tucked under the bonnet, checked the filters and no holes, but filthy as, so going to invest in a good quality replacement.

The warm up idle has also changed as well, it idles down fairly quickly now to a very low rhythmic thumping.

So I am sort of sitting on the fence now, I really do enjoy the sound and the driving experience at this time.

But have noted that the RHS headers have been cut and shut with a slightly smaller diameter pipe - so may just go a set of headers.

Have tried to google to find out why, and have only seen one other person mention same thing, but think it may have hit a timing milestone and learnt itself a new tune - seeing how the program is locked, its a little hard to confirm.......but throttle response has changed, sound has changed, idle reverberation has changed.....and I am not complaining.

Side note - still doing Supercharger, just waiting for new bonnet and tower brace to come out to suit

Wow that's really interesting. I'll keep an eye on mine and see if the same thing happens.
Been out all morning driving around, taking the wife out for breakfast etc. I'm becoming more familiar with it as well. The Tremec is a little stiff but I swear I can feel it loosening up already. Not sure if its my imagination but I have seen other threads on the DH, Gt350 and Mach1 saying they do loosen up a bit after the first couple thousand miles. I had it jump out of 1st at a set of lights once, but I'm pretty sure that's just me not putting it in gear properly. Still honing those manual skills which has become a bit rusty.

Only complaint so if far is a common one. I forget to turn off the stupid lane assist and then you're nagged with the idiotic "keep your hands on the wheel" message. I wonder if there's a Forscan hack to default that to off at startup.

 

[5.0ALM]

.... it also started making a lot of lovely popping noises as well in sport - especially when leaving it in 2nd and coasting up to a red light, it emits a beautiful symphony as the car comes to a stop......

Come to think of it.... I've been getting exhaust pops with my GT when down shifting into 2nd in sports mode as well. I've done 2,000km and that probably started 1,700 ish.

After reading about Frostees EPA drama , I don't want some frivolous BS complaint made to the EPA against me. Can do without that crap.

That means I self-limit my use of exhaust sports mode out of an abundance of caution .

I treat myself to the occasional sports mode with windows down when not in residential streets.

 

[DFB5.0]

Mines done the exhaust pop from new, so I'm looking forward to more of it once I get some kms on it.

With the 10-speed, you can get it to pop on decel as it shifts down the gears, especially if you lift your foot off the brake at juuuust the right moment..............pop-pop. Very fun game to play.

 

[bfets]

For once, my Saturday wasn't spent detailing.

Got the CTEK MXS 5.0 pigtail installed.

Also got the SVE jacking pads installed.

 

[DFB5.0]

For once, my Saturday wasn't spent detailing.

Got the CTEK MXS 5.0 pigtail installed.

Also got the SVE jacking pads installed.

Where did you get the jacking pads from?

Sponsored