2011 Mustang to get new enigine!

In my opinion this is the bigger news:

LOS ANGELES -- The 2011 Ford Mustang with a new V-6 engine will be priced under the rival Chevrolet Camaro when it arrives at dealerships next month. Ford Motor Co. says the 3.7-liter V-6 version will start at $22,995, including shipping. The Camaro with a 3.6-liter V-6 starts at $23,530. Ford's 5.0-liter V-8 starts at $30,495 and the V-8 premium starts at $33,695. Both prices include shipping. Both the V-6 and V-8 engines are all aluminum with new six-speed transmissions. The V-6 Mustang produces 305 horsepower and 280 pounds-feet of torque. It earns 31 mpg highway. The V-8 produces 412 hp and 390 pounds-feet of torque while getting 26 mpg. The V-6 Camaro produces 304 hp and gets 29 mpg highway. Added safety features include rear fold-down headrests. You can reach Jamie LaReau at jlareau@crain.com. Read more: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100324/RETAIL01/100329940/1424#ixzz0jDXhupl6

Haven't ever said it, but the mustang has a sexy engine bay!

See that tube running from cold air intake to firewall... it pipes in the engine sounds when you step on it.

Spent all of Tuesday & yesterday driving it through Topanga Canyon, that exhaust sounded real good echoing off the tunnel walls. Day one was spent in the V6, those opting for this car aren't going to feel short-changed.

I'm just hoping this means the 05-06 prices are going to fall through the floor.

z31maniac wrote: I'm just hoping this means the 05-06 prices are going to fall through the floor.

+1. They are dropping. I've seen my combination (V8 / manual) as low as $13K. Once it crosses the $10K threshold, I'm not sure if I'll be able to stop myself.

As I've said, the new coyote motor means I'll be getting a supercharger as soon as I can. Which ain't soon. THe new 5.o is a sexy beast in that engine bay. It makes my 4.6 look like a tractor motor or forklift parts by comparison.

DILYSI Dave wrote:

z31maniac wrote: I'm just hoping this means the 05-06 prices are going to fall through the floor.

+1. They are dropping. I've seen my combination (V8 / manual) as low as $13K. Once it crosses the $10K threshold, I'm not sure if I'll be able to stop myself.

Precisely the price threshold I'm looking at, although I'd still be willing to pay a bit more for lower mileage/better condition one. Enough I might even consider selling my mint '91 318is.

I'm hoping that not too much changes under the hood so eventually the 5.0 might be a drop-in in the 05-06s!!!!

This may be one of the few cars produced in the last 5 years that you can actually see the ENGINE when you open the hood and not just a plastic representation of what they think an engine should look like. I mean I'm sure they have some plastic in there to clean it up but it's the best i've seen in awhile.

Are those valve covers I see? I'd almost forgot what one (or two) looked like.

miatame wrote: This may be one of the few cars produced in the last 5 years that you can actually see the ENGINE when you open the hood and not just a plastic representation of what they think an engine should look like. Are those valve covers I see? I'd almost forgot what one (or two) looked like.

If you look at the engine compartment in a 4.6 Mustang, which looks surprisingly like my BMW's engine with the engine cover off, you can kind of see why the covers exist. there is just a lot of crap on top of that engine. the 5.0 has covers, they just happen to be smaller and well integrated to smooth out all the ignition and wirting/hoses.

What I want to know is how much a complete 5.0 and street rod harness will end up being...

The 5.0 is already as close to a drop in as it will get. The chassis is identical. I just figure I can get more HP for less $$ by forced induction.

Not only can you see the motor when you open the hood, you can see the berkeleying pavement. There is actually enough space to see past the motor to the ground. That was one of the many reasons I bought one.

In reply to Lesley:

This is an odd question, but what is the license plate number on that car?

It is a Michigan M tag for Ford I wil bet.

Dunno. It's a 5.0. One of the Ford guys supplied the burnout, I was happy to snap away.

Hmmm, a quick check of local prices is encouraging.

It appears super clean 02-04 (yes previous generation) are already WELL BELOW $10k.

That's very tempting. I really want that V8 grumble in my life.

Yeah John, it's a Michigan car. That's all I can say, it's embargoed til Monday.

z31maniac wrote: Hmmm, a quick check of local prices is encouraging. It appears super clean 02-04 (yes previous generation) are already WELL BELOW $10k. That's very tempting. I really want that V8 grumble in my life.

'02-'04 GT nets you an iron-block 2v 4.6 (arguably the worst Mustang V8 in terms of performance) and the crappy triangulated 4-link rear suspension. If you can swing an '05, you get both the improved 3-link rear and aluminum-block 3v motor, as well as a much stiffer chassis.

^Very true. I don't really NEED another car, just want.

But a clean '03 for $7500 vs a clean 05-06 around here is around $16k.

Pretty big price difference. Although, check my thread in the main forum, I may be re-turned on to an E46 M3 after getting to drive one today.

DirtyBird222 wrote: Funny how the Camaro V6 had more horsepower than the Stang V8...hence why the Mustang got a new engine with more power. Why spend $28k on a Mustang when a $23k base V6 Camaro has just as much HP?

You implying Chevy has a 410hp+ V6? I checked and only see a "304-hp 3.6L V6 engine"

ReverendDexter wrote: '02-'04 GT nets you an iron-block 2v 4.6 (arguably the worst Mustang V8 in terms of performance)

My nominee for that title would be the 96-98 GT with the non-PI heads. A friend of mine had one with an automatic and he called it a "2-door Crown Vic". The 99-04 cars are decent except for the Quadrabind rear suspension. The aftermarket has plenty of solutions for that, but I'd probably still pay a few grand extra for the 05-up, it's a better car in every conceivable way.

kb58 wrote:

DirtyBird222 wrote: Funny how the Camaro V6 had more horsepower than the Stang V8...hence why the Mustang got a new engine with more power. Why spend $28k on a Mustang when a $23k base V6 Camaro has just as much HP?

You implying Chevy has a 410hp+ V6? I checked and only see a "304-hp 3.6L V6 engine"

The 05s had a 300hp V8, and the current Mustang's have 315.

Lesley wrote: See that tube running from cold air intake to firewall... it pipes in the engine sounds when you step on it.

BMW put this in their Z4. It's pretty cool.

DILYSI Dave wrote: I'm hoping that not too much changes under the hood so eventually the new 5.0 might be a drop-in in a Sn95!!

Edited ;) Not that I don't like my 4v, but I'd even go for a 3V swap.

confuZion3 wrote:

Lesley wrote: See that tube running from cold air intake to firewall... it pipes in the engine sounds when you step on it.

BMW put this in their Z4. It's pretty cool.

That's a great idea, every car should pipe in the sound from a mustang V8

That tube's named after the engineer that came up with the idea, Steve something or other...

Oh cripes, did it sound good going through the mountain tunnels in Topanga Canyon. I kept downshifting and gassing it (revs up to 7,000) with the windows down.