When I first got my coyote 5.0 I said "my god this thing handles so much better than previous Mustangs I've driven." But literally everything he pointed out was true. The pan hard bar alone is definitely a weak link. Shoot, mine was bent when I replaced it. The stock springs were good for cruising but so damn bouncy around turns. Glad to see the progression of this-it was pretty cool. Great video.

For those of you interested in what was done to this car for Day 2 here is the list. No welding was involved for installing this these parts. To gain clearance for the torque arm we generally remove a tab on the exhaust mid-pipe clamp to allow re-clocking which are the sparks you see in the video. For one person with a lift the installation time is about 10 hours plus alignment. We did it in 3 hours with 4 guys including a quick and dirty alignment and stopped for food and filming. After the track day Mike came back for a 4-wheel laser alignment and corner balance. Next step is big, sticky tires! 1. CorteX Xtreme-Grip street front and rear coil overs with JRi double adjustable dampers, camber plates and the ability to fit 315mm tires on all 4 corners (have not done the big tires yet). The vehicle was lowered approximately 1.5 inch. 2. CorteX Xtreme-Grip street watts link with poly bushings. 3. CorteX Adjustable street tubular rear lower control arm system with geometry correction brackets. 4. CorteX Torque arm system, which does not require aftermarket exhaust in most cases. 5. Eibach 3-position adjustable front anti roll bar. CorteX Spec rear anti roll bar that is significantly softer than the OEM bar. 6. Front drop ball joints to adjust the roll center after lowering the car and a bump steer kit to match. The key to the performance is all the parts working together and knowing how to tune system around the driver.

I see some Ford butt hurt on here. you know, I used to be into that whole Ford vs Chevy vs Dodge thing...but then I grew up..and now I just love cars....just a thought.

I wish you guys would have posted the lap times and cost of parts and labor.

What was the lap time before and after? How much did all of those modifications cost? What was the on road drivability like afterwards? These are crucial bits of information you guys should have included.

Funny cause the basic reaction from Mike is exactly the same reaction I have had after completing overhauling my '12 GT suspension. Bought the car for 40, spent 10 on doing various performance mods and now I have a car that makes me smile. Hell, it drives more like a car worth 70 grand now.

Whether you like mustangs or not, this was a great video and quite eye opening.

This is probably one of my favorite videos that has ever been uploaded to youtube. You guys did a PHENOMENAL job, and it's pretty Damn cool to watch a grown man giggle like a school girl. CorteXracing, good job on the suspension build. It's absolutely amazing.

Can't wait for the new 2015 Mustang GT models to start hitting the tracks... thank you Ford for finally producing IRS as standard equipment, lol (not since the 99, 01 and 03-04 SVT Cobra) and I hear that it is a couple hundred pounds lighter, we shall see......

two important things that were left out: 1) how much does this suspension upgrade cost? 2) does it ruin the ride quality on the streeT?

Loving the E36 chasing him, lots of cool cars out there!

put a couple racing stripes and you'll gain 50hp

Among all the hateful comments, I want to say this is a really helpful video. I have an 08 GT and I know personally how bad they are at handling. I honestly want to upgrade it's handling before I do any power so this is a nice guide thanks!

Dear Mike, This has to be one of your nicest video's yet. The drive team continually manage to impress, this was a fantastic way of telling a story, please keep it up.

Hehe, the camera work during the build phase with all the people running about doing their jobs to that music gave a sense of little elfs running around in santa's toy factory. :D

Yeah, I know I'm late to the party on this one, but noticed a few interesting things watching this video: 1) Torque-arm setup is the best performing setup on a sold-axle car. Ford when a step in the right direction with the 3-link, but a proper torque-arm is still dramatically better. The improved rear suspension geometry main upgrade in this example. 2) Watt's link is great when you are wringing out every last bit of tuning, a properly designed Panhard bar still works great though. 3) Proper spring rates and shock can be dramatic as well, but improved suspension geometry can do more to balance the car's ride control and ride quality. 4) As the driving instructor pointed out, proper braking is the first step to safely entering turns. 5) Next step: tires. While comparing before and after for just suspension mods is cool, track oriented tires can be the easiest and most dramatic change you can make to shave off track time.

That's why the first mod I did was a full eibach suspension, it makes the car a seriously competent track car.

Refreshing to see a show mod a heavy street car with decent suspension first. I thoroughly enjoyed this episode. I only wish it was longer.

Awesome camera work, especially during the 'build' phase.

Filip is just one of those guys you just instantly want to be friends with. Seems like a laid back fun kind of guy.

This guy. I like this guy. Specifically, the guy at the shop turning the car into a track car. GG. the Boss was the Boss for a reason!

"OH SON!" Best Mike Musto reaction ever... That's how you know he was happy with the car!

This season is pretty awesome so far... the production value has come leaps and bounds from where it was prior... keep up the great work... simply the most bad-ass place to hang out on KZfaq... thanks Mike and et. al.

"Yeah Son" lmao

Awesomeness Mr. Musto and crew.

Awesome segment. Goes to show it's not power being the only thing that matters. It means more that you can actually use the power you have. Getting used to the car and how it handles and working to overcome its quirks and/or modifying the car to compensate for them. It's very rewarding.

One of my favorite episodes so far. Love seeing before and after mods impressions.

Almost felt philosophical. I got a 2013 v6 and I absolutely freaking love it. Even when it's completely stock, it's so much fun, I gotta get rid of that body roll though. Oddly enough, if you get a body roll on a BMW or a Nissan Maxima, even though they make similar horse power, nobody really cares because we think Mustang is a track car, when it's really not, at least not out of the box. But this video shows what it can do, when modified properly.

Always nice to see a build, hope there is more videos to the Mustang

That was a very well done video. Loved the creative "hands-on" camera angles. Filip is a heck of an engineer and his designs continue to impress. I had the opportunity to talk with him at length during the Pirelli World Challenge races in Toronto this past summer. He's a gentleman with a brilliant mind. I hope all is well Fil. Keep up the good work!

One of your best episodes yet.

Hey Musto, you just saved me a hell of a lot of time doing research. I have a 2013 GT and plan to modify it. Now I know what I'm going to do to it. Your best video so far.

Great video, guys. I hope to see more with this format.

This should be a TV show!!!!!!

Wheels and tires should ALWAYS be your first mod. The factory 255mm, Pirelli garbage gotta go.

"Thumbs-up" USA finaly fould that cars are not just there for DRAG but there's even more fun in CORNERING xD

Very informative, great job. Currently own a 14 GT/CS with total FMS suspension upgrades.

Great episode. The expert setup advice from the instructor is invaluable.

There is still a lot left in it, considering this is on the stock wheel and tire combo.

Put some lightweight 15 inch wheels and racing slicks at the track and you will see a huge difference

Great info! While my car is the puny V6, it comes similarly set up to the GT suspension wise since it has the performance pack, but there is only so much sticky Pirelli P Zeros can do. I was cracking up as Mike described the nose-heavy, brake divey, twitchy feel of the car. With 100 lbs more motor over the front, I can only imagine the GT is a little worse in those areas, but I still would love to have the extra 100+ hp. I am glad to see I was on the right track for modding my car. Power mods are and will be minimal. I'd rather put the money in the suspension and brakes. While the watts link is nice, I can do adjustable shocks, springs, camber plate, and panhard bar for about the same cost. Perfectly adequate for a street car that may see a couple of track days. Good program guys!

Sick one handed track driving bruh. Paul Walker is looking down on you with great admiration.

Beautifully edited piece here. Props to the editor. Well done.

Videos like this are why I subscribed to DRIVE. Thanks.

In short, track to identify weaknesses, and tune to fix them. For muscle cars, you may have to look at the suspension. For something like a Miata, you can add power. Simple mods like brake pads are good in general. Though it wasn't said, but tires are the most important thing and you should buy the most you can afford.

Many people are asking about price. Can’t comment on price but here’s what they changed based on the video: 1. Coilovers with camber caster plates 2. Tie rods/end links 3. (This is a guess) ball joints 4. Rear lower control arms with relocation brackets 5. Watts link 6. Sway bar relocation brackets 7. Sway bar It looks like they also did the rear brakes. All of this is what I noticed. Chime in if you see more.

1:08 "As you know my last name is not SENNA" its great to hear we dont forget legendary driver as he was...

We posted this on our Facebook page and so far we have 30,000+ views! Great video guys!

Getting real fucking tired of these Z28 comments... I'll go with a 5.0 and get the goodies that I WANT TO ADD not what Chevy wants to give me..

My coyote 5.0 was exactly like this off the lot; bouncy, wheel hop, tons of roll in the turns. I was like wtf? With all that power, it was a little dangerous for anyone who knows how a car should handle. I put on an Eibach pro suspension kit, springs, struts, shocks, roll bar, which over all lowered the car about an inch and a half. Replaced the panhard bar and lower control arms. Threw on a set of staggered Foose 20's" with Zredestein tread and it definitely got things going in the right direction. Caution: If you lower this car, get a camber kit as well or you will eat up tires quickly. This years' 5.0 definitely needs suspension upgrades.

Yes!!! Great episode!

Awesome video. Learned a lot just from this 11 minutes since I wanna build my 5.0 for the twisties.

Such a fun track to be on.

still my favorite Big Muscle video

Love it!! Great ep! Keep it coming.

That's why my car went to Shelby American. It not only get the GT350 package, I also went a couple steps further. By going with the wide-body kit. Which allows 10 inch wide wheels in the front and 13 in the back. A chassis stiffening with subframe connectors and a Watts link set up in the back. A completely adjustable front and rear suspension and lastly, 700 hp at the crank. Anymore horsepower and I would have to pull the motor and build up the bottom end. It will be track driven after the four point roll cage and fire suppression has been installed. Shelby American will not install it, because of insurance issues. Which sucks! I'm seriously considering joining the Spring Mountain Motorsport Resort. It's a beautiful track and resort just 45 minutes north of Las Vegas.

I think tires, brakes and suspension do it for having fun on a track or a winding road. No need of going super tire shredding power. Great video!

Watts linkage, just like the Aussie Falcon used from 1981 to 1998, the same setup that all V8 Supercars including GM used with a Ford 9" up till about 2011 when they went to IRS. My 97 Falcon has that with twin wish bones at the front, great handing car for its size and age.

First mods I did on my 2013 stang include koni yellow shocks and struts, eibach pro kits, steeda HD mounts and toyo tires. Believe me, the car isn't a mustang anymore. It turns fast, responsive, more stable and eliminated nose dive. Stock suspension fails a lot.

Excellent episode!

Full coilovers and tire choice should be really all a mustang needs. The coyote should handle itself just fine. Compliment the drivetrain.

I'm not sure why people say the Mustangs are not good track cars. You all may want to look at the tracks across north America and it is seems to me there are an awful lot of Mustangs competing and winning. Right out of the box these cars are very capable. Add a little bit of money and they are lethal weapon on the track.

Great Video. Mustangs can handle with the right mods. Both Cortex and Kenny Brown make some great parts to make them real corner carvers.

this video is the reason i got a mustang last year

Thank you so much for that video. I am looking for information on Mustang track tuning and this is the first video on mods that is not about drag racing or pimp my ride style mods.

I wasn't really a fan of mustangs until i drove my step dads 2014 mustang gt. Mustangs were always big and heavy and had so much body roll. But this 2014 with the track pack and recaros is an awesome ride. It handles like a sports car, its still feels heavy but it's controllable. The 6 speed manual w/ the 3.73 ratio is really close in gears. I had to get use to shifting, but after that it was smooth sailing. Suspension is tight but def wouldn't mind driving it as a daily car. Brembos were awesome. If your in the market for one, i would def get one, there practically giving them away now!

I can tell that you're impressed by the improved handling dynamics of the Mustang! Cortex seems to be situated between Grigg's Racing and Maximum Motorsports, or at least my impression. I am a fan of the current mustang, but contact patch and compound also seem to be major limitations to consistent lap times! I really enjoyed this addition to your content, and I think you have greatly improved your on air presence! Have fun with the new toy, and keep us abreast of your improvement!

This was the most enjoyable episode starring Musto that I've seen. The music seemed different throughout and created a nice atmosphere. Shazam, guys. Shazam.

There are a lot of moments when you´re driving one handed and don´t shift. Keep both hands on the wheel as long as possible. Get your body possition right. Good seat and harnesses are also vital to keep your body in the same place, so you don´t need to hold the steering wheel so tight. Lighter wheels do a lot and you don´t need slicks, there are many options in track tires. Slicks bite on the limit.

Mustangs are like the Lincoln logs or legos of the car world. They are built like blank canvases just waiting for someones imagination. Thats why i love them.

I have a Mustang GT but really a car this heavy I don't consider to be a track weapon. I might lightly mod the car like in the vid and it's fun on the track but if I want a track car I would go with something lighter. Not a Z28 as some people, laughably, suggest. I bought a 2nd car for a more serious track car a Skyline GTS-T. Something with a simple drivetrain, great handling, light, aftermarket support, etc. RWD Skyline (GTS-T/GTT), 350/370z, Miata, S2000, E30, E36, RX8/7, etc. 350/370z is the top end in terms of weight I would consider. Most of those are around 3000lbs, or less. Anything above 3300lbs is getting heavy for a track car. 3600lbs or 4000lbs is ridiculous, no point in a serious build.

Enjoyed this one .. Let's do a Camaro next. Lolz... I kid I kid. Nice show.

Great video, and it's a very scientific approach far removed from the pissing contests of inflated HP/torque figures people like to engage in. Brake, tire and suspension mods, when properly done, can be felt much more often than peak power. Let's see more of these, /DRIVE.

Fanboys watch from 4:45 to 5:15 and listen well. Ray's done a hella good job explaining.

I panicked when I couldn't find this week's "Big Muscle" thanks for the heart attack "Muscle Evolved"

Just put a Cortex watts link and torque arm on my ‘12 Mustang GT, rear of the car feels so planted

Even the passenger comments how good it has become...

Love the before/after episodes! It looks like you just put $10k of parts and service into that car though. After that significant upgrade you need to come to grip with the fact you may have started off with the wrong type of DD/track car.

Key sentence he said after all the work was done. "It's just so good, it doesn't feel like a mustang."

Those speed holes on the hood look really cool.

"OH SON! HELLO!"

This great Input on what to do with a "given" type of car, what you should have mentioned is the cost of those modifications so that your listeners can judge if they can afford them or not, I shouldn't be mentioning this.

That "I drank 4 beers" comment killed me.lmao

PS I'm sold on your torque arm! I'll be emailing you some questions. I think I'll be sticking with my konis and ffr stuff for now. But that torqe arm and watts are sick!

the filip guy is high as a kite LOL!! nice..

This is what I’ve been looking for. Thank you for the great input and facts.!

Mike Musto = God Arm?

how could you dislike this video ?

I would like to hear how that setup works on the road in those settings.... Great vid guys!!!

Great ep.! Never heard or that torque arm before.

This goes to show how important the suspension really is. Suspension is typically the first thing I do anymore.

Excellent suspension set up. I am looking forward to a similar set up for my 5.0 " black stallion"

my sn95 had bad handling too everytime id hit the track, the nosedive (as pointed out) was ridiculous and gets me everytime. Luckily, I thought of purchasing koni shocks/springs, (which I did later on) and that changed everything best $800 spent

Finally keeping up with the Miata! Lol. But yeah, Mustangs can handle well. We actually got a bunch of them in our local Autocross. I love seeing them run. Still not as competitive as the Miatas, S2000s, and BRZs. But that's to be expected from the tight courses we get around here.

Love mustangs, but I drove the Camaro ZL1 and that was one of the best track cars I have ever driven next to the Nissan GTR!

Cool! I love my 86 Mustang. A few cheap suspension mods can really turn it around.

I can't help but wonder what his impression would have been if he'd been in a 2013 BOSS. Aaahhhhh, I see. This video was actually a plug for the racing school and this tuner shop. Ok, makes sense now. Nevermind.

YEA, SON!

Great Video Mike . . . . Really Liked Video , and Advice .

Now that it's been sorted out, I hope you'll consider coming down south to run the Ultimate Street Car event at Auto Club Speedway in June. I need more late model Mustangs to run against!