2014 Ford Mustang
As the outgoing model of the S197 fifth-generation platform, the 2014 Mustang saw minimal updates. Really, only a few new paint colors were introduced, and the GT500 received a power boost up to 662 horsepower. A base 3.7L V6 producing 305 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque is the standard engine, whereas upgrading to the GT model nets the 5.0L Coyote V8. For 2014, the Coyote 5.0L is rated at 420 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque. Both engines can be paired with a 6-speed automatic or MT-82 6-speed manual transmission. The Boss 302 disappears for 2014, instead replaced with a Track Package that equips GT pony cars with upgraded Brembo brakes, engine oil cooler, a lower 3.73 axle ratio with Torsen limited slip and a heavy duty radiator.
Muscle Car Sound
One area that the GT suffers from is proper exhaust note. The factory exhaust on the 2014 Mustang GT does little to showcase that in fact the GT is a 5.0L V8 powered muscle car. Fixing this issue is made easy through installation of a complete cat-back exhaust system. Compared to solely replacing the mufflers, a cat-back exhaust system bolts to the factory exhaust manifolds and replaces all the piping aft, the mufflers themselves and the factory exhaust tips. Using factory hangar locations, installing one of these acoustically upgraded performance exhaust kits is something that can be accomplished in the driveway - no cutting or welding is needed. The mufflers integrated with the cat-back are the main driver of how aggressive the exhaust note will sound. Straight-through, canister style mufflers will provide the most voracious, unadulterated exhaust note. Often labeled as race mufflers, this style of cat-back provides very little in terms of actual muffling and will have a super aggressive, snarling, popping and raspy exhaust sound. For those that want a more moderated exhaust note (but still more aggressive than stock), look at cat-back exhaust systems that use chambered and baffled mufflers, or integrate additional resonators in conjunction with a canister style muffler.
Stop One Wheel Peels
The Ford 8.8 differential is known-worldwide for its durability, cost effectiveness and easily upgradable nature. Rebuilding or upgrading the differential in your 2014 Mustang is a proven way to keep traction under hard acceleration.
- Replace: more robust, advanced traction and metallurgy. Higher cost
- Rebuild: Lower cost, but same structural limitations as stock
If your Mustang isn't already equipped with a limited slip rear differential (LSD) or the existing LSD system is worn, equipping it with one is a good place to start. A solely rear-wheel driven car with a large engine and a open differential is a recipe for one-wheel-peels and subpar off the line performance. A limited slip differential will lock the wheels together, turning at the same rate, after a pre-determined amount of slip is detected. This drastically improves traction, as if one wheel is spinning, power is still sent to the other wheel. In an open differential, however, the opposite is true. Once a wheel starts spinning, the differential actually routs most of the power to that wheel, whereby the wheel that may actually have traction receives none, or very little. Replacing the differential outright is more costly, but does have advantages. First off, depending on the manufacturer, the new LSD might incorporate a more robust system than the OEM. Further, aftermarket differentials can feature upgraded spline inputs to handle more power (and work with stronger axles). In the case of a rebuild, this of course is a highly cost effective option that generally invloves replaced the LSD clutch packs that are integrated within the diff. Doing so will regain full limited-slip ability without taking a huge chunk out of the wallet, but of course will still only be rated for factory power levels.