Henceforward said:
What about exhaust tone...?
I haven't heard anyone just falling in love with the new setup.
And personally I haven't heard any S197s on the road that sound as mean as a 32V Mach1/Cobra with proper exhaust.
Heck even most 2V GTs with proper exhaust sound awesome.
The key thing about sound waves is that the result at your ear is the sum of all the sound waves hitting your ear at that time. So what “sounds” good to one enthusiast may not “sound” good to another. Even though you may hear several distinct sources of sound, the pressure waves hitting your eardrum all add together, so your eardrum only feels one pressure at any given moment. – In a nutshell Sound is as individual specific as our genetics.
You have just found one person that fell in love with the new set-up. Your quest is complete.
As for any S197, even moderately modified, sounding as mean as the 32V 4.6L Mach or Cobras, of course not. We are comparing apples and oranges in the engineering world. Since the sound we hear is a true derivative of the exhaust stroke at the point the exhaust valve opens then the Mach and Cobra are the Beethovens of the Mustang world. Their compression stroke and exhaust design inherently produce a hefty sound amplification. No competition where none is needed.
Next time you line up at a light with a 05-07 GT with a modified exhaust, sit at the rear quarter panel, turn down the radio and listen with an unemotional, un-opinionated, analytical ear, you will be surprised what you hear.
As for platform stability, handling, base HP/TQ, break-in capacity and durability, I am happier with this platform than I was my 03 GT or 98 V-6. I went from having 2 ponies in the stable to this single V-6 and each day I slide into this sexy, comfortable and mechanically capable beast, I have no regrets and nothing but smiles. We only live once and regrets tallied at the end of our days should be minimal.
Tallied and recorded in the "Book of Life" as NO regrets.
).
