In the latest in a series of full-throttle, tire-smoking comparison-test shootouts, an Eibach Pro-Plus equipped 2011 Mustang GT, driven by legendary driver P J Jones, outperformed the same car in stock condition in a series of all-out racetrack tests conducted and certified by TestPilots Independent Testing Services.
The world-famous IMSA, IndyCar, and NASCAR driver tore up Toyota Speedway in Irwindale, California, in the new-for-2011 Mustang GT with its 412 -horsepower, 5.0-liter all-aluminum V8, six-speed transmission and limited-slip rear end.
When the tire dust had settled, the Eibach - equipped Mustang GT 5.0 showed substantial performance improvements-certified by TestPilots Independent Testing Services - in the crucial areas of cornering, handling precision and overall road-holding. And according to P J, it was far more fun to drive.
The battery of tests started early in the morning with the Mustang GT in completely stock condition, direct from the showroom floor. It was then reconfigured in a trackside garage, using the Eibach Pro-Kit performance sport springs and an Eibach Anti-Roll-Kit performance sway bars-together the Eibach Pro-Plus performance handling package. TestPilotsTM observed and certified that there were no other changes made to the vehicle.
P J Jones then rolled back onto the track in the scorching Southern California sun. And in nearly every test, the Eibach-equipped Mustang GT outperformed its stock times, even in much higher air and track temperatures.
The Eibach-equipped 2011 Mustang GT 5.0 showed substantial performance improvement in the crucial areas of handling performance: Short Road-Course Lap Times, 400-foot Slalom and Lateral G (200-foot skidpad). The Eibach-equipped Mustang GT also showed improvement in 0-60 acceleration, and equal performance in 60-0 braking as tested and recorded using Test Pilots ITS inertial-based computer technology.
The one test that showed no improvement was in 60 to zero braking. P J Jones preferred the reduced nose-dive, added stability and more-solid feel of the Mustang in Eibach-equipped form, but the numbers in all-out stops were essentially equal, due in part to tire wear and the Mustang's ABS anti-lock braking system.
While the Mustang GT suffered from time-wasting understeer in stock configuration, the Eibach Pro-Plus performance handling package turned it into a much more responsive, controllable driver's car. The head-turning Mustang GT even looked faster, with its more-aggressive stance and gap-free wheel wells.
"I like to feel that I'm up on top of the front wheels-that's just my driving style," said Jones. "The Eibach-equipped Mustang let me get it rotated and turned much better, so I could get on the gas and steer with the throttle," said the racing veteran.
The Mustang GT even showed a small, but meaningful improvement in highway mileage, due to its improved aerodynamics. In identical, wind-free, traffic-free cruise-controlled conditions, on the same exact route, the Eibach-equipped Mustang GT delivered an impressive 28.12 mpg, a significant 4.3% increase over the stocker's 26.97 mpg run.
To learn more about the Eibach Mustang GT Shoot-Out, check the video above. And remember: if you want the ultimate in all-out performance, the place to get it is Eibach - the only company that builds The Will To Win into every racing-quality component they make.
Eibach R&D has recently revealed that in their rigorous, scientifically valid on-road testing, their hot new 2010 Camaro SS test vehicle showed an amazing 13-percent increase in mileage, over the exact same vehicle in stock condition, when fitted with the complete Eibach Pro-Plus combo of Eibach Pro-Kit performance springs and sway bars.
In previous testing, designed, observed and validated by Test Pilots™ Independent Testing Services, the 2010 Camaro SS showed impressive performance gains in 0-60 acceleration, all-out cornering, slalom and road course lap times. The Camaro SS, of course, also looked, steered and handled far better with the Eibach Pro-Plus suspension setup, with no sacrifice in ride comfort or compliance.
With fuel mileage a growing concern, Eibach R&D went out and performed mileage testing under rigidly controlled environmental and procedural conditions. The Camaro SS was run over the same 167.7-mile freeway course, in both stock and Eibach-equipped configurations.
Testing was done starting at 5:00 AM on consecutive Saturday mornings, and the weather conditions were almost identical, with no more than a 2-degree variation in temperature. Wind and traffic were minimal on both test runs, due to the weekend scheduling and early time of day. The same precise filling techniques were used, by the same experienced test driver, and the Camaro SS was run at a steady 70 mph, with cruise control engaged to eliminate any driver inconsistency.
In stock condition, the 2010 Camaro SS recorded 23.34 miles per gallon. With the Eibach Pro-Plus installed, mileage shot up to an impressive 26.40 mpg a full 13% improvement.*
Why such a huge difference in efficiency, just from lowering the chassis? Because lowering the Camaro SS an inch significantly reduces its aerodynamic frontal area, and minimizes drag-causing turbulence between the road and the car.
What does this mean for you, in dollars and cents? Over 100,000 miles-just 10% of Eibach's legendary million-mile warranty-the Eibach-equipped Camaro SS would save 494 gallons of gas. At $3.00 a gallon, that's a huge savings of $1,482.00.*
Looks. Performance. And Efficiency. What else would you expect from Eibach - the suspension components engineered with The Will to Win?
Stock: 167.7 miles driven 7.184 gallons used = 23.34 MPG*
w/Pro-Kit: 167.7 miles driven 6.35 gallons used = 26.4 MPG*
• Identical highway route of 167.7 miles (HWY 15N & 10E to Palm Desert and back)
• Cruise control set at 70 MPH the entire way (takes away any human bias)
• Each start time 5:00 AM Saturday morning
• August 15th: temp. start 61°F, finish 74°F
• September 26th: temp. start 62°F, finish 76°F
• Very little wind both times
• Start and finish same gas station, same pump and pumped full with 10 clicks
*Your results may vary. Testing and results certified by Eibach R&D. Same 2010 Chevrolet Camaro 2SS 6 Speed Automatic, tested: 8/15/09 & 9/26/09.
• Pro-kit + Anti-Roll-Kit = Pro-Plus Performance Handling Package
• Performance Springs and Sway Bars = Superior Handling for the Serious Enthusiast
• Precise Turn-in Response, Improved Handling and Enhanced Cornering Grip-in any Performance-Driving Situation
• Stop Quicker, Corner Faster and get better MPG*
• Simple Bolt-On, With No Modifications: Just Install, Set the Alignment and Carve
• Excellent Ride Quality
• Million-Mile Warranty
*Your results may vary. Experience shows that lowering your car or truck's ride height also improves your aerodynamic efficiency by forcing more air over the car and less underneath (where most of the drag is found on any vehicle), resulting in higher top speeds on the track and better MPG on the highway.
Is there one single, simple upgrade that can transform your 2WD Pickup? That can turn it from a run-of-the-mill hauler into a true performance truck in just a few hours?
The secret? Eibach's legendary Pro-Truck performance suspension.
This is not just hype. These are real-world gains, obtained in impartial, independent testing*, that detail the incredible mileage and performance increases achieved by simply installing an Eibach Pro-Truck suspension system.
Eibach didn't just improve slalom and skid-pad speed of the Ford F-150 They transformed it in virtually every aspect of performance and handling. The lower center of gravity reduced front-end-dive, improving all-out braking performance. It reduced weight transfer in acceleration, improving 0-to-60 times. And the lowered stance reduced aerodynamic drag, dramatically increasing mileage as well.
*Your results may vary. Testing and results certified by TestPilots Independent Testing Services. 2007 Ford F-150 2WD Crew Cab. Tested at Willow Spring International Raceway 2/17/08 - 2/19/08.
The numbers are impressive but they don't tell the whole story. The F-150 became much more enjoyable to drive, with better steering feel and response, enhanced cornering speed, more-secure braking and impressive high-speed stability, all retaining a compliant, comfortable ride. Not to mention the improved profile of its filled wheel wells and lower, more-aggressive stance. If Eibach performance suspension components can do all this for a stock pickup, just imagine what they can do for your personal machine. Available for most popular cars, trucks and SUV's.