Quick backtrack..... I bought a 2003 GT Mustang this year. I had considered an RSX, not seriously, but I drove one anyway. My Dad has a 2001 Integra which I think is a great car. Before that he turned in a 94 integra with 300,000 (km) on it and it still ran like brand new - awesome machines. However, I've always been a Ford man wanted something that would make the sound, and have some nasty power so that I could be better than average in a time where sportscars are more popular than ever. I'm running slightly more than the stock 260 horsepower due to flowmaster hi-flow exhaust.

The other night I was coming accross the brige over the harbor on the way home when I noticed a bright pair of fog lights peeking in my side mirrors. The guy was eating my bumper off. I was obeying the limit on the bridge. Anyway we went through the toll and he shot off over to the booth beside me and I saw he had a new RSX (not a type S) and we rolled out of the toll and up to a stop light. I was sure of his intentions and knew he was in for a serious ass kicking. Mostly I like to watch guys with Neons, Sunfires, Triburons, Celica's, Civics, VW's and so forth peal away from me at the light making me feel good for saving my tires and letting them brag about beating a GT off the light, but I thought I'd take this one on for the "once in a while" fun. Anyone reading this should know I'm not being an ass or being cocky when I say I knew it would be a blood bath for several reasons: it was a short run - up a steep hill around a flat (recently paved) corner and to another set of lights.

The light goes green and the RSX jumps ahead 1 car length - I was slow on the reaction time and was soft on the clutch to make sure I hooked up with no wheelspin. At that point we started up the hill and it was all Mustang GT from that point on. The RSX driver was a slow shifter as well and didn't grab 2nd as fast as he should have. That wouldn't make any difference anyway....he was at my back bumper as we took the flat curve and I put another half car on him in the corner before starting the braking for the stoplight. The RSX passed me while I was braking because he went right while I had to stop to make the left turn.

Anyway, here are some pointers for anyone out there with a new RSX if you have little to no modifications and want to race a Mustang GT:

1) Put the rumors out of your head and look at the facts: just because a lot of people are getting compact sports cars, the Mustang has not lost any power, in fact - the 99 and up GT's are the fastest to date. Stock for Stock they are faster than any Civic or RSX. Modified for Modified they are faster as well - a seriously modified GT (drag stirp ready) will do the 1/4 mile in the high 7's and low 8's. That is approaching NHRA pro-stock speeds. If the Honda is modified and the GT is stock then there is a good shot for a win depending on what you have done. Just like in Honda/Acura tech - small inexpensive changes under the hood such as timing adjusters, Mass air Meters, and 80mm throttlebodies, mean serious (dyno) horsepower boosts for the GT's 4.6 liter V8 - and you wont notice it till it's too late. Also the theory of the poor handling on a Mustang goes up in smoke with a few changes to the suspension - there are many road racing kits available for the GT which cure the factory handling issues. If the GT is lowered, chances are that there is a road racing package under it and you will have a tough time living up to the fact that a Mustang beat you in your own element! There seems to be the false idea that people with Mustangs never do anything to them when in fact, there are more aftermarket goodies available for the Mustang than any other car. Watch out for Vortech's new blower for the Mustang as well - it will support up to 1000hp. Mind you to get 1000 out of a 4.6 281ci you need some serious work: a Ford Racing Sportsman Block, cams, lifters the whole thing.....but they make em and if you have the cash you turn your little smallblock into a killer.

2) Consider the terrain before reving the engine to induce a race - although an RSX will outhandle a Mustang on bumpy corners and weaving cones on Motor Trend TV, The Mustang will eat up a flat corner because it has fat tires and a wide body so don't think that just because there is a turn that it means the RSX has an advantage.

3) Don't race a Mustang up a hill. It has tremendous torque in comparason to the RSX - like 302 lb/ft. You can win a race when you compromise a few horsepower but not torque.....gravity is not your friend and to defeat it, you need raw torque.

3) If you can, pick on a GT in the rain or on a bumpy road. I will not race anyone in the rain because the wide tires are slick as hell!! It is frusterating when smaller cars want to race in the rain and I know that as soon as I try to get any kind of RPM happening that I'm gonna lose traction and start floating around. The stock GT is a handful on a bumpy road, if it is curve after curve with few straights, I know that I will have a hard time clocking a better time than an RSX unless I get some aftermarket handling parts.

Anyway, all said and done, I am impressed with the power and zip that Honda can get out of a 4 banger and also with the ride quality and enjoyment to drive in regards to the RSX. But the RSX is not the muscle car that the Mustang is and is seriously outmatched compared to the GT. Now I would love to see a 6 cyl Mustang and an RSX have a go......that would be a good one. Anyway just some heads up info and experience from a "Ford Guy" Maybe it is insightfull and will give you some things to look for in GT's on the road.

 

holy shit that's long.

 

But you must admit he makes valid points, and he's not trying to start a flame war, let's hope others here see it that way.

 

uhh i read half of it and yes he does has some valid points

 

Too long, but at least he's not an ass about it.


Theres no replacement for displacement, everyone knows that. Its the fun in making a 2.0 liter engine crank out 380whp...you know.

 

I don't even need to read it to know that it's an ass kicking. An RSX Type-S would have been a competitive race.

 

Sorry for the length, I like to be detailed so I can be insightful. I'd like to see what the Type S can do compared to the Stang. I test drove one and I know it's quick but it doesn't have the nasty power and zap that the Stang is making. Maybe my feel for the wheel is different or my expectations are different??? Now as per beating a Stang I am going to say that if you have a guy who has rented a convertable mustang for the weekend and who wants to race a guy who is a good driver in a Type S.......I'm going to say maybe the Type S has a good shot. 98CoupeV6 made a good point in another thread about the driver: good driving savy can make up for a lot!!

Anyway 380hp from a 2.0 liter is impressive. That's as impressive as the guys who are getting between 800-1000 out of a 4.6 or 5.0 small block Ford motor - lots of love and good money spent in both cases. I'm debating on my next upgrade I want to make this month: an X pipe which will put 10-15 horses and more mid range torque on the motor or competition springs and camber plates???? I think the handling needs to be tamed a bit. The Integra I drive sometimes has me spoiled in the handling dept!! Although flat corners and hi-way driving are awesome, rough corners are ROTTEN with the GT.

 

i know for a fact a stock gt will smoke a stock type s. Both my best friends drive each one. But when the type s, with a goood driver does minor mods like intake, test pipe, and motor mounts he now beats the gt.

 

you are also right though because the type s has to have more work done to it than the gt to beat it but if its the same the gt will run away.

 

WOW, is this a calm informative discussion amongst car enthusiasts at HAN?? Only in the RSX forum big :thumbup: to all of us.

And thanks to the thread starter for not being a complete ignorant domestic ass owner... says alot for you mang.


Hands down one of the best domestic vs. import threads I'v read in a while.