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  1. Stiffen Your 'Stang! 2015 Mustang Strut Tower Brace R&D, Part 5: Final Testing Rig and Results

    Stiffen Your 'Stang! 2015 Mustang Strut Tower Brace R&D, Part 5: Final Testing Rig and Results

    What a unique and exciting project this has been! We don't want to simply develop neat products; we want to understand how and why they function. This is why our team has been working to develop test protocols for our S550 Mustang strut tower brace evaluations. This segment shows our final testing process and the very surprising results.

    Final Testing Rig

    After experimenting with a setup designed to record pressure, we noticed that measuring travel distance between the two strut towers would provide identical results if we used a much more adaptable testing device.

    Our team acquired a few linear-displacement gauges to modify our strut brace for testing. We started by hacking apart one of our prototype bars.

    2015 Mustang parts testing
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  2. Stiffen Your 'Stang! 2015 Mustang Strut Tower Brace R&D, Part 4: Testing Rig Fabrication Continued

    Stiffen Your 'Stang! 2015 Mustang Strut Tower Brace R&D, Part 4: Testing Rig Fabrication Continued

    Last time we wrapped up our first attempt at creating an accurate gauge for measuring strut tower flex. Our initial tests showed some inconsistencies, which have been attributed to the method by which we mounted our gauge.

    These inconsistencies occurred most likely because of the difference in materials. Our strut bar is steel, whereas the gauge assembly is aluminum. Welding these materials together is not possible, so we used alternate methods.

    We need to eliminate any adverse variables for this test. Measurements of movement are small, so even a seemingly insignificant issue could cause skewed data. We decided to work up a full aluminum prototype modeled after our first design.

    All-Aluminum Strut Bar Testing Prototype

    In addition to new machining tools, we have a new high-pressure Waterjet cutter here at Mishimoto. We decided to flex its muscles a bit and use it to cut out our strut bar brackets. These were then welded to the bar itself

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  3. Stiffen Your 'Stang! 2015 Mustang Strut Tower Brace R and D, Part 3: Testing Rig Fabrication

    Stiffen Your 'Stang! 2015 Mustang Strut Tower Brace R and D, Part 3: Testing Rig Fabrication

    It has been quite some time since our last update on this project, but for good reason. Our engineering team has immersed themselves into suspension research and determining the impact of stiffening on handling. Chassis bracing is a new market for our team, and we want to ensure we provide ideal solutions. In addition, we needed to develop a method for testing our components properly.

    Not much information is available about the effectiveness of strut bracing. Would bracing have an impact on handling or on chassis flex? Do only sloppy, old chassis benefit from bracing? The Mustang is a great first test subject because it has a new chassis and an option for additional chassis stiffening. Let's get to work!

    Pressure Gauge Fabrication

    The first testing device we wanted to explore was a pressure gauge. Ideally, this would be installed within the strut brace to measure any pressure occurring as the strut towers flex toward each other.

    With some

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  4. Stiffen Your 'Stang! 2015 Mustang Strut Tower Brace R&D, Part 2: Initial Prototype Evaluation

    Stiffen Your 'Stang! 2015 Mustang Strut Tower Brace R&D, Part 2: Initial Prototype Evaluation

    Last time we covered the basic fabrication process needed to design our first mock-up prototype. This provided the basic dimensions of the brace so we could transplant our measurements into SolidWorks.

    After some computer modeling work, we were able to construct an initial prototype of both design ideas presented in our first segment.

    Prototype 1

    Mishimoto prototype 2015 Mustang parts
    Mishimoto prototype 2015 Mustang parts

    Our first prototype is a simple yet effective way to stiffen the front end of the S550. The material is thick wall steel, used for optimal rigidity. The bar is simply welded to the brackets, which attach to each strut tower. The brace is finished in a black powder coat with a small Mishimoto

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  5. Stiffen Your 'Stang! 2015 Mustang Strut Tower Brace R&D, Part 1: Initial Fabrication

    Stiffen Your 'Stang! 2015 Mustang Strut Tower Brace R&D, Part 1: Initial Fabrication

    Nothing beats taking a tight, responsive vehicle over some curvy roads on a beautiful fall day. The S550 is a nice chassis, track-applicable right out of the box, especially if "Performance Package" is on the build sheet. We've been pleased with our shop car, but we are always seeking improvements. We've completed our product development of cooling components and performance products, and now we are turning our attention to the suspension on this fantastic chassis. To further enhance the stiffness of the suspension and improve response, we decided that an appropriate front strut brace would be a wise addition.

    Stock Bracing and Strut Tower

    Under the hood of your Mustang you might find (or not) a stock strut brace. For GT and PP EcoBoost owners, a K-shaped brace links both strut towers to the cowl of the vehicle. Below is a look at this stock piece equipped on our shop EcoBoost Mustang.

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  6. Enhance Your EcoBoost Exhaust! Cat-Back Development, Part 5: Sound Testing

    Enhance Your EcoBoost Exhaust! Cat-Back Development, Part 5: Sound Testing

    With just a couple small tasks to go, we're near the completion of this 2015 Mustang cat-back exhaust project. Our design for this system is complete from the downpipe connection to the end of the stainless exhaust tips.

    3D Models

    Our prototype exhaust meets our requirements for both fitment and performance, so it was time to create a 3D-model of our design, which would ensure that our manufactured exhausts match our design exactly. After some time at the computer screen working in Solidworks, we ended up with the awesome renderings below!

    Mishimoto 2015 Mustang EcoBoost exhaust rendering
    Mishimoto 2015 Mustang EcoBoost exhaust rendering

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  7. Enhance Your EcoBoost Exhaust! Cat-Back Development, Part 4: Tip Fabrication

    Enhance Your EcoBoost Exhaust! Cat-Back Development, Part 4: Tip Fabrication

    We've logged some miles (and smiles) during the testing of our two cat-back exhaust setups. We've decided on a strategy for the muffler selection, one that we feel best suits the tones of the Mustang EcoBoost (EB). Our team determined that the round muffler setup is just a touch too loud, and that the oval mufflers shown in the previous segment provided the exact sound we are seeking. Months of tedious design and testing have resulted in drone-less operation on the highway, improved volume at wide-open-throttle( WOT), and stock-like sounds during light/partial throttle.

    I am sure you guys are eager for some final sound clips, but you will have to wait just a bit longer. In the meantime, we've settled on the muffler tip we will be using, and we've fitted it to our final prototype. Check out the process below!

    Tip Design

    We've gone with an appealing tip design for our EcoBoost Mustang exhaust system. Check out a few shots prior to mating this with the

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  8. Mustang EcoBoost Aluminum Radiator R&D, Part 3: Final Prototype and Testing Data

    Mustang EcoBoost Aluminum Radiator R&D, Part 3: Final Prototype and Testing Data

    Interested in purchasing this awesome aluminum radiator? Check out more details on our product page linked below!

    Mishimoto Ford Mustang EcoBoost Performance Aluminum Radiator

    We're back with another prototype! After fitting our first unit, we found a few areas of our design that required minor adjustments to fulfill our goals of perfect fitment and optimal heat transfer. Our new 2015 Mustang EcoBoost parts are nearly complete!

    Final Prototype

    As noted in our previous article regarding the EcoBoost Mustang (EBM) radiator, we wanted to make modifications to both the core and our lower mounting brackets. These were easy changes, and we now have the second prototype shown below!

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  9. Mustang EcoBoost Aluminum Radiator R&D, Part 2: First Prototype

    Mustang EcoBoost Aluminum Radiator R&D, Part 2: First Prototype

    Interested in purchasing this awesome aluminum radiator? Check out more details on our product page linked below!

    Mishimoto Ford Mustang EcoBoost Performance Aluminum Radiator

    It has been ages since we've had an update on our EBM aluminum radiator, and for good reason. Our team has been hard at work putting together a functional prototype for some initial test fitting. We used dimensions from the stock base model radiator, the performance package radiator, as well as measurements from the vehicle to ensure our prototype would fit and function with all factory components. Our line of 2015 Mustang EcoBoost parts is continually growing and we are looking forward to offering a full cooling package.

    First Prototype Unit

    After making several tweaks to our 2015 Mustang radiator design for fitment purposes, we finally had a complete design that could be developed for some on-car

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  10. Enhance Your EcoBoost Exhaust! Cat-Back Development, Part 3: Prototype 2 & 3 Testing

    Enhance Your EcoBoost Exhaust! Cat-Back Development, Part 3: Prototype 2 & 3 Testing

    The search continues to find the optimal blend between a high-quality WOT (wide-open throttle) exhaust sound and a rich sound during normal driving and light-throttle driving situations. In this segment, we continue with our 2015 Mustang exhaust sound testing to see if we find our second or third prototype setup pleasing.

    Dyno Testing

    We set up our EB on the Dynapack for some more sound collection. We also kept an eye on power output and AFR readings to see if power changed on the factory tune, and to see if the improved flow would impact AFRs in any way. On our 2015 WRX, we saw these readings lean out a bit with the cat-back installed, so we wanted to see if this was the case with the 2.3L!

    Preparing for 2015 Mustang EcoBoost exhaust dyno runs
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