As fun as it is to update you guys on what we do to our project cars, it’s just as important to share what we do in them. After all, that’s where we truly get to enjoy all the progress that’s been made.
That’s why for this update on Project EcoBoost, my 2015 Ford Mustang, I’d like to document a recent road trip I took. Over the last couple months the car has seen quite a few upgrades, and I figured it’d be good to talk a little about how the car drives now.
My destination for this trip was Monterey, which is where the massive Car Week event happens every summer. While it’s no vintage Ferrari or Bentley, I thought it’d be a lot of fun venturing to the local spots in Project EcoBoost.
The adventure began very early on Thursday morning when I headed over to meet my brother, who had somehow convinced my dad to let him borrow his RV for the weekend.
Rather than dealing with the mega-high hotel room rates in the area during Car Week, we’ve found that camping track-side at Laguna Seca is both an affordable and enjoyable way to take in the Car Week festivities. The motorhome was loaded up with food, beer and all the other supplies needed for a weekend at the track.
After a quick dose of morning caffeine, it was time to hit the road. I’d be in the Mustang following behind my brother for the roughly three-hour journey to Monterey.
The first part of the trip would consist mainly of long, straight country highway as we made our way west across the San Joaquin Valley.
It’s times like these when I really appreciate the long distance touring capabilities of the Mustang. Compared to the FR-S I had before it, the Ford is much more adept when it comes to extended periods of highway cruising. Despite the fact that it’s louder and stiffer than stock, the car is still quite comfortable on long trips, and I’m quite happy about that.
Monterey On A Budget
After navigating a combination of two-lane country roads, we met up with Interstate 5 and stopped for a quick break at a rest area. If you’ve been to a highway rest stop in Japan or elsewhere, you’d probably be disappointed with the ones in California. You’re looking at some restrooms, a couple of vending machines and that’s about it.
From there we had just a short distance of interstate driving before we met up with Highway 152 for the trip up and over the Coast Range mountains. When passing slow-moving big rigs, the effortless torque of the 2.3-liter turbo is appreciated and downshifting is never necessary.
Pacheco Pass is a rather steep grade and the RV would have its work cut out for it. Rather than going ahead on my own, I stayed behind in case there was any mechanical trouble.
The old RV did fine though, and we soon found ourselves stopping at Casa De Fruita for some gas. Because I’d been following the RV at relatively slow speeds I achieved 34 miles to the gallon on the trip. On normal highway trips I usually get around 30.
From there it wasn’t long at all until we arrived at Laguna Seca, which would be our home for the next few days. One of my favorite events of the year was about to begin.
We arrived early to find a relatively empty camping area, but by the middle of the weekend the place would be packed with racers, enthusiasts and others who’d come out to enjoy a full weekend of vintage motorsport.
After settling into our camping spot I surveyed the area and took a look at our patio view for the weekend. The air was already filled with the sound of old school machinery putting in practice laps ahead of the big show.
While the RV would serve as our accommodations for the weekend, the Mustang would serve as our transportation around the area. I was very much looking forward to getting the car out on the road.
As I wrote in my recent story, one of the best parts about attending Monterey Car Week is just encountering all the cool cars in the local parking lots, and on the backroads and highways. A Ford Mustang sits pretty low on the pyramid of rare car finds, but I was glad I could add a little bit of extra flavor with one that makes unnatural noises from its exhaust pipes.
I was actually a bit conflicted; I wanted to enjoy some of the local roads, but I also wanted to ride shotgun so I could photograph any interesting finds we came across. My brother and I ended up splitting the driving duties.
One of my favorite things about owning the EcoBoost Mustang has been the unusual reactions the car gets. Visually, it looks pretty similar to other cars, but once people hear the sound of the turbo or the unusual exhaust note, they get pretty confused. While parked in Carmel I met a few guys who were interested to hear about my thoughts on the car, and that’s something that happens quite often.
On Thursday evening we headed to the Baja Cantina in Carmel for the weekly cruise night, and afterwards we drove back to Laguna Seca on a winding mountain backroad called Laureles Grade.
Even if the road wasn’t full of exotic machinery it would still be a blast to drive, with tight switchbacks, beautiful views and pavement that’s in far better condition than most mountain roads here in California.
Even driving at a moderate place, the added athleticism of the Roush/KW suspension and the 275-section Nittos on all four corners was quite noticeable. Combined with the low-end punch from the lightly breathed-on motor, it was a joy to run this thing through the corners.
It might not quite be at GT-level performance yet, but on a road like this with the upgraded suspension, less weight over the nose and cool turbo noises, it’s every bit as fun. I would end up spending most of my time in Monterey at the track without venturing out too much, but having the Mustang with me certainly made an enjoyable weekend even better.
I was quite enamored with the car in stock form when I got in January, and the modifications done since have only made it faster, more fun and more unique. I’m already looking forward to the next batch of upgrades, and am really looking forward to getting some track time in now that the weather is cooling down.
But before that, I have some bigger news to share on the project car front. Project EcoBoost has just been joined by another American-built machine from a much earlier era, so look out for an update on that soon…
Mike Garrett
Instagram: japanifornia_media
mike@speedhunters.com
OFFICIAL SPEEDHUNTERS SUPPLIERS
Awesome, Mike. Great to see the car being used. I've some time set aside for a mountain run on Monday in Project GTI. I must pick your brains sometime about your own experiences with your MK6 GTI...
Awesome, Mike. Great to see the car being used. I've some time set aside for a mountain run on Monday in Project GTI. I must pick your brains sometime about your own experiences with your MK6 GTI...
Me likey.
I'll be ordering one of these next spring, and this is exactly how I want to get it.
Silver, EcoBoost, manual and the Performance Package. Nothing else.
The bronze TE37s will be the first mod.
Those black Porsches are probably the It'sWhiteNoise ones...
Those black Porsches are probably the It'sWhiteNoise ones...
Ice Age buy his
Ah man...this thing looks so great! Very tastefully modified so far. Nice to see it in action.
Ah man...this thing looks so great! Very tastefully modified so far. Nice to see it in action.
matthewyaa Thanks!
matthewyaa Thanks!
Ice Age Exactly the way I got mine. If there's one option I kind of regret not getting it's the Recaro seats, but the base seats are actually pretty darn good in my opinion.
Paddy McGrath Anytime man! I actually miss my GTI a lot. My wife wants to get another one some time. Maybe when the lease on her Fiat is up.
Paddy McGrath Anytime man! I actually miss my GTI a lot. My wife wants to get another one some time. Maybe when the lease on her Fiat is up.
the posts on Monterey Car Week make me homesick...
Mike Garrett Ice Age Yeah, I just hope they option some sort of spoiler lip for the 2016 cars. That'd make it perfect.
Michael Atwell Thinking the same thing, small world
Mike Garrett I actually have gotten a lot of questions about Ford's new Mustang too. The weird thing is, I don't drive a Mustang nor have I ever showed any more interest in it than any other sports car. Yet, for some reason it's always the car people (non car enthusiasts that is) ask me about when I tell them I like cars.
Oh no Mike you're starting a collection. Best of luck!
Btw I really enjoy the updates you editors post on your cars. You made a very important point regarding what you do with your cars vs to them. A word of advice for those considering a project car - being able to drive the car between mods helps maintain your interest in the project. If you're considering something major i.e. engine swap or full resto with little experience or support there is a greater chance of becoming overwhelmed and lose interest. Here's the part where I show you how to overcome this... but sadly I can't. Help. OCD trumps ADD on car projects.
Normally don't like silver cars but the Mustang's lines look so good in sunlight. Good choice of color, esp for Cali.
Oh no Mike you're starting a collection. Best of luck!
Btw I really enjoy the updates you editors post on your cars. You made a very important point regarding what you do with your cars vs to them. A word of advice for those considering a project car - being able to drive the car between mods helps maintain your interest in the project. If you're considering something major i.e. engine swap or full resto with little experience or support there is a greater chance of becoming overwhelmed and lose interest. Here's the part where I show you how to overcome this... but sadly I can't. Help. OCD trumps ADD on car projects.
Normally don't like silver cars but the Mustang's lines look so good in sunlight. Good choice of color, esp for Cali.
Loved this, made me feel like I was actually taking the trip with you.
Ford need to build a Mustang RS Cosworth
Wait, another project car? Don't you need to do something on the wagon first???
(from a guy with only a daily driver)
@PDR With Cosworth V8, I hope
34-mpg Ford Mustang! Speedhunters is not only about speed, but also about adventure and how to drive!
Casa de Fruita, that brings back memories... Never thought I'd hear mention of that place in Speedhunters.
rally2727 I was thinking about a straight-4 like the Escort or the Sierra, but a Cosworth V8 would be totally badass
Steve Hayward Pretty sure Mike sold the wagon (maybe traded it?).
Steve Hayward Pretty sure Mike sold the wagon (maybe traded it?).
Steve Hayward Pretty sure Mike sold the wagon (maybe traded it?).
Grew up in Gilroy, I'm here for the Casa De Fruita jerkfest.
im not a mustang person at all, but a 2015 on te37's looks so good.
Can't believe you got to expirence the wonders of San Benito County CA
"If you've been to a highway rest stop in Japan or elsewhere, you’d probably be disappointed with the ones in California. You’re looking at some restrooms, a couple of vending machines and that’s about it."
Pure luxury! In this neck of the woods a rest area often consists of a bush to pee behind (although the really flash ones sometimes have a portaloo you'd only want to use for as long as you can hold your breath) and a picnic table that may or may not have been set on fire in the past 24 hours.
Love me a good road trip though, it's been far too long since I took one.
CJC_Matty "the really flash ones sometimes have a portaloo you'd only want to use for as long as you can hold your breath" HAHAHAAHHA! I know the feeling man.
I was at Lime Rock this summer for the IMSA/Tudor USCC race and while you're just grateful
for a 'private' place to relieve yourself takin' a $h!t has never been more uncomfortable. sheesh!
Mike, you're one of my favorite contributors to this holy site called speedhunters. As a matter of fact auto-otaku led me to speedhunters.
That said, I can't hold this back any longer:
I really wish you had got the TE37's in that matte blue or gloss black-maybe even white!! not feeling that gold and silver at all.
Other than that, awesome mods and awesome content.
Love you guys like a fat kid loves cake or
a car guy loves wheels?.. ; )
I'm a huge Mustang fan, have been since I was little, but this front end hasn't completely grown on me yet. I'm waiting for the traditional face-lifted model, but then again the originals of each generation are always the best (closer to being timeless) in my opinion. Loving your wheel/color choice, though!
CJC_Matty WOW, you get bushes?! I need to visit you neck of the woods more often. Round here we get a (sometimes broken most of the time cracked) concrete picnic table, a bare parking area just waiting for a lorry to drive by and fill your face with dust and a gang of highway robbers or, if you're lucky, stray animals lurking in the tall grass. I remember this one stop that had a an immaculate table under a nice shady tree, green grass, a little drinking fountain and a sign that said "WARNING: LIONS. Do Not Stop or Exit Your Vehicle After 5pm" but you had to stop and actually park the car to see the sign! Once you start to think about it, you realise that this is probably just a catalyst for natural selection because it's outside a town called, (and I'm not making this up) Lions Den.
CJC_Matty WOW, you get bushes?! I need to visit you neck of the woods more often. Round here we get a (sometimes broken most of the time cracked) concrete picnic table, a bare parking area just waiting for a lorry to drive by and fill your face with dust and a gang of highway robbers or, if you're lucky, stray animals lurking in the tall grass. I remember this one stop that had a an immaculate table under a nice shady tree, green grass, a little drinking fountain and a sign that said "WARNING: LIONS. Do Not Stop or Exit Your Vehicle After 5pm" but you had to stop and actually park the car to see the sign! Once you start to think about it, you realise that this is probably just a catalyst for natural selection because it's outside a town called, (and I'm not making this up) Lions Den.
Mike Garrett Paddy McGrath Perfect opportunity to get into a Golf R. I mean, the 4WD would be perfect for all of that hostile Californian weather.
Mike Garrett Paddy McGrath Perfect opportunity to get into a Golf R. I mean, the 4WD would be perfect for all of that hostile Californian weather.
I don't know how to feel about TE37s on this Mustang... Perhaps an older Mustang... 1967 fastback, maybe... Yea, that's nice.
Past my first anniversary with my Ecoboost. The tuning potential of the car surpasses the durability of the driveline. The chassis is very solid, and the car is capable of twelves on the stock turbo, been there and will be going faster. We do lots of great road trips with her.
the car was very good
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