Stevens s197 chassis review

Steven

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DISCLAIMER: By no means do I intend to down on anyones fox chassis car, this is purely my comparison of the new chassis to the old chassis, which i've had quite alot of them in the past 5 years, (upwards of 20 different cars).

Interior: The car has a much tighter feel on the interior feeling. It's more shaped around you, much like the f-bodys interiors. Comfortable, most things are well placed. However on a 5 speed car the cup holder tends to become a PITA. Overall the seats are good, but saleen seats, which I spent about 4 hours in on a drive to bristol, are not friendly. The only way to roll interior wise with these cars is a premium, because deluxe feels kind of cheap, the premiums decked out in leather and the occasional billet and chrome are apparent as soon as you open the door. I'm happy with it, being that it also has the ability to run a AVIC-DIN3 from pioneer with NAV and DVD functions and have a full sized screen, it adds to it. Shaker systems are a PITA with some cd's, sadly the shakers only like v1 cd's, whereas mine are mostly v3, so you will find that it gets annoying when a brand new cd skips.

Body: Well its all a matter of perspective and is purely subjective. I like pretty much everybody style, and these cars are not any different from the others in holding the true mustang candle in looks.

Suspension: Definately more responsive and a better platform, my only complaint is bump steer is abundant if you run 20's like i do on stock suspension. The rides still comfortable, but not cadillac squishy, and provides you with a good balance of road feel and handling (for a stock car that is). Other then the bumpsteer, it's a better platform to start with, however that doesn't mean your fox chassis car is worse, because it's a whole different car, so theres no comparison. :) A watts link setup, about 1000 bucks done deal from stangsuspension really lights things up, probably being the best mod suspension wise that you could do. The rear axle wander is not there like a fox chassis, but the s197 still has the occasional rear end shifting from soft soft bushings.

Engine/tranny: Seems to be a good motor, gets good mileage and pulls pretty damn hard up top. My friends supercharged 2v's don't pull like this thing does, Must be the particular cams and head design that really does it for the car. People are making over 300rwhp and tq with a cold air and a tune, and even more with bolt ons. Definately impressive, and these are the way to go if you like the prices of 2v parts over 4v. These pull like a 4v, but don't cost as much mod wise. Transmission's in these, the 3650 that is, are either better setup, or have been redesigned. Powershifting this and spinning all the way down the highway outside of work, it doesn't give me any trouble. A shifter in these, such as hurst or mgw, drastically changes it, as theres much to be desired with the stock shifter in place.

Overall, i love the car, much more comfort and more of a sport car feel from the factory, however I do understand that you can make any car feel like a sport car with enough effort and money involved. The car handles well, drives well, shifts well, and sounds good. Weight is not an issue, as my car weights about 3480 anyway, and all my sn's were 3350-3450, so anyone who says it's a fat pig, is just crazy lol. A couple people mentioned to me it seems like it would feel big like a caddy when you drive it, but it doesn't. It gets smaller when you sit in it, and definately is bigger but not overly big and you can definately handle it if your not a psycho. Again, not trying to bash sn's, remember, I have 2 right now as well as a couple other fox chassis cars, so don't flip :hammer: I figure this may be useful to anyone interested in buying one, or anyone interested in them in general. The myth about weight is BS, so don't believe it, they are suprisingly light for there comfort and size. Anyone questions? Let me know.
 

Javi

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cant go wrong with a Black mustang and Chrome Saleens :coolsmiley:
 
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Steven

Steven

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Yep yep, i will be lowering it soon, so definately looking to make a difference :)
 
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Steven

Steven

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and i'll take some evenin pics hopefully, long as my camera doesnt bum on me
 
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Steven

Steven

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Scarface said:
I dont want excuses, I want results.

psh same could be said for me, get your bum ass down here and well stick the blacknesses in the carolina sun and be famous :D
 
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scarface

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Steven said:
Scarface said:
I dont want excuses, I want results.

psh same could be said for me, get your bum ass down here and well stick the blacknesses in the carolina sun and be famous :D
lol...8 hours drive for a photoshoot..
 
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Steven

Steven

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who said we wouldn't have a drink or two and watch some tv to?? :hammer:
 
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scarface

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Steven said:
who said we wouldn't have a drink or two and watch some tv to?? :hammer:
I promise the first time we come down to see Stephs Family, I will come visit.
 

Passenger

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When did you go to Bristol and why didn't you let me know?! I'm 10 minutes from there!
 
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Steven

Steven

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a year or two ago, drove a new saleen because we had box seats in the AC
 

realitygt

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curb weight for 05-07 is 3614
curb weight for 96-98 is 3234

they don't weight a shit ton, but they still weigh close to 400 lbs more.
 
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Steven

Steven

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realitygt said:
curb weight for 05-07 is 3614
curb weight for 96-98 is 3234

they don't weight a shit ton, but they still weigh close to 400 lbs more.

you as well as i know, that cars vary, and a car exactly like mine, down to the color, weighed 3400lb at a weight station. What it really weights is a big difference from curb weight
 

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