Mustang GT350

So I have been seeing a lot about the new Mustang GT350.  One of the big things I have been reading about it is that it has a new 5.2 liter flat plane V8.  So what is a flat plane V8 you ask, and why do I care?

As to what it is, here is a good video from Engineering Explained showing the differences between a flat plane and a cross plane V8.  Traditional American V8’s are cross plane.

Ok, so now that you know what the difference is, you may come to the same question that I did, why?  Sure, due to the lighter crank shaft the flat plane V8 will be able to rev higher and faster.  What I mean by that is that the engine can turn more RPM, that is the higher part.  what I mean by faster is that there is less rotational mass, and less inertia, also, so all other things equal, it will gain (and loose) RPM’s faster.  Just like you trying to spin around with just your body, or when you are holding a 50 pound sand bag.  Guess which one goes faster?

When I saw about the flat plane V8, my first thought was why?  And that is one detail Ford is not releasing.  The higher revs is cool, but it can come with a hit to lower RPM power.  But with variable valve timing, that isn’t as big of a deal.  And there is the sound difference also.  Due to the different firing order,and the stacking of exhaust pulses that happens with a cross plane V8, the exhaust sounds different.

And that may be part of why Ford did it.  With the flat plane having exhaust pulses alternating between cylinder banks, it can simplify the exhaust manifolds and make them more compact.  That can help with packaging in the engine compartment since the closer the catalytic converters are to the engine, the faster they heat up and the better they work.

That same exhaust stacking is why a cross over pipe helps the power in a traditional American V8 engine.  When two exhaust pulses follow each other in the same cylinder bank, it creates more exhaust gases, and the cross over pipe helps some of that excess go out the other side of the exhaust.

Another option I thought of was that Ford did it to get us all talking about it.  I rather doubt that though since it seems like a lot of work and expense for the publicity.

The sound may be part of it, giving the Mustang GT350 a more exotic sound to the exhaust versus its competitors.  Ford may be trying to break the Mustang out of the Pony car niche a little.

But I am thinking that the one that makes the most sense is the packaging, maybe with a little of the exotic mystique thrown in for good measure.

Anyone thinking we may see a truck version of this engine in a year or two?  If so, then the higher RPM capabilities wold be ruled out in creating the engine, since trucks are generally not known for ultra high revving engines.

Either way, it looks like a fun car to me, and one I would love to have, but I don’t think I could cram three car seats in the back of one…


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