Street Racing & Kill Stories - TA vs Mach 1

Me: 99 Trans Am A4, 2.73, LM2, K&N, sweat pants, no socks

Him: 04 Competition Orange Mach 1, M5, said he was stock, dressed up, pierced eyebrow, hot gf in the passenger seat I wouldn't mind gettin a poke at


I took a different way back to school and was driving through straight BFE backroads when this car flies up on my rear. I recognize the headlights as Mustang and punch it. He is right behind me all the way to ~130. So we pull over and BS, ask what's done and what not and he asked if I wanted to run?

So seeing as I was cruisin on this road for the past hour with no cars and a dead cell phone at 11pm I welcomed the invitation. He asked if 30-35 would be fine and thats what's perfect for my car. So we went back and forth him honking and me honking and each time we were either dead even or he or I would pull maybe 1/2 a car up to around 110-5. After like the 6th run he just hung a quick left and threw down a u-turn and drove off. Didn't want to stick around and chat I guess. I actually thought I was going to get beat pretty good, but held my own. Seeing as how his car's front end was going up and down I could tell he was a decent shifter. Car felt like it was runnin pretty good in the 35 degree weather.

It's nothin to brag over but it was my first head to head run with the car so I was feelin happy. On a side note, my car was full to the top with the 4 wheels I was transporting, some luggage, and almost a full tank of gas.

good run I figure you should have pulled on him A little more

I have a buddy with a Mach,and they're not like the GT's.They come with a 3.55 gear and a much better motor and from a dig his car is right at the front of my door until we get up to 85 and then my car will start to pull on his.That gear helps them out a good bit.I like them just as much as the 03-04 Cobra's.I love the shaker scoop on 'em.

Good kill! Sounds about right to me

You roll raced him from 30 in an A4?

Good race.

Good runs.

i always like to see/hear about good clean runs w/o the BS :thumb: ...BTW 2v's(GT's) arent quite as quick as the 4v's ;)

good kill!

I like his Mod list better, pics?? :jest:

Nice run. I want to run a stock Mach in my car really bad. From the SOTP feel, my A4 SS feels just as fast as my friends 04 Mach 1 5speed did. I need to find one soon before the mods start to go on.

Machs are no joke. You did well with an A4/2.73 car full of crap. good runs.

good runs, i took on a slightly modded mach 1 in my t/a, and probably the best runs i had against any car we were dead even on both runs. much respect to the mach 1

And people said ford couldn't get it done n/a, good run.

yes, ford could do it n/a but why stay that way....

I have respect for Machs , they're no joke , they are nothing like 2V Gt's lol.

Good runs..mach 1's are strong cars..outcome sounds dead on to me

Seeing as how his car's front end was going up and down I could tell he was a decent shifter.


Im gonna go with a no on the good shifting. If he was a good shifter you wouldnt see too much of his front end coming down but rather staying "sprung" up.

Good kill !

good runs. sounds about right to me 2

You roll raced him from 30 in an A4?
Yeah, with the 2.73's from about 30-33 it kicks down into first right about perfect. Anything between 35-~60 and 2.73 A4 = :barf: It was my first head to head race on the street so I honestly had no idea how it would end up. I know the Mach1's are pretty comparable in hp to my car so i figured it could go either way. What do they have, 305hp? He didn't want to run from a dig though. Maybe wasn't confident in his launching?

Just put on a lid this week and have lt/ory waiting to go on. Maybe I'll bump into him again sometime :devil: .

I like his Mod list better, pics??
I should have tried racing him for his girl. I guess those are just the perks you get when you drive a Mustang... :jest:

?????? ......2.73 and automatic running with an M5 MACH 1...No, maybe an SS with 3.42 but not that... gotta call BS on that one man. Before everyone jumps on my a$$, I had a 2001 Z28 (royal Blue with the Hurst 6-speed and the "skip-shift"). I know quite a bit about that car. Had it for three years and I know what it can do. I have great respect for the LS1 and beat many cars with that car. However, honestly, I know what my MACH is capable of and it is no slouch. Unless you have a stall and some gears, I can't see you pulling on an M5 MACH1. You sure it was not a GT with the MACH1 dress up kit. You can buy all those items pretty cheap on the net! Hell, recently, I saw a 6-cyl stang with MACH 1 rims, stripes, and Chin spoiler. :judge:

?????? ......2.73 and automatic running with an M5 MACH 1...No, maybe an SS with 3.42 but not that... gotta call BS on that one man. Before everyone jumps on my a$$, I had a 2001 Z28 (royal Blue with the Hurst 6-speed and the "skip-shift"). I know quite a bit about that car. Had it for three years and I know what it can do. I have great respect for the LS1 and beat many cars with that car. However, honestly, I know what my MACH is capable of and it is no slouch. Unless you have a stall and some gears, I can't see you pulling on an M5 MACH1. You sure it was not a GT with the MACH1 dress up kit. You can buy all those items pretty cheap on the net! Hell, recently, I saw a 6-cyl stang with MACH 1 rims, stripes, and Chin spoiler. :judge:

They went from a 30 roll I thought it said? Out of the whole, no doubt the mach would of got him. But we also don't know how good the driver is either. Even an auto with 2.73 are only a few tenths difference. Any driver can make a mistake with a few tenths loss.

They went from a 30 roll I thought it said? Out of the whole, no doubt the mach would of got him. But we also don't know how good the driver is either. Even an auto with 2.73 are only a few tenths difference. Any driver can make a mistake with a few tenths loss.

True...it did say from a 30 roll and your right...anything can happen on the street.....I guess it still always comes down to driver mod.. Peace.

Nice to read the respect posts to the machs. :thumb:

Nice runs OP...and i have to agree...if he was that good of a driver, you wouldn't see much 'lift' in the front end.

Omega Doom - please tell me where the 'kill' happened..guess I missed that part.

machxlr8 what's up man. sounds like you have a nice mach. I own both an m5 mach 1 and an a4 2.73 z28. I love both cars. but my z is definately faster with just the minimal mods i have. That's awesome though that your mach 1 went 13.2 with just a k&n drop in. I didn't think they had that in them stock. But good to know some of them are that strong. I'm not too sure that ours is though. But much love for mach 1's and ls1's alike.

...That's awesome though that your mach 1 went 13.2 with just a k&n drop in. I didn't think they had that in them stock. But good to know some of them are that strong...
That's actually fairly average, and not all that unusual.

That's actually fairly average, and not all that unusual.
not here at bristol. mostly they go 13.8 - 13.9 stock

The color of his car must have added at least 12rwhp :jest:.

The color of his car must have added at least 12rwhp :jest:.
LOL mine is torch red too though :devil:

not here at bristol. mostly they go 13.8 - 13.9 stock
Ouch... I've heard as low as 13.0 for a completely stock one, and a couple 12.8-12.9s from people with just DRs. Was it really hot when they were running those 13.8-13.9s?

not here at bristol. mostly they go 13.8 - 13.9 stock


UM WHAT????.....HUmid and hot as hell, A4 machs, or some CRAPPY drivers. 13.5 is avg/marginal driver for an M5 stock mach.

Yeah I'm not saying I slaughtered him or even beat him good. Each time it was either even or each of us would pull ~.5 car on each other.

When I peeked inside his car I saw it only had 8900 miles on it so all you guys that want to find a scapegoat for his loss can blame his not being used to the car or whatever. Either way it was fun, and I'm not denying that with someone who can shift like a pro wouldn't have done better, but this is how it went down this time.

not here at bristol. mostly they go 13.8 - 13.9 stock

Automatics MACH 1 are sure different than M5s. That High 13 is an Auto MACH1 ET.

well i'm not gonna argue. i dont really care, i have both cars but at bristol everything is a few tenths slower. that's mainly why it took me by suprise.

machxlr8 what's up man. sounds like you have a nice mach. I own both an m5 mach 1 and an a4 2.73 z28. I love both cars. but my z is definately faster with just the minimal mods i have. That's awesome though that your mach 1 went 13.2 with just a k&n drop in. I didn't think they had that in them stock. But good to know some of them are that strong. I'm not too sure that ours is though. But much love for mach 1's and ls1's alike.

Thanks Man! I race at Raceway Park where it is almost at sea level. But yes my MACH1 does do that. If I can get the stock Goodyear to stick, I can get this no problem. I think I can drive a 5-speed well, but I don't consider myself an excellent driver. By the way, I am a great fan of the LS1's. I had my Z for three years and I took out a lot of cars with that Z. Most guys in my car club have Firebirds or Camaros. We all give respect in our club. A low 13 is a low 13 no matter if your in a FORD or CHEVY. :)

That's very true. I just haven't researched mach 1's very much other than the initial purchase so the low 13 took me by suprise. It sucks that my fiance drives the faster car haha

Yeah I'm not saying I slaughtered him or even beat him good. Each time it was either even or each of us would pull ~.5 car on each other.

When I peeked inside his car I saw it only had 8900 miles on it so all you guys that want to find a scapegoat for his loss can blame his not being used to the car or whatever. Either way it was fun, and I'm not denying that with someone who can shift like a pro wouldn't have done better, but this is how it went down this time.

No hatin' from me..... :thumb:

Yeah I'm not saying I slaughtered him or even beat him good. Each time it was either even or each of us would pull ~.5 car on each other.

When I peeked inside his car I saw it only had 8900 miles on it so all you guys that want to find a scapegoat for his loss can blame his not being used to the car or whatever. Either way it was fun, and I'm not denying that with someone who can shift like a pro wouldn't have done better, but this is how it went down this time.
our mach 1 just hit 20k miles :( that makes me sad to read that one only has 8900 on it

Bristol's at ~1500 ft, so you won't see the really good ETs there that you might see on the coast at sea level. 2-4 tenths slower is probably a good guess.

The Mach's are strong cars and a good race for the ls1's.
here are some times for the mach's
Magazine/Media Tested
Jack Keebler----M/T Dec02 (n/a) Red-- 5spd--- n / a, 13.80_ @ 102.5_ *
Tom Wilson--5.0/SF Apr03 (NV) Yellow 5spd--- n / a, 13.82_ @ 101.01 *
Steve Turner-5.0/SF Apr03 (NV) Red-- Auto---- n / a, 14.29_ @ 98.42 *

The Mach's are strong cars and a good race for the ls1's.
here are some times for the mach's
Magazine/Media Tested
Jack Keebler----M/T Dec02 (n/a) Red-- 5spd--- n / a, 13.80_ @ 102.5_ *
Tom Wilson--5.0/SF Apr03 (NV) Yellow 5spd--- n / a, 13.82_ @ 101.01 *
Steve Turner-5.0/SF Apr03 (NV) Red-- Auto---- n / a, 14.29_ @ 98.42 *
those times suck!!!! not saying that is not what they got, they just suck...

Nice, I've Only Seen One Mach 1 Around, But I Was Driving My Truck At The Time....

I do think those times are a bit high but it all depends on where you run I guess. Like the guy said earlier in bristol they run 13.8 or so but I have also seen them stock right around 13.2. Which makes it about a drivers race stock for stock. I do think that the LS1's do respond better to mods.

The Mach 1 is one definitely one of the "sibling" mustangs I would buy, that or a Terminator are the only mustangs *I* like. Excellent platform, 4v,strong M5, solid axle, 3.55 gear :drive:

Theres some girl in my area driving a blue Mach 1, such a nice car.

Last chick I dated had a black '03 Mach. How did I let that one get away...? :bang: :cry: :(

I do think those times are a bit high but it all depends on where you run I guess. Like the guy said earlier in bristol they run 13.8 or so but I have also seen them stock right around 13.2. Which makes it about a drivers race stock for stock. I do think that the LS1's do respond better to mods.

Do not get me wrong..... I have had my shares of bad ETs!!!! Kind of embarassing sometimes. It does not take much to run a crappy time. Simply letting out the clutch to fast and spinning the tires nets you a poor ET. However, I knew the potential was there because my trap speed most of the time was aroung 105 or 106. I noticed my best ET happens when it gets later in the day. I have also leanerd to feather the clutch. When I feel the tires grab and they are at a point where they won't break loose, than I let the clutch out entirely and smash the gas. I also noticed when I get a slight screeching noise from the tires, my ET and trap both come out good. Believe me though, it took a while to understand it as well as do it. Now I have a set of MT Drag radials as my "all the time" tire with 31 spline Moser axles and posi unit. I do not have to play the clutch game so much now.

The Mach's are strong cars and a good race for the ls1's.
here are some times for the mach's
Magazine/Media Tested
Jack Keebler----M/T Dec02 (n/a) Red-- 5spd--- n / a, 13.80_ @ 102.5_ *
Tom Wilson--5.0/SF Apr03 (NV) Yellow 5spd--- n / a, 13.82_ @ 101.01 *
Steve Turner-5.0/SF Apr03 (NV) Red-- Auto---- n / a, 14.29_ @ 98.42 *

Man, I hear you...... I have seen times like that also. However, let me throw out a thought and see what you think...by all means dispute it and say what you feel. It takes a lot to offend me.
Anyway, those times you quote can be done with a Mustang GT with a SOHC motor. The MACH 1 comes with a 32V DOHC motor rated at 310Hp and 320 Ft/lbs of torque. It also revs to 6800rpms. The MACH motor is also all aluminum. Both the heads and the block are aluminum. It is also geared with 3.55s. My MACH weighed in at 3385lbs (without me in it). I am just saying, if the GT can get those times with a SOHC motor, wouldn't you think that a MACH1 be able to get an ET and trap better than waht you mentioned?

dude that is not what he said, all he was saying was that those times were what some mags. got for times. If he wants to race a mach and see first hand what they can do then let him do it. Personally i love it when i am underestimated, it just makes victory that much sweeter.

First off I'm no stranger to the Mach as my brother owns a black 03. Also I only showed those times which were taken right from a mach 1 information site that also contains build numbers and all info pertaining to mach1's. One post stated mach's at bristol running 13.8's. Then some people said bad drivers or not possible. I was just showing that it all depends on the conditions. Magazine tested times are also usually not 1 single run but the best of what they could post on that day. I have never stated that the mach 1 is a dog and I don't under estimate them. Just one time would I like to see a Mach 1 owner put on this forum that racing a LS1 is a challenge for them. That is my brothers Mach in the backround.
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p199/darcar1/PA150007.jpg

First off I'm no stranger to the Mach as my brother owns a black 03. Also I only showed those times which were taken right from a mach 1 information site that also contains build numbers and all info pertaining to mach1's. One post stated mach's at bristol running 13.8's. Then some people said bad drivers or not possible. I was just showing that it all depends on the conditions. Magazine tested times are also usually not 1 single run but the best of what they could post on that day. I have never stated that the mach 1 is a dog and I don't under estimate them. Just one time would I like to see a Mach 1 owner put on this forum that racing a LS1 is a challenge for them. That is my brothers Mach in the backround.
http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p199/darcar1/PA150007.jpg

I will be the first to give props to the LS1s. Are you kidding me. If anything, the LS1 has the bigger advantage because of the larger cubic inch motor. I think the MACH1 owners have a harder time beating an LS1 powered car. However, if MACH1 owners do know their cars and take advantage of the high rpm red line, they can be formidable opponents. Because of the 32V DOHC high red line, you can use 4.10 or 4.30 gears effectively. 4.30s are actually a perfect gear for the MACH. It gets the rpms into that sweet spot quickly and still brings the car up to a good mph on the highway. It just always seems to come down to how good a driver you are and more importantly, how well you now your car!

stock for stock it is a drivers race. Personally i like the lsx motor b/c it is cheaper to mod. a cam for you guys is only $350, for us it is more like 1000. But i got the stang fever, most of my friends have ls1 cars. the reason i enjoy racing ls1s is because i used to run mid 12s. i was often underestimated. when i get my car back it should be a LITTLE faster....

+1 one on the Bristol comment. A 13.8 from a stock Mach 1 at Bristol is pretty damn good, especially if it was hot. Probably would be a 13.4 or 13.5 at sea level/good air. Yea, I have run at Bristol. Tough place to run your best E.T. but a REALLY nice facility.

+1 one on the Bristol comment. A 13.8 from a stock Mach 1 at Bristol is pretty damn good, especially if it was hot. Probably would be a 13.4 or 13.5 at sea level/good air. Yea, I have run at Bristol. Tough place to run your best E.T. but a REALLY nice facility.
Thanks Term....I was waiting for someone else to chime in about bristol times.

I understand that 13.8 is the 'norm' at bristol......however, I think it should have been noted that that is not to be taken as 'generally good times for a mach.'

darcar - if you would like to see that an LS is a challenge, find my highway race. What you don't seem to understand is alot of stang owners catch a bunch of crap. MACh owners have a harder time getting respect on SVTP.com than some of you fbod guys....I am not sure why, but it is hard for us to get respect. I like fbod's....I have just always been a stang guy.

And before anyone says 'this is a chevy site - deal with it'........like i said, Machs don't get much respect on SVT sites....stang sites, sure, but not svt.

Srry this might be of topic, but how much bhp does the 2003-04 mach 1 make? Srry I know absolutly nothing about Fords except for the 03-04 Cobras lol.
Good kill n u wer an A4!!!

WAIT srry for the question I found it out from MACHXLR8....... Good kill agian srry for taking up space lol...

Srry this might be of topic, but how much bhp does the 2003-04 mach 1 make? Srry I know absolutly nothing about Fords except for the 03-04 Cobras lol.
Good kill n u wer an A4!!!

That is a 'loaded' question..LOL. Ford rated the '03s at 305 and the '04s at 310. M5s dyno 275-290 and A4s are 255-270 (give or take). The great thing is the Machs have the solid rear (compared to SVTs IRS) and the TR3650 has alot better 1, 2, 3 gear ratios than the T56s in teh terminators...so machs hang with terminators in teh 1/8th...after that, the cobra shows its tail lights.

. Ford rated the '03s at 305 and the '04s at 310. M5s dyno 275-290 and 4s are 255-270 (give or take).
Howcome Ford rated the 03's 305, but the 04's 310!? They do somthing to it idk.. Srry im just to lazy to :search: :(

Last chick I dated had a black '03 Mach. How did I let that one get away...? :bang: :cry: :(

My ex-wife had one, loved that car.. :bang:

It was a hell of a lot quicker then her 03 GT was..

The Mach has a great amount of respect from me. I also know that we all like to stay loyal to our brands like you said you are a mustang guy just like my brother is. He had a 85 GT before and got his Mach about 2 years ago. I also think that most post on this GM site give respect to the mach. And it's nice to hear you guys give props to the LS1's. When it comes down to it most of us have these cars for fun and it's keeping the muscle cars alive to this day. There has been a revived interest in the muscle car field and is bringing us all some nice cars that are fun. My first car was a 77 camaro and have been a muscle car fan for 21yrs. since. Not to many people like to say yeah I'll race you and it will be close. They more than likely say my car will whip yours blah blah blah. Now I'm not saying that the mustang guys that post on here say that they all seem pretty cool here. But I have seen on many Stang sites that the ls1 is old or easy to beat and I think most fbody guys say that it would be a good race. I guess maybe that shows the quality of the members on this site. Also be sure to check my video to be posted sometime this summer of me and my brother at the track. :)

Bristol's at ~1500 ft, so you won't see the really good ETs there that you might see on the coast at sea level. 2-4 tenths slower is probably a good guess.

Finally someone with common sense posts that altitude affects cars, and not all machs/ls1's will run at their potential.

Good run against the Mach1. From what everyone says it's usually a driver's race against one.

Why can't I ever get into any races?? Last time I took my car to the track 1/8th mile, it ran a 7.0@98.6 mph granny shifting it.. I'm going back this week to push it harder..

I have a buddy with a Mach,and they're not like the GT's.They come with a 3.55 gear and a much better motor and from a dig his car is right at the front of my door until we get up to 85 and then my car will start to pull on his.That gear helps them out a good bit.I like them just as much as the 03-04 Cobra's.I love the shaker scoop on 'em.

I think they come with cobra motors just not with the kb in them.

I think they come with cobra motors just not with the kb in them.

No. Mach1 does not have forged internals from the factory (one of the major differences). The 03/04 doesn't have a kb from the factory. They have an Eaton from the factory. If my Terminator had come with a kb, it wouldn't have the garrett...

There are several more differences such as the cobras have an iron block and Mach's have an aluminum block. Cobra's comp ratio is 8:1, Mach's is 10:1. Also if I'm not mistaken the heads and cams are different. So other than having the same 281ci displacement the Mach's motor is nothing like a Cobras.

isn't the m5 mach's crankshaft the same as the cobra though?

isn't the m5 mach's crankshaft the same as the cobra though?
yeah, it's just the A4s that get the cast crankshaft.