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Maverick Lobo Autocross Testing & Handling Upgrades

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How is the Goodwin? I hear it’s better constructed than the Steeda one. I got the steeda one and was still impressed with the difference in improved handling - wonder what your goodwin is like on their lowest setting. I Had a bit of an issue with clearance on the new bar and the drive shaft/ RDU shield; but I worked it out by shifting the bushings up.
I haven't had any issues with the Goodwin. Lowest setting on the Goodwin would probably feel very similar to the middle setting on the Steeda.
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NIKwithoutaC

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Out of curiosity, what noteworthy cars have you been able to outrun with the Lobo?
 

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With the season wrapped up and only about 1.5 seconds off being truly “competitive,” I’m already looking forward to next year. A simple tire upgrade should be all it takes to close that gap — and maybe hurt a few more egos in the process.
sorry if it's already mentioned in here, but what tires specifically are you planning on for next season? according to the OP, you used a 245/50-19 Firestone Firehawk indy 500 which is definitely a performance summer tire, but the utg 340 alone betrays it as not a max performance option for autocross.
 

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Congrats on a great season! Especially a compressed one.
Given you live in Edmonton maybe snow/ice cross now? ❄

You've convinced me on the Goodwin bar. And now they are on sale for $279, order in.
 
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sorry if it's already mentioned in here, but what tires specifically are you planning on for next season? according to the OP, you used a 245/50-19 Firestone Firehawk indy 500 which is definitely a performance summer tire, but the utg 340 alone betrays it as not a max performance option for autocross.
245/45/20 Good Year Super Car 3's (220TW) on a 9" rim..unless something better becomes available in that size before next spring.

Supercar 3's are still not a top end AutoX tire, but will be significantly better than the Indy 500's.
 

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Congrats on a great season! Especially a compressed one.
Given you live in Edmonton maybe snow/ice cross now? ❄

You've convinced me on the Goodwin bar. And now they are on sale for $279, order in.
Yup, I host a few snow events in January & February that I'll also be using the truck in.
 
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Out of curiosity, what noteworthy cars have you been able to outrun with the Lobo?
Oh lots, Miatas, Corvettes, Type R's, Camaro 1LE's to 500hp Evo's, BUT this is 100% due to driver experience levels. All those cars would kill this truck with similar experience/skilled drivers.

For reference, I would put the comparable performance level of this truck somewhere near a new Civic Sport.
 
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Oh lots, Miatas, Corvettes, Type R's, Camaro 1LE's to 500hp Evo's, BUT this is 100% due to driver experience levels. All those cars would kill this truck with similar experience/skilled drivers.

For reference, I would put the comparable performance level of this truck somewhere near a new Civic Sport.
Maybe closer to an Si? With the open diff, the Sport wouldn't be able to put the power down out of tight corners...
 
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colinl

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Maybe closer to an Si? With the open diff, the Sport wouldn't be able to put the power down or of right corners...
perhaps, but it has a much better power to weight ratio.
 
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Maybe closer to an Si? With the open diff, the Sport wouldn't be able to put the power down or of right corners...
The Si easily outperforms it. The Sport would be a closer comparison. For reference, I was about 3 seconds slower than a stock 2018 Si (with proper tires and a skilled driver) on a 60-second course. The Sport is typically around 1+ second slower than the Si, which would put its performance roughly on par with the Lobo—assuming all are running the same tires.
 
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Winter’s in full swing, so here’s a throwback from when the truck was completely stock.
Didn’t think it would ever tripod… turns out it definitely does.
Pretty sure this explains why the ESC likes to kill power on corner exit.

Ford Maverick Maverick Lobo Autocross Testing & Handling Upgrades DSC_3939


Ford Maverick Maverick Lobo Autocross Testing & Handling Upgrades Screenshot_20251222_070538_Photos
 

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That is really cool. More proof that these things have been criminally underrated by the auto journo industry.
 

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Winter’s in full swing, so here’s a throwback from when the truck was completely stock.
Didn’t think it would ever tripod… turns out it definitely does.
Pretty sure this explains why the ESC likes to kill power on corner exit.

DSC_3939.webp


Screenshot_20251222_070538_Photos.webp
Great picture.

I don't really know everything that Lobo mode changes, but are you turning off traction control too (short press on the ESC button), or are you shutting down AdvanceTrac completely (hold the ESC button until the message changes to AdvanceTrac OFF)?

I'm surprised it would still cut power with AdvanceTrac off
 
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Great picture.

I don't really know everything that Lobo mode changes, but are you turning off traction control too (short press on the ESC button), or are you shutting down AdvanceTrac completely (hold the ESC button until the message changes to AdvanceTrac OFF)?

I'm surprised it would still cut power with AdvanceTrac off
Even with AdvanceTrac off, it’ll still cut power. In tight, low-speed parking lot AutoX it almost never happens, but on bigger, faster courses it shows up.
I’m guessing it’s some sort of rollover logic that only kicks in above a certain speed and steering angle — and maybe once it senses a tire lifting.

Feels very similar to a Mazdaspeed 3 I had that would cut boost based on steering angle.
 
 







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