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Tail of the Dragon with the SHO

Started by emulsifide, August 14, 2016, 11:06:25 PM

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emulsifide

August 14, 2016, 11:06:25 PM
As stated in my introduction thread, I managed to hit up the Tail of the Dragon with the SHO while I was on vacation this week. Here's the pictures:








What a fun trip! I highly recommend hitting up the Dragon if you're ever in the TN/NC border via US129. Slinging the beast through the corners was an enlightening experience and a MUCH different feeling than my supercharged Miata that feels like a go kart.
2011 Ford Taurus SHO - Soon to be modded!

SHOdded

#1
August 15, 2016, 05:50:40 AM
How long does it take to complete the course?  Any tips/tricks?
2007 Ford Edge SEL, Powerstop F/R Brake Kit, TXT LED 6000K Lo & Hi Beams, W16W LED Reverse Bulbs, 3BSpec 2.5w Map Lights, 5W Cree rear dome lights, 5W Cree cargo light, DTBL LED Taillights

If tuned:  Take note of the strategy code as you return to stock (including 3 bar MAP to 2 bar MAP) -> take car in & get it serviced -> check strategy code when you get car back -> have tuner update your tune if the strategy code has changed -> reload tune -> ENJOY!

emulsifide

#2
August 15, 2016, 08:23:02 AM
About 20 minutes at the speed limit (which is plenty fast in the turns/curves). Keep your eyes on the road the entire time and don't ever cross the center line unless you want your car to eat a motorcyclist. I had slight fade in my brakes 3/4 of the way through each of my two runs. I'm betting that upgrading to 2013+ brakes would have eliminated that all-together.
2011 Ford Taurus SHO - Soon to be modded!

ZSHO

#3
August 15, 2016, 09:29:26 AM
AYE....There was a member a while back with the similar vehicle as yours that entered the Dragon,LOL.  Z    8) http://www.ecoboostperformanceforum.com/index.php/topic,3395.0.html


2013 Performance Package SHO| Livernois Custom Methanol Tune|3-Bar Map|Reische-170-Stat|Full Race Tial-10psi BOV in Black|PPE-Gloss Black Hot Pipes|EPP Dual Intake in Gloss Black|PPE Catted DP|Corsa Sport Cat Back Exhaust|H&R Sport-Springs|CFM Performance Billet Valve Cover Breather In Gloss Black|Llumar 20%Ceramic window Tint|MSD Ignition Coils in Black|Extreme Roof Spoiler|Redline Fluids all around|Gearhead Intercooler|First-SHO With Direct Port Alky-VP-M1-100%-Methanol Injection|LMS-Custom-Dyno-Tuned @ 415whp-465wtq| Best Trap Speed of 115.54 mph|

djxfactor

#4
August 15, 2016, 09:55:54 AM
I just ran the Dragon the weekend before you!  It was a blast to drive my Flex EB on it, but I dealt with the same brake fade by the end of each run.  I'll definitely be looking into a brake system upgrade in the very near future!







2014 Ford Flex Limited AWD EcoBoost - Full Amsoil Synthetic Fluids swap in engine and driveline, SCT X4 Tuner w/ multiple tunes for 93 + Meth, Dash-mount Tablet running Torque Pro Gauges w/ BT Wireless OBD Adapter, 170 T-stat, 3-Bar MAP sensor, Denso 1step Colder Spark Plugs, OBX Catless Downpipes, Magnaflow Downpipe-back 2.5" exhaust system, Magnaflow 2.5" X-Pipe, MDesign Carbon Direct Cold Air Intake (Latest Gen), UPR 3-way Catch Can System, Devil's Own Stage-2 3-Bar Methanol Injection System with custom Tank/Pump mount, EcoPowerParts Black powder-coated Charge Pipe kit, TIAL Q Race BOV in Ruby Red color-match, Power Stop Z23 Brake upgrade on all 4 corners with Drilled/Slotted Zinc Rotors and Carbon Fiber-infused Ceramic Pads with color-matched Ruby Red calipers, Moog upgraded Sway Bar Endlinks, lowered on Megan Racing EZ Street coilovers, SPC Rear Camber kit, Verde Axis V99 Bronze 20x9 wheels wrapped in 275/40 Nexens, Custom forged 4 1/2" spiked one-piece steel lugs, Kicker CompRT 12" Sub in custom spare tire-well box, Polk Audio Carbon C500.1 mono sub amp, All-Fit Front Lip Spoiler, 3D Carbon Rear Wing, Ruby Red vinyl wrapped interior trim, LED-lit "FLEX" Door Sills, Full LED Interior bulb swap, Red LED Accent lighting throughout, SpiderMax 3D Kagu black laser fit floor mats for all 3 rows, LED Puddle Light swap, Tinted LED Tails, Windows Tinted all around.

SHOdded

#5
August 15, 2016, 09:56:08 AM
I think Shoman04 has also done it, and some bike riders too, IIRC.  From the looks of it, it takes a great deal of patience and planning.  Too easy to lose sight of the objective in these go-fast cars & get in trouble :)
2007 Ford Edge SEL, Powerstop F/R Brake Kit, TXT LED 6000K Lo & Hi Beams, W16W LED Reverse Bulbs, 3BSpec 2.5w Map Lights, 5W Cree rear dome lights, 5W Cree cargo light, DTBL LED Taillights

If tuned:  Take note of the strategy code as you return to stock (including 3 bar MAP to 2 bar MAP) -> take car in & get it serviced -> check strategy code when you get car back -> have tuner update your tune if the strategy code has changed -> reload tune -> ENJOY!

emulsifide

#6
August 15, 2016, 10:22:29 AM
Quote from: ZSHO on August 15, 2016, 09:29:26 AM
AYE....There was a member a while back with the similar vehicle as yours that entered the Dragon,LOL.  Z    8) http://www.ecoboostperformanceforum.com/index.php/topic,3395.0.html

Funny that you mention that.....his R&T is one of the reasons why I purchased a SHO :-D
2011 Ford Taurus SHO - Soon to be modded!

emulsifide

#7
August 15, 2016, 10:24:11 AM
Quote from: djxfactor on August 15, 2016, 09:55:54 AM
I just ran the Dragon the weekend before you!  It was a blast to drive my Flex EB on it, but I dealt with the same brake fade by the end of each run.  I'll definitely be looking into a brake system upgrade in the very near future!







I LOVE your Flex!!!! Amazing vehicle! It was a toss up between a SHO and a Flex for me when I went through the buying process last month. The SHO appeared before a decent Flex did unfortunately.
2011 Ford Taurus SHO - Soon to be modded!

sholxgt

#8
August 15, 2016, 12:02:59 PM
Great pics!  Good times.  Killboy get any photo's of you?

I used to go through there regularly on my motorcycle, but haven't been back since taking the wife's Fit through and getting a speeding ticket.  Cop was outside his car talking to motorcyclists at about the half way point when I passed him.  He didn't catch me till about 2 miles North of the Dragon in the straight section by the lake.  I wasn't running from him.  Just going the speed limit at that point.  Cops up there can be complete pricks to cars.  Never had one even try to pull me over on the bike.  Well, not that I know of. LOL

When most people on here hear me complaining about my brakes, they don't understand the roads I drive on.  I'm on the S side of that mountain and 129 runs straight through my town.  We have countless roads nearby that are similar to the Dragon (nothing is quite the same) with much less traffic or police.  Blood Mountain, Richard B Russel scenic hwy, etc are at my backdoor.

The MKS handles better than one would expect given it's heft, but overall it's not suitable for these roads.  We still take the Fit when we are going to go for a fun drive.  It's can actually maintain substantially higher corner speeds.  I can only imagine how fun that Miata must be.
Current - 2019 F150 Platinum FX4 3.5 EB
Formerly -2013 MKS Ecoboost Premium
PPE Catted DP's, 170 Reische TS, K&N Drop In, AJP Tune only at track - 12.87@106

djxfactor

#9
August 15, 2016, 12:07:21 PM
Quote from: emulsifide on August 15, 2016, 10:24:11 AM
Quote from: djxfactor on August 15, 2016, 09:55:54 AM
I just ran the Dragon the weekend before you!  It was a blast to drive my Flex EB on it, but I dealt with the same brake fade by the end of each run.  I'll definitely be looking into a brake system upgrade in the very near future!







I LOVE your Flex!!!! Amazing vehicle! It was a toss up between a SHO and a Flex for me when I went through the buying process last month. The SHO appeared before a decent Flex did unfortunately.

Thank you!!  I'm still in the honeymoon phase with it, but coming from a '13 Flex SEL NA to this one has been an amazing upgrade and I don't think the honeymoon will ever end!  I've got 3 kids and a DJ career so the Flex is just the perfect vehicle to fit all my needs.  I loved my SEL but had always wanted to upgrade to the EB AWD, and searched for months to find the right drivetrain, color, and options combo.  I had to drive 2 1/2 hours to a dealership to buy this one and don't regret it in the least!
2014 Ford Flex Limited AWD EcoBoost - Full Amsoil Synthetic Fluids swap in engine and driveline, SCT X4 Tuner w/ multiple tunes for 93 + Meth, Dash-mount Tablet running Torque Pro Gauges w/ BT Wireless OBD Adapter, 170 T-stat, 3-Bar MAP sensor, Denso 1step Colder Spark Plugs, OBX Catless Downpipes, Magnaflow Downpipe-back 2.5" exhaust system, Magnaflow 2.5" X-Pipe, MDesign Carbon Direct Cold Air Intake (Latest Gen), UPR 3-way Catch Can System, Devil's Own Stage-2 3-Bar Methanol Injection System with custom Tank/Pump mount, EcoPowerParts Black powder-coated Charge Pipe kit, TIAL Q Race BOV in Ruby Red color-match, Power Stop Z23 Brake upgrade on all 4 corners with Drilled/Slotted Zinc Rotors and Carbon Fiber-infused Ceramic Pads with color-matched Ruby Red calipers, Moog upgraded Sway Bar Endlinks, lowered on Megan Racing EZ Street coilovers, SPC Rear Camber kit, Verde Axis V99 Bronze 20x9 wheels wrapped in 275/40 Nexens, Custom forged 4 1/2" spiked one-piece steel lugs, Kicker CompRT 12" Sub in custom spare tire-well box, Polk Audio Carbon C500.1 mono sub amp, All-Fit Front Lip Spoiler, 3D Carbon Rear Wing, Ruby Red vinyl wrapped interior trim, LED-lit "FLEX" Door Sills, Full LED Interior bulb swap, Red LED Accent lighting throughout, SpiderMax 3D Kagu black laser fit floor mats for all 3 rows, LED Puddle Light swap, Tinted LED Tails, Windows Tinted all around.

slurppie

#10
August 15, 2016, 05:35:10 PM
We used to have our R1/R6 rallies up there and camp out in Fontana. The Dragon is nice but has become a big tourist attraction. The Cherohola is a great road if any of you make it up/down there.

sent from my speak n' spell using tin cans and string

2013 w/PP
Synthetic blinker fluid
Ceramic muffler bearings
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