Road Racing, Drag Racing, And Drifting a 2014 ROUSH RS3 Mustang

In two previous stories we shared with you how much we enjoyed ROUSH’s 2012 and 2013 RS3 Mustangs. If you are looking for the features about the car or how it drives in traffic, we recommend one of those stories. Though, if you are interested in how we thrashed our recent 2014 RS3, then read on.

With a completely new S550 chassis coming early next year, 2014 will obviously be the last S197 that ROUSH Performance will produce. After a decade in production, and before the S197s go out with a glorious bang, we performed a through thrashing on this final model year RS3 on an S197 chassis.

A Recap of the Power Improvements on the 2013-14 RS3.

As a refresher, ROUSH claims that the 2013 RS3 made an additional 25 hp and 40 lb/ft of torque over it’s 2011-12 counterpart.  “Camshaft timing changes combined with a supercharger pulley change led to increases in power and torque across the RPM range, pushing peak torque production from 465 up to 505 lb-ft and maximum power output from 540 to 565 hp,” said ROUSH Engineering Director Erin Dmytrow. “Improved Ti-VCT calibration provides smoother torque delivery throughout the engine operating range.”

ROUSH opted not to make any significant powertrain upgrades for the standard 2014 RS3, and with that, we did not dyno the 2014 test mule we had. A minor 10 horsepower bump (575 hp) was made for the 2014 in the way of tuning. The 2013 RS3 averaged 501.5 hp and 435.4 lb/ft to the rear tires, which was a 59.4 hp and 53.4 lb/ft gain over the 2012. The 2011-2012 Mustang RS3s are rated at 540 hp and 465 lb/ft of torque and previously our RS3 averaged 442 hp and 382 lb/ft to the tires.

New 2014 Phase 3 Power Upgrades

For those looking to make a big step in horsepower, ROUSH offers a Phase 2 (625 hp) and Phase 3 (675 hp) RS3 package kits that are available from their retail catalog. To get you ready for that jump in power, ROUSH can install a Ford Racing Aluminator crate engine. Along with this package, ROUSH will certify the installation so that it’s covered under warranty and completely CARB/SMOG legal. The Aluminator crate engine will support every bit of forced air the 2.3-liter, Eaton TVS rotor based, ROUSHcharger can produce.

Interior and Exterior Changes

The painted BOSS 302 rear seat delete is an option for RS owners.

To spice it up a bit, ROUSH added some subtle options that are specific to the 2014. The first, and most obvious, is the BOSS 302 rear seat delete kit. The color of the X-brace can be specified by the customer. You’d think the the rear seat delete would add noise back into the car, but Ford has done a great job engineering it and the cabin stays as quiet as a fully upholstered Mustang.

ROUSH added five new graphic colors to the RS lineup for 2014 that are filled with alliterations – Launch It Lemon; Magnum Grey; Marina Blue; Mat It Mango; Punch It Purple. Last on the update list is the RS3’s a new wheel option making three total. The new wheel is a semi-split spoke graphite 20-inch design that were also featured on our test vehicle.

At the Dragstrip

While the RS3 has continued to rise up the horsepower scale, our ability to get faster times out of it have stalled. As we mentioned before, Irwindale Speedway’s Thursday test and tune session is a mixed bag of trailer queens and street cars. Depending on the split, traction can be challenging at the eighth-mile strip.

This time around our best 60-foot time was a 1.89, though on our fastest time, we pulled a 1.90. In retrospect our 2012 RS3 was able to achieve a 1.80 60-foot time, along with the 2013’s 1.86.These are all still respectable short times for the Cooper RS3 20-inch road handling street tires.

We gripped and drifted the RS3 at Adam's Motorsports Park

With 35 more horsepower on tap, we narrowly missed the best time of the previous RS3s with a 7.97 at 90.60 mph. The 2012 produced a 7.95 and a 8.097 on the 2013. If traction had been a little more on our side, we feel that 7.70s would have been feasible.

Road Racing and Drifting at Adam’s Motorsports Park

We averaged 1.09 side G-loads and peaked 1.12g around Adam’s kart track.

While we have done plenty of corner carving in the mountains of SoCal, we’ve never actually taken the RS3 to a race track or autocross. Adam’s Motorsports Park is tight and technical go kart track located 45 minutes from our office. While it is a kart track, it features a back straight that allowed us to get the ROUSH up to 75 mph.

The narrow, tight turns allowed us to toss the RS3 around and on its 300 treadwear Cooper RS3 tires. The tuned ROUSH suspension responded remarkably. We averaged 1.09 side G-loads and peaked 1.12g. For those that say a solid axle car can’t handle well, how can you argue with these numbers?

When it came to drifting at Adam’s kart course, one must keep a very tidy and technical line – if the car goes wide, off in the dirt you go. While it’s not like drifting a popular drift car such as a 240sx or 350z, it is still surprisingly easy to slide around and have some fun.

Drag, Drift, Road Race, or Daily Driver — The RS3 Does it All

We have proven through our three reviews of the ROUSH RS3 that it’s a completely capable vehicle for any sort of driver. It achieves upwards of 23 mpg when driving it on the freeway, hooks up fairly well at the dragstrip, and corner carves with precision. With a sad note we conclude the S197 ROUSH Mustangs, we cannot wait to see what they have in store for 2015!

Photo Gallery Below

About the author

Mark Gearhart

In 1995 Mark started photographing drag races at his once local track, Bradenton Motorsports Park. He became hooked and shot virtually every series at the track until 2007 until he moved to California and began working as a writer for Power Automedia. He was the founding editor for its first online magazines, and transitioned into the role of editorial director role in 2014. Retiring from the company in 2016, Mark continues to expand his career as a car builder, automotive enthusiast, and freelance journalist to provide featured content and technical expertise.
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