Evolution. It’s the process we use to make things better, stronger, and push the limits of what others may deem impossible. When transitioning from the 2011-2012 to the refreshed 2013 Mustang, many didn’t expect Mustang manufacturers like ROUSH Performance to do much with the newfangled body style. We are a short two years from yet another brazen body style change and the cost to develop new parts for the interim 2013-2014s seemed too much to ask. Boy, wouldn’t we be proven otherwise.  From the dragstrip, dyno, and to the road, we review the 2013 ROUSH Stage 3 Mustang.

Exterior Revisions

In August 2011 we tested ROUSH’s 2012 RS3 and when the call came in to check out the 2013 counterpart, we gladly took the keys for another week. The Ingot Silver 2012 Mustang was pleasantly equipped from the exterior, which garnered a lot of attention around town. But in comparison, we might as well been driving around in a 1976 Mustang II by the amount of looks received when driving the Race Red 2013.

From the rear, the 2013 Mustang is already an aggressive looking pony car with the revised tail lights. Acting as the bill of the ball cap for the tail lights is the same three piece rear spoiler found on the 2011-2012. Moving to the bottom of the bumper, the rear valance has received an aggressive and very pronounced redesign that fits the muffler’s square tips handsomely. The corners of the rear bumper are fitted with subtle extensions that transition to the side skirts that are also carried over from the 2011-2012 RS3.

The front end alterations are all fresh for the 2013 body style with aggressive, black fog light pockets. Below is a lower splitter that adds a racier look. A redesigned upper grill fits perfectly in the GT500-inspired 2013 bumper, while a half moon hood scoop adds a little pizazz up top.

Interior and Suspension

Probably the most unchanged part of the 2013 RS3 is the interior. However, ROUSH did revise their boost gauge design that is still placed in the driver’s side air vent. The same leather seating with suede inserts for the front and rear, along with highlight stitching and unique Stage 3 embroidery would not need to be changed. Other features include suede door panel inserts and a suede shift boot, all with highlight stitching.

The suspension of the 2013 RS3 is largely unchanged.  One aspect of the suspension we really like is the anti-wheel hop kit, which consists of lower control arm relocation brackets and a redesigned upper control arm. This system corrects the lowered RS3’s suspension geometry to get more traction to the rear tires during both drag racing and road racing events.

One highlight of the 2013 Mustang is the 4-inch interactive display between the speedo and tach. Housed inside is a real-time 4-axis g-meter that also saves peak numbers. During our review we took the RS3 to some of our favorite mountain roads for a decent flogging. While we didn’t push the Mustang to it’s maximum limits by any means, we comfortably achieved 1.00-1.01g during the haul through the canyons. Even during fast left-to-right movements between turns, the Cooper RS3 tires and ROUSH suspension package worked harmoniously together to give a confident and consistent response. We firmly believe that on a good road course, g-meter levels of 1.04-1.05 would be easily accessible, putting the RS3 in as a supercar contender without the need of R-compound tires. 

Powertrain Upgrades

On the Dyno

Saving the best for last, we move to the powertrain upgrades. While ROUSH claims that the RS3 only makes an additional 25 hp and 40 lb/ft of torque, we can tell you that according to our Dynojet, it makes quite a bit more.

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. If you factor a drivetrain loss of 18%, the RS3 is making its advertised 540 hp. ROUSH also rates this supercharger at 10 psi of boost, and our experience from the track and on the dyno is while it may flash to 10 psi between shifts, most of a run the needle sits between the 7-8 psi mark.

For 2013 ROUSH upped that horsepower slightly to 565, but a large 40 lb/ft jump came in the torque department. “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 TiVCT calibration provides smoother torque delivery throughout the engine operating range.”

But don’t let all this extra power fool you – the RS3 drives just like a stock Mustang when your foot isn’t buried deep in the throttle pedal. “Testing and development for the 2013 calibration was conducted across the USA, from the Colorado Rocky Mountains to the deserts of Arizona and Nevada, as well as in our own dynamometer test facility, to validate the improvements for the 2013 Stage 3 Mustang,” states Dmytrow.

At Irwindale Speedway

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. Last year our 2012 RS3 had the majority of its tire tread removed by previous testers, making them suitable ‘slicks’ at the track. This time with better-looking RS3s, we were not able to net a similar 1.807 60 foot time, but a little higher 1.864. Most of our 60 foot times were in the 1.90 range, which is still respectable for 20-inch road handling street tires.

In the end our best time of the day was 8.097 at 89.43 mph, .142 slower than the 2012. If traction would been a little more on our side, we feel that the 2013 would be about a tenth faster overall then the 2012.

(Left to Right) Our first run of the day was made in the left lane with the remaining two being in the right lane. In the end our best time of the day was 8.097 at 89.43 mph, .142 slower than the 2012. Optimal traction was not on our side that day.

A Look At The New Options – Phase 2, Phase 3 and the Aluminator Long Block

ROUSH knows that many RS3 owners will be happy with the performance out of the box, but also that some will be looking to take the next step. This is why ROUSH has introduced both their Phase 2 and 3 post-title, dealer installed packages.

Phase 2 Upgrade – 625 hp and 525 lb/ft of torque

The Phase 2 package comes with a more aggressive, premium-pump-gas-only tune to start things off. More air is introduced via a less restrictive open element-style filter and a smaller 85mm pulley for more boost – about two psi more than the standard Phase 1. At the end of the day, this $799.99 parts-only upgrade will net an additional 65 hp and 20 lb/ft of torque at the engine.

Phase 3 Upgrade – 675-700 hp and 585 lb/ft of torque

This is the top-of-the-line package for RS3 owners that are looking to go all-out with their Mustang. The engine still retains the factory 2.3-liter Eaton TVS supercharger but with a much smaller pulley to create more boost, along with a more aggressive calibration and open element air filter system.

Aluminator Long Block Option

Another option for 2014 will be a factory installed Ford Racing Aluminator long block. ROUSH mentions that the Aluminator will come with the same 3 year/36,000 mile warranty as their standard RS3 and will also be 50 state smog legal to boot. This means that RS3 owners that plan to upgrade to a Phase 2 or 3 kit will have a more robust engine to handle the abuse.

Still utilizing the standard bore and stroke, this standard-size 302 boasts a fully forged rotating assembly. The compression ratio has been dropped to 9.5:1 via Mahle hard anodized forged pistons and Manley H-beam connecting rods with ARP bolts. “Our customer base has been hungry for a forged block configuration powered by our best ROUSH supercharger…and we think this engine package will blow away everyone’s expectations,” says Tim Wheeler of ROUSH.

From Simply Powerful to Simply Insane

ROUSH is one of the most respected names in Mustang performance. Not only can they produce a Mustang that can compete in road racing, drag racing, or at a local car show, they back their vehicles with a myriad of upgrades. This allows enthusiasts to have a Mustang that’s as docile as a stock GT or as crazy as a track-bred monster. Either way, we can’t wait to see what ROUSH has in store for the 2015 model Mustang!