It is hard to believe how far muscle cars have come. Just twenty years ago most muscle cars, the Mustang included, couldn’t even put 200 horsepower down at the rear wheels…with a V8 engine! Flash forward to today, and the base V6 engine on the Mustang makes 305 horsepower…just 10 horsepower shy of what last years 4.6 liter V8 engine made. Those are mighty impressive numbers for a humble V6, and the car is sure to attract a following of fans who can’t afford the V8, or just want to be different.

To help these fans find their way, Ford Racing has released the “Handling Pack” for V6 Mustangs to help boost the V6 pony car to the “next level” of performance.

This kit is distinctly different from the performance package Mustang V6, which went on sale this summer. Whereas that kit adds many bits and pieces from other parts of the Mustang family, including lower control arms from the Shelby GT500 and shocks and springs from the Mustang GT, this is a stand-alone package. All of these separate components have been designed to work together.

The handling pack has an MSRP of $1,339.95. For the money, you got dampers, lowering springs, jounce stops, sway bars, strunt mounts, and a strut tower brace. The lowering springs drop the car one full inch, and this should be similar handling package to the performance package, which has an MSRP of $1,995. However, the performance package also adds a 3:31 rear end gear ratio and special wheels…and comes pre-installed on the Mustang, whereas the handling package must be installed yourself.

Which do you think you’d rather have, the performance package, or the handling pack?