Dumping the GT500 platform

[mdoan]

I’m looking for suggestions from others who have gone from modding Shelby’s to modding GT’s.

I wish I would’ve realized this about $20,000 in parts earlier, but after doing the math I’m realizing it’s far cheaper - and easier - per hp to start with the more established base car. The niche aftermarket, premium for OEM parts, limited resource base, and now dated chassis - not to mention the nightmare that is wrenching in these stupid overcrowded engine bays - have officially worn me out. It’s just not fun any more.

With all that said, I should have mine sold within a month or two - and parted out - and I’m starting to plan for the clean slate. What should my focus be starting fresh with a new format? Any particular model years where S550 made noteworthy gains? Also, where is the best online market to sell a ‘10 GT500?

 

[CobraBob]

Pictures of your "no longer liked" GT-500? How long have you owned it?

 

[mdoan]

2 years.

Vunnible D

 

[buddha93]

You chasing a HP number, or just getting your ass handed to you by faster cars? Either way, if you've been wrenching on cars long enough, you know that game never stops. Always somebody with deeper pockets, etc. I was in a shop a few weeks back and the guy was talking about dumping $15k into a billet block.......and he's just street racing.

Car looks solid, what kind of power is it making?

 

[me32]

Really depends what you want the car for. Whats your end goal? Money spent on going fast in any car is money lost. Doesn't matter if its a Gt, gt350, GT500.

It almost sounds like you get board easy with cars.

 

[Makobra]

I wish I would’ve realized this about $20,000 in parts earlier, but after doing the math I’m realizing it’s far cheaper - and easier - per hp to start with the more established base car. The niche aftermarket, premium for OEM parts, limited resource base, and now dated chassis - not to mention the nightmare that is wrenching in these stupid overcrowded engine bays - have officially worn me out. It’s just not fun any more.

Okay so here's the problem. You didn't start with something you love because its just a math question for you. I've got a little over half that in my 97 cobra and cannot wait to drive this thing. why? because i started with something that looks the way I want it to look, has some good bits, and just needs refinement. I think i'd be just as happy if i started with a GT, probably happier since i've spent a ton of money and time chasing down answers and parts for this frankenstein mess of a modded cobra.

I spent two years mulling over why I'm even into cars, why i can't let it go, and then I made a list of all the cars i really love. then i set out to "build" a couple cars virtually on a spreadsheet. it came down to 350Z vs SN95. I ended up with the cobra.

a GT500 at the end of the day is just a better mustang just like my cobra at bottom is just a better mustang.
i guess the difference is there's a premium for GT500's which you seem to not value. the 20K you spent is 5K more than my total build budget including car. it'll probably hit 20 eventually but by then it'll be five nines of awesome.

my advice? think about what you REALLY want to DO with a car and then get your next project based on that. otherwise you'll just keep burning up funds stabbing in the dark at some target you don't even understand.

 

[buddha93]

I love my Fox pushrod cars, easy to work on, parts readily available, etc. I dumped more that $20k in parts with my red car and it made way less HP then the modded Shelby I have now, but still love the cars and would build another. Of courese I'm lucky enough to have more than one car, so it I can have a little of both worlds.

If your looking at the S550, I'd start looking at the 2015 models and up, but if you want the 10 speed auto, that puts you into a 2018 model from the factory. Just use the forums and see who's doing what, there are so many easy recipes out there for HP, guess it just depends on what your looking to do.

 

[biminiLX]

What is your goal here?
The Shelby as a starting point if you JUST want to go fast is your financial mistake.
At least you’ll have excellent resale in the very clean well done silver GT500 you have.
Regardless of platform, very few are really willing to do what it takes to go next level fast.
A high ten second street car (where yours should be unless you make excuses) should be good if you’re just looking for a fast fun on the street.
-J

 

[biminiLX]

I love my Fox pushrod cars, easy to work on, parts readily available, etc. I dumped more that $20k in parts with my red car and it made way less HP then the modded Shelby I have now, but still love the cars and would build another. Of courese I'm lucky enough to have more than one car, so it I can have a little of both worlds.

If your looking at the S550, I'd start looking at the 2015 models and up, but if you want the 10 speed auto, that puts you into a 2018 model from the factory. Just use the forums and see who's doing what, there are so many easy recipes out there for HP, guess it just depends on what your looking to do.

Exactly on the Fox.
I love the modern tech in a cheap 2800# chassis.
My LX is being redone as a 13-1500hp turbo Coyote/6R80 in a 3000# package with driver at the track.
-J

 

[SCALILOU]

I didn't buy my 3rd Shelby thinking I would be the fastest or highest horsepower car on the streets. I bought it because it is #224 of 314 made in my trim in 2008. It's a collectable. In 7 years it will be a classic lol. I've owned Corvettes, SS camaros, 60's muscle cars and a 57 f100 drag truck equipped with a built cobra jet motor.

Today, there are higher potential platforms you could build on... Modded hellcats, Modded pullied ZR1, even a procharged 3000lb (or lighter if you do some work) C5 Z06 would be a cheap build, you can score a used C5 Z06 for a lot cheaper than a prestine low mile Shelby, I had a Z06 so I know. Go on YouTube and you'll see videos of a 900whp Gt500 getting beat by 1000whp ZR1 and vice versa lol.

My neighbor has a procharged S550 on E85 that puts down 750 hp, but still had to shell out coin to accomplish it. Although I only put down about 610whp, and can run neck in neck with stock Hellcats due to the weight difference (stock hellcat only puts down about 640whp). Could I make more HP? Of course I could , but I live in CA, drive my car daily, on pump gas, and pass smog with no issues whatsoever. I'm happy with that.

On the flip side, I've been beat by a beater looking, sleeper 9 second 1998 Honda Civic with a turbocharged swapped engine lol. There will always be someone faster.

It's all about your end goal. I love driving my collectable car around town and getting a thumbs up from other car peeps, While, the guy in the Honda that beat me doesn't mind driving around a dirty, rusted car with multi colored body panels that looks like a shit box, because it's light, fast, cheap and he just wants to be the fastest on the street.

Good luck with whatever you choose!

If I were to build another car, it might be a 3200lb Viper with the stock 650hp as the starting point then I would slap a blower on it. I hardly ever see Vipers on the street.

 

[gimmie11s]

I also had a TVS Shelby and loved it. Resale value was great.

But i wanted to go faster and bought the cheaper Ford platform to go fast on (auto Coyote).

I do miss my GT500 often and will probably buy another but there is no qustion my 2018 makes my 640whp GT500 feel painfully slow.

The new car is probably too fast and downright dangerous. A factory stock looking/driving/operating car with AC and creature comforts that goes 150mph in the 1/4 is absurd lol.

But i guess that is what we're all addicted to... chasing the unknown.

 

[Radron2626]

Vipers are nice, we have a couple around here, both are twin turbo making 1600whp-2000whp. Stock ones aren’t too bad, not the fastest but quick enough. I think the owners said they each have $300k into them. I guess each their own.

 

[CobraBob]

You haven't stated what your ultimate goals are for a new platform. So I'm going to make a wild assumption that you aren't so much looking to be king of the hill, as you are reducing your mods budget for a specific power level. So what are the mods on your GT-500? How much power is it making to the wheels? What are your mod plans for the new platform?

 

[mdoan]

Fair (and pretty accurate) assumptions. I’m around 630-650whp courtesy of a Gen 2 / 2.6” pulley, typical supporting fuel mods, 67mm TB, and 127mm intake. A few of its non-power mods include a recaro swap, McLeod RST, rear LCA’s and 11-14 UCA, widened OEM 13/14 wheels 19x10.5/20x11, fuel rails / coolant tanks dress-up / yada yada.

Im thinking I’ll initially try about the same power level or a bit more due to it coming later in the power band. How to get there? Lots of research needed of course, but returning to the simplicity of something like a pro-charger setup with or without cams (would like to do cams in a 4V at some point in my life) & a big-ass air-to-air IC seems very attractive to me right now.

TVS (Shelby) setups are certainly potent, but quite complicated, expensive to upgrade (particularly cooling), and almost too torquey for their own good...

I’ll want a manual, entirely street focused, a bit less prone to heat soak if possible... and more or less invisible to the casual observer.

General thoughts anyway.

 

[buddha93]

I know your saying less complex, but when I hear a IC setup that's somewhat stealthy, I think turbo(s).

 

[NightRide]

I was in the same boat as you a few years ago had an 11 gt500 with every mod and tried several blower swaps. Car was the meanest looking mustang but your right hard to hook it on the street. Plus I never liked the way the car shifted and spent thousands on upgrading that with every mod imaginable. Was to the point of doing a 6r80 swap and putting thousands more into the car. Or just switching to the car with a beefy motor/trans already.

I ended up getting a new 17 auto gt with the Ford racing kit. Car made 650whp easy on a mild pulley with pump gas and ran door to door with anything on the street. Ended up having another baby so sold the car. I truly missed this car more then the shelby.

Last month I bought a 15 gt auto with 28k miles. I think low mileage one's from 15-17 are going to get harder to come buy in a few years. The 18-20 cars didn't interest me as much because I've seen problems with them with the motor and trans. The previous generation you hardly ever heard this. Ordered a vmp gen3r for this car so I'm sure it will be quicker then the last two mustangs I've had. Just imo since the OP asked so hope it doesn't offend anyone. I would stay away from the stick cars since the auto is so much quicker and holds better power.

 

[mdoan]

I know your saying less complex, but when I hear a IC setup that's somewhat stealthy, I think turbo(s).

Turbos seems less complex to me than upgrading the stock setup GT500.

 

[SSSSSSSSSSSSVT]

Turbos seems less complex to me than upgrading the stock setup GT500.

How can turbos be simpler than a blower head unit swap? Swap your 2R for the 3R if you need more power. Make 850 to the wheels. Get a real good tire. Pray she holds together. Doesn't get much simpler IMO.

 

[mdoan]

Upgrading the cooling is not simple. I live in Houston so more boost does not equal more sustainable power.

 

[SSSSSSSSSSSSVT]

Upgrading the cooling is not simple. I live in Houston so more boost does not equal more sustainable power.

Pay to play. No matter the platform HP costs $$$