Just purchased a 2011 GT500 SVT. I have some questions.

SCGallo2 said:

If and when you need performance parts installed or custom dyno & drive tuning done, JDM Engineering is nearby in Freehold, NJ. They have a very good reputation in the GT500, Cobra, Lightning, and Mustang communities, and they will get the work done right the first time: Ford Raptor, Mustang, Shelby, GT500, F-150 Tuning - JDM Engineering

As others have stated, put some miles on your car, get to know it, and weaknesses will identify themselves if you are driving it to its full potential.

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Rachellynn said:

Thank you. I agree, I need to really learn the car. It has a lot of power as is. I am not going to race the car, track or otherwise.

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1Kona_Venom said:

I would do a compression check on the engine make sure you know you are working with a healthy motor

You come across as simple. So here is simple "should consider doing" stuff

Oil Change and filter
MGWII Shifter
Drain Transmission Fluid fill with Amsoil ATF fluid

Cooling Mods
Cooling is a very big help to these cars for longevity
VMP Heat Exchanger (or other brand)
180* Thermostat (170* if you can find one)
3X Capacity Coolant Tank (VMP)
Flush the cooling system start fresh

JLT Cold Air FIlter 123MM
Smaller Blower Pulley
Change Spark Plugs
Ford Racing 65mm Throttle Body
Metco 90MM Idler Pulley

Tune the car. Most of the stuff listed requires a tune anyway.

Any pictures of the engine bay?

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1Kona_Venom said:

I would do a compression check on the engine make sure you know you are working with a healthy motor

You come across as simple. So here is simple "should consider doing" stuff

Oil Change and filter
MGWII Shifter
Drain Transmission Fluid fill with Amsoil ATF fluid

Cooling Mods
Cooling is a very big help to these cars for longevity
VMP Heat Exchanger (or other brand)
180* Thermostat (170* if you can find one)
3X Capacity Coolant Tank (VMP)
Flush the cooling system start fresh

JLT Cold Air FIlter 123MM
Smaller Blower Pulley
Change Spark Plugs
Ford Racing 65mm Throttle Body
Metco 90MM Idler Pulley

Tune the car. Most of the stuff listed requires a tune anyway.

Any pictures of the engine bay?

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Bad Company said:

These cars can get away from you quickly, as they can produce a snap oversteer situation while hard into the throttle. You asked for tire recommendations for basically running an all-season tire on the car. The responses you've gotten were recommending a dry weather summer tire. Yes it gives the best traction on a hot summer day, but the drag radials will not work in a heavy rain or in the winter if you got caught in a snow storm. Also to increase tire sizes to the 315 width at all 4 corners requires a serious amount of suspension modifications, along with a new set of wheels. To utilize the stock wheels I'd recommend the Michelin Pilot Sport All-Season 4 for the ability to use the car all year with the ability to drive it whenever you please. Now to get caught in a snow storm with this car is asking to get in an accident at the worst or having to abandoned the car at the least. In the winter months I'd watch the weather and if any weatherman indicated the slightest possibility of snow in his forecast I'd drive a different vehicle over this one all of the time regardless of what tires were on it. 550Hp in any car without a lot of traction on the drive axle is an invitation to disaster in snow.

Now if you want to get serious about suspension modifications that will greatly improve the snap oversteer issues when your in the throttle I'd use CorTeX Racing's Watts Link, Torque Arm, Rear Lower Control Arms and relocation brackets with the 2013-2014 rear sway bar. Up front you can utilize the stock K-Member and front Lower Control Arms with an Eibach 36mm adjustable sway bar. For springs that will lower the car roughly 1" I'd use the Ford Performance lowering springs with a good aftermarket set of struts for the front and shocks for the rear. You'll increase ride stiffness but it won't be unpleasant to drive, especially on PA's rough roads.

Now engine mods........I don't think you'll want my advise there. I'm out in left field on those and not familiar with doing mild mods on these engines, but I'll try. A Cold Air Intake, Throttle Body and if you could possibly find the H-pipe with catalytic converters off of a 13/14 GT500, along with the mid-pipe and a set of Corsa Sport Mufflers should round out the exhaust for a mild combination. A small blower upgrade with these mods should net you a nice power increase. Even finding a blower off of the 13/14 GT500's with a smaller pulley would be a nice street combination.

Now what order do you do these in? Personally I'd do it in the order I listed them in. Why? As you increase Hp the bad characteristics of the suspension, particularly the rear suspension can rear their ugly head and it can happen drastically without warning you it is going to bite you. Many of these cars have been wadded up over the years because of this. I like the CorTeX Racing products over the Griggs Racing products. Filip at CorTeX has continually upgraded his design to reduce unsprung weight, plus increase longevity while reducing Noise, Vibrations and Harmonics(NVH) and increase range of motion in his street versions similar to using spherical bearings that are in his race versions.

I can't help you out as much as the others can on mild modifications to the engine to get you to the 700Hp levels safely. I did wild modifications and this is what I'm familiar with. Many here can point you in the right direction. Also if my memory is serving me well you have a two piece driveshaft. Once you start building some bigger Hp numbers I'd upgrade to a 1 piece driveshaft.

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1Kona_Venom said:

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03cobra#694 said:

Coffee? What's up with that Pete?

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