2015 Shelby GT350 Suspension

[EditorTurner]

Razor Sharp
Ford sharpens the S550 chassis and suspension for the Shelby GT350
By Steve Turner
Photos by Steve Turner and courtesy of Ford Motor Company

With Ford touting the 2015 Shelby GT350 as the fastest production road-course Mustang ever, it’s no surprise that the suspension where the car receives significant upgrades over the standard Mustang. The new Shelby features a stiffened chassis for its MagneRide suspension to work from and rolls on stickier tires to maximize its grip. In all, these upgrades are designed to make this car a legitimate road racer.
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[mike.s]

the more I read about this car the more I like it, its gonna be a serious piece of kit..now I just need to know how much the darn thing is gonna cost me!!

 

[SuperFly03]

I agree but I want to see the 350R documented. That thing looks legit.

 

[Tob]

The GT350 also receives mirror-image counter-wound springs and matching rear control arms, which are said to deliver perfect wheel motion.

The GT350 is significantly upgraded over the Mustang with an all-new aluminum front knuckle fitted with a lighter hub and heavy-duty bearings.

Fascinating. I can't wait to learn more about the tech with respect to these changes.

The front of the car is also lighter thanks to a carbon-fiber composite grille structure, which is 24 percent lighter than the base Mustang grille. This structure also negates the need for a beauty cover, which frees up another 1.9 pounds.

I've noticed that some pre-production cars did have a cover in place. Is Ford saying there won't be one when Job 1 comes around?


Great stuff Steve.

 

[SID297]

I figured the Mustang would get aluminum knuckles, it just makes too much sense. F-150 got them too.

 

[EditorTurner]

If I could have been there in person, you know I would have brought back more details for you, Tob. Next time...

 

[Tob]

My camera and tape measure are ready when you are.:read:


I now see quite a bit out there as the information floodgates look to have finally opened up a bit.


Motor Trend has an excellent article on this. http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupes/1505_2016_ford_shelby_gt350_mustang_chassis_first_look/

AutoGuide got a unique look into the underpinnings as well. http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2015/05/shelby-gt350-chassis-deep-dive.html

Volume numbers discussed at the DFP. http://www.freep.com/story/money/ca...shelby-gt350-engineering-suspension/26917437/

Detroit News says that orders will be taken in about a month. http://www.detroitnews.com/story/bu...gt-include-better-brakes-suspension/26946063/

 

[EditorTurner]

No substitute for being there...

 

[Tob]

I know. I see Baldori off to the side in some of AutoGuide's photos. I can only imagine the amount of data he could have provided with a few minutes worth of questioning...

 

[ponyboyisaac]

I wonder if the magnetic suspension will eventually trickle down to the Gt model being that Chevy is putting magnetic ride in the next generation camaro ss. Hmm.

 

[roushed50]

they seem to be late on lot of things

 

[DSG2003SVT]

I'm curious about how well these in house designed brakes will perform. They said they ditched the carbon ceramics because these actually performed better, especially in fade resistance. I didn't even know that CC brakes COULD fade, so that's a huge claim.

 

[Tob]

I have no doubt in their braking performance claims, other than any mention that they can't be retrofitted. We'll see about that...

 

[DSG2003SVT]

Haha!

 

[bpmurr]

The GT350 is shaping up quite nice. Now if we can get some power numbers and a price.

 

[10splaya22]

I'm curious about how well these in house designed brakes will perform. They said they ditched the carbon ceramics because these actually performed better, especially in fade resistance. I didn't even know that CC brakes COULD fade, so that's a huge claim.

From what I've read the issue isn't with them fading as much as it is with the rotor oxidation. Once the rotors get over a certain temp (IIRC around 1400F) the rotor surface starts oxidizing which can compromise the rotors. You also have fade due to pads and fluid boiling which are inherent in any braking system.

 

[DSG2003SVT]

From what I've read the issue isn't with them fading as much as it is with the rotor oxidation. Once the rotors get over a certain temp (IIRC around 1400F) the rotor surface starts oxidizing which can compromise the rotors. You also have fade due to pads and fluid boiling which are inherent in any braking system.

I understand that the fluid and pads can cause fade as well, but I was talking about the rotors themselves. Assuming that the pads and fluid were up to it, I didn't realize that the system would fade because of the rotors.

Sorry if that doesn't make sense, I'm trying to put into words what I'm thinking.

 

[01SVTSnake]

My camera and tape measure are ready when you are.:read:


I now see quite a bit out there as the information floodgates look to have finally opened up a bit.


Motor Trend has an excellent article on this. http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupes/1505_2016_ford_shelby_gt350_mustang_chassis_first_look/

AutoGuide got a unique look into the underpinnings as well. http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2015/05/shelby-gt350-chassis-deep-dive.html

Volume numbers discussed at the DFP. http://www.freep.com/story/money/ca...shelby-gt350-engineering-suspension/26917437/

Detroit News says that orders will be taken in about a month. http://www.detroitnews.com/story/bu...gt-include-better-brakes-suspension/26946063/

Great links! Going to be a long month until I can finally get my order in. Hopefully in the next few weeks power/weight/price will finally be available

 

[Tob]

I like to read tech filled articles a few times over just to let things sink in as well as because I find that it is easy to miss some real gems within. This one jumpstarted the voices in my head...

...the powertrain has been fitted with transmission, oil and differential coolers. With these enhancements, “They are bulletproof,” said Zinkosky.

Zinkosky has a pretty impressive resume when it comes to working on various Ford performance vehicle programs. I'm not able to make the same association with respect to the upcoming TR3160 and the use of the word "bulletproof" but I hope he's onto something.

 

[03VertGT]

Great links! Going to be a long month until I can finally get my order in. Hopefully in the next few weeks power/weight/price will finally be available

Soon....

Although I'm a little nervous about the fact my local dealer seems to be completely in the dark about everything. Hell I had to explain to the GM the differences between 350, 350R and the outgoing 500s. He seemed to only care about HP numbers.