This was posted on LS1Tech...

I just got my road and track and on the cover is the new shelby gt500 from Ford. Well i looked at what it is and how it performs and once again i must say that Ford could have done a much better job on this one. First the price is estimated to be $44,000. The curb weight is estimated to be 4000 lbs. The coupe will be about 3850 lbs. The power is an estimated 475bhp/475torque. And the performance claims from ford are 0-60 in 4.5, 1/4 in 12.9, and top speed 155(electronically limited). I think its an ok car, but if thats the price then its not worth it. Ford needs to drop the weight and drop the price. I do however think that it will be a seller just because its a Shelby and a Cobra. Atleast it has a live axle again. The opportunity to mod this car and make lost more power seems like it would make it a good purchase. But I think as a buy for a stock car, it isnt worth it. What are everyones thoughts on this one.

I think it should be atmost be 3600pounds. But since its already supercharged with 475HP you could easily get it at over 550HP and be running low 12's. But that is too heavy its only alittle bit faster then a evo or Sti. This car is starting to piss me off.

And why is this in the dodge forum.

Atleast it has a live axle again.

What a moronic opinion.

I suppose he'd be even happier if they went back to pushrods and drum brakes.

What a moronic opinion.

I suppose he'd be even happier if they went back to pushrods and drum brakes.
How is that a moronic opinon?

There's nothing wrong with pushrods as proven by the Gen3/Gen4 small blocks from Chevy.

Moved to Ford section.

LOL, I assume they're going back to a SRA vs. the IRS?

They both have their benefits, but I personally would rather see a solid rear...

What a moronic opinion.

I suppose he'd be even happier if they went back to pushrods and drum brakes.
Two reasons:
1) Ford has proven that the new 3-link system with the live axle can handle just as good as the previous IRS.
2) The live axle can handle a lot more torque than the IRS and thus gets more power to the ground.

The live axle is a GOOD thing.

As for the performance. Yes, it's heavy. Real heavy. I do not like that it weighs 3850 lbs. But the power potential of the motor far exceeds the weight penalty. An air filter and a computer chip is going to get you 550 HP. A pulley swap, headers and a full exhaust added to that will get you into the 650 HP range. Swapping the blower with a Kenne Bell factory replacement will get you deep into the 750-800 HP zone with an otherwise completely stock engine, and ultimately, a swap to a twin turbo setup will net you over 1000 HP with no other mods. Not even cracking open the valve-covers. The transmission and rear end (note the live axle now) will be more than capable of handling the power, as will the internal engine components right from the factory. Gutting the car and upping the power like the ricers do will give you a pretty badass track car if that's what you're after. But for what this car was built for, the ultimate boulevard bruiser, it is the king of the road.

Cyco

Doesn't anyone here see history repeating itself? :rolleyes:

What do you mean?

The new GT500 is heavier but more powerful than the 03-04 Cobra it's replacing. The main difference between these two cars is the style and the fact that unlike the 03-04 Cobras, you don't have to swap the IRS for a live axle anymore! It comes with one! Which is a huge bonus since the live axle can handle the copious amounts of power these cars will invariably make once the owners start modding them.

This is the start of a HP war. This time though, the key players will be Dodge and Ford, since GM can't seem to make anything with more than 400 HP unless you want to shell out $70K. It's going to be SRT vs. SVT in the coming years.

Only a drag racer would think that a live axle is a good thing. And I thought the Mustang Cobra was supposed to be an all-around performance car, not just a drag racer. A live axle cannot maintain its composure on a bumpy road as well as a good IRS setup.

This is a step backwards.

How is that a moronic opinon?

There's nothing wrong with pushrods as proven by the Gen3/Gen4 small blocks from Chevy.

Of course pushrod engines can perform perfectly well. But you have to admid that, ALL ELSE BEING EQUAL, overhead cams have better control over the valves.

Only a drag racer would think that a live axle is a good thing. And I thought the Mustang Cobra was supposed to be an all-around performance car, not just a drag racer. A live axle cannot maintain its composure on a bumpy road as well as a good IRS setup.

This is a step backwards.

That's why people continue to throw out the IRS for a live axle in their terminators. As far as Ford is concerned, they're right in step. It's quite a heavy car too; the live axle keeps cost down as opposed to a stout IRS set-up. It's also
I'd rather see an IRS set-up too, though.

Yeah, the overhead cam will control the valves better. I was responding to the apparent tone of your post mroe than anything else.

I understand the advantages of the IRS over a live axle in a small, underpowered car. But in this instance, the live axle is the best part for the job. If the IRS was so much better, why are the Mustang GT's pounding on the BMW's and Porsches in the GT classes? This new 3-link setup does a wonderful job of absorbing bumps and maintaining excellent stability. I'm not saying that it is better than an IRS, I'm just saying that it is as good as one in this instance, but better than one considering how much power it can take relative to the IRS it replaced.

Cyco

IRS doesn't seem to be hurting the Z06 Corvette or Hennessey Viper any... I don't recall seeing a Formula 1 or other open-wheel racer with a live axle in, oh, say the last 40 years either.

And do you think that the rear axle is the only reason for the Mustang's present racing success? That's really the deciding factor, huh?

I believe that they've made their flagship production performance car worse with this retrograde design decision. I'm going to speculate that the IRS system available to them from the LS/Thunderbird/S-Type platform was not up to the job.

If the IRS was so much better, why are the Mustang GT's pounding on the BMW's and Porsches in the GT classes?

It's called TORQUE! It was a 5 liter V8 racing 3 liter 6's. And it was far from a pounding. Ford barely beat out BMW. 6 points-what a whomping.
:rolleyes:

Of course pushrod engines can perform perfectly well. But you have to admid that, ALL ELSE BEING EQUAL, overhead cams have better control over the valves.
my response: in a V8 configuration, which is more efficent: An effective head design, 16 valves, one camshaft and pushrods, or a mediocre head design with 4 cams, 32 valves, 2 chains to turn the cams, tension devices for the chains ?

I really hope those performance numbers get better. I saw this on the shelves tonight and I bought the mag...$40+K and high 12's from a supercharged v8...This is almoshed accomplished by a turbo charged 4 banger....And yes I know the mustang/shelby will have more potential for power and the 4 cylinder won't come close to touching it with some mods, but you would think you would get a little bit more for the price rather than some body work and the name shelby on it...Even after this rant though I'm still buying one when it comes out though, I dunno bout the conv though

Just read the article on the Covertiable and saying thats its 150pounds heavier then the coupe and does the 1/4mile in 12.9 guessing the coupe version will do it in 12.8-12.7 and like 110mph or so.

I really hope those performance numbers get better. I saw this on the shelves tonight and I bought the mag...$40+K and high 12's from a supercharged v8...This is almoshed accomplished by a turbo charged 4 banger....And yes I know the mustang/shelby will have more potential for power and the 4 cylinder won't come close to touching it with some mods, but you would think you would get a little bit more for the price rather than some body work and the name shelby on it...Even after this rant though I'm still buying one when it comes out though, I dunno bout the conv though


Anyone who would spend $40K+ for the Shelby Cobra and then modify it needs to get their priorities straight. They could start with a $28K GT if they're going to modify it. A GT with $12K of well-chosen mods would surely smoke a Cobra. Why bother buying a factory tuner car if you're going to tune it?

Anyone who would spend $40K+ for the Shelby Cobra and then modify it needs to get their priorities straight. They could start with a $28K GT if they're going to modify it. A GT with $12K of well-chosen mods would surely smoke a Cobra. Why bother buying a factory tuner car if you're going to tune it?

Well 3k into a cobra and you have a car that is just as fast as GT with 10k worth of parts. Just a pulley change turn up the boost, complete bolt-on's, maybe alittle 50shot of nitrous, and there you have a 10second cobra. Plus its the last Shelby Cobra Mustang that the man himself worked on.

Well 3k into a cobra and you have a car that is just as fast as GT with 10k worth of parts.

Yeah, but there's well more than $10K difference in the base prices of the two vehicles.

My point is that the Shelby is a limited production model and, therefore, somewhat collectable. Why bother, when you can make a faster car for less money if you start with a regular GT? There's not even an IRS to differentiate the two now, just a different grille.

Anyone who would spend $40K+ for the Shelby Cobra and then modify it needs to get their priorities straight. They could start with a $28K GT if they're going to modify it. A GT with $12K of well-chosen mods would surely smoke a Cobra. Why bother buying a factory tuner car if you're going to tune it?
No, I seriously get your point, but you're not going to get the potential out of the GT that you would with the Cobra. Here's how I see it. You take a $28K GT, completely rebuild the motor using all forged components, fully race-port the heads, bolt on an intercooler and supercharger, upgrade the entire fuel system, swap out the 5-speed for a T56 6-speed, swap on bigger brakes and better rims and tires, add some ground effects and a few interior goodies to boot and you have just spent WAY more than $40K for what? Essentially a bone stock Shelby. With the Shelby, you are ready to go. You don't need to do anything to the drivetrain to handle the massive power you're going to make when you start modding the engine. Like I stated before, 1000+ HP with no other modifications while retaining stock-like driveability and fuel economy is just a bolt-on turbo kit away on a Shelby. Meaning your total investment for your 1000+ HP, awesome handling, daily driveable street-freak is about $55K. Or about $5K less than a Porsche Cayman S that has only 295 HP, and about $10K less than a Corvette Z06 with 500 HP. It's got way more potential than a standard GT ever could.

Cyco

why? Just buy an 03-04 Cobra motor and the cobra drivetrain and swap that into a '05 V6 car you can probably buy cheap as a fixer.. .. Go for an aftermarket brake kit and and any of the other bullshit and have a lighter car.. add a cage and **** a shelby.. :rolleyes:

Oh I totally agree.

I was just pointing out the fact that in order to compare apples to apples, you're going to need to spend a lot more than $40K to turn your GT into a Cobra-beater. Swapping a Cobra drivetrain into your 05 is exactly what all the top 05 racers are doing right now. But factor in the fact that in the Shelby, it's all already there waiting for you. No shop costs, no labor, just bolt on more boost and you're there.

i think its an awesome car.im quite a fan of Carroll Shelby so my opnion may be biased but check out these 2 probably already seen em but i like em http://www.shelbyamerican.com/ its a v6 but still pretty damn cool :rockon:

i think its an awesome car.im quite a fan of Carroll Shelby so my opnion may be biased but check out these 2 probably already seen em but i like em http://www.shelbyamerican.com/ its a v6 but still pretty damn cool :rockon:

Yeah these days its the 60's all over again. The Hemi's and now it looks like the GT350 and the GT500 coming out soon.