Definitive GT500 Thread

[garagelogic]

Okay, in an effort to help the moderators keep other, Camaro specific threads on topic, I am creating this thread as a holding place for any and all discussions about past, present and future Shelby GT500's. Feel free to post, argue, or have a little back-and-forth between members about the GT500 in this thread. What prompted me to create this thread is the incredible amount of disinformation about the GT500 that passes for fact for a few members on this forum and that they fell the need to interject in threads who;'s topics to not warrant the discussion.

Since I own one, let me put up some facts as I know them. Other than the aftermarket KenneBell blower on my car, the powertrain in my GT500 is 100% stock down to the cast exhaust manifolds and injectors. I have 23K miles on the car, I drive it 60 miles round trip DAILY to work, and I average 17-18mpg during that commute. I get 21-22mpg @65-70mph on the highway during long trips. The car drives exactly the same as it did the day I pulled it of the showroom floor. The car makes ~650rwhp with the biggest pulley (3.25";13.5lbs of boost) and in it's current configuration (3" pulley;16.5lbs of boost) it makes right at 700rwhp. With the 2.875" pulley, it makes 740rwhp, all on 93 octane fuel. These are typical numbers for KB/Whipple GT500's, with some making even more power than I do.

BTW, a gas guzzler tax is paid once, when you buy the car, not annually. I have a grand total of $50K in my car including the price of purchase (new) and the KB upgrade.

You need to get your facts straight before you comment on things you obviously have little or no knowledge of.

[GTAHVIT]

Not an open forum to start bashing eachother. Intelligent questions and respectful debate are the rule.

I'd really like to see this thread succeed... I need to gather all the intel I can so I can beat garagelogic when I'm done with my SS...

[Crowley]

lol .... I don't like the bashing either .. I mean we are talking about American Muscle. Having owned both FORD (98 cobra / 2004 Cobra) and GM (2001 SS) .. I think both are great cars ..... One thing I do like about the GT500 is the Built engine and F/I From the factory .. makes for a GREAT platform for some BIG but cheap gains !!! Unfortunately the thing I don't like is the price tag .. I picked up my 04 cobra for $35,000 ... was a great deal ... with the GT500, they priced me out of what I wanted to pay.

For the '10 Camaro SS ... you get that same price point basically with about the same straight line performance (minus the built engine from the factory) . ... It is a modern Muscle Car that I can afford and will be a great platform to build on as well !!


I say either way you can't go wrong .... I am one of the ones though that would like to see Chevy come out w/ the Z28 .. I know I won't be able to afford it, but it will be one heck of a car !!

and BTW . if it says anything about quality .. I would move into an 03/04 cobra, GT500, and will be moving to a 2010 Camaro from my BMW ....

Crowley

[1_2Many]

So you're running 16.5 lbs of boost on a stock motor? That's almost hard to believe, but if it is true that's awesome.

I hate to say it, but I do not believe the LS3 could handle 16.5 lbs of boost with stock internals.

[GTAHVIT]

Originally Posted by 1_2Many

So you're running 16.5 lbs of boost on a stock motor? That's almost hard to believe, but if it is true that's awesome.

I hate to say it, but I do not believe the LS3 could handle 16.5 lbs of boost with stock internals.

I'd like to believe it too but that is alot for the near 11.3:1 compression ratio in the LS3. That just doesn't take well to very much boost. The reason he can handle that much boost is that his CR is no where near that high? I'm guessing? And possibly his motor has forged internals stock?

All questions. But I do know that 16 psi on 11:1 is risky. Especially at redline under max load...

EDIT: 10.7:1 not 11.3:1

[Crowley]

Originally Posted by 1_2Many

So you're running 16.5 lbs of boost on a stock motor? That's almost hard to believe, but if it is true that's awesome.

I hate to say it, but I do not believe the LS3 could handle 16.5 lbs of boost with stock internals.

I ran 16 lbs of boost in my 04 cobra and it was very reliable (daily driver) so I think with the GT500 that isn't out of the question at all. Remember .. the GT500 has a forged internals from the factory (it is already built for boost and is lower compression).

Crowley

[THE EVIL TW1N]

Originally Posted by Crowley

I ran 16 lbs of boost in my 04 cobra and it was very reliable (daily driver) so I think with the GT500 that isn't out of the question at all. Remember .. the GT500 has a forged internals from the factory (it is already built for boost and is lower compression).

Crowley

+1
I know the stock 4.6 Cobra's can run ~24#'s or so max before the heads start to have problems with them lifting off, but with pump gas should be good to ~18#'s. now that their getting a little older, here's a few that have passed the 150,000 mile range with 450-500 rwhp and even a couple in the 200,000 mile range with over 400-450 rwhp.

I'm sure the GT500 is just as reliable, and probably moreso.

[garagelogic]

Originally Posted by 1_2Many

So you're running 16.5 lbs of boost on a stock motor? That's almost hard to believe, but if it is true that's awesome.

I hate to say it, but I do not believe the LS3 could handle 16.5 lbs of boost with stock internals.

Yes. Actually, the stock GT500 5.4L engines will support upwards of 23lbs of boost without issue (keeping the RPM's under 6250, that is, the stock connecting rods don't like much more rpm than that), but you're not going to be able to run at those levels on pump gas. With a little 116 leaded race fuel and the 2.5" pulley on the car, it will make over 800rwhp. This is not a guess, this has been done many, many times already and if you visit some of the GT500 specific foums on various websites, you can get all the proof you need.

Personally, I doubt my car will ever see a pass with the 2.75 or 2.5 pulley on it, but at least I know it's in reserve if I ever need it.

[dbotsfordtat]

I like the Shelby more than the SRT, but the price on them keeps me from buying. I am hoping the Camaro forces them to reduce their prices.

[SoFlaZ]

Originally Posted by GatorBlue371

BTW does this car looks like a good buy

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford-...1%7C240%3A1308

I have to agree this looks like a steal!

GT500's are a good bang for the buck and easy to get crazy power out of. garagelogic, does your current setup run 11's? Can you get into the 10's with your smaller pullies?

I'm a fan of all fast cars mostly American. Supras and Skylines get my respect when necessary and the same goes for gt500's but I'm still a Chevy Camaro guy to the core

[Crowley]

No .. he made this thread so that all of the arguments in the other parts of the forum (LS3 talk etc) can stay on track ..... he did us all a favor

Crowley

[radz28]

Originally Posted by gtahvit

Not an open forum to start bashing eachother. Intelligent questions and respectful debate are the rule.

I'd really like to see this thread succeed... I need to gather all the intel I can so I can beat garagelogic when I'm done with my SS...

Originally Posted by Crowley

No .. he made this thread so that all of the arguments in the other parts of the forum (LS3 talk etc) can stay on track ..... he did us all a favor

Crowley

No - he made this thread to brag NO - I'M JUST KIDDING!!!

I, too, think this is a great idea and as long as we can keep things constructive, I think it'll be helpful.

How's the saying go - keep your friends close but your enemies closer J/K I think, if it weren't for Cobras and GT500s, there would've not even been the thought or speculation of a supercharged Z28. I love that those motors are BUILT from the factory and just think it's crazy how much more power those things will put out without breaking. I can't believe you drive your car as much as you do, get as good a mileage as that, and have the ability to change pulleys and gas and go crazy. OMG!

Great thread and let's keep things on topic

[fdjizm]

Did you guys know that the earth was actually thrown off it's rotational axis when the first shelby supersnake left the lot a little too heavy on the pedal? but you guys would know this as "daylight savings time"

[Camaro Lives On]

I'm not going to lie, the 2010 Mustang GT500 is the most beautiful Mustang since Eleanor