Performance/Appearance Packages from Gt500 Specialists

[rown4au]

Hi all;

Like a few of the other members here I am on the waiting list for the SS conversion on my 08 GT500 but have been a bit concerned with some of the stories I am hearing through the grapevine and through some of the customer experiences posted here and other similar sites.

I know you can buy parts and get similar or better performance results but I do like the idea of a package designed to work well together and installed by the same company.

Carroll Shelby made his name in the car biz through his racing efforts in the 60's and earlier so it would seem to me that shops like Evo and Griggs with their current racing experience would be in a good position to put together their version of a "super" GT500 with appropriate performance and appearance mods on the back of their racing knowledge on what works and what doesn't. Is there anyone out there doing this that I have missed?

tks;

Rown

[Alloy Dave]

Originally Posted by rown4au

Hi all;

Like a few of the other members here I am on the waiting list for the SS conversion on my 08 GT500 but have been a bit concerned with some of the stories I am hearing through the grapevine and through some of the customer experiences posted here and other similar sites.

I know you can buy parts and get similar or better performance results but I do like the idea of a package designed to work well together and installed by the same company.

Carroll Shelby made his name in the car biz through his racing efforts in the 60's and earlier so it would seem to me that shops like Evo and Griggs with their current racing experience would be in a good position to put together their version of a "super" GT500 with appropriate performance and appearance mods on the back of their racing knowledge on what works and what doesn't. Is there anyone out there doing this that I have missed?

tks;

Rown

Basically yes, EVO has "stages". Go to their website and check out Stage V.

[Joe G]

Originally Posted by Alloy Dave

Basically yes, EVO has "stages". Go to their website and check out Stage V.

Very true.

You can get the same TVS or KB S/C (with more power usually) + upgrades suspension pieces + wheels that will easily beat the SS package for MUCH less money.

Guess it depends on how much the CS nameplate means to you and how much you're willing to pay for it.

Like you said, people are going both ways. Bang for the buck is NOT the SS package.

If you have more specific questions on what to do, post them up. You have some of the best experts on mods around on the forum - use them.

[Mr. White]

I have 640 at the flywheel with an investment of under $2K and install by a trusted SVT tech. I am working on offering installs with all purchases through our store at a very competitive rate, but am not quite there yet.


If you want it done by the same shop you buy it from, I understand. However, I am a lethal performance distributor, and can get any of the packages listed here:

Supercharger Upgrades : Lethal Performance

I have not had time to load them in the store as of yet.

As for a one stop shop? EVO is tried and true.

[Johnny Dangerously]

Originally Posted by rown4au

Hi all;

Like a few of the other members here I am on the waiting list for the SS conversion on my 08 GT500 but have been a bit concerned with some of the stories I am hearing through the grapevine and through some of the customer experiences posted here and other similar sites.

I know you can buy parts and get similar or better performance results but I do like the idea of a package designed to work well together and installed by the same company.

Carroll Shelby made his name in the car biz through his racing efforts in the 60's and earlier so it would seem to me that shops like Evo and Griggs with their current racing experience would be in a good position to put together their version of a "super" GT500 with appropriate performance and appearance mods on the back of their racing knowledge on what works and what doesn't. Is there anyone out there doing this that I have missed?

tks;

Rown

Orf's gone the aftermarket route too via EVO. I think he's got 650 rwhp.


`

[BADGIRL500]

Originally Posted by MadMax

As or a one stop shop? EVO is tried and true.

+1 :talk017:

[TOMMY GUN]

I like the Badboy package.





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[BADGIRL500]

Originally Posted by TOMMY GUN

I like the Badboy package.





.

It is original . Only one made to date! We have car 1 of 1....Just need to do a dash plaque now. ( Badboy probably already in the works for that )

[black vert ss]

Sheesh
I wish I new of Evolution before the SS. Probably coulda saved 30 g's and had more HP. Oh we the badging looks cool

[Carnut]

Badges? We don't need no stinking badges !:Mafia2:

[Boston Mike]

a soon to be mod-whore here. So far, just have the JLT carbon fiber CAI, dyno tune and FRPP SGT axle backs on. Soon to be on order (Max, waiting for pricing on my left kidney): Stillen brake package (gee should I just toss in the brake ducts too Max??), Steeda suspension upgrades and eventually some sort of S/C upgrade down the road. So I sit idly by with about 500 rwhp (compared to 414 stock). I say about, since I'm just below that (I think my tuner did that intentionally to get me addicted). Lots of great options out there......and lots of folks on here that can talk about it. For sheer power, search out Iceman (Chris). He has really done some fun things to his ride.

[Mr. White]

Originally Posted by Boston Mike

a soon to be mod-whore here. So far, just have the JLT carbon fiber CAI, dyno tune and FRPP SGT axle backs on. Soon to be on order (Max, waiting for pricing on my left kidney): Stillen brake package (gee should I just toss in the brake ducts too Max??), Steeda suspension upgrades and eventually some sort of S/C upgrade down the road. So I sit idly by with about 500 rwhp (compared to 414 stock). I say about, since I'm just below that (I think my tuner did that intentionally to get me addicted). Lots of great options out there......and lots of folks on here that can talk about it. For sheer power, search out Iceman (Chris). He has really done some fun things to his ride.

Let me know when you get that kidney sold. Looks like in China they will gladly take both if your OK with that.

[Johnny Dangerously]

Originally Posted by BADGIRL500

It is original . Only one made to date! We have car 1 of 1....Just need to do a dash plaque now. ( Badboy probably already in the works for that )

Will it be polished stainless steel?





`

[Johnny Dangerously]

Originally Posted by black vert ss

Sheesh
I wish I new of Evolution before the SS. Probably coulda saved 30 g's and had more HP. Oh we the badging looks cool

I'm sure EVO could squeeze a couple more HP out of that motor for you.:Shades:



`

[Joe G]

Originally Posted by TOMMY GUN

I like the Badboy package.





.

Nah, I prefer mine to run.

[rown4au]

Originally Posted by Joe G

Very true.

You can get the same TVS or KB S/C (with more power usually) + upgrades suspension pieces + wheels that will easily beat the SS package for MUCH less money.

Guess it depends on how much the CS nameplate means to you and how much you're willing to pay for it.

Like you said, people are going both ways. Bang for the buck is NOT the SS package.

If you have more specific questions on what to do, post them up. You have some of the best experts on mods around on the forum - use them.

Hi Joe;

I met Birdman a few months ago now and he has been very helpful with a lot of info since. I am aware that Evo does the various stages (could not find stage V on their website though for some reason) but I believe these are power adder packages and don't address handling, braking, appearance, etc.

I know I can go to Evo and spec out a list of parts I would like installed but am not sure that is the road I want to go down. Maybe I'm wrong but not offering a full on package that covers all these points seems like a missed opportunity given Evo's excellent reputation. That said who knows maybe I will end up going with installing a similar setup to Birdman's TVS and one of the Griggs suspension setups with Evo doing the work (if they install griggs stuff) as you could probably do that for a similar price to the SS package.

I guess what I am asking is why doesn't someone else offer a competing version of a standard SS type of package. Call it whatever you want but it just seems a bit surprising to me or maybe someone does and I don't know about it?

I also spoke to the owner of the super cobra jet that Tasca built as well. I have not spoken to Tasca about it yet but from my conversation with that owner it seems you can have your gt500 turned into a "super cobra jet" by Tasca if your willing to spend the money but again this doesn't seem like a standardized package of any sort just a pick list of what the particular owner desired.

On the other hand with Shelby I have seen at least one angry 725 SS owner posting on TS that was having serious problems with his car going into fail safe mode shortly after taking delivery.

If I am dreaming and going with a total wish list then I am looking for a package that will be focused more on handling than drag racing, be extremely fast, durable (not interested in the car self destructing in 1-2 years or less), and something probably in the range of 625-750 hp.

I know the SS is def not bang for the buck on one hand but the one thing I do wonder is if it will end up holding its value better than just having it modded myself to similar or even better levels. I have a Jeep that I have built for rockcrawling over the years and its great, but its probably worth less than 15% of what I have sunk into it by now. I am not dumb enough to think of my shelby as an investment but would rather not watch its value decrease because of improvements I made to it either!

Thanks for all the feedback so far,

Rown

[Joe G]

I think one of the big things to think of is this - if you get a set "package" it probably won't be exactly what YOU'RE looking for.

Take suspension for example - there are a lot of things we can do with the GT500 depending on what suspension pieces you use. If you're going to be on the drag strip a lot you don't want a suspension that's made for road courses. You can go "middle of the road" and get a suspension that will be "better" than what stock is, but it won't be super at anything. Each piece has positives and negatives, and what is right for Birdman may not be right for me based on what I want.

Example - for me, I want something a little stiffer than stock, lower about 1 to 1.5 inches, enable the rear to hook up if/when I go to the track 1-2 times a year. But I'll probably never road race - so a suspension that would do well for that would be wasted on me - and actually make the car less enjoyable for what I use it for (mostly on the street).

That said - Evo does have their suspension packages - see here: Suspension : Evolution Performance, Performance Parts & Accessories - Ford Mustang & Shelby Experts

I think I'm going with the FRPP handling pack - which is available through the Mafia Performance store BTW. For me, it looks like what I need/want.

Again- welcome Rown. Keep askin' those questions... I'm no expert, but I've been researching this based on what others have been doing for the last 2 years.

[Birdman]

Jamie ,
Stop by some day and I'll let you take her for a spin . Then you can get a better idea what your missing . LOL

775 hp, 664lbs torque , Steeda fully adjustable coil over suspension and corner balanced , watts link and much more.

Most all the parts came from Evolution Performance but were installed and set up by me here in my shop .All the dyno tuning was done at Evolution in PA.
The corner balancing and alighnment was done at Sardo's automotive in
Ansonia,CT.

Like Joe said you might want an even more agressive open track Griggs type suspension if you plan to do a lot of on track driving but you'd be hard pressed to find a better setup than a car equipt with the Ford Racing TVS blower and Steeda suspension for both the street and track use.

I also have the monoblads TB and since Fred has upgraded the TB maps in the computer tune it is is running very well .Driveability is excellent now.
Trust me when I say this setup will deliver way more than you wll ever need for a combo street/track car.

List of major upgrades:

Stainless works long tube headers & 3" hi flow exhaust/cats

FRPP 373 rear gears

Steeda Tri-ax shifter with Hurst stick + ball

Steeda adj coilovers with Tokico D' spec adj shocks & camber plates

Steeda front LCA relocation kit & bumpsteer kit , x5 ball joints and adj front
swaybar links

Steeda torque box braces , front swaybar braces, and 'K' member brace

Saleen Watts link wih brace

Fiore billett LCA's with BMR relocation brackets ,BMR adj UCA

Stillen OEM cross drilled and slotted ft& rear rotors with Porterfield pads

Goodridge Stainless steel clear coated brake lines/Motul dot 4 racing fluid

Streamline elite hoodprops, sequential tail lights, S H E L B Y across back,

Raptor shift light ,CS signed dash plaque with vin#

AFCO SC heat exchanger

FRPP TVS blower with 2.7 pulley & CAI

EVO mono-blade TB

One piece Dynoteck Aluminum 3.5" driveshaft,CHE DS loop

Metco idler , 08 FRPP balancer

JLT carbon fiber radiator cover

Ford racing engine plaque with HP,Tq,name & vin#

Shelby signed dash plaque/ vin#

My own full sized 3" front brake cooling ducts / pol aluminum bezels

ECT-Tuned by Evolution performance ,Corner balanced and aligned by Sardo's automotive

[TOMMY GUN]

Explain 'corner balancing'?


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[BADGIRL500]

Originally Posted by Joe G

Nah, I prefer mine to run.

:bangin::bangin::bangin::bangin: