GT500-a blunt instrument

[dbackg]

Wow. I am just amazed @ these 5.4L engines.

FYI: GT cam in the GT500 is not worth all the install aggravation for the performance return. IMO

I am pretty sure my setup is at the top of the threshold of needing the fuel system upgrade.

I wish I had Justin here to Dynotune, however, he is good on his email tunes for changes if needed.

 

[Justin@VMP]

Glad you like it paul. I was kind of suprised at the boost, I guess its the cold air we are having right now.

BTW, my car has some crazy comp cams, good for power, made 773rwhp in the summer. I think it should make close to 800 this winter when i get it on the dyno with my vmp spec tvs.

http://www.vmptuning.com/GT500/cams/myGT500cams773.jpg

 

[Sinovac]

After the engine and exhaust modifications, I thought a 3.73 ring/pinion would be nice. About $300 installed-cheap and easy.

Then I started thinking, while I'm changing the ring and pinion, I might as well install a beefier differential-a Torsen T2 would be nice. But if I did that I should change the axles too-Mosers would be good. All would be an easy in-car install. But putting all these nice parts into the stock unpainted axle made be cringe. So my $300 simple gear change has developed into this:

The rear end work will be done next week. Looking at the unpainted cast iron pieces of the GT500 makes me appreciate the beautiful workmanship of the GT even more.

 

[Sinovac]

And since I've already dismantled the back of the car, new control arms and a carbon fiber 1 piece driveshaft are a must.

Who started the tread about a project getting out of hand?

 

[2112]

Now is a perfect time to loose the upper 3rd member and put in a Watt's link and Torque arm. :thumbsup

 

[dbackg]

Great job!

I would like to think I helped in this project! :rofl

You might want to consider:

http://www.fays2.net/
http://www.teamshelby.com/forums/index.php?/topic/63725-fays2-watts-link-anyone-using-this/

I am waiting for the billet version.

 

[Sinovac]

You guys are a very bad influence.

 

[2112]

We are sure you want to do more than go fast in a straight line. :biggrin

 

[on d bit]

We are sure you want to do more than go fast in a straight line. :biggrin

Did you go Griggs? How bout a review...please?

 

[2112]

Did you go Griggs? How bout a review...please?

I did. Just got axle back from axle shop. I did the moser shafts and 3.73 gears. I also had all the extraneous junk cut off for a clean axle. Also machined the pumpkin to accept the Watts link rear cover (locator dowel pins) Once in, I can locate the mounts for the torque arm and watts link..

I need a little time to give you a review. Got a construction project goin at home too. Plus our weather up here. I will post one though.

 

[on d bit]

Very Cool!

 

[GT35065]

Paul, you're nuts : ) No wonder your house is taking so long to finish. I'm telling your wife on you. You going to be able to afford those good steaks by the time you're done with this car?

 

[Sinovac]

Paul, you're nuts : ) No wonder your house is taking so long to finish. I'm telling your wife on you. You going to be able to afford those good steaks by the time you're done with this car?

Rick, I'm just trying to stay one step ahead of you. You do realize that your GT500 is losing the horsepower war, don't you?

 

[Sinovac]

Updating the thread. Love working on this car.
Here are some additional photos of the Cool Tech Roll bar installation.
My car had the Shaker 1000 stereo system. The amp/speaker/hardware weighed a whopping 53lbs. These components must come out to install the roll bar.



The trunk carpet is factory cut around the subwoofer assembly.



Rather than get new trunk carpet, for about $90 this Ford accessory trunk mat covers everything nicely.



The entire installation looks factory.



Best of all, with the removal of the amp/speaker/hardware, rear seat/hardware and rear seat belts, the weight gain with the roll bar is negligible. The radio still sounds great too since I never pounded out the bass anyway.

 

[Sinovac]

C&R heat exchanger with dual fans and higher capacity factory coolant reservoir.









The larger tank looks OEM.



I have made several back-to-back 1/4 mile passes with this setup without heat soaking.

 

[Sinovac]

Carbon fiber PST driveshaft vs. OEM
Roughly 15lbs vs. 50+lbs.



This is why I won't run catalytic converters with high boost/highly tuned engine. I caught this before it caused a problem.

 

[DakotaGT]

very nice build! I have a very similar powertrain setup in my '07 GT500 black convertible, except I went with Whipple 3.4 crusher. I had the same problem with my cats (they were RandomTech, supposedly among the best), and they lasted about 300 miles. I used to deal with Evolution Performance til I realized what a joke their service can be sometimes. Then i went directly to Jon Lund for tuning, but in the end i had the best luck with my local tuner, who is very capable. Running 19 lbs boost, i made 751 rwhp (can't recall torque offhand). Fun cars! I have widened rims and run Nitto NT05r tires. Traction is still a joke until 3rd gear.

I can't wait to FINALLY take my GT (pulley/tune/exhaust) for a ride this spring, and see how it compares to my modded GT500.

Anyway, great post- love to read through the process and see the pics! Nice job.

 

[2112]

That Roll Bar is Flippin awesome. Great install. I have the same car and want to do the same when I get a few other projects cleared off the plate.

I have the stainless works Cats. I wonder if they are doing the same thing.

I can't read whose driveline that is in the picture, can you spell it out for a blind guy? :biggrin

 

[BlackICE]

That Roll Bar is Flippin awesome. Great install. I have the same car and want to do the same when I get a few other projects cleared off the plate.

I have the stainless works Cats. I wonder if they are doing the same thing.

I can't read whose driveline that is in the picture, can you spell it out for a blind guy? :biggrin

They will if you drive the car hard. Ed Sims melted them down at the Mojave mile.

 

[Sinovac]

SFSDFGT-since you have widened wheels, give these M&H drag radials a try:
http://www.mandhtires.com/M-H-Drag-Radials/325-40R18#.UTJDZvq9LTo

They hook very well.

The driveshaft is from Performance Shaft Technologies. Not only is it light, but the pinion end has a CV joint like oem. Most of the aftermarket shafts use slip yokes.