Money2536's '17 Magnetic Metallic GT350 Journal

Voodooo said:

Matt if I may give a little input.
I'm a mechanic and for a good torque wrench I like these. I often use 1/4". 3/8". And 1/2" drives. If you're not doing any engine building or cylinder head swaps you don't really need a angle capable torque wrench for bolt stretch. But the plus side of the digital torque wrench is they cover inch, foot, newton meters and angle all with the push of a button.

https://store.snapon.com/TechAngle-...que-Wrench-12-5-ndash-250-ft-lb--P760213.aspx


The next 3 are split beam type torque wrenches and will last forever if treated with kindness and never used as a ratchet. I'd recommend one 3/8" and one 1/2" drive.

https://store.snapon.com/US-Reading...-20-100-ft-lb-Flex-Torque-Wrench-P651007.aspx


https://store.snapon.com/US-Reading...Q-Series-Flex-Head-Torque-Wrench-P888327.aspx

http://torqwrench.com/tools/C.php

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Thanks man! Do those need to be calibrated periodically? I'm assuming there is something we can buy to do that.

Money2536 said:

Thanks man! Do those need to be calibrated periodically? I'm assuming there is something we can buy to do that.

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Depends on how you treat them.
If you don't lend them out, keep them clean, don't drop them, and don't use them as a ratchet and never go beyond the torque setting
(meaning if you set the torque setting to 50 ft lbs, once it clicks stop! Do not keep tightening!) You wouldnt believe how many people I see keep tightening like it's a breaker bar. Also you should go slowly and gently as you tighten the fastener. You don't want to yank on the wrench.
You don't have to recalibrate them but maybe once every 2 years or so. That's if you use them on a daily or weekly basis. If you use them as a hobbyist you could go longer. It mainly depends on how you use them. Also the split beam style like I posted above do not have to be set to "zero" during storage but it's a good practice to do so after each use. This keeps tension off the torque spring inside the wrench. On my snap on guys truck he has a wall mounted calibration tool that you test your torque wrench on. It takes literally 10 seconds. If it's outside that test range then it should be recalibrated.

Matt, have you thought about swapping out the stock shifter for an MGW? That would be a great install video.

How far are you away from Augusta, GA? George installed mine for free. It's awesome. The shifts are 100% more precise.

MagneticGT said:

Matt, have you thought about swapping out the stock shifter for an MGW? That would be a great install video.

How far are you away from Augusta, GA? George installed mine for free. It's awesome. The shifts are 100% more precise.

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It's on my list. After I get pedals done and dyno the results of tune/exhaust/intake, I'll be doing the shifter.

Did you ever do a after dyno?

You'll love the MGW.

Your web site still has the M3 featured and no mention of the GT350. Will you be updating it soon?

Money2536 said:

It's on my list. After I get pedals done and dyno the results of tune/exhaust/intake, I'll be doing the shifter.

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Matt I am anxiously awaiting to see your ARH exhaust video follow-up. Any noticeable differences in power?

I've been slacking on my Journal lately. I finally got the exhaust all dialed in.

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Intake, Long-Tube Headers, Exhaust, & Tune Case Study

I've done a bunch of these types write ups on my previous cars, so I figured why would it be any different for this one. In the past, I'd done mostly photo journals, but this one has been all video. I started journaling/documenting the process of modifying/playing with my cars as a form of therapy. Putting this stuff down in the way I would want to see it has connected me with so many people and brought me so many places that it's hard to explain. It's changed my life.

I've never been one to care much about dyno results, but it always make for more interesting modifying. If you haven't done the dyno thing, keep in mind that they tend to break often, provide sketchy results, and certainly aren't useful unless you stick with the same one. The positive (when the dyno works properly) is the ability to validate or invalidate the inevitable placebo effect you get in the seat of your pants when doing something that changes the car. For instance, on my AP1 S2000 I put on a fancy Spoon Header/Exhaust with a VTEC controller and lost 10 horsepower. Step one of any comparison write-up would be to get a baseline. This is a DynoJet with the car driving the rear wheels only at Titan Motorsports in Orlando.

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Results seem pretty typical for a stock GT350.

STD

SAE

Specifics:
To be honest, I tried contacting some of these manufacturers to see if they wanted me to do something like this for them. You know the, wink...wink... I'll test and actually take a decent photo/video for you. Just send me the stuff, and I'll show people how it works. I know they get hit up all the time for free stuff, but I like to think I'm a bit different. I know for a fact there is value in a 3rd party providing data like this. It drives me crazy that company after company make these great products and provide virtually no information about them. Just take some decent photos and maybe make a few videos. Is that too much to ask? Well...ARH thought I was nuts and Lund doesn't answer emails or phone calls, so I was on my own. I never actually ask for product, I just explain what I'm planning to do in the form of video, audio, and write-up format. I'm not holding my breath for a check back after they sell bunch of this stuff. I was going to buy it anyway, so maybe they are smart to just let me do this. At least, JLT saved me a few bucks offering dealer pricing. Anyway here are the products in question.

American Racing Headers Full Exhaust
http://www.lethalperformance.com/am...m-with-pure-thunder-mufflers-full-system.html

I chose this for a few reasons. I want the rasp and cracking gone. I know the argument about retaining the "unique" sound of the flat plane Voodoo 5.2L, but I just can't handle the rasp, especially after deleting the resonators on the stock exhaust. I hated the sound that made. This system has long-tube headers that I had no idea how much of a pain the install would be. It also has cats that I decided to retain to help with the rasp and just make my life less smelly and easier. Resonators were important to me too. The Kooks full system will be much louder due to lack of resonators. This was the deciding factor. Also no valves on the mufflers. I don't like valves. Having to open them every time I get in the car annoys me. I never end up using them. This comes with a plug and play resistor to make sure we don't have any error codes. You just lose valve operation. You could choose 2" primaries, but I think that's for forced induction or bigger cams which I won't be doing.

JLT Intake
https://www.jlttruecoldair.com/ZenC...ducts_id=863&zenid=9htgns5i3dpir7cetgg4v0p315

I took a risk here in choosing hydrocarbon rather than black plastic. I've never been a fan of painted stuff under the hood and certainly not in the interior, so that wasn't an option. I'll tell you, the "fake" carbon fiber from JLT looks really, really good. Call it what you want, but it looks great and is super high quality. I chose the blue oiled filter option. The fit is good, but the my filter is hitting the hood. I can't get it to sit lower, but it hasn't caused any issues other than putting a line in the filter. The throttle body opening up is much more audible, but the induction sound hasn't changed.

Lund Racing Tune
http://www.lundracing.com/lund-racing-ngauge-with-2016-17-shelby-gt350-custom-tuning/

I chose to pay the extra $150 for the FlexFuel option just in case I wanted to run E85. I chose this flash tune rather than a custom just, for simplicity and convenience. I've already voice the issues dynos tend to have, but the main reason I don't like them is having my car do 150mph standing still. It scares the crap out of me and really isn't good for the car. Having it tuned on a dyno takes dozens of runs. Lund seems like the Dinan of American Cars, so I gave it a whirl. Hasn't let me down yet.

Install:
Intake and Tune were a breeze to install. The headers were a different story. Titan and I decided it would be cool to do it live at their open house, but that didn't work out so well. The plan was to to do the install life, then throw it on the dyno live at the open house with 5,000 people there. It took about 9 hours to install the exhaust and headers, so that didn't happen. It's a brutal process that I would pay someone to do next time.

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Sound:
Let's be honest, horsepower increases are always secondary to sound improvement from an exhaust. At least they are for me. Lord knows I'm obsessed with the note a car makes. I always have a vision for what I think the car should sound like. Unlike my GT3 where I had 13 different exhaust variants to get it right, I'm pretty sure I got this one nailed on the first try. I guess you can be the judge from the videos below. I'm using a Rode Stereo VideoMic X, so the sound is pretty accurate if you play with decent speakers. Some complain about it sounding like a cross plane 5.0, but I think it still retains all of the flutter from the flat plane but without the rasp. So mission accomplished.

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Power:
The car felt like it was making more power. Throttle response is a bit better, and I thought the rear end was breaking loose more easily in 2nd and 3rd gear. It took me about a month to get back down to Titan and get it done. They are about an hour and twenty minutes from me. But...I finally got comparison dyno done. The results were as expected.

STD

SAE

STD Stock vs. Modified

SAE Stock vs. Modified

Conditions

2 Baseline Runs vs. 2 Modified Runs STD

Conclusion:
So the conclusion is pretty simple. Everyone works and sounds like I'd hope. No more rasp, still tons of nasty, but exhaust note is much more organized. The intake is a non-event other than a slightly more audible throttle body. Tune seems to be doing it's job, no CEL or errors. The only issue seems to be the studder/stumble I get for about 2 minutes as the car warms up.

So I'd call it a success, more horsepower, better sound. It checks the boxes.

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Hi Matt,

Thanks for all of the VLOGS. They have definitely helped me make decisions on upgrades for my car.

One major thing you and I have in common is that we both traded our F82 M3's for the GT350. While both cars have their pros and cons, I definitely do not have any regrets, especially for it being a secondary vehicle.

One thing I cannot find, and possibly for good reason, are individuals who have upgraded suspension components, specifically coil-overs, for the GT350.

While I enjoy the Magneride, I am looking for something a bit stiffer with more driving 'feel'. You know the feeling of the M3 suspension, so this might hit home for you. I wish this car had a bit more front axle 'feel'. The car is definitely nimble and responsive, but as a secondary vehicle, I want to try and hone this car in to be the best that it can for both the street and track.

I believe the first attempt will simply be to drop the car on either Eibachs or FP springs, however I would rather save the coin if someone with suspension upgrades chimed in.

Thanks,
Lane

lm1z said:

Hi Matt,

Thanks for all of the VLOGS. They have definitely helped me make decisions on upgrades for my car.

One major thing you and I have in common is that we both traded our F82 M3's for the GT350. While both cars have their pros and cons, I definitely do not have any regrets, especially for it being a secondary vehicle.

One thing I cannot find, and possibly for good reason, are individuals who have upgraded suspension components, specifically coil-overs, for the GT350.

While I enjoy the Magneride, I am looking for something a bit stiffer with more driving 'feel'. You know the feeling of the M3 suspension, so this might hit home for you. I wish this car had a bit more front axle 'feel'. The car is definitely nimble and responsive, but as a secondary vehicle, I want to try and hone this car in to be the best that it can for both the street and track.

I believe the first attempt will simply be to drop the car on either Eibachs or FP springs, however I would rather save the coin if someone with suspension upgrades chimed in.

Thanks,
Lane

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The only suspension option we have right now is the Ford Performance springs that are trickling in. I'm waiting for the Eibach option that will be a tad lower and offer sway bars.

Follow-Up to the AMMO Paint Regimen System

I've had the car for 6 months now. Prior to taking the GT350 to the mountains, I decided to give the car a quick additional layer of protection.

These are the AMMO Products I use:
Reflex (Coating): I put two layers as the base. I don't use it on trim or rubber, but I do have it on the plastic lights
https://www.ammonyc.com/shop/ammo-reflex-foundation-coat/
Skin (Polymer Sealant): 1 Coat that tops the Reflex base layers.
https://www.ammonyc.com/shop/ammo-skin/
Creme (Carnauba Wax): 1 Coat that tops Skin.
https://www.ammonyc.com/shop/ammo-creme-reflective-paste/
Hydrate: This is the drying aid I use that adds an additional layer of protection after each wash.
https://www.ammonyc.com/shop/ammo-hydrate/
Spit (Detail Spray/Spray On Wax): I'll take this with me on a trip in case I need to get a bird dropping or bug off the paint.
https://www.ammonyc.com/shop/ammo-spit/
Mud (Tire Dressing): I use on the tires after every wash.
https://www.ammonyc.com/shop/ammo-mud-tire-gel/

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Lots of good stuff in here. I know how much time video editing and titling takes also. Appreciate it.

I also appreciate it! I first found your entertaining and informative videos while researching my GT350 purchase. I used to detail cars long ago, but that desire had gone dormant some time ago. Watching more and more of your videos, you've awakened the detailing beast within, and opened my eyes to a few things. I've since updated my arsenal and gone back to brush up on the newest detailing techniques, and thanks to your input, I've discovered AMMONYC, and others. There is a therapeutic aspect to the detailing process. It helps one to not only appreciate their automobile, but leads to better overall habits and organization, and ultimately, teaches us to value other things in life as well. Men are creatures of habit, cultivate the good ones!

Thanks Matt!

Matt- been following your thread since I purchased my GT350 a month or so ago..... thanks again for the great videos! They've helped tremendously.

Incidentally, we're in the same industry!