GT + Upgrades vs. GT350(R)

[Teezlr]

GT350s should hold their value, modified GTs will not...

Thats why I'm trying to hold off on a supercharger and just upgrade to a GT350 with the price difference... etc.

Sponsored

 

[Sasuketr]

GT350s should hold their value, modified GTs will not...

Thats why I'm trying to hold off on a supercharger and just upgrade to a GT350 with the price difference... etc.

That depends on if Ford ends the production line from 2018 and up. Otherwise it will only hold its value the way gt500 has. Problem is people paying ADM on that car has already lost money. When it comes to cars, holding value is pretty tough, you need to show rarity, or reliability, or exotic products. Mass production with no reliability record is a tough one.

 

[F0J]

... have the fastest car at the track, but to have fun and learn.

Completely agree but I do think that the non-PP chassis deserves some minor upgrades. For example, when turning, I find that there's way too much weight that gets shifted to the outside rear wheel. Past the inside apex, anything more than slight throttle causes oversteer.

Cut your losses and get the car, you won't regret it.

This is what I came here to hear. I'll have to find a way to drive one to see if I like it. I'm sure there are some driving schools that offer it as an option.

... no dealer mark up here in Canada.

Like legally? I'm surprised I missed that part. I'll google it. I figure I got my mustang before the "price adjustments" due to the USDCAD. Things have calmed down a bit from 1.47 (currently 1.2575) - the 2017s should be a little less pricy.

... hold off on a supercharger ...

Out of curiosity, which one were you thinking about getting? I figure the Ford Motorsports offerings offer just under 700HP because of the transmission's limits. I was a little interested in the less boosted versions just to get a little bit of earlier torque.

Thanks again everyone.

 

[krt22]

The other thing would be resale. I'll get pennies (maybe dimes) on the dollars I spend upgrading the GT. Meanwhile, the GT350 might not even depreciate for a couple of years.

This is the biggest reason why you shouldn't. A heavily modded GT will be worth sub 30k in a few years with likely no warranty backing if you tune it. A bone stock GT350 will be just as fast and likely still be worth 45k-50k+ in a few years. Check out current raptor pricing if you don't believe that

End of the day its almost always cheaper to buy than it is to build

 

[Hack]

Completely agree but I do think that the non-PP chassis deserves some minor upgrades. For example, when turning, I find that there's way too much weight that gets shifted to the outside rear wheel. Past the inside apex, anything more than slight throttle causes oversteer.

This is what I came here to hear. I'll have to find a way to drive one to see if I like it. I'm sure there are some driving schools that offer it as an option.

I will steal a line from Randy - if you buy a GT350 you will not be disappointed. The ride is terrific. Firm and the body is in great control, but the suspension also doesn't beat you up when you drive on rough roads.

If I owned a base GT, I wouldn't change anything unless I planned to keep the car for a very long time. You just don't get your money back on those changes. Plus, the suspension really is fine for the road course as is. I understand even though I've said it a couple times you don't believe me. That's fine, but just making it 300% clear. :cheers:

 

[Trent W]

My GT PP is currently 3670lbs I still have the bulky front seats. and i'm 15lbs shy of a completely stripped GT350R and i still have all my creature comforts. Weight distribution is 53/47. I still have about 15-20lbs to easily drop in the engine bay.

But here is pricing for what I've done currently:
Forged wheels/tires: 2300
Aluminum supports: 200
Seat delete: 100
Battery relocation: 80

Future:
Racing seats: 1000
Two piece rotors: 1500
CF hood Fender's Doors: 3000
AL driveline: 800
Liner Springs: 200

Thats just under $10000 roughly for a car that would be more than 100lbs lighter than a GT350

I bought my car for 36k + 10k + 8k for a twin turbo setup

Thats 54k for a 800whp 3500lbs car VS 75k+ car 480whp at 3655lbs Hell throw in an aluminator 5.2 FPC for another 10k and i'm still winning!

I bought the car to use it and abuse it. Nobody is going to buy a 350 that has been tracked its whole life and pay more than what you bough it for. Get real cars are not an "investment" people looking to get their money back are in fairytale land no matter what you buy. Cars are like condoms use and discard...

Do what you want man either way i'm sure you'll be happy but for me i went the cheaper route which happens to be the one i get more performance per $ from.

 

[rcb020]

I've gone over this a lot in my head too, as a base GT PP owner. Ultimately, I decided to not dump a ton of money into my car as I do not plan to keep it forever and I would love to get a used GT350R sometime in the future. To hold me over, I am going to do a few things to keep me happy with the GT: square setup of 19x10 wheels with 285 tires all around, Ford Performance track handling package, and the Track Key. Those mods won't cost a fortune and will add to my enjoyment until I trade up for the next thing in a few years without losing a fortune.

 

[F0J]

... I've said it a couple times you don't believe me.

I'll elaborate a little here. I know a thing or two about setting up wheels for racing since I was a "Tire Engineer" for an amateur racing team (GT4 Hondas). Adjustability would be fun. The local track guys would always have a bit more camber on the driver side and toe on the passenger side (if I remember correctly). Tire pressure is very important, which is one of the reasons I haven't yet tracked my GT. Still sorting it out. I'm waiting for my income taxes to get sorted out before I buy a proper pressure gauge and whatever else I can find the time to research properly...

Bit of a geek, really. I probably spend way too much time measuring the heat on my tires.

 

[Phelix]

Like legally? I'm surprised I missed that part. I'll google it. I figure I got my mustang before the "price adjustments" due to the USDCAD. Things have calmed down a bit from 1.47 (currently 1.2575) - the 2017s should be a little less pricy.

I'm guessing it's a legal thing since I've never seen a mark up

 

[F0J]

My GT PP is currently 3670lbs I still have the bulky front seats. and i'm 15lbs shy of a completely stripped GT350R and i still have all my creature comforts. Weight distribution is 53/47. I still have about 15-20lbs to easily drop in the engine bay.

But here is pricing for what I've done currently:
Forged wheels/tires: 2300
Aluminum supports: 200
Seat delete: 100
Battery relocation: 80

Future:
Racing seats: 1000
Two piece rotors: 1500
CF hood Fender's Doors: 3000
AL driveline: 800
Liner Springs: 200

Thats just under $10000 roughly for a car that would be more than 100lbs lighter than a GT350

I bought my car for 36k + 10k + 8k for a twin turbo setup

Thats 54k for a 800whp 3500lbs car VS 75k+ car 480whp at 3655lbs Hell throw in an aluminator 5.2 FPC for another 10k and i'm still winning!

I bought the car to use it and abuse it. Nobody is going to buy a 350 that has been tracked its whole life and pay more than what you bough it for. Get real cars are not an "investment" people looking to get their money back are in fairytale land no matter what you buy. Cars are like condoms use and discard...

Do what you want man either way i'm sure you'll be happy but for me i went the cheaper route which happens to be the one i get more performance per $ from.

Hehehe

"With floor mats" lol

I'd say "car has been tracked" should automatically deduct at least $10,000 from something that hasn't. Let's say resale isn't a priority but I mentioned it to get the conversation going. It's still worth discussing though, moreso for scenarios where the 350 goes down in price.

Twin turbo eh? Race engine swaps

So you're happy with the PP suspension? When I saw my car, I was happy it wasn't PP because I figured I could do better. Ford Perf has a "track" package for cheap and others are slowly releasing parts.

The extra weight on the 350 is interesting too. Part of that is a transmission cooler that could be useful on the GT.

How much weight did you save with the carbon fiber?

I will have many more questions for you sometime in the future. Thanks for sharing.

 

[krt22]

Thats 54k for a 800whp 3500lbs car VS 75k+ car 480whp at 3655lbs Hell throw in an aluminator 5.2 FPC for another 10k and i'm still winning!
.

Its not going to be 3500lbs when you add comparable sized wheels, tires, brakes, and all the driveline coolers. Not to mention the TT setup will add even more weight in the nose and you will be battling knock and heat soak if you track it hard. For straight line speed, I agree its a much more economical approach, for road course use (which is what the GT350R was designed for), it will be a huge headache and likely cost just the same or more in the long run.

 

[F0J]

... it will be a huge headache ...

No doubt altering the engine would be "interesting". To be honest, I can't even fathom 800HP and the effort involved to make it tick.

Endurance is important for track cars and the GT350 offers it. But I can't help thinking that they added power and weight for the sake of fulfilling juicy numbers on a spreadsheet for marketing. The people want moar HP! I mean, what if they made a 100k$ 3000 lb Coyote Mustang - would anyone buy it?

That's really what I'm exploring here. I don't think I'll be increasing the power output but I'm looking for clues how to improve the chassis with a bunch of moula.

 

[Hack]

My GT PP is currently 3670lbs I still have the bulky front seats. and i'm 15lbs shy of a completely stripped GT350R and i still have all my creature comforts. Weight distribution is 53/47. I still have about 15-20lbs to easily drop in the engine bay.
Thats just under $10000 roughly for a car that would be more than 100lbs lighter than a GT350

I bought my car for 36k + 10k + 8k for a twin turbo setup

Thats 54k for a 800whp 3500lbs car VS 75k+ car 480whp at 3655lbs Hell throw in an aluminator 5.2 FPC for another 10k and i'm still winning!

What will insurance pay for it if someone smashes into you? What if you sell? I drove 80s Foxes with swapped drivetrains and suspensions for many years, so I know the real cost of this type of modification.

 

[Trent W]

So you're happy with the PP suspension?

How much weight did you save with the carbon fiber?

I will have many more questions for you sometime in the future. Thanks for sharing.

Yes I love the PP suspension BUT... I'm not building a track car just a fun street car. I dont want to go too crazy because I do road trip and dont want to vibrate my teeth out with a race setup. its got a perfect balance between corning and comfort for DD. My buddies Base GT felt mushy in comparison.

As far as weight you misunderstood me. I have only done minor weight reduction and it got me to 15lbs of a GT350R. I HAVE NOT done Driveline, 2pc rotors, LW racing seats, or carbon panels. I'm still rocking my heated and cooled leather seats.

Ask away! I have a tread documenting my progress on my weight reduction quest if your interested.

 

[Trent W]

Its not going to be 3500lbs when you add comparable sized wheels, tires, brakes, and all the driveline coolers. Not to mention the TT setup will add even more weight in the nose and you will be battling knock and heat soak if you track it hard. For straight line speed, I agree its a much more economical approach, for road course use (which is what the GT350R was designed for), it will be a huge headache and likely cost just the same or more in the long run.

I'd say my wheels and tires are "comparable" wouldn't you say? haha. I'm already at roughly the same weight and I havn't even put on the AL driveline 2 peice rotors the Light weight racing seats (my stock ones are over 50lbs EACH!) I haven't even started to dabble in the Carbon fiber doors fenders or hood yet. 3500lbs is WELL within the realm of possibility even with turbo's. PP come with bigger oil cooler/radiator and brembo's. Dont get me wrong the GT350 is an amazing car and i'd love to have one. You can just do it for cheaper, be lighter, and have more power. Can you imagine if you accidentally curbed those 16k carbon fiber wheels that came on one of them? I would DIE of a heart attack and risk an aneurysm ever time I went to the store in that car. to me its just not worth it.

Sponsored