Jmeo's 2020 Shelby American GT500 SE Wide Body Build (+ "Phase 2")

[Evolvd]

Damn I know that feeling. I had a local shop replace my thermostat on my old GT and he dropped the old one into the engine bay. Of course he didn’t tell me that and one day as I’m driving my car starts to overheat. I get it towed to Ford and about an hour later the tech sends me a photo of the shredded serpentine belt. And jammed in the lower pulley was my old thermostat. Needless to say I was pissed. I called the shop that did the t-Stat swap and chewed out the owner. He covered the repair bill at Ford but I’ll never use that shop again.

 

[Jmeo]

Damn I know that feeling. I had a local shop replace my thermostat on my old GT and he dropped the old one into the engine bay. Of course he didn’t tell me that and one day as I’m driving my car starts to overheat. I get it towed to Ford and about an hour later the tech sends me a photo of the shredded serpentine belt. And jammed in the lower pulley was my old thermostat. Needless to say I was pissed. I called the shop that did the t-Stat swap and chewed out the owner. He covered the repair bill at Ford but I’ll never use that shop again.

Yah buddy, I would have been pissed too! Funny thing (or not so), is I actually spent at least an hour trying to locate the stupid thing! It fell into the one spot that I just could not see or feel it.

 

[Stage_3]

Looks awesome Jaime.
Sorry about the serpentine belt.

 

[Jmeo]

Another good day today, I got a lot accomplished.

The new belt did not deliver to the dealership today, but it should tomorrow. In the mean time I finished installing the boost gauge, installed the UPR catch can, Custom Pony Covers strut tower caps, and I finished reinstalling all but the belt and CAI under the hood.

I also installed my new Beith steering wheel. Tim killed it.... again

Let there be light, and there was light......

As you may have noticed, I also installed my 5Spurs start button

I had to readjust the front and rear dash camera s/p window tint install. I also installed my leather wrapped with blue stitching knee pads. They match the seat & steering wheel stitching perfectly.

Sorry, I just realized the flashlight washed out the color in the picture, but you get the idea.

Lastly, I installed my Beith carbon dash pieces. Why Ford does not include these with the CF dash baffles me. Ok, I guess it doesn't, lol. The weave isn't a perfect match, but to the naked eye it looks great. Way better than the plain plastic piece it came with.

I know I shared this before, but I absolutely love it. I don't think I shared the builder plate though. They don't install them anymore I am told, because most cars go from bay to bay, and person to person during the build now, and no one person does the work. For the wide body cars, one tech does the work. Pretty cool he shares the same first name as me.

 

[Jmeo]

Another busy (and fun) day. Got my oil change done. Second one and still under 2,000 miles, lol. Did the first at 1,000 and did one today because the reminder had been bothering me, and it "has" been longer than 1 year since I did it.

Installed my front Power Stop ceramic brake pads. Man do I love my Caliperfexion stud kit & extensions. Sure made short work of changing the pads

Pulled the rear diffuser pan down to double check SA's work, and to make sure they put my exhaust harnesses back the way I had them. While I was there I installed my Diode Dynamics clear side markers. I also wanted to look for any differential leaks, all good.

I also discovered Eibach is who makes the springs for the MSS suspension. That explains the excellent ride.

Got my new serpentine belt, and installed it. This meant that I could finally finish up under the hood and reinstall the Kong (logo-less) CAI. Two days or heavy rain are upon us in MA, and I have to drive the car for the recalls, so I installed the ran tray. I also took it for a ride before heading to work to fill it up. The enclosed CAI is doing it's job as far as keeping the air cleaner dry.

Before ride:

After ride: Not much water, but it definitely would have been all over the filter had I still had an open filter CAI.

Oh, I also got my JLT Rock Blockers to fit the SA rockers. Not that hard actually, just jammed them in there lol.

 

[Jmeo]

One more piece to the puzzle, as far as things I wanted to do before Mustang Week. @kilobravo helped me bring this plate to life, and @Mayberry found a really great shop who KILLED IT making them. I thank both of you guys.

The thing is. I thought I had the perfect vision to this plate idea. All was going good until the shop making them accidentally transposed the two colors. They made the them black with aluminum lettering, as opposed to an aluminum plate with black lettering. Well, now I can't un-see them, and am now torn if I should use the black or aluminum plate......

Here is the photoshopped image of the aluminum plate that have.

I think the aluminum plate might still be the way to go, since the snake plate is aluminum.

 

[Evolvd]

One more piece to the puzzle, as far as things I wanted to do before Mustang Week. @kilobravo helped me bring this plate to life, and @Mayberry found a really great shop who KILLED IT making them. I thank both of you guys.

The thing is. I thought I had the perfect vision to this plate idea. All was going good until the shop making them accidentally transposed the two colors. They made the them black with aluminum lettering, as opposed to an aluminum plate with black lettering. Well, now I can't un-see them, and am now torn if I should use the black or aluminum plate......

Here is the photoshopped image of the aluminum plate that have.

I think the aluminum plate might still be the way to go, since the snake plate is aluminum.

Or…hear me out…get the snake plate in reverse two tone.

 

[Jmeo]

Or…hear me out…get the snake plate in reverse two tone.

Lol yup, that’s an option.

 

[Warpath]

Been thinking of going with the PBD lid with the Whipple intercooler blocks. Looks like you kept the stock coolant lines size.

 

[Jmeo]

Been thinking of going with the PBD lid with the Whipple intercooler blocks. Looks like you kept the stock coolant lines size.

Yes, SA changed the intercooler to the C&R Racing version, which uses the the stock size connections. I saw no reason to upgrade any further. They both collectively will perform better than stock, but I will never see the difference anyway. The car as it came stock is impressive, and more than I will ever use. I liked the idea of a smidge more boost with the LMT lid. That's something that I will use. Oh, and the NPT port to add the boost gauge. The rest was just icing on the cake. I like cake.

 

[Warpath]

Yes, SA changed the intercooler to the C&R Racing version, which uses the the stock size connections. I saw no reason to upgrade any further. They both collectively will perform better than stock, but I will never see the difference anyway. The car as it came stock is impressive, and more than I will ever use. I liked the idea of a smidge more boost with the LMT lid. That's something that I will use. Oh, and the NPT port to add the boost gauge. The rest was just icing on the cake. I like cake.

I don't see a need to change them unless I was running an ice tank. Looks great buddy.

 

[Epiphany]

Just....wow. Killin' it Jaime.

 

[WD Pro]

I see you are missing a critical piece that’s dyno proven to add 10 whp :

Which probably means you missing another 10 whp with these :

WD

 

[Jmeo]

Just....wow. Killin' it Jaime.

Thanks Tob

I see you are missing a critical piece that’s dyno proven to add 10 whp :

Which probably means you missing another 10 whp with these :

WD

I am holding out for the 20 WHP version But seriously, I will more than likely get those. I did have them on my last few cars, and I do like them.

 

[kilobravo]

Two things...

WD: Where did you get those covers?

Jaime: Stick with Shelby tradition, light with black lettering looks the best IMHO.

Love the white side markers.

For sure you are in hog heaven installing all the goodies, Jaime. Makes me grin. :-)