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

[Inthehighdesert]

That’s well done. And the stance and balance is spot on. Kudo’s. It’s missed by most.

Welp, I did a thing. Or shall I I say, Ii un-did a thing.

Had some rubbing while reversing at 80% to full lock, so I got me some 20's for the front. The rubbing was on my custom made splash guards, so no fault to the wheel design or offset. The 21" wheel is just a little tall in the wheel well.

I don't know why I didn't think of this from the beginning. I am a fan of the staggered look, and I like how the front 20's make the rear 21's look that much more WOW. I also like the steering feel being back on the factory size fronts. It just feels better, hard to explain.

So now it's 355/25/21 rear and 305/30/20 front

All that said I do think I lost a little WOW, but I do still like it.

 

[Nightmonkey]

I like it more than the 21" in the front.
Can you make the rear suspension a bit higher so that the gap is the same front and rear? (I know, a lower rear is probably better in terms of driving dynamics...)

 

[Jmeo]

I like it more than the 21" in the front.
Can you make the rear suspension a bit higher so that the gap is the same front and rear? (I know, a lower rear is probably better in terms of driving dynamics...)

I am happy with the CFTP springs, so I won't change them. I have considered adding Steeda upper spring spacers, but I am not sure if I want to go through that bother.

Let's' be honest, I probably will.............

 

[Nightmonkey]

A little spacer does not hurt!
...but a little bit higher springs would be nicer (more suspension travel).

Are the dampers adjustable or is it MagneRide? (thinking "adjustable coilover kit"...)

The front is really perfect now and the 21" on the rear in combination fits like a charme!

 

[Evolvd]

A little spacer does not hurt!
...but a little bit higher springs would be nicer (more suspension travel).

Are the dampers adjustable or is it MagneRide? (thinking "adjustable coilover kit"...)

The front is really perfect now and the 21" on the rear in combination fit like a charme!

Stock suspension is Magnaride. I do believe he had the Shelby supplied coil over kit for a time but removed it due to its ride characteristics.

 

[Stage_3]

Beautiful!!!

 

[Jmeo]

A little spacer does not hurt!
...but a little bit higher springs would be nicer (more suspension travel).

Are the dampers adjustable or is it MagneRide? (thinking "adjustable coilover kit"...)

The front is really perfect now and the 21" on the rear in combination fits like a charme!

Yeah, I am not changing the springs. Been there, done that countless times. I like what I have now as far as ride and performance.

The spacers I would choose from are the following;

Raise Amounts

• 1/8" Spacer : Raises car by 1/4"
• 1/4" Spacer : Raises car by 1/2"

It's a lot of work to be wrong the first time, so I am leaning towards the 1/4" spacer (if I even do it). If only I knew how much raising the rear by 1/2" would lessen the front gap, the decision would be easier. It's not a 1:1 ratio.

Stock suspension is Magnaride. I do believe he had the Shelby supplied coil over kit for a time but removed it due to its ride characteristics.

You are correct. In the lowest setting I was happy, but I had to raise the height because it was far too low and hit everything but the lottery. Once I raised them to the height I needed, the ride suffered. Maybe out in the flatlands I would have been fine, as far as front clearance. Not here in shitty New England.

 

[marklboris]

Yeah, I am not changing the springs. Been there, done that countless times. I like what I have now as far as ride and performance.

The spacers I would choose from are the following;

Raise Amounts

• 1/8" Spacer : Raises car by 1/4"
• 1/4" Spacer : Raises car by 1/2"

It's a lot of work to be wrong the first time, so I am leaning towards the 1/4" spacer (if I even do it). If only I knew how much raising the rear by 1/2" would lessen the front gap, the decision would be easier. It's not a 1:1 ratio.

Hey Jaime, I've never found that spacers raise the rear as much as they say. Personally, I think the 1/4" spacers will raise the car about 3/8" and 1/8" spacers about 3/16". Maybe it's different on the 500 but that is what I have found on other cars I've installed spacers on.

 

[Jmeo]

Hey Jaime, I've never found that spacers raise the rear as much as they say. Personally, I think the 1/4" spacers will raise the car about 3/8" and 1/8" spacers about 3/16". Maybe it's different on the 500 but that is what I have found on other cars I've installed spacers on.

That’s good information, thanks Mark. This sounds like my next adventure.

 

[Nightmonkey]

Is there a way to find out who made the springs (manufacturer, not "seller/label")?
Over here Eibach and H&R can make a higher spring, if they made the original spring, but with the same (dual) springrate etc.
Maybe that is the way to go? (with some extra effort)
Eibach & H&R would also have the knowledge to say how much higher the spring needs to be for a specific raise, if they made the original spring (I guess even if you give them a spring from a different manufacturer to test).

 

[Jmeo]

Look what made the sports pages

https://performance.ford.com/articles/enthusiasts/quick-look/2025/06/carlisle-2025

 

[Jmeo]

Well it's been minute since I've done suspension work, but it all came rushing back to me.

Spacers are in. I went with the 1/4" option and man was I right.

Before:

After:

The glare on the rear fender lip ruins the shot, but if you zoom in you will see the gap is glorious....

Home-freaking-run

 

[Stage_3]

Gorgeous!!!

Soon I will see this beast in person.

 

[Jmeo]

Gorgeous!!!

Soon I will see this beast in person.

Definitely my friend, let me know what you are thinking.

 

[Jmeo]

Finally working on removing some gremlins. Today it was the occasional misfire, after that it will be a stupid belt chirp that has come back.

I hate the fact that I wasn't the one to install the Whipple........

It was a fun day as my sone was also working on his four-wheeler

Lastly, I'm loving the final stance of this thing