From Track Prepped GT350R to GT350 Race Car. Why it was the Best Decision for me

[Jet One]

Hi all, Ive been pretty active tracking my '17 GT350R since 2019. I ignored all the GT350 engine stories and enjoyed my car on track for 7 years. My maintenance regiment was, oil change, brake bleed prior to every track weekend with complete replacement of transmission, diff and brake fluid once a year. I wish I could tell you I had zero issues but, I wasn't immune. A slight tick warm, Oil cooler line failure which I was shocked isn't a recall especially after one caught fire, only a service bulletin! Also a lingering problem that Ford said would go away... I noticed a light metallic sheen in oil which never went away Dealer Tech attributed to break in? Also a tick was attributed to injector pulse which I disagreed. All was documented and car under warrantee. As I got more experienced and speeds at VIR started to climb I started prioritizing safety after debate I installed a Watson 4pt belts and started using a HANS. The debate was depreciating the car by adding the Watson Bar.. If so I'd rather depreciate the car than my me. Fast forward 3 more years of enjoying the car on track no issues but, still metal in oil. I moved to a different city and had a second opinion from another dealer. By the end of the day dealer submitted a claim for a replacement engine. Ford pushed back a touch due to engine running fine with only 8K miles and did question the roll bar but, stepped up and replaced the engine.

I was at a crossroad to continue with my R or find a full time track car. At this point I was only using my car for HPDE and occasional Cars and Coffee. So for me it wasn't a huge negative owning a non street legal car. The only car I was truly interested in over the years was a FP350s or maybe Boss 302s. I always admired a friends GT350 Based Race Car its was something I'd love to own but, and inquired but, he had no interest in selling. After a FP350s deal fell through I was very discouraged but, I had made the decision to move forward and find another. A year later my friend moved on to drive professionally with the S650 platform and asked if I'd be interested. Only obstacle was selling mine to fund the purchase. Everything fell into place and 3 months later I pick up my new car! Funny how things work out sometimes...this was the first race car I ever rode in. I've been spending the season learning the car and allcimating to my next chapter. Absolutely thrilled!

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[GTP]

Okay I'm confused. You went from a GT350R that you were modifying a little for track duty to a "GT350 Based Race Car". So what exactly did you gain? More track mods that were already installed?

 

[WItoTX]

I'm also interested in what you gained. How is the new car prepped? By the way, the R should always stay stock and the 350 be the modded version. In my opinion at least lol

 

[Jet One]

Okay I'm confused. You went from a GT350R that you were modifying a little for track duty to a "GT350 Based Race Car". So what exactly did you gain? More track mods that were already installed?

For how I personally used my R I gained a lot.

I love the s550 Platform especially the GT350. So, a chance to get a seam welded and cage NASA ST2/TT2 vetted car for me was the right move. 5.2L cross plane engine has proven to be more reliable. AP racing front and rear brakes lighter with better rotor life allow 25mm endurance width pads, smaller diameter rotors also allow 18" wheels. I can fit 30/68-18 Michelin S9/8M (GT4 scrubs) at 1/3 of the price of my previous 305 30 19 GYSC3R tires. This combined with weighing 300lbs less than my R its easier on consumables.

If I decide to go W2W racing, TT or just HPDE I can. Another bonus... I don't need to carry traditional insurance or pay Virgina Personal Property Tax. Race car Storage, transportation and paddock insurance annual policy is way cheaper.

 

[WItoTX]

Dude...hell of an upgrade, congrats!

I'm so jealous about the 18" wheels. Not to mention a cage and a fully built TT car.

 

[Jet One]

I'm also interested in what you gained. How is the new car prepped? By the way, the R should always stay stock and the 350 be the modded version. In my opinion at least lol

They're awesome cars and collectable for sure! I bought mine new, tracked it for 7 years and sold it for $7K less than I paid for it with mods installed. At the end of the day it's a car to be enjoyed IMHO. I bought the R to track and enjoy it. It's not going to be worth much if I'm unfortunate and had an incident R or not. I'd rather help my chances of leaving the track the way I arrived Watson, 6pt belts and HANS were must haves for me.

 

[Jet One]

Dude...hell of an upgrade, congrats!

I'm so jealous about the 18" wheels. Not to mention a cage and a fully built TT car.

Thanks! Theres a huge thread on its build on TMO. it's fairly easy to find under Member cars if you're interested.

 

[wingnutt]

Ok, for the not-race car crew…what did you buy?

sounds like a fully prepped GT350 non-R?

…askin for a friend

 

[Jet One]

Ok, for the not-race car crew…what did you buy?

sounds like a fully prepped GT350 non-R?

…askin for a friend

It started out as a new body in white and was seam welded and caged by Watson Racing. Then received most of its salvageable core parts from a GT350R donor and progressed from there. FP350S would be its closest cousin. For "non race car crew" as you phrased it..FP350s is a GT350 based Race car build by Ford and Watson Racing.

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