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

[Jmeo]

I can only imagine how you felt, Jaime..maybe even worse than having a child go off to college.
But WOW...HS, that RIG! I've never seen ANYTHING like THAT! Lord have mercy, I wouldn't want to be the driver..whew.

And I'll be darned, the mirrors fold. I sure wouldn't have pushed one but I'm gonna guess that if I looked closely, I could tell, just haven't looked that closely.

The countdown starts...hang tough, amigo..every day is one less to wait.

I was told yesterday that the standard timeline they tell people is 1 year from deposit. Apparently the last car delivered just 2 weeks prior to the 1 year mark...... It's gonna be a loooooong wait.

 

[Jmeo]

Did you opt to use the shipping spacers?

I have them with me. The base is plenty high for this kind of transport. I will bring them with me when I fly out for the "dealer deliver" package and give them to them to install for the transport home, as it will be at the very least, lower than the CFTP.

PS: I will be sure to have them put a thick wire tie around the rear spacers for me.

 

[Jmeo]

The SE is gonna be great, but for the record, I'm holding out for the KR...If it never happens than my car will likely never be the masterpiece yours is about to be.

I don't think there will be a 2020 KR, or any other name (Super Snake) for that matter. I believe there is an agreement in place between Shelby and Ford, not to use either name. Not sure if it's only a 2020 agreement, or if that will last throughout this generation car.

 

[Jmeo]

One thing I found out, when I was installing the Shelby coolant tank on my 2020GT500, is that it sits about 1/2" higher than the stock tank. The Shelby engine cap I have sits even a little bit higher, and the two combined caused the cap to hit the rain tray. The tank I have is the one listed for the GT350.

The tab on the underside of the coolant tank is supposed to drop into a slot on the fan housing, but it does not fit completely in. I cut away a portion of the slot in question, filed away a few of the plastic fins, and cut away the upper most part on the top where the tank tabs sit (where the factory nut clips are). I used VHB tape to secure a 5/8" aluminum spacer at each of the top mounting locations, and I installed a nutsert at each location. Now the Shelby tank & cap sits exactly the same height as the stock tank and cap.

Lastly, I did not like the silicone overflow hose that was supplied with the tank. It is not moulded, so when you push it on the tank barb, it takes a long soft curve down towards the belly pan, which does not appease my OCD. I ended up ordering a factory coolant tank from a Super Duty, which has the bend and shape I was looking for. I opened up the diameter of the hole on the hose bracket to accommodate the slightly larger diameter hose and BAM, Bob's your uncle.

 

[Epiphany]

Well done, as always.

 

[Jmeo]

Well done, as always.

Thanks Tob.

Looking back at the photos I posted, the cut marks sure look barbaric, or "Mickey Mouse" lol. It actually came out great, and looks factory once installed.

 

[Jmeo]

Picked up Friday morning, delivered to Shelby American Monday morning. OK, let's get this thing into wide body!

I am happy to have the Ford Pass App up and running at this moment.

 

[Strokerswild]

I can't believe it's moving as quickly as it is, which is a good thing.

A year or so ago they were telling me that it would be several months on a waiting list with a deposit before the car would truck to them, plus the real wait once the conversion was started....

 

[Stage_3]

That's awesome Jaime.
The journey begins!

 

[Jmeo]

I can't believe it's moving as quickly as it is, which is a good thing.

A year or so ago they were telling me that it would be several months on a waiting list with a deposit before the car would truck to them, plus the real wait once the conversion was started....

Well, it's there, but I think there will be a lot of waiting. Production of 2020 GT500 SE's doesn't begin until sometime in October. My car will wait in a storage facility until it is next up when a lift opens. Who knows how long that will be....

Or are you saying because it's been picked up already?

That's awesome Jaime.
The journey begins!

Thanks Tony!

 

[Snoopy49]

What was their policy on getting your parts back?

 

[Tomster]

congrats Jamie. I wish you a speedy build.

 

[Strokerswild]

Well, it's there, but I think there will be a lot of waiting. Production of 2020 GT500 SE's doesn't begin until sometime in October. My car will wait in a storage facility until it is next up when a lift opens. Who knows how long that will be....

Or are you saying because it's been picked up already?

Yes.

They told me (a year-ish ago) that once a deposit was made there was a several month waiting period prior to the car even going to them. Once the client list worked its way down closer to my slot, the car could be sent out and the real wait would begin once conversion started.

Maybe the 'rona impacted their business a bit also....

 

[Jmeo]

What was their policy on getting your parts back?

All parts that will fit will be placed inside the car and returned to me with the car. All parts too large (hood, wheels & tires) will be packaged up and shipped to me, at my expense, if I want them.

 

[Jmeo]

congrats Jamie. I wish you a speedy build.

Thanks Tom