Project SHLB - Whipple OEM+ GT350

[aex90832]

Howdy all,

Picked up a 2019 GT350 with just 1900 miles. Though the car is mechanically perfect, the exterior definitely needs a little bit of work. There are a few chips/dings on the front of the car that will eventually be fixed as well as a rear bumper that looks to have been replaced at some point with one that doesn't quite fit perfectly. Made the decision that the exterior issue(s) were small enough that I could deal to get a low mileage car in the spec I wanted: stripe delete, with the comfort seats.


Picture at the dealer where I traded in my 2017 GT, parked next to the GT350.

ANYWAYS, after 1000 miles of enjoying the car completely stock. The mods BEGIN!

1. Car already has 30% tint so I wont have to worry about that.

2. I have a set of 20" Project 6GR-SEVEN in GT350 fitment in 20x11/20x11.5 due to be delivered this coming week. Loved their wheels on my older GT, and I just cant get over how good they look. Sadly, they only had the 20" GT350 offset in gloss black. Gloss black is not my first choice, but I may do satin black or grey (like my old car) at a later date. Tires are Michelin Pilot Sport 4S in 305/30R20 up front and 315/30/R20 out back. Seems like 20s are not very common on these cars. Will be keeping the factory wheels/Cup2s for track duty.

3. Depending on how the wheel gap looks after the wheels are put on, I may get the Steeda Magnetic Ride lowering springs. Should get about a 1/2 inch drop.

4. The car is getting a Whipple Gen5 3.0 in October-ish timeframe from HPJ Performance. These guys seems to be one of the go to shops, and they happen to be a short 10 minute drive away. Targeting 800whp on pump gas and then we will be looking at what the car will do on E85. I'm not looking for any records. I care more about idiot-proof power. I want something I can kinda beat on and not really have to worry about.

5. I will eventually get the Anderson Composites GT350R Carbon Fiber Spoiler. I'm personally not a fan of the spoiler that comes on the "regular" GT350s, and my old car was ordered without a spoiler. Now to decide if I should trade someone that has a spoiler delete trunk or just have the holes filled in.


Anyways, will post up as things start falling into place.

-Alex

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[Wqmaster]

Howdy all,

Picked up a 2019 GT350 with just 1900 miles. Though the car is mechanically perfect, the exterior definitely needs a little bit of work. There are a few chips/dings on the front of the car that will eventually be fixed as well as a rear bumper that looks to have been replaced at some point with one that doesn't quite fit perfectly. Made the decision that the exterior issue(s) were small enough that I could deal to get a low mileage car in the spec I wanted: stripe delete, with the comfort seats.


Picture at the dealer where I traded in my 2017 GT, parked next to the GT350.

ANYWAYS, after 1000 miles of enjoying the car completely stock. The mods BEGIN!

1. Car already has 30% tint so I wont have to worry about that.

2. I have a set of 20" Project 6GR-SEVEN in GT350 fitment in 20x11/20x11.5 due to be delivered this coming week. Loved their wheels on my older GT, and I just cant get over how good they look. Sadly, they only had the 20" GT350 offset in gloss black. Gloss black is not my first choice, but I may do satin black or grey (like my old car) at a later date. Tires are Michelin Pilot Sport 4S in 305/30R20 up front and 315/30/R20 out back. Seems like 20s are not very common on these cars. Will be keeping the factory wheels/Cup2s for track duty.

3. Depending on how the wheel gap looks after the wheels are put on, I may get the Steeda Magnetic Ride lowering springs. Should get about a 1/2 inch drop.

4. The car is getting a Whipple Gen5 3.0 in October-ish timeframe from HPJ Performance. These guys seems to be one of the go to shops, and they happen to be a short 10 minute drive away. Targeting 800whp on pump gas and then we will be looking at what the car will do on E85. I'm not looking for any records. I care more about idiot-proof power. I want something I can kinda beat on and not really have to worry about.

5. I will eventually get the Anderson Composites GT350R Carbon Fiber Spoiler. I'm personally not a fan of the spoiler that comes on the "regular" GT350s, and my old car was ordered without a spoiler. Now to decide if I should trade someone that has a spoiler delete trunk or just have the holes filled in.


Anyways, will post up as things start falling into place.

-Alex

Lookin forward to seeing it

 

[aex90832]

Well, everything came together today. Big shot out to the local DiscountTire. They were super professional and careful with the wheels. Of course, the little man wanted to help his very proud daddy put them on the car. Pictures are after driving it a little bit to let the car settle (which my son also got a kick out of). I'm thinking I may go with the Steeda springs to drop it a smidge. Something to note, I am getting a smidge of rub at full lock.

Project 6GR Seven:
Front: 20x11 ET24 - 305/30R20 MPS4S
Rear: 20x11.5 ET56 - 315/30R20 MPS4S

 

[aex90832]

Took some time and trimmed the the mud-flap-thing that attaches by the fender vent and that almost completely eliminates the slight rubbing I was seeing. This issue may be due to the Porsche spec tire (only version my shop had) that I have up front, vs the generic/aftermarket version I have out back.

Anyways, took a few better shots

 

[aex90832]

Went to the track to see what she will do. Best I could get was a 12.9 @ 116.

Either I launched at too low of an RPM and I bogg or I spin. Definitely need driver mod. XD.

 

[aex90832]

Looks like my build will be delayed for a bit. On the way home from Holmon Motor Cars in STL to test drive the new Lotus Emira (maybe the car gods were punishimg me?) had a white Ford Edge decide to make a last second lane change when traffic slowed. Brakes really showed their worth but can't make up for the fact of a "suburbatank" to cut into the lane. They fled of course. Cop were sympathetic, but not much that can be done as I didn't catch his/her stupid plate in the craziness.

Car still drove home okay and no SRS deployment. Hopefully just cosmetic.

Will have to call HPJ tomorrow to potentially delay dropping off the car as I was supposed to this week.

 

[ARAMP1]

Dang, that sucks. Could have been much worse though. Hopefully it didn't hurt the radiator support. Those things are hard to come by.

 

[aex90832]

Dang, that sucks. Could have been much worse though. Hopefully it didn't hurt the radiator support. Those things are hard to come by.

That's my hope as well. Felt like I had scrubbed a good bit of speed before the hit even considering the circumstances. Thanks.

 

[aex90832]

Well, after talking to a few reputable body shops in the area, looks like the soonest ill have a fixed car is January. Also when looking under the hood, the CFRP support brace where the hood latch/headlight attaches was sacrificial.

On a brighter note: the Lotus Emira test drive was fun. Cabin was a little tight. I kept hitting my left knee in the lower IP when using the clutch. Secondly the clutch actuation felt weird in that you have the punch it to the floor or else the transmission locks out the next geear. Also, though the mechanical noise of the eningne sitting behind you is pretty cool, definitely didn't feel as "special" as driving the 350.

 

[FKE SNK]

Sorry to hear about the accident. TBH, Shelby season is about over anyway and if it takes longer than Jan you will still be ready for spring.

I run 305s in the front and had a slight rub as well. After dropping on FP springs it got slightly better but there is a tiny bit remaining. Par for the course with such a great stance IMO

 

[aex90832]

Sorry to hear about the accident. TBH, Shelby season is about over anyway and if it takes longer than Jan you will still be ready for spring.

I run 305s in the front and had a slight rub as well. After dropping on FP springs it got slightly better but there is a tiny bit remaining. Par for the course with such a great stance IMO

That really is the silver lining. It's suppposed to get really cold next week o i was getting a last fun day in before the freeze.

Also, the springs comment helps a lot. I ordered the Steeda springs, but should be a similar drop.

 

[aex90832]

As luck would have it, my plate came in today. Can't wait for the car to be fixed. Should hear final damage report on Monday.

 

[aex90832]

Just got an update on the car. Should be ready in early January. Also, got confirmation from insurance that since the car had PPF on the front half when I bought it, I am still covered to have it redone by a local shop. I'm going to have the shop ceramic coat the car as well.

If I can, since there is a 4-6week window between repaint and clear/bra, im going to try to find some one (trying locally first) that has a magnetic grey S550 without a spoiler to swap trunks, so i don't have to have a body shop fill the holes. That way i can get the Anderson Composites GT350R spoiler.

 

[aex90832]

Today is the day!!
After some parts delays, my car is back from the shop!!
Next stop: HPJ Performance on Monday!

 

[aex90832]

Some further delays, but the car is done. Photos are potato as we were rushing to get the car home and make it to the Battlehawks game.

750 wheel on E85 and 675 on pump 9 with the 3.875 pulley. They talked me down to a more conservative level since I want to run the stock clutch for a bit.

Should have dyno videos early next week.

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