Will the GT350 really be track ready?

[Carguy68]

From Ford's description it sounds pretty much track ready. The Track Pack adds an engine oil cooler and a transmission cooler.

https://media.ford.com/content/ford.../shelby-gt350-mustang-the-legend-returns.html

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[908ssp]

I thought about this question some more and there really is an answer.

Every car is track ready if you drive it like you would on the street.

No car is track ready if you drive it like a race car. Even a race car is only ready for the length of the race.

 

[Trackaholic]

I thought about this question some more and there really is an answer.

Every car is track ready if you drive it like you would on the street.

No car is track ready if you drive it like a race car. Even a race car is only ready for the length of the race.

Pretty succinct summary. I hope the GT350 is closer to the race car version, and can handle being driven hard for a half-hour session with no appreciable brake fade and without needing to throw in some cool-down laps in the middle of the session. That would be track-ready enough for me.

-T

 

[asphal]

The GT35OR will be very different from the GT350. The R model will be a true race car that may not even carry a vin number.

This.

There is a track pack option for the GT350. Not sure what all it includes so the answer is even Ford knows that base GT350 is not track worthy for more than a couple laps.

and this.. though I'm willing to bet some of what the track pack offers may actually be to offset weight.

 

[Grimace427]

and this.. though I'm willing to bet some of what the track pack offers may actually be to offset weight.

I would bet the Track Pack with its extra coolers would add weight.

 

[thumper]

The GT35OR will be very different from the GT350. The R model will be a true race car that may not even carry a vin number.

my assumption was that the gt350 was the equivalent of a boss 302 in comparison, and the 350r would be like the laguna seca?

 

[Tim Hilliard]

I don't know about you guys but I am tired of spending a lot of time and money getting my cars set up for the road course. With all the hype Ford has given the GT350 about being a true road course beast I hope we will finally have a car that we can use with no further modifications. What do you think?

No, that's why I have a 300A GT/PP. Spend $7-8K on top of a $33K car and make a track beast rather than spending $65-75K on a marketing car.

 

[Backorder]

my assumption was that the gt350 was the equivalent of a boss 302 in comparison, and the 350r would be like the laguna seca?

Well there are two parties in the speculation...you with the assumption that it'll be like the 302LS and others thinking it'll be a vinless race car...hopefully we find out at Detroit.

I'm thinking it'll be like the 302LS, however...I belive typical models labeled "R" have been vinless and made for track only soooo maybe it won't even be labeled R at all? Who knows...


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[scottpe]

I'm thinking it'll be like the 302LS, however...I belive typical models labeled "R" have been vinless and made for track only soooo

Historically, Mustangs with an "R" designation have been street legal. See 1995 and 2000 Cobra R...

If whatever they are intending to release will be a track only model, I would expect it will actually have an "S" designation like the Boss model before it.

Then there are some who believe that there will be three models. The regular GT-350 (what we've seen), GT-350R (more directly aimed at the Z/28) and GT-350S (vin-less track only car).

I guess we'll see soon...

 

[Backorder]

Historically, Mustangs with an "R" designation have been street legal. See 1995 and 2000 Cobra R...

If whatever they are intending to release will be a track only model, I would expect it will actually have an "S" designation like the Boss model before it.

Then there are some who believe that there will be three models. The regular GT-350 (what we've seen), GT-350R (more directly aimed at the Z/28) and GT-350S (vin-less track only car).

I guess we'll see soon...

Ahhhhh! Thanks for the clarification! Too many letters!!!! :-D


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[Grimace427]

Historically, Mustangs with an "R" designation have been street legal. See 1995 and 2000 Cobra R...

If whatever they are intending to release will be a track only model, I would expect it will actually have an "S" designation like the Boss model before it.

There was also the Boss 302R which was also a race-only model.

 

[Carguy68]

Last year they had a Boss 302R and Boss 302S that were track only race cars you could buy.....

http://www.fordracingparts.com/parts/part_details.asp?PartKeyField=13517

http://www.fordracingparts.com/parts/part_details.asp?PartKeyField=11687

 

[thumper]

Historically, Mustangs with an "R" designation have been street legal. See 1995 and 2000 Cobra R...

If whatever they are intending to release will be a track only model, I would expect it will actually have an "S" designation like the Boss model before it.

Then there are some who believe that there will be three models. The regular GT-350 (what we've seen), GT-350R (more directly aimed at the Z/28) and GT-350S (vin-less track only car).

I guess we'll see soon...

i am unsure of the "S" moniker being used. my shelby history is poor, but recall there being a GT350S back in 1965? 1966?. it was a prototype, and only one exists. there is history behind it but i can't remember (someone google this please).

 

[TrackAppraiser]

No, that's why I have a 300A GT/PP. Spend $7-8K on top of a $33K car and make a track beast rather than spending $65-75K on a marketing car.

I'm split on this...

In a perfect world, a GT/PP should be track ready (or as 908 put; abuse ready which is spot on) - just add tires and fuel as you go*. However if it still needs to be tinkered with extensively, and you're talking about adding almost 25% expense on top of purchase then I question if it's the right place to start. If Ford does a bang up job with the GT350, comparable to a 911 GT3 in utility but not in price then I think it money better spent. Especially since Ford has more experience, more knowledge, and deeper pockets than I do to make something that will hold it together for the entire day.

I have faith they can and will and it won't be an exercise in marketing. I've never owned a Ford product but have admired their commitment to motorsports (much like Mazda or Porsche) and believe that trickles into their showroom products. The Boss made me raise my eyebrows now the GT350 is making me adjust my budget!

*That might actually be the case and I hope so because it is the least expensive! :headbonk:

 

[thumper]

i bought my 2011 GT brembo pack before there was talk of the boss 302. i thought doing mods would be enough to keep me happy on the track. but there was a lot of trial and error and expense and i was also being held back by the risk of voiding my warranty because of stories of other owners financially unable to fix their cars after blowing something up and having ford tell them you screwed yourselves and you want us to warranty your mistakes???

and then the boss 302 came out. one ride in it and i realized everything i did not like in my GT was mostly sorted out in the 302, and it was all under warranty. but my GT's depreciation is falling faster than a used 302 was, so ultimately it was not worth parting out my GT to trade in for a 302, especially now that the s550 is out. but this time i am holding back until the gt350 hits my local showroom and see if my piggybank can do it and watch for performance test results and see if this flat-plane crank engine is the beast they claim it to be

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