how to turn an 06 gt into a gt500

[DrSmith]

Gentlemen,
As I am looking at modding my car, I can't help but think about buying a gt500.
As I have he patience to wait, this is a possibility. I don't know if I will ever be able to order one close to sticker. That is the problem. I truly wanted to love the car, but it isn't all that much different than a regular gt (lookswise anyway). What I have been really impressed with is a friends cobra r, and how brutally fun that car was to drive. I would like that type of performance/fun from my car. My car is mostly a daily driver, not driven in the winter, I'm starting to autocross.
So far I have looked into a few superchargers, which won't be installed until next year. My big question is: Do I wait until the day I can order a gt500, or just mod my own? I can put in all the aftermarket, suspension, poweradders, etc, But I balk at putting a new engine/tranny in my car that is one year old. I'd like to have the bigger engine and all, but can't see paying all that money for it. I'm not all that convinced that the price difference between the gt and gt500 are even worth it, it's just that I could live with paying sticker, but never more. I got a great deal on my 06 gt (mostly thanks to this forum!)
What do you think? One hand says to build my own monster, the other says wait and try to buy one...
Thanks,
Doc

 

[Hoboattacker]

Build your own monster is my opinion. If you autocross you want to go N/A or with a roots/whipple style supercharger since they build boost much faster than a centrifugal blower.

If you had a great tuner you could run over 500+hp to the wheels, but I wouldn't suggest it. I would price out what you wanted to do with your car and see if it is worth it to build your own or wait. Remember that after about 450+rwhp you are going to need to do a forged bottom end.

The GT500 on the other hand, is built for boost and has the 5.4L 4v Ford GT motor in it. With just a tune/CAI/pulley on the GT500's they are netting over 150+whp. They are an amazing car that responds AMAZINGLY well to mods.

Now if you want to just go with AutoCross, buy a Roush Stage 3. Top Gear did a comparison between the GT500 and a Roush Stage 3 and in the twisties the Roush manhandled the GT500. Now in a straight line...that's a different story

 

[thump_rrr]

I bought the GT and modded as my budget permitted.

I purchased the Saleen S/C with JDM Engineering Stage II upgrades which put me in the 450+rwhp range which is equal to the GT500. JDM has over 500 of these setups on the road without a single engine failure.

I have full Steeda suspension with a BMR K-Member which will easily outhandle the GT500.

Checkout page 3 of my CarDomain Page for full specs.

There are better and more expensive suspension systems by other roadcourse gurus such as Maximum Motorsports, Griggs, and Blue Moon Motorsports (Control Freak)

I cannot believe the premiums being paid by some people for the GT500's.
In Montreal I have seen 2 as recently as last week sell for over double the list price.

If you are one who wants to build the car to your taste to keep long term go ahead and build it. If you are one who gets bored with a car and will sell it when the next fad such as the Challenger or the Camaro comes allong you will get @$$ raped on selling it.

As far as 1/4 mile times go I'm pretty much equal to my friends nearly stock GT500 vert.

 

[ShowYa06]

Build it, alot more fun and you can have bragging rights as to the end results.