[TunaRay1214]

so here are a few things to start with. I drive a truck for a living so this will be my toy on the weekends and that's about all. Since a child I have always dreamed about my little pony. I have actually looked at purchasing a supercharged viper at 700+ rwhp but the price tag and insurance would kill me! I want a really really fun toy! The vehicle is honestly not going to ever see over 150 mph but I want to really run out of the hole. I want to be able to make the rears scream at rolling 30 mph. So if I get a current gt and sink 6 or 7 grand I could get close to 500 rwhp. Or I could get the GT500. what are the pro/con here. I'm new so please understand this is really my first step into the research.

[Gary Paul]

My buddy Mark built a Factory 5 Racing AC Cobra roadster kit car (see pic in my gallery) with a stroked 351 Cleveland and trick everything. His beautiful car is unique and he put a lot of himself into building it. You can't have as much pride in something that you bought already complete - something that anybody else with the same amount of money could also purchase.

But some people just don't have the time, patience or energy to buy a nice car and modify it into what they really want. The Shelby GT500 and some of the supercharged Roush Mustangs perform very well in stock form. And they aren't cars you'll see on every street corner. The Shelby and Roush Mustangs (like the Mustang Bullitt) are probably best kept looking stock - not cars to extensively modify and personalize.
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'98 Mustang GT auto trans - rio red with medium graphite leather

[IhaveadopeGT]

Originally Posted by Gary Paul

My buddy Mark built a Factory 5 Racing AC Cobra roadster kit car (see pic in my gallery) with a stroked 351 Cleveland and trick everything. His beautiful car is unique and he put a lot of himself into building it. You can't have as much pride in something that you bought already complete - something that anybody else with the same amount of money could also purchase.

But some people just don't have the time, patience or energy to buy a nice car and modify it into what they really want. The Shelby GT500 and some of the supercharged Roush Mustangs perform very well in stock form. And they aren't cars you'll see on every street corner. The Shelby and Roush Mustangs (like the Mustang Bullitt) are probably best kept looking stock - not cars to extensively modify and personalize.
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'98 Mustang GT auto trans - rio red with medium graphite leather

I couldn't have said it better myself. All depends on if you have time to build it or want it right out of the box.

There is a uniqueness that goes with building a car. I love to tinker myself but I wouldn't turn down a chance at owning a GT500. However, If I had a self modified car, I would probably race it. If I had a stock GT500, I would probably cherry it considering the value of the past GT500's. There is no doubt it will be a collectors item in a few years time.

[silverV6]

Im not sure what issue it was but i remeber reading in the 5.0 mustang magazine that someone bought a gt (im pretty sure it was a 2003) and put the time and money into building up the suspension, exhaust and engine was able to make more rwhp than a stock cobra for less money.

[kawik99]

well you did say you want a toy for the week ends. a toy to me is not wanting to be anywhere but with it. so if you build your car then while your on the road you cant wait to get back to install the next piece and take it for a ride. and the process will continue. another trip on the road followed by a mod. at least that sounds amazing to me. im looking into a fox body. not sure what kind yet tho.

[Absolute025]

OK, This is an interesting question, lets look at some facts between them all:

Mustang GT: Approx $26,000 - $30,000
1) Great Car
2) Strong Motor
3) Supercharger will bring you to 450 HP safely, any more you
need to upgrade the motor.

Roush:
1) I may be biased but Awesome looking cars.
2) You dont see them two often.
3) They come in 3 stages depending on your budget.
a. Stage 1: Looks. Approx ($38,000 - $40,000)
b. Stage 2: Looks and Suspension. Approx ($48,000 - $50,000)
c, Stage 3: Looks Suspension, brakes and
supercharger. (Approx $58,000 - $60,000)

GT500: ( Not quite sure $ wise)
1) In My Opinion OK Looking car for the money.
2) Awesome Motor
3) Awesome power
4) Can upgrade to 600 HP with a $5000 supercharger upgrade.
and everything else is done. Woo Hoo
So breaking that down you can have a:
1) GT: Make it look like whatever you want it to and increase
HP as you please to a limit and would probably the cheapest
option.
2) Roush: I cant believe I am going to say this but besides
nobody having an idea what a Roush is ( I know, I Know,
everybody and there mother asks me what a Roush is, Go
Figure) I would not buy a roush, It is great that it is a Roush
and you dont see too many people with them, but it has the
same limitations as a GT but a heftier price tag.
3) GT 500: As you know in my opinion it is an ok looking car for
the money. But you get the prestige, The Power and it is
already done, unless you want to jump to 600 HP.

Conclusion: If you can find a GT 500 for a decent price tage buy it save yourself the heartache of having to give your car up for upgrades and the GT 500 Comes with a warranty. I know this was long winded, I just felt it was nessesary.

[Bocephus357]

You should (somebody correct me if I am wrong) be able to get around 500rwph for around 7 grand on a GT. Much more than 500 to 550rwhp will probably be over 10 grand.

If you like moding your car, then I say go for a GT and mod it! If you want it right out of the box the GT500 defenlately is beautiful.

[Absolute025]

Originally Posted by Bpcephus

You should (somebody correct me if I am wrong) be able to get around 500rwph for around 7 grand on a GT. Much more than 500 to 550rwhp will probably be over 10 grand.

If you like moding your car, then I say go for a GT and mod it! If you want it right out of the box the GT500 defenlately is beautiful.

The internals are only rated for 450 HP, anything more that that would be pushing it. The GT 500 is forged so getting that saves you the hassel. Trust me if I could get 500 RWHP for 7000 without being terrified to kill my motor I would do it, but to me it just is not worth the chance. IMO

[TunaRay1214]

I'm thinking I may go drive a GT this weekend just to see how it feels. I'm not really sure how I may handle the stock GT but I'm going to give it a whirl. I don't really have the time to wrench on a car so if I get the new GT500 or pay to have a GT upgraded either way I have still paid for it all. if I get the GT500, could/should I upgrade exhaust and programming or is it done already?

[Absolute025]

Originally Posted by TunaRay1214

I'm thinking I may go drive a GT this weekend just to see how it feels. I'm not really sure how I may handle the stock GT but I'm going to give it a whirl. I don't really have the time to wrench on a car so if I get the new GT500 or pay to have a GT upgraded either way I have still paid for it all. if I get the GT500, could/should I upgrade exhaust and programming or is it done already?

If I am not mistaken, the GT500 comes with FRPP Stingers which is what alot of people upgrade too. I am not too sure what the headers or X or H pipe are. Sorry.

[Gary Paul]

Originally Posted by TunaRay1214

If I get the GT500 could/should I upgrade exhaust and programming or is it done already?

Stock GT500 is 500hp and 480 lb/ft torque. How much is enough for you? GT500KR is 540hp and 510 lb/ft of torque. Adding FRPP 113mm Cold Air Kit # M-9603-SVT07, which is what I have already done, gives you the exact same CAI and ProCal tuner (and the exact same 540 hp and 510 lb/ft) that are installed on GT500s at Shelby Automotive when converting them into GT500KRs. Or you could add an aftermarket CAI (like the JLT or C&L), aftermarket tuner (like an SCT) and a smaller drive pulley plus idler pulley and be over 600hp. Or you could take your GT500 to Shelby and pay them $30K to add a bigger supercharger and convert it into a SuperSnake with 605hp (or more than 700hp but without any warranty whatsoever).

The stock exhaust is very good and includes an X-pipe. Only serious drag racers would add full-length headers. The GT500KR changes to an H-pipe and throatier mufflers, more for sound than anything else since neither adds any horsepower. I've already added the exact same FRPP axlebacks as the GT500KR, for the deeper sound and the great looks of the 4" diameter, angle-cut, rolled tips. The GT500KR axlebacks are all 304 stainless and will not rust (unlike 409 stainless which forms a surface rust that "prevents further rust from forming").

[tw0scoops123]

Go for the GT500. After you buy a GT, drop a SC in it, forge the motor(which isn't necessary, just comparing the value to the GT500), suspension components, driveshaft, etc you are beyond the pricetag of a stock GT500.

Unless you like the looks of the GT better, or enjoy working on the car in your free time, go for the 500.

[tw0scoops123]

Originally Posted by TunaRay1214

I'm thinking I may go drive a GT this weekend just to see how it feels. I'm not really sure how I may handle the stock GT but I'm going to give it a whirl. I don't really have the time to wrench on a car so if I get the new GT500 or pay to have a GT upgraded either way I have still paid for it all. if I get the GT500, could/should I upgrade exhaust and programming or is it done already?

Never heard one in person, but they sound like a stock GT on the internet. You should probably upgrade the exhaust(they sound damn nasty, in a good way, with a Borla exhaust), and a CAI and programmer will free up some nice HP.

[07StrokerGT]

In between a viper and a GT500, have you looked at the Hennessey GT500? Check it out

[07GTtype]

a GT500 crate engine with supercharger would be a nice drop in but it costs $14,999