[Stingray]

Originally Posted by SUMMIT WHITE SS

I was at the Sebring event as well, who came with you on your drive? Lots of cool guys, I had a great time.

As a current Mustang owner (full drag set up '11 GT now) and a former '12 Boss 302 and '07 and '13 GT500 owner. Also as a current Corvette owner (full autoX set up Lingerfelter 402ci '02 Z06), I too can inject my opinion. The GT350 is quite the machine especially in R format. Plus it sounds fantastic and pulls very well. The issue I had with it was it's low to medium rpm performance. If you are just tracking it, and staying up in the rev band, you're good. But, if you plan on doing a lot of street driving the low end power is lacking. The other thing I noticed, which again, doesn't really effect track lapping, but could be a annoyance otherwise, is that it doesn't come out of the hole well. I drove my friends new SS, it had no miles on it, and wasn't my car, which obviously limited me. But I was beyond impressed how well the car performed, even on junky run flats. The 1LE form of this car will easily run with, and very well out perform the GT350 TP. Then, I can only imagine what a even more powerful, track focused ZL1/Z28 will do to a GT350 R. I plan on buying a SS, or if they make it, 1LE, and will do full suspension and coilovers and will see what it does...it may make me sell the Z...will see. Curious, have you driven a new SS?

I was on both the Oct. 13th morning and afternoon sessions hence I got to do the track events twice...

I have put over 500 miles so far on my GT350TP in both urban & highway driving and even below 3k rpm it has good pull. Many times I don't even past 4k or 5k rpm prior to shifting and I have no issues with power/torque bands from a standstill or entering/merging into traffic for example at low-midrange rpm's. One day drives won't define the experience at all... in any case, I can vouch that the GT350 can be a perfectly fine daily driver. No need to go high rpm's. In fact it still sounds really good at low-mid rpm's.

I haven't driven the SS yet but like I said I had a Stingray with the same LT1 engine and obviously I know the capabilities of that motor especially on a C7's lighter weight and very low center of gravity chassis replete with Magride and ediff as well. For sure I can see the 6th gen SS will be a great all-around car... it's already receiving lots of praises credited to the GM parts bin of topnotch goodies. So like I experienced with the C7, I'm also confident the 6th gen performs quite well.

The key aspect is the lighter alpha chassis... that's a fine foundation to start with. Best of luck with your future build.

Originally Posted by KMPrenger

Question...are you talking about the R, or the regular GT350? Big difference. If you are talking R...then while I very much respect your response, but its not a valid response. Even talking the 350TP may not be valid. Sure, straight line might be ok, but clearly this topic is on track performance, and I don't think anyone should be comparing an SS, to a 350TP, and especially an R. (now a possible 6th gen 1LE on the other hand...I feel will put up a good fight with a 350TP)

The comparison should be between a base 350 and an SS. I this case, I think the SS is likely closer to the performance level (track, as straight line the SS is pretty much its equal until perhaps well over 100mph) of a base 350 than a Mustang GTPP. 50K for a base 350. An SS, with all the performance options added, but not a 2SS, will come under that easily, and likely perform very closely. What is your take on this?


ANYWAYS..

As for the so called "comparison" the OP is talking about....it was a NOTHING comparison. All they did was brag up both cars, and nothing else. No stats, no real opinions, and no winner chosen.

I want to see an SS go up against a base 350...lets do it!

I tracked an R and a Track Pack... and I own a TP. Even the Ford Performance engineers as well as two lead HPDE instructors from Chin (one who is a chief instructor), all stated that one of the main benefits of the R is the Cup 2's on lighter wheels. The Cup2's are absolutely fantastic on the track... I run my Z06 on Cup2's and there is a big remarkable difference in grip and much less understeer when compared to the MPSS. They claimed the TP with lighter alloys on Cup2s' will do wonders and turn it close to an R (i guess like a lower case r). Doing so, it won't be far behind the R, IMO... like a GT350-r

If you're strictly comparing and narrowing down to a standard GT350 (hence no Magride as the biggest difference) against the new SS with all the performance goodies, then I will agree that it may be quite close, neck to neck. We'll see if ever any reviews/tests are done...

One thing that still stands out to me though is the braking performance of the GT350 because those stock brakes are so good. Better than a C7 Z51's and maybe even a notch better than the C7 Z06's. Ask anyone who has tracked a GT350 and the common denominator will be how linear it stops and fade free lap after lap... scubbing from high speed you suddenly realize you're braking way too soon. That's how good the brakes are. Remarkable.

I agree Motor Authority's comparison was a dud... but IMO look at it half-glass full. It still revealed how good these cars are... different characters, different target audience even if you think about it. The SS will be produced in much greater numbers while the Shelby GT350 has a smaller target niche per se.

Speaking of a base GT350, here's one to compare... for sale at Machaik's Southway Ford in San Antonio: http://www.windowsticker.forddirect....6P8JZ7G5520183