Did I do the right thing?

[BigDan]

The new 2011+'s dont heat soak like the previous years do with stock heat exchanger. Ford did upgrades like 40% larger heat exchanger a long with the new engine/ computer with knock sensors, improved timing capabilities, and factory "boost a pump" to keep lap times and ET's consistent. The first time I took it to the track was on a $50 test and tune night so there was no waiting in lines. I hot lapped the crap out of it and was trapping 117-118 all night, some times 3 runs in 10 minutes with no dip in mph. Best run of the night was 12.3@119mph 1.9 60ft and it was a hot lap bone stock with 900 miles on the od.

Sounds like your buddy should pony up on a larger heat exchanger w/ fan, or a high capacity IC reservoir filled with ice, or the Killer Chiller the uses the car AC system to cool the IC fluid.

[Sleestack]

Originally Posted by CamaroCowboy

The GT500, Roush, Saleen and the ZL1 are all cars that the work has already been done...Not a lot of room for upgrades.........

The GT500 has cheap and easy mods available for moving up to 550, 650, or 750Rwhp, or higher. The fact that it is already forged and engineered for boost from the factory gives it much more room for upgrades than any other car.

[8cd03gro]

They're great, but don't just jump into it. Think about it a while. Personally, I would prefer to go with a boss 302 and either slap a pd blower on top or a pair of snails. . .

[BigDan]

I know, a Procharged Boss 302 would be

[KXRM]

Honestly the only thing I have heard that really differentiates the two on these forums is looks. I personally think both cars look impressive for different reasons and with different color combinations. Here in the DFW area, I see way more 2010+ Camaros than 2010+ Mustangs so uniqueness is not really going to be lost.

You can definitely buy either car and make it a respectable street demon. Having said that, the ZL1 is still going to be a bit of a wait. Also aftermarket is going to have to catch up to it. If you want the power and you have the means now. Get it. You won't regret it. If you are a hard core Camaro fan, than I would sleep on it. If you aren't truly confident about going over to a Mustang, you might regret it.

As an example, one of the reasons I love my Mustang so much is because of the history I have with it. That doesn't mean that I think lesser of the competition unless there is a real reason to. I look at a lot of Camaros and I don't see anything wrong with owning one, they have the history, they have the power, they have the looks and the sound that I love hearing. The only thing they don't have is the history that I have given to the Mustang, so I don't "feel" the same way when I look at a Camaro that I do looking at a Mustang.

[Camaro_hx]

The GT500 is niCe! ..but if you're a true Camaro enthusiast, then you should know that its a KEEPER.

Just last night, i saw a '67 black GT500 428 on sale!! my heart sunk @@ but again will never trade my camaro for it.

Again, up to you, do what you think is right and make sure you will NOT regret it afterwards!

[BigDan]

Originally Posted by Camaro_h

The GT500 is niCe! ..but if you're a true Camaro enthusiast, then you should know that its a KEEPER.

I am also a true Camaro fan but Chevy really let me down on how long it took for the Camaro to become available only to have slow L99's right off the dealers lot and with no sort of fix during the time I spent researching it. Performance was also a lot lower then expected since the L99 were running similar ET's to the 10+ year old F-body's. I was honestly expecting solid 12.7's from ALL the mags but I figured that would be the norm considering all the added weight and IRS. I just figured after all they time absent Chevy would deliver a death blow and give us the total package not something based on looks with the same old LS and IRS found in the G8 with no Z model based off their LSA CTS-V that had been in the works for previous years. :(

I wanted the top of the food chain in pony cars and there is no competition for a new 550hp GT500 in early 2010. If GM would of gotten on the ball sooner with the ZL1 project I just might have a ZL1 parked in my garage instead, but its still going to be really hard to over come the dramatic weight difference between my 3,660lb 2011 GT500 and the estimated 41-42 hundred pounds for the future ZL1. Heck we have been looking at pics of the 2006 Camaro Concept for almost 8 years now and honestly the only thing that has changed since I first started lurking here has been the addition of HUD and going form LS2 to LS3 a year before release and that's about it.

Since 2006 the Mustang has undergone countless upgrades and every proceeding year keeps getting better and better almost like the people at Ford are listening to us and making changes every, just like the good old day when they would change up a lot from the previous years to keep the cars fresh and customers coming back to get the latest and greatest. A lot of us are trying to pressure Ford into offering HUD like you guys because I have a tenancy to hit rev limiter mid corner when I working the wheel with both hands.

[porcupinekiller]

Originally Posted by HookemHorns

I would not have traded my SS. However my plans are to add a Mustang to my stable and it will be either a GT500, Saleen, or a Roush.

I don't get into the whole car battle as I like a lot of different makes and models. My good friend has a GT and we always bounce ideas off of each other. Let's face it, there are some non-GM super sweet rides out there.

I like your attitude!!
Nice to see some good friendly discussion in this thread.
Some of my best friends drive GM's. One of my Camaro friends is a excellent mechanic and always had good ideas. Back 25 yrs ago when I had my 1969 428 CJ Mach I, he had discovered the the GM Z28 aluminum heat shield that mounts between the carb and intake was pretty much a universal fit and cost less than the Moroso unit. It worked perfect on my 428 with a Holley carb. Also the Trans Am WS6 anti-sway bar bushings were only .93c each and worked perfect on my Mustang to replace my worn bushings and tighten things up. So my Mustang was running around with some GM parts on it. Lol
You can see the GM heat shield in the picture I posted.

Hopefully the OP is happy with his choice..that's all that really matters.

[ayceman]

As much as I love my SS I would go for the Shelby those are truly special cars, the engine is built to handle the boost, the interior is beautiful (love the shifter). It now has the recaro seats, and again its not a typical mustang its a shelby, if I had the chance to trade for one I would or a Roush since I love the Roush cars their suspension set up is really good too. You will get a car that is not common (Shelby) with 550 HP with a warranty and you can cheaply get allot more horse power out of it. Go for it. Plus to be honest Ford offers performance packs that keep your warranty which is something I wish Chevy did so you can bet I will be adding a Ford to my stable in the future.

[ayceman]

Well said and you made a good choice in the Shelby one that I wish I made. Love my Camaro but Ford is really doing things right at this point with its pony car. Offering performance packs with supporting calibrations that again keep your warranty intact, I wish Chevy had performance packs like FRPP.

Originally Posted by BigDan

I am also a true Camaro fan but Chevy really let me down on how long it took for the Camaro to become available only to have slow L99's right off the dealers lot and with no sort of fix during the time I spent researching it. Performance was also a lot lower then expected since the L99 were running similar ET's to the 10+ year old F-body's. I was honestly expecting solid 12.7's from ALL the mags but I figured that would be the norm considering all the added weight and IRS. I just figured after all they time absent Chevy would deliver a death blow give as the total package not something based on looks with the same old LS and IRS found in the G8 with no Z model based off their LSA CTS-V that had been in the works for previous years.

I wanted the top of the food chain in pony cars and there is no competition for a new 550hp GT500 in early 2010. If GM would of gotten on the ball sooner with the ZL1 project I just might have a ZL1 parked in my garage instead, but its still going to be really hard though to over come the dramatic weight difference between my 3,660lb 2011 GT500 and the estimated 41-42 hundred pounds for the future ZL1. Heck we have been looking at pics of the 2006 Camaro Concept for almost 8 years now and honestly the only thing that has changed since I first started lurking here has been the addition of HUD and going for LS2 to LS3 a year before release and that's about it.

Since 2006 the Mustang has undergone countless upgrades and every proceeding year keeps getting better and better almost like the people at Ford are listening to us and making changes every, just like the good old day when they would change up a lot from the previous years to keep the cars fresh and customers coming back to get the latest and greatest. A lot of us are trying to pressure Ford into offering HUD like you guys because I have a tenancy to hit rev limiter mid corner when I working the wheel with both hands.

[Camaro_hx]

Your points are valid but you have to also consider the price-difference between the two, which was a critical issue for GM during 2009/10 and had to reduce their costs, but again they have, and i believe, NAILED IT niCely!

Im a very satisfied 5thGen. owner, if i'd do it again, i will still purchase the 2010 Camaro!
---------------------

Originally Posted by BigDan

I am also a true Camaro fan but Chevy really let me down on how long it took for the Camaro to become available only to have slow L99's right off the dealers lot and with no sort of fix during the time I spent researching it. Performance was also a lot lower then expected since the L99 were running similar ET's to the 10+ year old F-body's. I was honestly expecting solid 12.7's from ALL the mags but I figured that would be the norm considering all the added weight and IRS. I just figured after all they time absent Chevy would deliver a death blow give as the total package not something based on looks with the same old LS and IRS found in the G8 with no Z model based off their LSA CTS-V that had been in the works for previous years.

I wanted the top of the food chain in pony cars and there is no competition for a new 550hp GT500 in early 2010. If GM would of gotten on the ball sooner with the ZL1 project I just might have a ZL1 parked in my garage instead, but its still going to be really hard though to over come the dramatic weight difference between my 3,660lb 2011 GT500 and the estimated 41-42 hundred pounds for the future ZL1. Heck we have been looking at pics of the 2006 Camaro Concept for almost 8 years now and honestly the only thing that has changed since I first started lurking here has been the addition of HUD and going for LS2 to LS3 a year before release and that's about it.

Since 2006 the Mustang has undergone countless upgrades and every proceeding year keeps getting better and better almost like the people at Ford are listening to us and making changes every, just like the good old day when they would change up a lot from the previous years to keep the cars fresh and customers coming back to get the latest and greatest. A lot of us are trying to pressure Ford into offering HUD like you guys because I have a tenancy to hit rev limiter mid corner when I working the wheel with both hands.

[ffrcobra_65]

I am on my 6th Camaro and my first Mustang ever. Used to hate Mustangs then I figured out only because they were always kicking my Camaro's a$$. But I couldn't just turn my back on the Camaro....enter the 2011 Shelby GT500. WOW! 550hp will full factory warranty. The typical Mustang look is so-so, but the Shelby look does it for me. yeah yeah, a ton of Mustangs running around but we would say the same for the Camaro had it been as successful or had it been the #1 choice of pony-car lovers over the years. But in a few years, the Camaro will be a dime a dozen as well.
OP, if the Shelby is calling your name, answer it. You will have a blast with it. I live in SoCal and see all kinds of cars daily....5 -10 Camaros daily. I see maybe one Shelby GT500 a month. I havent driven my Camaro past the end of my driveway in months....maybe only once since I bought the Shelby in February.