Mustang Shelby GT500 v. Boss 302
#1
06-11-2011, 01:00 PM
Mustang Shelby GT500 v. Boss 302
I want to use this thread as a compare and contrast between the brutish GT500, and the "balanced" Boss 302.
Personally, for a lot of reasons, I want to get another 'Merican car; and Ford seems to be onto something in a lot of ways.
I've driven the GT500, and was blown away. It was a brute that could be driven everyday.
I have not driven the Boss 302, but I'm told is has "less" horsepower, but it an overall more balanced car; more geared towards dropping on a track. (less hp being very relative considering it has over 400...)
I've been struggling with a malaise towards cars for quite some time. I just haven't been able to get excited about anything.
These upper end Mustangs seem to be starting to hold my attention.
I enjoyed my Anniversary 996, and I'd like something equally unique. But I don't want to spend $100k to do it.
So bear with me, or contribute if ya don't mind.
Here is a vid that I found, with what appears to be a dealer giving a good explanation between the GT500 and the Boss.
YouTube - ‪2011 Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang‬‏
Personally, for a lot of reasons, I want to get another 'Merican car; and Ford seems to be onto something in a lot of ways.
I've driven the GT500, and was blown away. It was a brute that could be driven everyday.
I have not driven the Boss 302, but I'm told is has "less" horsepower, but it an overall more balanced car; more geared towards dropping on a track. (less hp being very relative considering it has over 400...)
I've been struggling with a malaise towards cars for quite some time. I just haven't been able to get excited about anything.
These upper end Mustangs seem to be starting to hold my attention.
I enjoyed my Anniversary 996, and I'd like something equally unique. But I don't want to spend $100k to do it.
So bear with me, or contribute if ya don't mind.
Here is a vid that I found, with what appears to be a dealer giving a good explanation between the GT500 and the Boss.
YouTube - ‪2011 Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang‬‏
#3
06-11-2011, 01:04 PM
2011 Shelby GT500 specs:
* 5.4L 4-valve DOHC V-8
* 330 cu. in. / 5,409 cc
* 550 hp @ 6,200 rpm
* 510 lb.-ft. @ 4,250 rpm
* 6,250 rpm redline
* 8.4:1 compression ratio
* Aluminum block, aluminum heads
* 9.0 psi roots-type supercharger, air-to-water intercooler
* Forged steel crankshaft
* Forged aluminum pistons
* Cracked forged steel I-beam rods
* Tremec TR6060 six-speed (3.55 final)
* Weight: 3,820 (56/44)
---------------------------------------------------------------
2012 Boss 302 specs:
* 5.0L 4-valve DOHC Ti-VCT V8
* 302 cu. in./4,951 cc
* Composite shell-welded intake
* Stainless steel tubular headers
* 7,500 rpm redline
* 11.0:1 compression ratio
* Aluminum block and heads
* Forged aluminum pistons
* Forged steel rods
* Forged steel crankshaft
* Tremec TR6060 six-speed (3.73 final)
* Weight: 3,631 (55/45)
* 5.4L 4-valve DOHC V-8
* 330 cu. in. / 5,409 cc
* 550 hp @ 6,200 rpm
* 510 lb.-ft. @ 4,250 rpm
* 6,250 rpm redline
* 8.4:1 compression ratio
* Aluminum block, aluminum heads
* 9.0 psi roots-type supercharger, air-to-water intercooler
* Forged steel crankshaft
* Forged aluminum pistons
* Cracked forged steel I-beam rods
* Tremec TR6060 six-speed (3.55 final)
* Weight: 3,820 (56/44)
---------------------------------------------------------------
2012 Boss 302 specs:
* 5.0L 4-valve DOHC Ti-VCT V8
* 302 cu. in./4,951 cc
* Composite shell-welded intake
* Stainless steel tubular headers
* 7,500 rpm redline
* 11.0:1 compression ratio
* Aluminum block and heads
* Forged aluminum pistons
* Forged steel rods
* Forged steel crankshaft
* Tremec TR6060 six-speed (3.73 final)
* Weight: 3,631 (55/45)
#4
06-11-2011, 01:21 PM
How much practicality do you need, and where do you fall along the straight-line speed/twisty handling spectrum?
Why not start with the Boss 302 platform for the balanced chassis, and add power from there? Intake/cam/headers/exhaust on that engine, and you'd go a long way to closing the power gap to the GT500, staying naturally aspirated (and it would sound ungodly as well). Go FI, and you could get b-i-g power.
Other than that, I can't really think of anything American that could match the dynamics, unless you start looking at a Z06, but that's getting into an all-out sports car. Everything else is just a big soft pudding by comparison.
If you relax the $100k criterion, it's easy - Ford GT!
Why not start with the Boss 302 platform for the balanced chassis, and add power from there? Intake/cam/headers/exhaust on that engine, and you'd go a long way to closing the power gap to the GT500, staying naturally aspirated (and it would sound ungodly as well). Go FI, and you could get b-i-g power.
Other than that, I can't really think of anything American that could match the dynamics, unless you start looking at a Z06, but that's getting into an all-out sports car. Everything else is just a big soft pudding by comparison.
If you relax the $100k criterion, it's easy - Ford GT!
#5
06-11-2011, 01:22 PM
For me it'd be the Boss all the way... No appreciable performance difference, better handling, better-looking (IMO), etc. Plus you'll save a decent chunk of change for tires, etc.
#7
06-11-2011, 04:19 PM
I prefer the GT500 because as far as I know you can get a few more upscale appointments and if it's a daily I can't see that being a drawback. I also prefer the looks of it. I'm sure the Boss would spank it around a track but I don't really care about that. If you need more speed, that's easy to do - pulley, tune, CAI, full exhaust.
edit: forgot what PMac said - if you relax the price, the FGT is the way to go.
edit: forgot what PMac said - if you relax the price, the FGT is the way to go.
Last edited by cstroked; 06-11-2011 at 04:22 PM.
#8
06-11-2011, 04:28 PM
I've driven the GT500 and the new Boss 302 and to be honest, much preferred the Boss. They're both great cars, but I had a greater connection and feel of control while driving the Boss.
-Tyler
-Tyler
#9
06-11-2011, 04:35 PM
How much practicality do you need, and where do you fall along the straight-line speed/twisty handling spectrum?
Why not start with the Boss 302 platform for the balanced chassis, and add power from there? Intake/cam/headers/exhaust on that engine, and you'd go a long way to closing the power gap to the GT500, staying naturally aspirated (and it would sound ungodly as well). Go FI, and you could get b-i-g power.
Other than that, I can't really think of anything American that could match the dynamics, unless you start looking at a Z06, but that's getting into an all-out sports car. Everything else is just a big soft pudding by comparison.
If you relax the $100k criterion, it's easy - Ford GT!
Why not start with the Boss 302 platform for the balanced chassis, and add power from there? Intake/cam/headers/exhaust on that engine, and you'd go a long way to closing the power gap to the GT500, staying naturally aspirated (and it would sound ungodly as well). Go FI, and you could get b-i-g power.
Other than that, I can't really think of anything American that could match the dynamics, unless you start looking at a Z06, but that's getting into an all-out sports car. Everything else is just a big soft pudding by comparison.
If you relax the $100k criterion, it's easy - Ford GT!
#10
06-11-2011, 04:46 PM
How much practicality do you need, and where do you fall along the straight-line speed/twisty handling spectrum?
Why not start with the Boss 302 platform for the balanced chassis, and add power from there? Intake/cam/headers/exhaust on that engine, and you'd go a long way to closing the power gap to the GT500, staying naturally aspirated (and it would sound ungodly as well). Go FI, and you could get b-i-g power.
Other than that, I can't really think of anything American that could match the dynamics, unless you start looking at a Z06, but that's getting into an all-out sports car. Everything else is just a big soft pudding by comparison.
If you relax the $100k criterion, it's easy - Ford GT!
Why not start with the Boss 302 platform for the balanced chassis, and add power from there? Intake/cam/headers/exhaust on that engine, and you'd go a long way to closing the power gap to the GT500, staying naturally aspirated (and it would sound ungodly as well). Go FI, and you could get b-i-g power.
Other than that, I can't really think of anything American that could match the dynamics, unless you start looking at a Z06, but that's getting into an all-out sports car. Everything else is just a big soft pudding by comparison.
If you relax the $100k criterion, it's easy - Ford GT!
I like the more balanced approach of the Boss, and the fact that it is NA. But I also want a DD. Believe it or not, nav/audio is something I'm finding I really putting some weight on.
I like the notion of starting with the Boss. Lord knows if, I'd even get to the point of adding power. I'm going back and forth on doing track days anymore.
I wouldn't be averse to a Zo6, but sadly that whole bail out thing REALLY bothers me. I know it shouldn't, but it does.
See what I'm sayin... Malaise...
Ford GT for a daily? Oh how I wish that were realistic.