The 2007 Shelby GT500 is one of the most legendary motor vehicles of this decade. Concieved originally back in 2003 after many years since it's last years of production in the late 1960's. This car has made it's debut in many major car shows like NYC International Autoshow and the Detroit "Motown" International Autoshow since 2003. Just as the big-block GT500 from 1967 was a step up from the GT350, the 2007 Ford Shelby GT500’s 5.4-liter V-8 is a step up from the 4.6-liter V-8 used in the last SVT Mustang Cobra. Not coincidentally, the 2007 Shelby GT500 sports the largest-displacement engine installed in a volume version of the Mustang since 1973.While the 5.4-liter V-8 block, overhead cams and four valves per cylinder contribute significantly to horsepower capability of the GT500, adding a supercharger and intercooler are the icing on the cake. In fact, the configuration is similar to the Ford GT supercar, offering the right combination of classic Ford big-block power and modern technology. Using the Ford GT as a blueprint, SVT has given the GT500 more total horsepower than any factory Mustang in the car’s celebrated history: An SAE certified 500!SUPERCHARGED PERFORMANCE
Using the stout cast-iron, 5.4-liter Triton V-8 as a starting point, the Shelby GT500 employs a Roots-type 8.5-pounds-per-square-inch Eaton supercharger and water-to-air intercooler to help it produce a broad torque band on its way to making a stout 480 foot-pounds.
Adding forced-induction power is more than just a bolt-on proposition. The engine’s internals need upgrading for the sake of strength and durability. To that end, the Shelby GT500’s powerplant benefits from unique connecting rods and forged pistons to handle the extra strain on the lower end of the block.
The all-new intake manifold helps to channel the supercharged fuel-air mixture into the cylinders. The unique low-profile manifold design also effectively packages the entire induction system under the GT500’s special air-extractor hood. Fuel comes from a dual-bore electronic throttle body borrowed from Ford’s 6.8-liter V-10 truck engine program.4-VALVE HEADS FROM FORD GT
While supercharging is a key element in the Shelby GT500’s ability to generate so much power, another major contributing component is the unique design of cast-aluminum, four-valve cylinder heads sourced from the Ford GT supercar. Machining changes have been incorporated into the outside ends of the heads and to the left rear cam cap to fit the engine into the Mustang chassis.
Developed specifically for supercharged applications, these high-performance heads use high-flow ports and specially calibrated dual-overhead camshafts to deliver optimum engine “breathing†along with surprisingly good fuel efficiency and emissions.POWERED BY SVT
To enthusiasts, the real beauty of any performance car rests with its engine. That idea certainly wasn’t lost on Carroll Shelby, because Mustangs that bore his name have traditionally brought his unique sense of style and personality directly into the engine compartment. One longstanding Shelby signature feature – special finned-valve covers embossed with “COBRA Powered By Ford†– soon became the envy of so many Ford V-8 owners over the years.
The GT500 is equipped with special “Powered by SVT†finned-cam covers to hint at the beauty of all those horses lurking in the engine below. Mated to the Ford GT 4-valve cylinder heads are unique exhaust manifolds that help to better scavenge spent gases out of the cylinders and into the custom-tuned mufflers and dual-exhaust system.
To manage heat produced by those 500 horses, SVT engineers devised a set of GT500 specific features, including an air-extractor hood, a high-capacity aluminum radiator, an intercooler mounted below the blower, a loop-style power-steering cooler and an oil-to-water stacked-dish engine oil cooler.6-SPEED GEARBOX
The gearbox used by the 2007 Shelby GT500 also is a rarity. Few transmissions exist in the marketplace today that can handle the torque loads generated by the supercharged GT500, so engineers have opted to stick with the proven heavy-duty performance of the TR6060 6-speed manual gearbox.
The GT500 employs an upgraded version of the T-56, which first appeared in the 2000 SVT Mustang Cobra R, powered by a naturally aspirated 5.4-liter V-8 with 385 horsepower, and later in the supercharged 2003 SVT Mustang Cobra whose DOHC 4.6-liter produced 390 horses. For the Shelby GT500, the six-speed manual will be geared to make the most of the supercharged 5.4-liter’s broad power band.Fords' “MOD†V-8 family of engines make more power than anything out of the factory in the past, yet tops 20 mpg* on the highway and is expected to meet the government's LEV-II tailpipe emissions standards.SUREFOOTED PERFORMANCE
A major goal set for the Shelby GT500 was to take Mustang handling to the next level. Ford Special Vehicle Team chassis engineers worked to deliver a whole new set of standards worthy of the Shelby GT500 name.The GT500 retains the same Mustang suspension setup that helped the Ford Racing FR500C win the 2005 Grand-Am Cup championship and claim the manufacturer’s title for Ford. The front features coil-over MacPherson struts with reverse “L†lower control arms made of lightweight I-section steel. In the rear, there’s a three-link live axle with coil springs, Panhard rod, outboard shocks and stabilizer bar.Despite its bigger engine up front, the Shelby GT500 retains neutral handling thanks to the use of stiffer stabilizer bars. In addition, the rear bar is larger than that of the Mustang GT. The GT500 uses a 34-millimeter tubular front stabilizer bar. Coupe versions of the GT500 sport a 24-millimeter rear bar, while convertibles come with a 20-millimeter bar.ALL THAT "GO" NEEDS EXTRA "WHOA"
A true performance car stops as well as it goes. To that end, the Shelby GT500 features Brembo front brakes with big, four-piston calipers and vented 14-inch discs. In the back, GT500 utilizes the Mustang GT’s 11.8-inch vented single-piston caliper rear-disc setup with unique pad material. Both Coupe and Convertible models ride on four 18-inch x 9.5-inch aluminum wheels, wearing 255/45ZR18 tires on the front and larger 285/40ZR18 tires on the rear.To improve steering feel, the GT500 adds a brace that connects the rear lower arm bushings side to side. For added precision, a special steering pump is used, and the steering gear utilizes a unique torsion bar.
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