Shelby GT500 Crushes Camaro SS! – Drag Race Showdown
When we first pitted the Camaro SS against the Mustang GT, Ford fans complained it was an unfair race given the horsepower disparity. But now Ford has tipped the scale way back in it’s advantage with the top of the line supercharged snake, the GT500. We head to the drag strip to see how the underdog Chevy stacks up. Shot By: Mike Suggett & Jim Gleason Edited By: Jim Gleason & Mike Suggett
Video Rating: 4 / 5
Put a supercharger on the SS and that snake will slither back in it’s hole.
550hp vs 430 gee i wounder who will win?
Revised gearing
Nearly every gear on the 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 was revised to manage the torque and use more of the power in a way that makes it more driver-friendly. Engineers considered more than 35 gearing combinations, finally deciding on one that delivers less torque all the way through the wheels to the ground and still enables the car to achieve fuel economy targets.
A key piece of the driveline, the six-speed manual transmission, offers upgraded gears, bearings and housing so it can properly manage the torque. The final drive ratio is now 3.31:1 for optimized overall vehicle gearing to complement the massive torque. Every gear besides fourth was optimized for competing performance metrics. The clutch has increased torque and rpm capacity and uses a dual-disc design.
@TheBulldawg4life The added leverage of swapped in gears helps motivate a car & lightens the load so how could they hurt?
If you’re selling to an enthusiast, he may like the modded gear ratio. If not, they’re easy enough to change back. If it’s just an investor, he probably won’t care either way because he’s not buying it to drive.Either way you’re just talking 3.73s & not radical 5.13s. Lots of things can hurt resale like lowering/body kits/engine mods/custom paint but gear ratios not so much.
GT500>chevy zl1
@acs4llc It’d be pretty disappointing if the modified the ratios and it hurt the car lol. I know you can change out the gears, but I’m the type of guy that wants to keep a car stock (I plan on keeping these cars until I’m an old man).
Thanks for the clarification. The Kodiaks are good enough trucks, but almost no one in their right mind is gunna buy a K4500 over an F450. Ford builds the best big work trucks on the planet.
chevy Zr1> shelby gt500
@TheBulldawg4life The trans ratios are reconfigured so really the whole package is designed to work with the 650 HP, not against it. I’d say drive it before you dismiss it. You still have the option of changing out the gears yourself. Most reputable trans shop can swap the gears for $700 over what Ford charges for the option. What’s $700 to a 50 to $60K car shopper?
NOS = New Old Stock.
@acs4llc Sorry, forgot to click the reply.
I don’t particularly care, I only brought up the 3.73′s because the option to trade out gears was really the only thing that got me thinking about possibly getting a Mustang after the Camaro is paid off. If they’re gunna dump the gearing options then I have no reason to look at a Mustang.
What’s a NOS Kodiak?
@TheBulldawg4life The orginal GT500 was intended for straightline performance but so were COPO Camaros & the like. Pony cars can “turn” now but even if 98% of GT500 end users only want to drag race ‘em, why do you care?
Those are NOS Kodiaks.
@acs4llc There are still Kodiaks sitting on lots around town, so it’d be accurate to say nobody buys Kodiaks.
I’m not saying they’re only good at a drag strip, but almost none of the GT500 owners are gunna bother finding a race track that has turns. They’ll find the drag strip and run it straight down.
@TheBulldawg4life 3.73s are the perfect ratio for the track, commute or Sunday drive but the last thing a 650 HP beast needs is that much torque multiplication. This assumes you’re gonna drive/track it @ 8/10ths or greater but why not get a Boss 302 or Mustang GT (or equiv) if you’re not? Who say the GT500 is only good for the drag strip? For a “drag strip car”, it’s sure done alot of tail kicking @places like Willow Springs & VIR!
BTW nobody buys Kodiaks since Chevy ended production in ’08
Superior ride
The new Shelby GT500′s driving dynamics have been improved, now working in concert with all the new content on the car.
Handling, all AdvanceTrac settings and steering assist levels within selectable steering have been tuned to account for the updated content.
The previously available unique traction control system and electronic stability control settings help drivers achieve maximum performance on both the street and the track.
Both systems can be completely disabled in controlled track situations where maximum driver skill is utilized, or fully engaged for maximum safety during normal driving or in less-than-ideal traction conditions.
Intermediate sport mode allows drivers to push their cars hard at the track without completely disabling the safety systems, permitting more aggressive driving before the traction control and electronic stability control intervene.
“We took a completely different approach with this car so drivers can choose their settings instead of a computer making the selection,
“Nearly every system the driver interacts with can be tailored to his or her situation including the Bilstein electronic adjustable suspension, launch control, AdvanceTrac and steering assist levels.”
The 2013 Shelby GT500 offers two new sets of forged-aluminum wheels including a unique wheel for cars with the optional packages. The 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels are coupled with Goodyear Eagle® F1 SuperCar G: 2 tires on all vehicle configurations.
@acs4llc There are the Kodiaks, but who buys those? I agree with the power increase the 3.73′s have a diminished use, but they do still provide for a great over all performance package. It’s most likely a pointless discussion, because really who is going to buy the GT500 and take it to any track other than a drag strip.
@TheBulldawg4life Point is, @ 650 HP you no longer need the torque (multiplication) advantage of 3.73s & they become more of a liability in more situations than not. A 2-speed rear end would be optimal (yes they have those) but likely why the gears in the trans were reconfigured.
Arguing Chevy vs Ford instead of Camaro vs Mustang is like saying Ford makes tougher, stronger, more capable trucks just because Chevy has no answer for the F-450 pickup or the F-550 CC. Kinda lame wouldn’t you say?
@acs4llc Of course it becomes Chevy v. Ford…it’s the easiest argument for people to have lol.
Being an off-camber turn may have had a good bit to do with losing the rear end.
@TheBulldawg4life 3.73s are my favorite all around gears but @ 650 HP, you’re feathering the throttle to keep from blowing off the tires @ low to medium speeds. I.e, you get diminishing returns.
Even with 1/2 that HP & 3.73s, it can be a handful as I got completely sideways on an off camber @ 55MPH while merging into traffic with 3/4 throttle.
I see you didn’t bring up the Corvette but someone always does & it eventually becomes a Chevy vs Ford pissing match rather than just Camaro vs Mustang.
@acs4llc true the new GT500 will destroy the zl1 CRAPMARO,
@1vdn992 And a slight correction..the ZR1 will hit 66 MPH in first gear with a 3.42 gear.
@1vdn992 The ZR1 also weighs 500 pounds less and doesn’t lose anything in the bottom end. It seems like some Ford guys (looking at the forums) are worried about feeling less torque on the street because of the gear changes, most of those guys are the same ones who picked up 3.73 gears. I’m not saying the 3.31 gears suck or anything, just that I’d rather have 3.73 gears because I’d rather race on a track not a strip and 3.73′s would give better power throughout the power band.