New 2011 Ford/ Shelby GT500 Mustang

If you thought it was impossible to make the 2010 Shelby GT500 any better than guess again for the 2011 model year. This year SVT got involved and they decided to pull out all the stops. Right off the bat the 2011 Shelby GT500 goes on a diet with a new cutting edge short block engine that is cast out of aluminum rather than iron seen in the previous years. This new all aluminum design allows the 2011 Shelby GT500 to lose 102 pounds. That's not bad considering that every hundred pounds lost is the feeling of 15 horsepower in acceleration. Also in the engine bay are brand new two and three quarter exhaust primary tubes that boost power to 550 horsepower this year while still retaining the same 510 ftlbs of torque.

The 2011 Shelby GT500 may not get much more power in the engine compartment, but at 550 horsepower in a 4000 pound car how much more do you really need. Other upgrades to the 2011 Shelby GT500 include updated 19 and 20 inch wheels and tires. The wheels lose 9 pounds in the rear and six in the front, if you don't think that's very much then you're wrong. The less rotational inertia is easier on the braking system and frees up some extra power for acceleration. One thing that you should definitely realize about Carol Shelby is that there is always a reason behind a modification or a change in the parts list; this is especially apparent since they have now teamed up with SVT. Who knows, in the near future the GT500 may just be a Z06 killer.

Most likely the aftermarket is going to look quite favorably on the 2011 Shelby GT500 with so many areas that can be improved for more power and better performance. It's always important to remember that the factory is limited in how much power they can really put under the hood of a car in order to fit it in certain insurance categories and you better believe for every 2011 Shelby GT500 being produced there are a few hundred economy Fords coming off the assembly line just in order to make the 2011 Shelby GT500 possible. Upgrades to the fuel system, exhaust, blower pulleys etc. will be available in the aftermarket as soon as the 2011 Shelby GT500's start rolling off showroom floors. With 550 horsepower on pump gas available one has to wonder how out of control some owners will get with their Shelby. With upgrades to the exhaust, ecm, and blower pulley assemblies 650 horsepower should be no problem. For those that spent 130,000 dollars on that pretty Corvette ZR1 you may want to look out on the streets for the much more economical 2011 Shelby GT500 with basic bolt ons.