I agree, weight reduction is key. However so is actual vehicle selection. There are tune only Mustangs going into the 11's full weight easily. Put a blower on them, and they go into the 10's, for less then a new priced SHO. Sometimes significantly less. They are just set up better. They have a better trans with the 10 speed. When can even debate which motor is better. The EB 3.5 or Coyote/Voodoo. However, a mustang gets lost in the crowd, when they park next to my SHO.
99% of SHO owners are not willing to strip anything out of our cars. We like the comfort and quiet. Personally I am always willing to make more power, then ever remotely thinking of removing weight out of my SHO.
There are the fringe owners like Jordan, Andrew, and yourself. You all have your place. Jordan and Andrew are pushing the platform more and more. However, there will be a point that with the current aftermarket, they will not be able to go any faster without continued reliability issues . I think that will be in the mid 10 second range. At the end of the day, you can buy something faster, more reliable, and lighter for a less then a new priced SHO.
We love our SHO's because they are unique, nice, and straight catch people off guard at a street light. However compared to other vehicles, we will hit a wall at a certain point.
Well said.
All cars hit a wall at a certain point. It just depends on your goals. Is it to go as fast as you can? Then ditch the SHO, buy a fox body, swap in an LS3, and turbo charge it, tub it, and gut it. You can do this for well under 30 grand if you're willing to get dirty. Is it to go fast, but remain street legal? Then buy an LS3 GTO, and super charge it. Again, this can be done for 20k, give or take mileage/other issues. Is it to go fast around a race track? Buy a 5th gen corvette, replace the wheels and tires for a 315 rear/275 front set of slicks, and replace the suspension. Voila, you've got a neck snapper. Finish off with a roll bar.
At the end of the day, you've got to have a vision of what you want, otherwise, you're gonna spend a lot of money, and not really get anywhere. No car is "everything". The essence of a SHO, imo, is a grand tourer. A car that lets you eat up the miles in comfort and style, arriving where you want to go, 150 miles away, NOT feeling like you just drove 150 miles...but also able to smoke the standard grocery getters, easily overtaking cars in the passing lane on the interstate. A car that will smoke cheaper "sports" cars, all the while providing a comfortable but crisp driving experience. That's my vision. Ford didn't quite hit the mark, hence, this forum, us, the modifiers.
I did the same with the 76 corvette. I had a vision for that car, that of a proper sports car. That is, street legal, but able to be competently raced on a track when desire arises. Its what I think Duntov would have wanted. Sacrifices had to be made, as they will for the SHO. In the vette, slammed, rock hard suspension for better handling meant being concerned over speed bumps and certain RR tracks, and feeling it if I so much as run over a cigarette butt...
