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2008 Ford Shelby GT500 - Easy ActionCatching Up On Project Vapor Trail's Latest Detail Improvements From the July, 2010 issue of 5.0 Mustang & Super Fords By Steve Turner Photography by Steve Turner
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With the JLT-centered letters... With the JLT-centered letters and the Bangastang Roundtail spoiler, PVT takes on a new look without being too obvious. It recalls the '10 GT500 thanks to the carbon-fiber Gurnery flap, and the centered emblem just looks like it should. It's amazing how such modest changes can revamp a car's looks. An S197 Mustang owner has a lot in common with an addict. Heck-we may be addicted to modifying our Mustangs, but owning one of the most recent classics puts you at the epicenter of temptation. A wanting horde of modification hounds inspires a creative lot of modification marketers. Here in magazine land, we find ourselves at the apex of these two forces. It's a great place to be if you love modifying your car, but it really makes it tough to ever "finish" a project. Such is definitely the case with Project Vapor Trail, my prized '08 Shelby GT500 coupe. While owning such a car has long been a dream, stepping up to the top of the line Mustang means anything but leaving modifications behind. Starting with the most robust factory version simply offers a more solid foundation on which to build. In fact, the niche-within-a-niche aftermarket for GT500 gear might be even stronger than it is for the mainstream 'Stangs. Of course, when it comes to dealing with these temptations, I am weak. I can't resist the potential in combining several creative products into a final product that is all my own. Fortunately, I get to share my mods with you fine folks, and if you happen to own an '05-'09 Mustang, you can opt to add many of these products into your recipe too. So keep reading to find out the latest cool products that have improved the performance and appearance of PVT. Horse Sense: Although the title-sponsor torch has been handed over to our good friends at Steeda (5.0 Mustang & Super Fords is no longer the primary backer of the NMRA's Real Street eliminator), don't think for a minute that the magazine has completely removed itself from the class. Real Street's new official name is: Steeda Real Street presented by 5.0 Mustang & Super Fords magazine. We've got nothin' but love for "our" class, always and forever.  Underhood, PVT rocks a combo...  Underhood, PVT rocks a combo of carbon fiber, Vapor Silver paint-matching, and a splash of polish and chrome. It definitely comes off flashy, but the VMP-tuned, FRPP TVS-boosted 5.4 packs plenty of rear-wheel go to balance out the show.  Shortly after I installed...  Shortly after I installed JLT Performance's sweet, carbon-fiber radiator cover, I learned the company would be introducing its Carbon Fiber Radiator Cover Extensions ($219) to clean up the whole front of the engine compartment. These rocketed right up my wish list. Once I had them in hand, I did modify them a bit to show off my stainless hardware, and I think they turned out nicely. The extensions only fit GT500s, but JLT offers its radiator covers in carbon fiber and painted versions for both GT500s and GTs.  This one's for all S197 owners,...  This one's for all S197 owners, as long as you own or plan to own an Optima battery. PVT was already rocking an Optima red-top battery, so Triangle Speed Shop's billet battery hold-down (PN TSSBATT-OPTIMA05UP; $149.50) was a natural addition. It really is all billet, with billet risers, a billet tray, billet spacers, and a billet top plate engraved with the TSS logo. It makes the Optima look quite regal underhood.  I had previously upgraded...  I had previously upgraded PVT's thermostat with a popular parts store replacement, which was apparently not quite the right stat for a GT500. Apparently the GT500's cold-side thermostat is similar to that of a Two-Valve 4.6 thermostat, but it has greater depth. Well, the cats at Reische Performance did the research and developed a 170-degree 'stat (PN RP-GT500THERMO; $53) specifically for the GT500. These units are available exclusively from Lethal Performance. After driving PVT once after swapping in the Reische unit, I can definitely say the blower was much cooler to the touch after a 45-minute drive that it with the prior 'stat. According to Reische, it's seen reductions of at least 16 degrees in coolant temperature. Given how susceptible these cars are to heat soak, this simple mod is highly recommended. Reische also offers T-stats for all '96-'10 4.6 and 5.4 modulars.  Shelby GT500s have nothing...  Shelby GT500s have nothing to hide when to comes to front brake calipers, but the rear brakes do leave a bit to be desired. PVT already enjoys increased rear-brake diameter thanks to Steeda's 13-inch upgrade. Still, the caliper looked pretty plain, so to the rescue are MGP's new Ford licensed caliper covers for S197 rear brakes.  Naturally I selected MGP's...  Naturally I selected MGP's black cover engraved with the familiar Cobra logo. The covers are dead simple to install using these ingenious clips. You simply slide them in place, check for clearance, then bolt on the cover-simple enough that even I was able to install them.  MGP says the covers help reduce...  MGP says the covers help reduce brake dust. I should have used them before this shot-that or cleaned the wheels first! Anyway, the covers make the rear calipers look much better through the wheel window, and present no clearance issues, even with the larger-than-stock rear brakes.  For some reason we forgot...  For some reason we forgot to check the swaybar box when we had the majority of Steeda's S197 suspension bits installed on PVT. It's never too late to fix that, so Steeda's Steve Chichisola swapped out the stock rear sway bar for us.  Steeda's rear sway bar (PN...  Steeda's rear sway bar (PN 555-1057; $329.95) is larger in diameter than the stock '07-'08 GT500 sway bar, and offers poly bushings and rugged hardware. The mounts in particular are works of art, adorned with the Steeda name and logo. In practice, I can definitely say that PVT corners even flatter with this last piece of the Steeda puzzle in place.  When PVT last visited Steeda...  When PVT last visited Steeda for an upgrade, we tried out the company's lightweight radiator support, but the version for Mustang GTs doesn't fit. Steeda has since built a unit just for the GT500. It allows you to ditch the mammoth factory radiator support, which Steve is muscling out of the way. Oh yeah-for those who say I don't drive PVT, check out all that dirt on the fan shroud!  Steeda's Lightweight Radiator...  Steeda's Lightweight Radiator (PN 555-5079; $179.95) support is built from 4130 chrome moly, so it's half the weight of the stocker, yet rugged enough to allow you to retain the front sway bar. Of course, retaining the stock sway bar wasn't part of the plan. After swapping out the support, Steve swapped in Steeda's Steeda Adjustable Front Sway Bar (PN 555-1050; $169.95). This bar is 10 percent stiffer than the stock bar, and offers three mounting adjustments for suspension tuning.  Redline Tuning is know largely...  Redline Tuning is know largely for its top-notch Hood Quicklift kits, which are available for all the Mustangs we love in standard and Elite (stainless steel) versions. A new product I discovered at Mustang Week '09 was the Trunk Elite ($79). It's a stainless-steel trunk lift for S197s. Seriously, if you have a showy trunk full of stereo gear, have those plain old trunk struts just won't do. And, yes, popping off the stock strut and installing the Redline unit is quick and easy.  Like most GT500 fans, I believe...  Like most GT500 fans, I believe the emblem should be centered on the trunk lid, just like it was back in the day. Ford eventually fixed that issue on the '10 GT500, but I was hesitant to make the move myself until I discovered the Stuck On You Graphics Trunk Emblem Template (PN TEMT-GT500-0709; $20.00) from JLT Performance. With the confidence to get the emblem reinstalled properly I carefully removed the stock letters using a heat gun and a plastic putty knife wrapped by a microfiber towel. Once I pried the emblem off, there was still an adhesive shadow on the trunk lid.  I used some spray-on wax from...  I used some spray-on wax from Fukken to protect the paint and loosen the adhesive for removal.  After removing and cleaning...  After removing and cleaning the driver side of the trunk lid, I prepped the center of the trunk lid with rubbing alcohol. Then I used a solution of soap and water to allow for adjustment of the template on the trunk. The template has a centering hole, and you measure its distance from the wing to ensure it's parallel. I measured several times before I squeegee'd it into place. Then I installed the adhesive letters in the appropriate spots on the template. I put them on as lightly as possible and measured again before I pushed them into place for good.  Now that's better. Here's...  Now that's better. Here's the way those Shelby letters should appear on the back of an '07-'09 GT500. JLT offers the template; for $24 more, you can get a new emblem too. I recommend this option, as I damaged my stock emblem while removing it. Also, if you want the Shelby emblem on your hood, the template will work there too.  Obviously, I love the looks...  Obviously, I love the looks of the GT500, but the wing is a weak point. KRs get V-6 wings, and that doesn't seem quite right. When I first laid eyes on Bangastang's Roundtail spoiler with carbon fiber, it was love at first sight. Of course, removing the stock wing is not much fun. Ford uses generous helpings of industrial-strength two-sided tape and four bolts to hold it in place. I used the aforementioned plastic putty knife and adhesive remover to finally loosen the stock unit.  The Bangastang wing (PN RT0509CF;...  The Bangastang wing (PN RT0509CF; $415 plus $165 for paint) is available pre-painted in factory colors, which makes it easy to install and go without waiting for the local body shop. That is unless you try to install it yourself and ding it up like I did. I suggest you enlist a friend's help to help you set the wing in place so the adhesive doesn't grab before you're ready...  Installed, the Bangastang...  Installed, the Bangastang Roundtail Spoiler gives PVT an upscale visage reminiscent of the '10 GT500. It's a subtle but classy upgrade that really works with the car's lines. Bangastang also offers a Whaletail spoiler and several other unique parts for S197s.  Another piece of hotness from...  Another piece of hotness from Bangastang is this TruFiber Carbon Fiber Arm Rest (PN TC10024-LG38; $95). It's made of real carbon fiber and installs in seconds with two-sided tape. Just clean all the interior shine products off your arm rest, peel the tape, and press the cover into place. It blends perfectly with PVT's carbon-fiber interior trim from Moss Muscle.
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