WebRidesTV.com stopped in at Galpin Auto Sports, otherwise known as G.A.S from Pimp My Ride, to check out Mark Zachers’ 2007 Ford GT 500 Shelby Mustang. For the first time in nearly 35 years, Shelby and Ford returned with a Shelby-branded Mustang, the Shelby GT500 for 2007. Introduced at the 2003 New York International Auto Show, the GT500 uses a 5.4L Modular 500HP supercharged V8. Features include the Tremec TR-6060 6-speed manual transmission, suspension tuning, a body kit, and 18 inch wheels. A collaboration of Ford's Special Vehicle Team (SVT) and Carroll Shelby, the GT500 is produced in limited quantity with only about 10,000 units per year! Brought in more or less stock, the guys at G.A.S. quickly began tearing into the car and adding the best upgrades and modifications.
In part 1 of a three part build special for webridestv.com, they started with the suspension, laying out a plan to lower it 1.5 inches all around by using an H&K Spring kit to give it a lower center of gravity and better handling. Ford Racing front sway bars were installed, as well as a STEDA rear sway bar with solid bushings to increase the handling still further! In the traction and stance department, custom Shelby rims were used, with black centers and white rims to match the gorgeous black and white racing stripe paint scheme. Body-wise, Shelby air scoops were added to the rear quarter panels and quarter windows, as well as a large racing style “6” decal.
Once the right racing look was attained, the masters at G.A.S. began to give it the soul of a racer, opting to modify the engine, intake, and exhaust. A full race system exhaust was used, including larger diameter pipes for better flow, an X-pipe system for better low end torque, and long tube Vasani headers to help the engine breathe. Hi-flow catalytic converters, or cats, were used as well as free flowing mufflers. The Vasani long tube headers alone are touted to give an extra 40HP on the dyno! Up top on the intake, a cold air induction system was used, with a larger 105mm Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor added to compensate for the larger intake volume.
A 3-6 pulley was swapped out for a 2-3 pulley to double the boost from the blower, and the ECU was re-programmed to recognize all the new components to maximize performance and efficiency. All put together, these engine, intake, exhaust, and ECU mods gave the Shelby Mustang a massive 150HP increase!
