Thats a very good idea Nick85.. I mean if you go to a dealer who already has a Shelby CS6 you can buy, but you were looking for a GT, you could test drive both and leave with the one you want the most.. I think the Shelby CS6 will be considered a slight upgrade for a GT looker who is not caught up in all the Mustang hype.. Like most of us here, we understand too much maybe about the situation.. We all do not judge these Mustangs fairley.. But take someone not accustomed to this type of envirornment and just show them a GT and a CS6, and I wonder which would he choose? Now this is not to say its an automatic choice for the CS6, I mean the car is still worth $35k before tax and license.. Your signing the paper for $40K + finance charges for 3 to 5 years.. Definately something that will have to be thought about.. Not an easy choice at all..

Even if the package can be purchased by exisiting V6 owners, thats $15K for the upgrade.. Definatley not worth it to me.. Personally, I dont really see who will actually buy a CS6.. Most will opt for the lower price GT.. I really would like to meet a future CS6 owner to understand his reasons and motivation for the car..

Now, a 2005 Mustang Roush owner is probably who we need to speak with.. These guys paid $36000 for a GT with a Roush kit.. These are the kind of Mustang buyers which must choose either a Roush or a Shelby CS6.. Thats the crowd we need to ask, all the Saleen and Roush owners.. Would you buy this car over your Roush or Saleen, if so why?

 

Umm... what are you talking about? How will an S/C 6 "smoke" a GT in the 1/4? GT has better gearing and more torque. Close race, sure, but no smoking going on.

Plus, the V8 will be quite a bit cheaper, more reliable and have much more potential. Not to mention a stronger transmission and rear end. So, what is the advantage to a blown V6 again?

And as far as the road course thing, you sure about that? What are the specs on the CS6's suspension? Anything concrete? If it is just springs/dampers/sways, it will have an improvement for sure, but who knows how much. Especially since the weight of the two vehicles should be about the same. And even then, with all the money you would save on the stock GT, you could EASILY afford the Shelby suspension.

Don't get me wrong, the Shelby is a nice car (except those hideous door stripes), but I just can't see any benefit of blowing a 6 over starting with an 8 (from the factory that is).

A large reason people love Mustangs is it is cheap V8 Muscle. Without the V8 part, it looses its luster for many people. And with a car as heavy as the Mustang is, it really benefits from the V8 torque. Not saying the V6 is a bad car, but without the V8, there would be no Mustang heritage. There is no doubt the V6 allows Ford to build the V8, but it is the V8 that made the Mustang name in the first place.

Just look how popular 60-era V6 Mustangs are now, compared to their V8 counter parts. Make no mistake, the engine matters.

 

Body is nice.. not up for the grill and the graphics, esp on the side are terrible... however since only 25 will be built, they wont have any problem getting them sold.

 

You have made some nice Points Rampant! Hopefully soon there will be a review of the cars that we can use as a benchmark.. Your right about the 60's era V8's.. I had one, and know exactly what you mean.. My 289 Hi-Po as I think back was more fun than my 84 GT350, 88 Saleen Mustang, 93 Cobra, and 95 GT.. Just had more fun with it, from building it, to driving it, to beating 5.0's with it.. I put ported and polished 302 heads on it, so it breathed real good.. I also installed the gear drive which allowed me to set the timing up on it alot more precisley.. So I know what you mean about the 60's era stangs for sure.. We are all of one family man, which is we love big V8 power in the Mustangs.. Some of us just opted for a potent V6 this time around.. As you can see, I have the same blood flowing through my veins as you, which is true blue Mustang Red! Since the V6 test drive excited me more than the GT this time around, I figured I could Supercharge it, or Turbo it and have some fun.. Never had anything to do with my love for the V8.. But more for the car period.. If I can get a V6 doing slightly better than a stock GT, I feel its all worth it to me.. Heck, with you GT owners, you have a promised 500HP at your disposal with the installation of a S/C.. Let us be happy with something in between 300 and 400RWHP.. You'll still beat us on our best day! But we may have more fun losing to you, knowing you understand a missed shift could be dangerously close to defeat.. LOL!!

 

Can't wait.

 

Just nitpicking here. There were no V6 Mustangs in the 60's, only in-line 6's. But your point is still valid.

 

Lets move to the year 1984!

2.3L 1V 4-cyl 88 hp A Code
2.3L EFI 4-cyl 145 hp Turbo GT W Code
2.3L EFI 4-cyl 175 hp SVO T Code
3.8L EFI V-6 120 hp 3 Code
5.0L EFI V-8 165 hp F Code
5.0L 4V V-8 175 hp HO M Code

http://bradbarnett.net/mustangs/time...6/84/index.htm

In this year, you see a V8 Mustang owner had a very big pill to swallow.. Notice there are 2 4cyl Mustang engines that boasted the exact same power output at the mighty V8!

This is really odd, I dont remember as a 1984 GT350 owner ever getting really upset with Ford for making my awsome 175HP 5.0L in the same ranks power wise as the 2.3L 4Cyl. LOL!!

What is the arguement really about guys? Surely we must all agree that we love Mustangs.. GT owners should be lucky that Ford did not decide to follow the strategy of the year 1984.. This would have placed the 4.0L with 300HP as well.. Or they could have re-introduced the Mustang SVO with a 4.0L Turbo.. LOL!! We gotta start appreciating the situation as it stands.. You guys, we have been through tougher times, with less power to brag about across the board..

Look at the 5.0L EFI engine, its 165HP, 10 less than the 4Cyl.. I say be thankful to Ford for the current situation.. With all the popularity of the new V6, Ford could out of a pure stoke of "Gotchya" re-introduce the New 2006 Mustang SVO, which boast a 4.0L Twin Turbo with 350HP, and all of 300RWHP...

 

I hope I did not offend the V-6 bunch. I don't think its about HP alone, heck anyone can throw on some NOS and blow most of us away. I think the CS6 will appeal to a certain market. Probably not us on this forum. The Mustang of the 60's was about style, a new style. The engine was not that really important. In 1964 1/2, you could get a V-8 with 210 hp (sound familiar)...that was the top performer. You could get a GT finally in 1965 with 2 engine choices and all 3 body styles. It was some rocker stripes, fender badging, fog lamps and duel exhaust (which was not standard on V-8's....my 68 had a 289 with a single pipe).

Ok, enough history.....ALL "family"sports cars marketed to the masses (sans the vette and imports) offer a V-6 or smaller engine to appeal to the more market conscience in terms of Insurance, gas milage (hello $3 buck a gallon) BUT still want the look and appeal to the GENERAL public that it is still a Mustang. I could no more tell you wether a camaro or firebird had a V-6 or a V-8 than a man in the moon. Either recently or back in the day. I was surprised to read that the Smokey and the Bandit T/A had only around 200 hp. It was the kick butt car of the day, when compaired to the anemic 302 mustang with less than 140 hp.

It has already been said....buy what you want. I, for the past 20 years had V-6's (grand ams, rodeos etc) now the kids are out of car seats, I wanted a V-8! call it mid life crisis, or reliving the good old days of HP. I drove my car yesterday and forgot how much fun it is to get on it. It rev's forever in any gear. It stands out in any parking lot.

I say make the CS-6...I won't buy one. IF it is just to make CS a profit...hope so...not the crappy 2.2L Chrysler of 1984. I like my custom GT350. Non like it in my area and probably won't.

I won't comment on the CS8...since it is only a 25 unit issue. Unless it will get ford to offer a S/C for us with the 4.6? (God help us).

Sorry for being long winded.

 

Not to be rude but I don't know why the V6 crowed is getting so much wood over this. Most I have seen posting here said they bought the V6 to keep insurance and car payments lower and didn't need the extra HP of the V8 anyway. And thats cool, I would have bought a V6 too if I couldn't swing the GT payments. But the CS6 will cost no less than $6000.00 more than a fully optioned GT, will surely have much higher insurance premium and poorer fuel economy.

I also don't understand why any GT guys would be offended by this, I'm certainly not.

I think it's a cool concept and why not, there must be a nitch of people wanting a shelby but unable to afford the GT500 but willing to pay what will be realistically 38-40k for the CS6.

 

Its a trip how no matter how you spin it... Look at it.. Rotate it.. Lick it.. Sit on it.. Or argue over it, we just wont be happy as one big family!!

I say some GT guys just need an attitude adjustment! Lets just lay the cards out on the table guys.. Dont be bashfull.. I will have the utmost respect for the first GT owner to openly admit he is somewhat nervous about being seen, being beaten at a track or on the street by a V6..

Is there any GT owners out there brave enough to come completley out of the closet and openly admit, that his worst fear while being stock, is to be approached by a Blown, NOS'd, or very much enhanced V6, and getting smoked in front of friends family or even your wives.. I can understand if the wife caught you getting beat by the V6, she would never let you live it down..

I'm serious, I got very big lolipop for the first GT owner who admits that this has crossed his mind! Be brave gentleman.. You all own V8's.. Show some pride and be a man.. Has this ever crossed your mind?

 

Is it just me or is this V6 vs V8 thing getting older and more boring that Oprah's diets !!?? ...
Look, their BOTH very nice cars !!...Enjoy what you have!! Now, lets all get along or NO desert !!!

 

LOL! Its kind of funny, because I know for a fact, if I owned a GT, there is no way in the world, I would ever risk losing to a V6, ever.. Atleast not to a V6 Mustang.. So I do understand all the frustration.. This is my very first V6 stang.. All the rest have been V8's.. Its all in good fun guys.. Of course we all know the GT is an awsome ride.. Enjoy it.. I personally will atest to the fact that if the GT would have come from the factory with 375HP, and 318RWHP, I would own one.. This would have been more than enough to tip the scales on the test drive for me.. But to an avid Mustang owner, 300HP with 260RWHP was not enough for me at the time of purchase to desire one more than the V6, which took me by surprise on the initial test drive.. I had more plans after the test drive for the V6, than that of the GT based on the SOTP dyno.. So, I just joke around when I pretend that I dont understand the true feeling of GT owners.. I understand guys!

 

Hey guys, as a Saleen S281 SC owner, I could see why someone would be interested in this car. There is one thing common to all mustangs whether its a base model, Roush, Saleen or Shelby, its a great deal for the price offered. Now when we look at the demographics for Mustang buyers there is split, those who buy for raw power and those who buy for driving enthusiasm, and of course those who buy for both. I would hope for the increased Shelby price some suspension mods will be added similar to the Roush or Saleen Racecraft suspension. This upgrade will appeal to the Mustang Drivers looking for a Mustang priced in the 30,000 to 40,000 market, that Ford currently does not cater too. The car will probably not be as fast as GT in a straight line, but the road course may tell a different story. I hope They sell a few, because I think it looks really sharp on the exterior.

 

I mentioned this in another thread.. People who are in the market for Saleens or Roushes, will also have the choice of the Shelby.. Most guys into Roushes and Saleens, are not to concerned with Straightline HP, but rather the entire package.. These are the guys best suited to take advantage of the Shelby, and give a value to as its worth as priced out in balance in regards to HP, vehicle weight, and its ability to produce good lap times.. You can have a 800HP car, not race car, that isnt anymore effective at creating good lap times, than a car with 400HP.. So Nighthawk is a perfect person to look for opinons on this one.. I myself owned a 1988 saleen Mustang with the 225HP 5.0.. At the time, all my buddies were into going faster in a straightline.. I was happy knowing that I could stick to a corner at 80MPH and float through the apex without fear of the tires breaking loose..

So my hats off to NightHawk for voluntering his perspective..

This also go back to a previous discussion about enthusiast types.. Some guys buy cars based on straightline performance, and some based on road course performance.. Its obvious Shelby intended the CS6 to be catered to the road course enthusiast.. With the CS8, along with 500HP, this car is catered to both... All out raw high HP beast, coupled to a chassis which will be nice and rigid in the S turns, floating through only to also dominate on the straightaways!!

Nice post NightHawk!!

 

I don't see this as a V6 v. V8 debate, more as a why did Shelby start with a V6 question. I can see why some people would want to buy a stock 6, for sure, without question.

But, I can not see any inherent value for Shelby to go with a blown V6 over a V8 with bold-ons. They should be able to get similar hp numbers, but the 8 should have better reliability, more toruqe, a stronger tranny and rear end, and the 3.55 gears. There is a lot more to the GT than just the engine.

As far as the handling, a 6 is only 100 some odd pounds lighter, and a blower will make for a lot of that, so there won't be noticeable weight savings. And you can do the same suspension mods to either car. So, I don't see a handling advantage either.

So, is there any reason why Shelby went with a blown 6 for their cheaper car?

 

Perhaps he knows something we dont.. Let me ask you a question Rampant. You seem like a very level headed guy.. Do these numbers, which compare the HP and TQ produced per cylinder mean anything to you? Also, what is your interpretation of them as they relate to the 4.0 and 4.6?

4.6 HP Per Cylinder = 37.5 HP

4.0 HP Per Cylinder = 35 HP

4.6 TQ Per Cylinder= 40Ft. Lbs.

4.0 TQ Per Cylinder= 40Ft. Lbs.

4.6= Dual 55MM Throttle Body or 110MM

4.0= Single 65MM Throttle Body or 65MM

Now this will remain as a civil discussion.. No name calling Rampant.. You are a kool Guy! What are your thoughts on this?

 

This is what the Shelby CS6 looks like per Cylinder..


Shelby CS6

HP Per Cylinder= 58HP

TQ Per Cylinder= 64Ft. Lbs

So let me ask you a question Rampant.. Is it not a fact, the Shelby CS6 has just as much right to be considered worthy, just as much as a GT? Now, we all understand the Shelby CS6 has had a suspension upgrade.. Also, the CS6 may use a 7.5 Rear-end, but it can surely handle the amount supplied by the engine.. So thats not a factor.. With all things being equal, is it not a fact, that based on numbers alone, the Shelby CS6 is a most worthy and robust competitor, in terms of a Sports car you would park in your own garage..? Forgetting the fact that its a V6?

 

So the V8 will always make 33% more power then the V6 with equal mods.

 

Absolutley.. But based on the numbers contained inside, the Shelby CS6 is making great numbers as a V6.. Some people may not desire more than what the Shelby CS6 can provide stock.. Now if an individual were to, lets say take his CS6 here, to this link, and make the appropriate engine upgrades, then I'm sure you will agree, that an ambititious Shelby CS6 owner who had something to prove, could most certainley prove it.. Look in this link.. Keep in mind, there are 4.3 Stroker Kits available for the 2005 SOHC 4.0 engine..

http://www.supersixmotorsports.com/PDF/SSM...CatalogVer2.pdf

So lets say for the sake of arguement, a Shelby CS6 owner wanted more than 350HP.. Based on the provided link, would it not be safe to assume it could easily be done?

 

I have to admit, the wing needs to go. If I got one, I would have the graphics removed as well, but still, minor cosmetics aside, both are awesome cars!!!