Sorry, can't answer the IRS questions.

I do know that forced induction motors, from a manufacturer's standpoint, are unique beasts. The great FI motors in production car history--DSM's 4G63, Nissan's RB26DETT, Toyota's 2JZ-GTE, for instance--are all built with cast iron blocks. Why? They're hugely durable and reliable, at least moreso than any other common metal alloy. Can you build with more exotic metals? Sure. Will they run well after 100K miles or under non-OEM boost conditions? Iffy.

My point is, with forced induction motors, no one's really solved anything. Japanese manufacturers "get away" with cast iron because the motors are smaller than our V8's.

The fact is, if you want IRS you'd be better off with a normally aspirated, aluminum motor.

 

It has nothing to do with automotive engineers. It's a materials science issue. The most bulletproof, durable forced induction engine blocks are cast iron.

If you meant they could have chosen a N/A aluminum engine for the GT500 instead, I get ya.

 

In the eyes of (true) enthusiasts, this car may be doomed from the start, judging from the majority of the responses (major let-down/general disappointment). I consider anyone who would take the time to discuss/debate any vehicle in this medium to be a car enthusiast or gearhead. Maybe the manufacturers need to "mine" sites like this to see how the public gauges their products - and don't filter it for the suits upstairs. That being said, one can only hope Ford will see the errors of its ways and lighten their Mustangs and other vehicles as well. Repeat ad nauseum - weight is the enemy to all performance! Who wouldn't want a lighter car to begin with?

 

The Ford GT utilizes an aluminum block and the 96-98 Teksid Block was considered a VERY stout block. But cost issues where the downfall of the Teksid. (It was manufactured in Italy.) And I'm sure GT owners might get upset if there engine showed up in a GT500 . . that and it uses a dry sump oil system.

 

Good example. The Teksid block can handle roughly 900hp. That's plenty of room to grow in a production block. Ford simply chose the simple route in building the GT500. If weight was an issue with implementing IRS, why did they add a heavy engine block???? It doesn't make sense. The bean counters seem to be the ones making the decisions with this car.

 

Oy. In this case, the "simple" route makes the most sense for a warranteed vehicle that must withstand daily driving and owner abuse. Unsubscribing...

 

Cost was a major issue I'm sure with the AL block.. Also, the GT had to have some exclusivity.

 

If I am not mistaken, the GTO weighs 3800 lbs. As another poster mentioned, the engine is an aluminum one, benefiting from compactness because of the pushrod valvetrain.

I don't know of too many publicly traded companies that don't want to increase profits or increase shareholder wealth, at least the ones who want to stay in business.

 

It was an EXPENSIVE halo car.

 

I think the GT worked in the sense its a car people talk about. And, you can't talk about it without mentioning the word Ford.

 

Well then, have a look at the specs for this Audi RS4. Even with all wheel drive it only weighs in at 3637 lbs so I'm assuming it's an all aluminum block, normally aspirated, and of course with IRS.

And yet it still puts out 420 bhp at hits 60 in 4.8 seconds. Not bad.

So was it really necessary to use forced induction on the Shelby?

 

Any idea what the price on the RS4 is going to be?

EDIT: I just found an Autoweek article that estimates $70K:

http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=101890

 

That does meet the criteria of 4-seat car with great power, IRS, and lower weight that the GT500. The cost on that beastie is projected to be $80,000!! I wonder how much development money went into getting the 4.2L V8 engine to that level.

Now if they offered that car at $45,000, then we'd be talkin'!

 

The point is they can get 420 bhp out of a normally aspirated 4.2 liter all aluminum engine. Ford is needing a 5.4 liter SUPERCHARGED engine just to deliver an additional 55 bhp!

As to the cost, I doubt it's all in the engine. AWD costs major bucks, as do all the appointments, gadgets, nannies and gizmos in the car. Plus you pay a premium automatically just because it's an "Audi."

Bottom line: Why can't Ford build a similar engine?

 

3725 to be exact. The GTO is more of a luxurious GT. Plus it has a "heavy" IRS suspension. Using Ford logic, I bet they could shave some pounds off the GTO by using a SRA. If GM's Performance Division looked into decreasing weight in the GTO, they could. The fact remains that the GT500 needs to head to Jenny Craig.

I said it before, but the GT500 is IMO one of the most over-hyped cars in the last couple of years.

 

Im sure the audi's engine has really high compression to be able to get the hp it has. The cobra's engine doesn't only have 55 more hp at a really low compression which i think is 8:4, it has the potential to get way more hp without modifying the block and it will still be reliable, you don't have to worry about breaking it down with a lot of hp, it's a drag ready engine. Look at the 03 cobra's 4.6, people were making more than 800 on them.

 

Whaddya gonna do with 800 bhp on a winding mountain road? Especially with an SRA? Oh, right, you just wanna drag this thing down a straightaway. The fact remains most people are looking for a turnkey solution and don't modify their engines.

Guess it depends upon who Ford considers to be the target market for this car...and from everything we've seen, it's probably you.

 

I agree and wish the weight would come off also. And yes, they probably could save some weight by using an SRA

 

At a high almost 8000 RPM, with maximum torque output of 317 ft-lb...a different character from what people might expect in a Mustang.

If any of us knew the answer to your question, that would be definitely worthy of hearing!

 

This is what I don't understand. If you're looking to do serious corner carving or auto-Xing, the GT500--and probably the Mustang in general--is the wrong car. If you have a budget of about $40K, there are many other cars that will suit your needs. Lotus' Elise, Mitsu's EVO IX, the Scooby STi, among others.
Yeah, and me too.