That's simply not true. You've never once driven my GT500.

 

In my experience and opinion, if you're considering trading up or selling, you're gonna do it. Mods are just an expense like gas. You don't add any value to your vehicle modding it. You just add joy to the drive. You buy a Boss for the head start on handling and a great engine platform. Saves you money on handling mods and a bottom end built for power adders. You buy a Shelby for the superior horsepower so you can spend money on handling. None of them are perfect if you like to push your car to the limit. We build them for a purpose. I got the chance to drive a Ferrari a few years back on a track and couldn't help but think how my cobra would have killed this thing down a straight away. But stopping and turning was amazing compared to my car. I always keep a budget in mind when building towards a vehicle goal. Just something to think about.

 

Thanks for the explanation I didn't know the transmissions were different. I only drove the R and not the base 350.

 

You're welcome.

By the way, to add to the lunacy, I believe they're not "really" different - they're functionally the same with different housings.

And of course it's not economical to move a transmission from one housing to another, that's basically a full rebuild (I think). Plus you have to source the housing which is scarce.

I have to admit I don't quite comprehend this design decision.

 

If you are looking for a Boss, I would say grab a Boss having driven both. The Boss is just so much more of a car that doesn't like to do much of anything except beat on it. You are going to have to add that much more in parts alone to match the performance of the engine and then the suspension. The factory suspension is more than capable enough as is to lay down some good times for HPDE days with guys still finishing with the fastest times in their groups. I would really put a focus on tires and wheels and go from there more so than suspension first.

They all run the 3160, just the track pack and R cars have the internal pump for the transmission cooler while the tech pack and base cars don't. From what I remember FPP is coming out with a kit for the transmission & differential coolers which is nice to have or you could probably grab your own, plumb and mount the kit for less than FPP's kit if you are money conscious.

 

My opinion... Like it really matters. Boss's are just cool. When I got my 5.0 in 12 I couldn't afford the Boss. I live in Columbus OH and clean low mileage are still well above 30k. I have a preference for the 12 body style. Saw a guy in a red one the other day and gave him the thumb's up. He ignored me. Still a beautiful car. You don't see many and they are head turners. You can build a GT it is still not a boss. You can a supercharger on a GT it is not a Shelby. There clearly folks on this board with considerably more money and knowledge than me in racing and technical issues. But I know what I like and I like the Boss especially that year. Can't you just get it and race in your class of car? Someone will always have a newer, faster etc... car.

 

I actually traded in my 13 GT for a 13 BOSS and my GT was almost paid off. It was a LS model that had been sitting on the dealer lot for several months and they kept lowing the price on it. I loved my GT and all the mods that the wife and I did on it. Even my friends thought I was crazy getting rid of my GT for the BOSS. My wife was devastated to her it was another black mustang.
To me it was without a question the best decision I have ever made. I love my BOSS I love the history of it I love educating and talking to people about the second gen BOSS.
I have no regrets and am happy with my change. What will make you happy? that is what you need to know.