I think his point is that it will still be lighter than the 5.4.

 

"Boss 302 set to become the quickest, best-handling straight-production Mustang" do you mean that there will be no GT500 as the Boss is #1? If you take a Boss engine and bold a FR supercharger on it. How is that not a lighter, better engine then the one in the GT500? Maybe you have to change the pistons, Shelby is doing this with a weaker GT short block in the new GT 350 right? So who cares if the 5.4 is going away?

 

Your post is full of speculation. The 2012 GT500 specs haven't been announced yet, and the Boss wasn't done by SVT. The 5.4 isn't going away any time soon.

 

Not quite sure I understand why Ford would continue the 5.4L V8 for just one model - and a niche model at that. Ford will discontinue the 5.4L in everything else very soon. The new 2011 F-150 goes away from Triton V8's completely by switching to the 3.7L DOHC V6, 5.0L DOHC V8, 3.5L EcoBoost V6, and 6.2L V8. The only Triton-based engine available in Super Duties now is the 6.8L V10, but that's only in chassis cab models (not pickups) and only for a few more months. And, it will be phased out of Econoline vans after 2011 from what I gather. So, again, why would Ford keep the 5.4L tooling around for just one lone mode that represents less than 10K units per year?

If - and that's a big "if" - the GT500 lives on past the '11 model year, I just gotta wonder when a different engine would be in the mix.

 

If the GT500 doesn't live on in any form through 2012 then Ford should replace it with a model of equal status performance wise. Mach 1, Boss ___ etc.

 

Someone educate me on this: does the aluminum 5.4 use the same molds as the iron 5.4? Because I'm wondering why Ford would spend the money to tool up for molds for the aluminum 5.4 if it was going to be discontinued after a year or two, and is only being used in a very low-production vehicle. Doesn't make much financial sense to me unless they can use the same molds.

 

My thought is that they proved the cylinder technology on a high output vehicle. So even if the 5.4 alum goes away, not only does Ford have a proven technology for future engines, but they also own the patent - that other manufacturers will have to licen$e.
So it was a real live sales demo of the technology.

 

Where are you all getting the info/making the assumption that there won't be a 2012 GT500?

 

I think it is from the the SVT forum, where there is a lack of references to future models. This is being combined with rumors about the end date of the current contract between Shel' and Ford.

 

Oh. Well, there is going to be one. People can take their foil hats off again.

 

My post is nothing but speculation. I was just saying the 5.4 can go away and be replaced easily. I am not advocating this, but a Boss short block with a supercharger on top would be pretty cool. I really hope they keep the Shelby/SVT as the top line.

 

My dealer, via his so-called connection at corporate, said 2012 GT 500 will basically be a 2011 with cosmetic add-ons to differentiate it from current model year.

Sounds like they are gonna keep using existing parts and molds till they run out or demand dwindles.

LQQK

 

Likely (hopefully) the Boss Recaros and torsen rear diff too....

 

Ford did say that the Recaros are shared by the Boss and the GT500, since the 2011 GT500 doesn't have them then that only leaves the 2012 GT500's. So there's the proof that there will be a 2012 GT500.

 

Or you could just go buy some Recaros and put them in any S197, they just won't have "BOSS302" on them.

ANYWAYS THIS IS A BOSS THREAD NOT A GT500 THREAD LET'S GET BACK ON TRACK!

 

I always at that statement.....I really makes me . One of my favorites!!

 

the 5.0 is lighter than the 5.4 so the front bias would be decreased. I imagine Ford will move to a 5.0 based Shelby at some point as the engine would make more power, be lighter, and save Ford a bunch of money.

 

Actually, my understanding is that Mercedes-Benz pioneered this technology a few years before Ford adopted it, so I don't think any licensing royalties will be coming to Ford.

 

I thought Nissan paid Ford to use it in their GTR's?

 

I also heard this. I think it was in C&D or Motor Trend.