Looking for GT350 Owners' Feedback on the car...

I'll take the grief for the bump ,I have been seriously thinking about getting a GT350 2017-2019 .Having read this whole thread I need some insight . The perceived or realized lack of torque appears to me to be a driving issue ( subjective I know ,save it ) .From the time I was 16 till I was 28 I owned a 1966 Mustang 2+2 fastback GT K model. It had a built full roller 10:1 HO 289 ,Carter 4BBL that had a 7500 red line backed up by a Muncie M22 and 4.11 gears ,it was my daily driver . I loved that car and should have never sold it, that is another story. It was QUICK ,BUT it was hard to Launch correctly and you HAD to keep the RPM up all the time . Even though its hard to actually compare the two would it be a fair comparison to say it would take the same driving style to drive the GT350 to get the best performance out of it ? Do any of you current GT350 owners have experience with both of these cars the original 1965-66 cars and the new ones so to speak ?

Evil Bender said:

I'll take the grief for the bump ,I have been seriously thinking about getting a GT350 2017-2019 .Having read this whole thread I need some insight . The perceived or realized lack of torque appears to me to be a driving issue ( subjective I know ,save it ) .From the time I was 16 till I was 28 I owned a 1966 Mustang 2+2 fastback GT K model. It had a built full roller 10:1 HO 289 ,Carter 4BBL that had a 7500 red line backed up by a Muncie M22 and 4.11 gears ,it was my daily driver . I loved that car and should have never sold it, that is another story. It was QUICK ,BUT it was hard to Launch correctly and you HAD to keep the RPM up all the time . Even though its hard to actually compare the two would it be a fair comparison to say it would take the same driving style to drive the GT350 to get the best performance out of it ? Do any of you current GT350 owners have experience with both of these cars the original 1965-66 cars and the new ones so to speak ?

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It's not just driving error. It's gearing as well. I have 4.09's now in my 350 and the car pulls harder WHEN it gets traction. As you would expect, the car has plenty of torque to roll them over in just about any gear.

Some food for thought, the reason the 350 is such a dog at drag racing is because the gearing is roughly 12% taller than an equivalent MT82 trans'd GT. Combined with the power band and the 30 (or 35) series profile track tires, this makes the car EXTREMELY difficult to launch. It's a razor thin line between bog or spin.

Fathouse Fabrications just ran 9.02 at 160 mph in a car where they dumped the 3160 (in favor of a T56 magnum) and ditched the rear brakes for a smaller wheel and fatter walled tires (and of course nearly 1500 rwhp). The question isn't whether the car can make power or torque (it makes more torque than any non-blown mustang variant), the question is whether or not the car is setup for drag racing and the answer is …….. NO. It's setup for continuous hard track duty.

Thanks for the input. I have had multiple drag cars in my life and I think I want something different this time. The idea of a well rounded track type car really appeals to me ,besides there will always be something faster . I want something capable of doing may things well ,I believe a gear swapped GT350 would fit that bill nicely ,I would have to adjust my driving style from the Terminator but I can do that.

The torque comes on hard in the upper ranges, but it is not a GT500 as I have owned two of them. The pull of the VOodoo on track is truly amazing. Look at the list of cars I have owned below and this GT350 tops them all. I will never add power as it has more power than I have talent now. I think you really need to drive one and feel the pull out of a corner at high rpms. Drive it in traffic where it is at its weak point and see if you still want one.

My 428 CJ pulled like gangbusters from 4000 until about 7. After that, it started ejecting parts. My 350 pulls better down low than it did and pulls solidly to 8250. It will then actually stop itself when asked too. I like my old Mach 1 but it is no modern GT350. OP you had a Carter and a Muncie in a 66?

barstowpo said:

OP you had a Carter and a Muncie in a 66?

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Yes and Yes . I bought car out of Barn in Mena Arkansas in 1981. It came to me with a 289 in it running but very wore out . I also got the Muncie and another 289 block in the package. My mom had a 1964 1/2 A code notch back and we already had lots of parts an rear ends laying around so i just build the spare block up and put it and the M22 in.

WVTrakPak said:

Drive it in traffic where it is at its weak point and see if you still want one.

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Statements like this are what makes me think it acts a little like my 66 Fastback. I do want to drive one for a day or two but that's easier said than done.

Isn't the 350 10 psi away from 700 rwhp? and what I would assume would be at least some of the beloved low end torque? Read through 9 pages and seemed nobody seemed to touch on this...

Any owners with a PD blower have some feedback ? I'm just curious after reading all the comments.


So Op how are you liking the car?

Even though I will put a Whipple on mine because I can and I have problems, this car puts a smile on my face. The grip and track manners of this car is phenomenal. Really a pleasure to drive.

Evil Bender said:

Statements like this are what makes me think it acts a little like my 66 Fastback. I do want to drive one for a day or two but that's easier said than done.

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In traffic you still have the sound that is glorious. You will have to downshift, but to me that is part of the fun. On the interstate in 6 it has very little pull but that is what I like, because 5th is usable for spirited country driving and when I am in 6th I am on the interstate.

I have said it before and I will say it again....the car is not for everyone, but I love it.

btw....does rabid roadie refer to road bikes?

WVTrakPak said:

does rabid roadie refer to road bikes?

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No I have been a professional production Roadie since I graduated from high-school. On the GT350 subject ,I relaly think I want one ,now I just have to sell some cars and take my time shopping,oh and decide on color which may be the hardest part .

GT Premi said:

I get that. Unfortunately, it's a lot of those people who bought GT350s then turned around and complained [incessantly] about having to rev it. It just doesn't make any sense. How the heck does someone knowingly go buy a car that's built for revs yet they don't want to rev it??

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I want to find one of those people and buy theirs. Especially if its track packed.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

I did what many wouldn't, put it on a flat bed with 37k kms and a $53k repair bill for motor replacements and sent it to ford and said **** you, the arbitrator says your taking it back. Put that in you svt performance pipes and smoke it.

In the matter of an Arbitration pursuant to the Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan

(“CAMVAP”)

Between:

LUCKY ###### (“Consumer(s)”)

-and-

FORD MOTOR COMPANY OF CANADA, LIMITED

(“Manufacturer”)

Final Award

Appearances:

For the Consumer: Lucky ######

For the Manufacturer: Myron Petriw

Arbitrator: Kent Woodruff

Hearing Date(s): February 8, 2019

Hearing Location: Prince George, BC

Award Date: February 15, 2019

Vehicle Details:

VIN: 1FA6P8JZ0G55##### (the “Vehicle”)

Make and Model: 2016 Ford Shelby GT350


In Service Date: June 20, 2016

Date of Purchase: May 5, 2017

Kilometres at Hearing: 37,879 Krns


The Consumer asked for:


A buy-back without a reduction for use due to ongoing mechanical issues which have not

been resolved and began from the first 300 kilometres that the Vehicle was driven or

alternatively a buy-back with a reduction for use

Consumer takes this position because the engine was completely removed and replaced twice

and now the Manufacturer’s Repair Dealer has been unable to diagnose the further loss of

engine oil and starting problems..

The Manufacturer asked for:

An order dismissing the Consumer’s claim

Manufacturer takes this position because;

I. the Vehicle is still under warranty

ii. The Manufacturer denies any liability for the failure to replace the oil cap which

resulted in oil loss.

2 of5

iii. The Manufacturer’s Representative submits that the Consumer did not check the

oil at time intervals suggested by the Manufacturer for this high performance

engine that uses oil in its operation.


There is no dispute between the Consumer and the Manufacturer on the following matters:


1. The warranties are still in force


2. The Manufacturer replaced two engines and in fact spent $53,000 on warranty work

on this Vehicle

3. Due to a change in ownership the Consumer did not receive an information bulletin

from the Manufacturer that addressed:

a- Tightening the oil filter assembly to 16-18 foot pounds using a special cap

wrench which they provided with the bulletin

b. Their recommendation to check the oil level at every reffieling as during

operation under certain conditions ( high engine speeds, high loads, engine


braking, hard cornering and track use) oil consumption of approximately I

litre per 800 kilometre is possible.

Conclusion:

For all of these reasons, I find in favour of the Consumer in this case.

Order:

I now order as follows:

The Manufacturer shall buy - back the Vehicle at a price of $57,532.49. The buy-back

shall take place in accordance with section 6.1.5 of the Agreement for Arbitration and

I shall remain responsible for case until the buy - back is completed.

the taste of victory against a powerhouse like ford without a lawyer was a great feeling, they sent their best and a put his ass to rest. RIP Myron. Next time maybe ford will send someone that reads their own evidence prior to contesting in court. Ford, please build a better a car.... ford says: we built an automatic ford hellcat#2020shelbygt500 LOL

Evil Bender said:

I'll take the grief for the bump ,I have been seriously thinking about getting a GT350 2017-2019 .Having read this whole thread I need some insight . The perceived or realized lack of torque appears to me to be a driving issue ( subjective I know ,save it ) .From the time I was 16 till I was 28 I owned a 1966 Mustang 2+2 fastback GT K model. It had a built full roller 10:1 HO 289 ,Carter 4BBL that had a 7500 red line backed up by a Muncie M22 and 4.11 gears ,it was my daily driver . I loved that car and should have never sold it, that is another story. It was QUICK ,BUT it was hard to Launch correctly and you HAD to keep the RPM up all the time . Even though its hard to actually compare the two would it be a fair comparison to say it would take the same driving style to drive the GT350 to get the best performance out of it ? Do any of you current GT350 owners have experience with both of these cars the original 1965-66 cars and the new ones so to speak ?

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Yes I do and can. As I own a 65 fastback currently and sits next to my gt350 in the garage right now. So to answer your question.. no there entirely different. You don’t have to keep it wound up to be in the normal driving conditions. The tire size and gearing of the trans make up for it ( in comparison to the classics) on a side note they do love to be above 4K but don’t have to be. My fastback is 4 speed with 3.25 gears and stock sized tires. Perfect combo for the car imo for all driving conditions

Thank you the insight ,my Fast Back had 4.11s so it ran more RPM at lower speed but I loved it . I want to drive a GT350 badly so I can actually get a feel for the car but ha e yet to get the opportunity.

I have had my GT350 for a year now. I have just put my 450 rwhp/470 rwtq Terminator up for sale. I absolutely love the 350. I had quit driving the Terminator - its low end torque is addictive, but driving the 350 is a whole new world. So much more refined, so much better handling, and the noise and power is amazing above 3,500 rpm. they are not the same. If you want a torque monster, get something else. If you want the best road racing and daily driving experience 60k can buy, get a GT350. I love my Terminator. I will miss it. But my choice is clear.

Voodoolt90 said:

I did what many wouldn't

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Indeed, and it sucks to be you in that case. Fortunately for the vast majority of us that own one, it's an amazing ride we could not imagine parting with. Both mine have been awesome experiences.

In the case summary it sounds voodoolt90 was also the second owner of the car and not aware of some of the GT350ism's early on.

ENV² said:

I want to find one of those people and buy theirs. Especially if its track packed

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Agreed, I think a gently used $45k GT350 Track Pack is about the best car you can get under 100k, but be careful, given the percentage getting track use knowing the previous owner's use case and maintenance history, and especially knowing it was never run low on oil are valuable info.

Cobra03 said:

I have had my GT350 for a year now. I have just put my 450 rwhp/470 rwtq Terminator up for sale. I absolutely love the 350. I had quit driving the Terminator - its low end torque is addictive, but driving the 350 is a whole new world. So much more refined, so much better handling, and the noise and power is amazing above 3,500 rpm. they are not the same. If you want a torque monster, get something else. If you want the best road racing and daily driving experience 60k can buy, get a GT350. I love my Terminator. I will miss it. But my choice is clear.

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You done done it now!