This is the Build Thread for 2017 RTR Spec 5. Reply below.

This car came out of a day at Daytona with my GT500. At 180MPH in a streetcar I decided it was sorta dangerous not to have a cage running around like that.

I didn’t want to cage the 500, and had a very nice 2017 GT350R I just didn’t want to molest.

I ran across this car which had been built for Optima events and displayed at SEMA and it had all the dream parts- Widebody, Sequential Magnum XL, MoTeC, full fuel system and supercharger, brakes, great wheels and other nice stuff. I decided I’d sell my GT350 and buy this one and “finish” it with coolers and proper safety gear.

My vision for this car is to build a safe, fast car that meets the rules for “streetcar” events (keep dash etc).

It was a sad day when this one left to fund the RTR

This car has a bunch of the right parts and the sequential is awesome.

But I immediately ran into problems. I was not able to find anyone to put a cage in it in a reasonable timeframe (<6-12mos). I have a Watson 4pt bar BUT- the doors on the car are fiberglass and I did not feel it was safe to run at trackdays with fiberglass doors and no door bars.

The uhaul trailers I’d been using were not wide enough, so I’d have to buy a trailer.

And life got CRAZY busy at work and with family and kids sports. This car ended up basically sitting for 2 years.

This year I’ve had two friends my age have strokes and 1 passed. While I’m way over 40 I told my wife this project is no longer on hold. It’s time to do this no matter how “midlife crisis” it may look.

Unfortunately, again, calling around Florida, the best time I got for a cage was 12 mos.

I can buy steel doors and put in my 4 pt Watson but I’d sure rather cage it sooner. Right now that’s sort of the plan, but I would rather go sooner.

Bouncing Soul said:

This year I’ve had two friends my age have strokes and 1 passed. While I’m way over 40 I told my wife this project is no longer on hold. It’s time to do this no matter how “midlife crisis” it may look.

Unfortunately, again, calling around Florida, the best time I got for a cage was 12 mos.

I can buy steel doors and put in my 4 pt Watson but I’d sure rather cage it sooner. Right now that’s sort of the plan, but I would rather go sooner.

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Trackspec roll cage kits are the “easy” button - just need a competent welder since the fab work is already done. Really well designed kit too, with emphasis on maximizing head room. All the options on door bar styles and tube thickness.

https://trackspecmotorsports.com/ro...cage-kits/s550-mustang-gt-gt350-roll-cage-kit

67GTA said:

Trackspec roll cage kits are the “easy” button - just need a competent welder since the fab work is already done. Really well designed kit too, with emphasis on maximizing head room. All the options on door bar styles and tube thickness.

https://trackspecmotorsports.com/ro...cage-kits/s550-mustang-gt-gt350-roll-cage-kit

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Thanks for the suggestion!

There was a shop in the Tampa area that built some of the track Mustangs down here I was referred to who typically installed the Watson RR cage. I asked if they’d do the Trackspec instead and I got ghosted. Oops- probably should’ve just let it happen. I think they’re now out of business.

I almost ordered one during the Black Friday specials this year, but even getting that cage put in still requires a good person.

You might contact Tim at OP Mustang and see if he knows someone reliable in your State or you might just do what plenty have done and trailer you car up to Michigan and Capaldi Racing. Just a couple of thoughts since waiting 6-12 months seems really crazy, hard to believe folks are really that busy with cages.

I met @steveespo and @Black Boss today and Capaldi is a high possibility!

Well- long story short nothing has happened. I finally commissioned the engine mods (remove blower etc) and found some steel doors so I can get going without a roll cage. While waiting for parts installing a Watson roll bar.

You can see the surge tank here so will need a rear fire wall. Might as well chip some of the Mastic out.

Setrab 960 isn’t subtle is it. Blower is coming off and will go where Intercooler is.

Bouncing Soul said:

View attachment 110484
You can see the surge tank here so will need a rear fire wall. Might as well chip some of the Mastic out.

View attachment 110485

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Depending how far you got with removal, heat gun, just warm it, not melt and it lifts quite easily, wipe after with some solvent and cleans up nice. You can see the spot where there is no paint beside the battery.

Bouncing Soul said:

Setrab 960 isn’t subtle is it. Blower is coming off and will go where Intercooler is.
View attachment 110501

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I can send you a template for the ducting if you like. And the mounting. May need to be tweaked as I still had aircon. Gives you a starting point.

GAR944 said:

I can send you a template for the ducting if you like. And the mounting. May need to be tweaked as I still had aircon. Gives you a starting point.

S550 - Upside Down and on the Wrong Side Build Thread

mpgainer, I have suggested to quite a few friends to check out the G-Loc R18s when I see how deep they brake or if folks are going to fast tracks ( like Road Atlanta or Road America ) as they are an " Endurance Pad " and they need more heat build up to work effectively. I drag the brakes quite a...

trackmustangsonline.com

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Yessir, I just read your thread the other day and I’d appreciate it!

Well this is not good. It’s oily underneath and my diff is seeping, though not leaving oil on the floor- so I thought I had it. I also didn’t really care because it’s getting the Full Tilt diff cover/cooler kit and upgraded axles anyway. It has stock dog bones and steeda control arms (which I don’t trust for wide body size slicks after seeing @honeybadger photos of the failed arm) so I was pulling apart last night to get the control arms off to send to Cortex for their bearing install - change springs and install my new arms/dog bones, 800lb springs and was greeted with what I now feel pretty sure is a leaky JRI If anyone has a preferred supplier to rebuild please let me know.

the front was stock other than coil over so went back and forth but ordered SPL arms rather than sending the stock pieces to Cortex for bearings. I don’t like mixing suppliers but I liked the design of the AAD bits feeling they’re probably the safest and bought their kit for the back- full ‘Murica edition.