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S197 BUILD (REPLACING MY GT350) HPDE

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603
1,020
Exp. Type
HPDE
Exp. Level
3-5 Years
Wisconsin
Fall 21 decided to sell my Shelby. Raising prices and the consumable cost was getting outrageous. My car was MINT. Did love the time I spent in it though. Completed 9 track/hpde days with it.

Fast-forward to this week, bought a dedicated HPDE track car. 2011 GT, 60k on the car, 6k miles on the engine. This year want to do about 20-25 events.

Wanted to share the car a build and see what you all thought.

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334
352
Beautiful car, congrats. Looks like it has all the right parts. I'd be very interested to hear your impressions as to how a dialed in s197 like yours compares to your old gt350 on track.
 
334
352
Grrr stupid winter. Have you had a chance to drive it in any meaningful way on the street? I apologize for being pushy but I am very curious about this because I am kind of on the fence myself between dialing in my s197 to the next level versus picking up a gt350 or similar. I am especially interested in suspension and handling, and you have back-to-back a gt350 that you've taken on track versus a very nicely built Cortex s197. This is exactly the comparison I am interested in. Any preliminary thoughts? Thanks and congrats again on a very cool car.
 
603
1,020
Exp. Type
HPDE
Exp. Level
3-5 Years
Wisconsin
No worries at all. Unfortunate the car wont really see action till April. its around 15 degrees here now.

I can tell you that if you have the cash the 350 was an epic car. Its an experience. The sound, the heritage. Just keep in mind if you are looking to track more that 5-10 times per year everything cost more because it says Shelby on it. Brakes 800-1500, S195 around 200-300/ Just one example. All that stuff adds up. I also realized that you don't "need" a Shelby to have an EPIC time on track and at events. The goal for me to was to go from 8-12 events to 20-25.

Hope that helps.

Here is a pic of my Bolt and some video. That sound!!


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603
1,020
Exp. Type
HPDE
Exp. Level
3-5 Years
Wisconsin
This isn't a build thread, that thing is built! but brakes?

Definitely see some parts on your list I'd like to have on mine. And borrow some of HPs.

Factory brembos. GT500 rear. Not sure if that will cut it but we will find out. I think the fronts are 4piston.


*Mods please move to Build thread if needed*
 
348
181
US
you will need better brakes. go to the 15: 6 piston setup asap. Espcially is you will be going to blackhawk farms. that track is super hard on brakes. 125 to 50mph 4x per 70 seconds = hard on brakes. these are great track cars and reliable in all areas but the trans. Im going to a c8 zo6 next but for now, boss 302 with 500 + hp works well.
 
603
1,020
Exp. Type
HPDE
Exp. Level
3-5 Years
Wisconsin
you will need better brakes. go to the 15: 6 piston setup asap. Espcially is you will be going to blackhawk farms. that track is super hard on brakes. 125 to 50mph 4x per 70 seconds = hard on brakes. these are great track cars and reliable in all areas but the trans. Im going to a c8 zo6 next but for now, boss 302 with 500 + hp works well.

What brakes would you recommend?
 
348
181
US
the 2015+ brembo 6 piston 15" setup is very good for the price. Hawk pads seem to do well with them and are cheaper than many other choices. I have run carbotech and G-loc for years. The DTC 70s front, 60s rear works well for only $200 for a set of fronts and $163 for a set of rears.
 

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