Shelby GT350: Engine Specs, Performance & Features Review
The Shelby GT350 is a fast muscle car made by Ford. It has a big engine and drives like a race car. Carroll Shelby made the first one in 1965. He took a regular Mustang and made it faster for racing.
Ford brought the GT350 back in 2015. They stopped making it in 2020. People who love fast cars still want to buy one today.
How the GT350 Got Its Name
Carroll Shelby needed a name in 1965. Some people say he looked at two buildings at his shop. He guessed the distance was 350 feet. That’s how the car got its name.
The first GT350 won many races in the 1960s. It beat other cars on tracks all over America. People remember it as a winner.
Big moments for the GT350:
- 1965: First car comes out and wins races.
- 1966: Hertz rental company buys special versions.
- 1967: Bigger engine becomes an option.
- 2015: Ford makes a new GT350 after 45 years.
- 2016: Ford adds the GT350R racing version.
- 2020: Last GT350 cars are built.
The Special V8 Engine
The new GT350 has a 5.2-liter V8 engine. Ford workers call it the “Voodoo” motor. It works different than other American V8 engines.
What’s Inside the Engine
Here are the engine facts:
- Size: 5.2 liters
- Style: V8 with flat-plane crank
- Power: 526 horses at 7,500 RPM
- Twist: 429 pound-feet at 4,750 RPM
- Max RPM: 8,250 (no American V8 spins higher)
- Made from: Aluminum
- Oil: Dry-sump system for racing
The flat-plane crank is special. Most American V8s use a different crank design. This one spins faster. It sounds like a Ferrari instead of a regular muscle car.
The Gearbox
The GT350 only has a stick shift. Ford never made an automatic version. They wanted drivers to shift gears themselves.
What the transmission has:
- Type: Six-speed stick shift by Tremec.
- Clutch: Two discs for strength.
- Rev matching: Computer helps match speeds when shifting down.
- Back gears: 3.73 ratio for quick starts.
- Shifter: Short throw for fast shifts.
How Big Is the GT350
The GT350 looks like a regular Mustang. But Ford changed many parts for speed.
Outside Size
| What We Measure | Size |
| How long | 188.9 inches |
| How wide (no mirrors) | 75.9 inches |
| How tall | 54.2 inches |
| Distance between wheels | 107.1 inches |
| Weight (GT350) | 3,760 pounds |
| Weight (GT350R) | 3,650 pounds |
| Ground space | 5.1 inches |
Inside Room
| Space Inside | Size |
| Head space up front | 37.6 inches |
| Leg space up front | 44.5 inches |
| Head space in back | 34.8 inches |
| Leg space in back | 29.5 inches |
| Trunk room | 13.5 cubic feet |
The GT350R does not have back seats. Ford took them out to save weight.
Tires and Wheels
Big tires help the car grip the road:
- Wheel size: 19 inches wide by 10.5 inches
- Made from: Light aluminum
- Front rubber: 295/35/19 Michelin
- Back rubber: 305/35/19 Michelin
- GT350R rubber: Michelin Cup 2 (stickier)
- Weight saved: Carbon wheels on GT350R save 60 pounds
How Fast It Goes
The GT350 is very quick. It keeps up with cars that cost much more money.
Speed Numbers
- Zero to 60: 3.9 to 4.3 seconds
- Quarter mile: 12.2 to 12.5 seconds at 118 mph
- Fastest speed: 180 mph
- Corner grip: 1.10 g
- Stop from 60: 100 feet
Race Track Features
Ford added cool stuff for track days:
- Smart shocks: Change 1,000 times each second
- Drive buttons: Normal, Sport, Track, Weather, Drag
- Traction help: Can turn it down or off
- Burnout mode: Spins rear wheels to heat tires
- Track camera: Records your driving with data
- Launch helper: Gets you off the line faster
Body Shape and Air Flow
Every part of the GT350 body does a job. The design helps air flow over and under the car.
Parts That Control Air
Key pieces on the body:
- Front lip: Pushes front down.
- Hood holes: Let hot air out.
- Side pieces: Guide air along sides.
- Rear panel: Controls air under car.
- Rear wing: Pushes back end down.
- Brake holes: Cool brakes when hot.
- Flat bottom: Makes air flow smooth underneath.
The GT350R has bigger air parts:
- Bigger lip: Pushes front down harder.
- Small fins: Mini wings near the lip.
- Carbon parts: Hood, wing, and trim.
- Taller wing: Pushes rear down more.
How It Handles Turns
The GT350 turns like a race car. Ford made everything stronger and better.
Front Parts
- Type: MacPherson strut.
- Arms: Made from strong aluminum.
- Springs: Stiffer than regular Mustang.
- Anti-roll bar: Bigger size.
- Brace: Connects shock towers.
- Rubber parts: Harder compound.
Back Parts
- Type: Independent rear setup
- Pieces: Aluminum knuckles and links
- Anti-roll bar: Heavy duty
- Diff: Torsen limited-slip
- Frame: Extra strong mounts
Extra Strength
Ford added braces everywhere:
- Tower braces: Front and back
- Floor bars: Welded in place
- Cross beam: Stops twisting
- Front frame: Made stronger
The Brake System
Big Brembo brakes stop the car fast. They work great on the track.
Brake Parts
- Front discs: 15.5 inches, two pieces
- Back discs: 15.0 inches, two pieces
- Front clamps: Six pistons by Brembo
- Back clamps: Four pistons by Brembo
- Pads: High-heat type
- Air ducts: Send air to front brakes
- Fluid: High-heat formula
GT350R buyers could get carbon ceramic brakes. They cost more but work better. They weigh less too.
What’s Inside
The cabin mixes speed with comfort. The driver seat is the best spot.
Chairs and Stuff
- Front chairs: Recaro sport buckets that hug you.
- Chair cover: Leather and fake suede.
- Back chairs: Fold down (GT350R has none).
- Wheel: Flat bottom with leather.
- Shifter: Aluminum with white marks.
- Pedals: Aluminum covers
Screen and Tech
- Big screen: 8 inches with touch
- Computer: SYNC 3 system
- Phone link: Works with iPhone and Android
- Speakers: 12-speaker system (costs extra)
- Map: Built-in directions (costs extra)
- Internet: WiFi hotspot
Driver Screen
- Main display: 12-inch digital
- Different looks: Multiple ways to see info
- Race data: G-force, lap times, speed runs
- Trip info: Gas mileage and miles left
- Warning signs: Digital symbols
GT350 vs Other Fast Cars
The GT350 is different from its competition. Here’s how it stands out.
Fighting the Camaro ZL1
The Chevy Camaro ZL1 is the main enemy:
- Motor: GT350 has no supercharger, ZL1 does
- Noise: GT350 sounds exotic, ZL1 sounds normal
- Shifting: GT350 is stick only, ZL1 has auto option
- Heaviness: GT350 weighs less
- Cost: Both cost about the same
Against the Hellcat
The Dodge Challenger Hellcat is different:
- Strength: Hellcat has 717 horses (GT350 has 526)
- Heaviness: GT350 is 800 pounds lighter
- Corners: GT350 turns better
- Drag strip: Hellcat wins straight lines
- Bigness: Hellcat is way bigger
Versus Porsche Cayman
Some folks compare it to European cars:
- Money: GT350 costs less
- Strength: GT350 has more power
- Motor: GT350 has V8, Cayman has turbo four
- Chairs: GT350 has back seats, Cayman has two only
- Image: Different history and style
Against BMW M4
The German car is different:
- Motor: GT350 has no turbos, M4 does
- Shifting: GT350 is stick only, M4 has auto
- Gadgets: M4 has more computers
- Fixing: GT350 costs less to maintain
- Feel: GT350 is more raw
Special Models to Know
Ford made some rare GT350 versions. These are hard to find now.
GT350R Racing Type
The R version is the wildest:
- Lost weight: 110 pounds lighter
- Carbon wheels: Save 60 pounds
- Better shape: Bigger lip and wing
- Race rubber: Cup 2 tires standard
- No back seat: Removed to save weight
- Special badge: R logos
Conclusion
The Shelby GT350 is a true driver’s car with raw power and stick shift fun. It works on track and street better than most sports cars. Ford stopped building it in 2020, making it the last naturally aspirated performance Mustang. The GT350 blends old-school muscle car spirit with modern racing ability. It shows American cars can compete with anything from Europe. Low production numbers make these cars more valuable every year.
