When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Here is my 2005 997.1 C2S manual. Has 83k on it and just had full clutch replacement and LN IMS install as it’s and early 05’
The issue I’m having is I’m getting itchy and have started looking at Shelby GT350 as they stopped making them and prices are starting to become affordable for a very low mileage practically New car.
Am I being too nervous about bore scoring on 997s and just need to keep the 997 as it truly a classic and lovely car. Or do I take the flat plane crank leep and have piece of mind of a factory warranty and owning a car that looks mean and has amazing driving characteristics
Anyone experience ownership of both?? Thought and advice would be nice
I got an early '05 C2S this past June and came from 6 years in a 2015 Mustang GT (same platform, modified for track use, but still daily driven). In that time, I also had plenty of seat time in GT350s on street and track.
The Shelby is a fast, capable and nice car with an intoxicating engine note, but it is heavy, feels heavy, and is a noticeably less involving driving experience. The S550 platform is a lot bigger on the inside and can carry a full set of track wheels and tires, if that matters to you. Happy to answer any questions. I don't regret going to a 997 for a second.
I'm a Mustang guy. I loved my S197's. The oil pump gears only come into play when you boost the cars and have either detonation or you're pushing 800+ rwhp. I changed mine and the crankshaft gear when I went FI. It's a pretty straightforward job. Some of the earlier 15-17's had oil consumption issues but Ford made good on it. You can tell theses cars by their carfax where it says "Ford customer satisfaction program". The problem with the FPC is they don't like to be lugged around and many people boosted these and subjected them to crappy tuners that promised big numbers but sacrificed reliability.
My opinion, if you want big numbers buy a Mach 1 which has the tremec and suspension of the GT350 and put a Gen 5 Whipple one it and make 1,xxx whp all day long reliably.
If you want a very capable track car that you can run all day buy the GT350. I believe the GT350 puts down comparable lap times to a 991 GT3.
If you want a fun car that's engaging and rewarding to drive, keep the Porsche.
When I saw the title of this thread, I thought we might be twins separated at birth and that this was an easy answer... But then I saw that you meant new Mustangs and realized we aren't.
I would never get rid of my 997 for a newer Mustang, that being said, I would ABSOLUTELY get rid of it for my dream car of a fastback '65 or '66 GT350 clone. I say clone because I don't have the dough for a real one and because I want to make tweaks to it and I couldn't do that with a real gt350.
I almost bought a Boss 302 before the 997, it was fun for sure.
I may be a good candidate to answer the question. I have owned a 997.1 C2S and a 2020 GT350 Heritage. I owned the 997.1 C2S the longest of any of the recent cars up to the 2014 Cayman, and my previous cars were a 996 C4S and a 2009 C2S. As many have mentioned, the GT350 is an extremely capable car, but for reasons that drivers find out, they took a big car and made it handle well (aggressive alignment, wide tires, etc. which causes uncomfortable daily driving on uneven roads). And as others mentioned, if what you like about Porsche is that they are Porsche (small, more exotic sounding (I know people will differ due to the flat plan, but the firing order leaves the traditional flat plane octaves out of the audio)), then you may not like the GT350. It is large, and roomy inside, but you are reminded every day that it is a Mustang. The interior is improved on the 2017 and up and the engine issues have mostly been taken care of in the gen II voodoo engine (2019 and up). So that being said, I sold the GT350 at the peak and bought a 1983 911 Targa hotrod......just what the doctor ordered!
12-08-2021 | 02:05 PM
I say clone because I don't have the dough for a real one and because I want to make tweaks to it and I couldn't do that with a real gt350. 
