Marbles Motors

The attempt here is to document the differences between the 2011 GT500's and previous GT500 models. I'm only going on my own knowledge here so bear with me and correct any mistakes that you see. Where you see reference to SVTPP, that stands for the optional SVT Performance Package. Said to include: 3.73 Limited Slip Rear Axle, 19" Painted Forged Aluminum Front Wheels, 20" Painted Forged Aluminum Rear Wheels, High Performance Front and Rear Springs, Specialized Rear Shocks, an Eye Catching Rear Spoiler with a distinctive Gurney Flap, a custom Gear Shift Knob and Unique Exterior Stripes.

2011 saw the start of the electric steering assist in place of the hydraulic system. This is a picture looking through the passenger side wheelwell. Notice the blue markings indicating where all of the bolts were torqued and as well where the rod ends were aligned. This indicates to me that Ford is wanting to keep an eye on this new unit.

The SVTPP Front Sway Bar. Also notice how the blue alignment marks on my steering arm are not in alignment. Don't know if this means that they did an additional check afterwards or if it has moved in the first 500 miles of driving.

This is a plastic panel under the engine that must be removed to drain the oil. I would guess that it is there for aerodynamics, but probably more as a heat extractor for the steering pump. You can see the slots that will pull air from under the engine.

The notorious rear axle breather has been relocated to the top of the aluminum rear end cover. This was a problem if you ever tracked the car. It was never good to get goo under your tires, much less your own. It is my understanding that the GT500KR's from '08 had a catch can to try to alleviate this condition.

The inside of the rear end cover. Baffle over breather tube. You can also see the groove in the surface side of the cover. Looks like Ford may be getting ready to use a membrane type gasket in the future.

Anti-noise weights bolted to the rear axle mount. Apparently these have been added to the cars with 3.73 gears for some time now.

This shielding on the wiring bundle as it passes past the engine and transmission has additional heat shielding.

The next several pictures illustrate the additional bracing afforded to the convertibles which attribute to the additional structural rigidity claimed.

This shot shows the new beefier lower control arms. These are apparently the fix to reduce rear wheel hop under hard acceleration.

These plastic flats positioned at the rear most portion of the rocker panels are new to the 2011 and I would suppose they are designed to deflect water and grime away from the brake rotors.

Unique SVTPP Shift Knob. I think the only differences is deleting of the stripes.

Relocation of the windshield squirters to under the lip of the hood. This came about with the new styling of the hood on the 2010 as well.

New style headrests for the rear seat. They now fold down and are separate pieces from the seat back.

Here are a couple of shots of the SVTPP rear wing and Gurney Flap. The Gurney was noted to be available on the 2010 as well.

The Gurney Flap (or wickerbill) is a small flat tab projecting from the trailing edge of a wing. Typically it is set at a right angle to the pressure side surface of the airfoil, and projects 1% to 2% of the wing chord. This trailing edge device can improve the performance of a simple airfoil to nearly the same level as a complex high-performance design.

The device operates by increasing pressure on the pressure side, decreasing pressure on the suction side, and helping the boundary layer flow stay attached all the way to the trailing edge on the suction side of the airfoil. Common applications occur in auto racing, helicopter horizontal stabilizers, and aircraft where high lift is essential, such as banner-towing airplanes.

The original application, by automobile racing icon Dan Gurney, was a right-angle piece of sheet metal, rigidly fixed to the top trailing edge of the rear wing on his open wheel racing cars of the early 1970s. The device was installed pointing upwards to increase downforce generated by the wing, improving traction. He field tested it and found it allowed a car to negotiate turns at higher speed, while also achieving higher speed in the straight sections of the track.

A few pictures showing the unique stripes for the SVTPP option. This car is Sterling Gray Metallic with Race Red Stripes and Black Outlines.

New for 2011 are the SVTPP 20" Rear Wheels and 19" Fronts. Great color on the wheels. 9.5" wide at both ends.

Tread pattern on the G2 Supercar Tires. It isn't specified, but I don't think the non SVTPP cars get these.

Blue Value Covers and a Satin finish on the 2011 blower. Claimed HP increases to 550 crank reading. Said to be attributed to the 2.75" free flowing exhaust. The electric steering will also add to effective Rear Wheel horsepower as the engine no longer has to run a hydraulic pump. I haven't put this one on the dyno yet to compare it to the 2010 models, but one test I read noted approximately a 20 hp increase at the rear wheels over the 2010.

Step on the brake and tap the Traction Control button twice and you get this mode on the Advancetrac system.

If you order the "Electronics Package" you get the SYNC system and the radio is now capable of receiving the HD stations. Essentially, they are stations within a station. The difference in clarity and volume is pretty amazing. The Shaker 1000 system is not available in the GT500 with the SVTPP.

The following pictures are for illustration purposes of how the car was delivered to the dealer. I have heard of cars that had covers over the wheels, but mine didn't.

2011 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500