Tracking the Snake

[SS333]

I took the Super Snake to Goodwood on Friday for a track day.

 

The car was better than I expected - handling was very good, grip was excellent and the car inspired confidence (which actually came as a surprise due to the fact it can be a handful on the road). On Goodwood circuit (which is very fast, reasonably wide but if you have an off, VERY unforgiving!) the car felt very controllable and allowed you to push it with little roll in the body or desire to under steer. Down the straights the power was nothing short of breathtaking. Furthermore, the sound from the car was

 

I actually had strangers stopping me to ask what was under the hood because they couldn't believe how good it sounded. The two best comments were, "it sounds like a Mustang... a P-51 Mustang!" and "if I had a trophy for best sounding car today, it would be yours without a shadow of doubt!" (consider that there were Porsche GT3s, Ferrari F430s, TVRs, etc and that is pretty strong praise).

 

I got so curious about how it sounded from outside the car that I asked a friend to take it out for a session and all I can say is that it sounded amazing... coming down the straight it was almost silent - all you could hear is the hiss/whine from the supercharger as the car powered toward you. It wasn't until it passed you that you were blasted by a wall of exhaust rumble: loud, deep and menacing...almost as though a force of nature had suddenly hit you. The sound is almost indescribable; however, I imagine it must be similar to being in the eye of a hurricane - silent and then suddenly you are back into the wind and all hell breaks loose.

 

If there was a weak point, it would be the brakes. To be honest, I found them to be extremely poor. Within one session the rotors had started to warp and they were rubbing even when the brakes weren't applied. After 6-sessions (of 5-laps each), they are now dog-food and I'll need to sort them. When you consider Goodwood is a track that is light on brake use (as I said, it is very fast and most corners are taken in 3rd or 4th) and I am very light on my brakes (even on track), the idea that these are 'uprated' brakes leaves me wondering what the stock set up would be like. From warped rotors, to massive fade and rubbing that vibrates right through the wheel, if the Snake has an Achilles heel, the brakes are it. As Mr. Shelby made his name on the tracks of the world, and, lets be honest, this is the only place you'll see the real potential of the SS, it is a shame they are so dire.

 

(for reference, my car has 600-miles on it and I made sure I bedded the pads and brake system in properly before use. I also ensured I warmed them on the day).

 

Anyway, that was the one black cloud on an otherwise brilliant day.

 

Here are a few snaps: -

 

 

 

 

[SS333]

I also had the pleasure of watching the Alan Mann team shake down their Mustang (and Lotus Cortina) in preparation for the Masters Historic Race series at Brands Hatch on Saturday.

 

Sorry about the quality of the pics, these were taken with my phone

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I actually did a session on track with the Alan Mann Mustang (5-cars on track per session) and it was an honour to share track time with such a historic Mustang - especially one that is so well sorted (and well driven).

[hodger]

Hi Simon

 

Car looks good have you had all of your issues sorted now

[SS333]

Hi Rob,

 

I got a call today saying that the pallets have arrived in the UK to put most of the bits right. Almost there. :rolleyes:

 

Do you ever make it over to Goodwood? It would be great to meet up over there.

[samg]

I took the Super Snake to Goodwood on Friday for a track day.

 

The car was better than I expected - handling was very good, grip was excellent and the car inspired confidence (which actually came as a surprise due to the fact it can be a handful on the road). On Goodwood circuit (which is very fast, reasonably wide but if you have an off, VERY unforgiving!) the car felt very controllable and allowed you to push it with little roll in the body or desire to under steer. Down the straights the power was nothing short of breathtaking. Furthermore, the sound from the car was

 

I actually had strangers stopping me to ask what was under the hood because they couldn't believe how good it sounded. The two best comments were, "it sounds like a Mustang... a P-51 Mustang!" and "if I had a trophy for best sounding car today, it would be yours without a shadow of doubt!" (consider that there were Porsche GT3s, Ferrari F430s, TVRs, etc and that is pretty strong praise).

 

I got so curious about how it sounded from outside the car that I asked a friend to take it out for a session and all I can say is that it sounded amazing... coming down the straight it was almost silent - all you could hear is the hiss/whine from the supercharger as the car powered toward you. It wasn't until it passed you that you were blasted by a wall of exhaust rumble: loud, deep and menacing...almost as though a force of nature had suddenly hit you. The sound is almost indescribable; however, I imagine it must be similar to being in the eye of a hurricane - silent and then suddenly you are back into the wind and all hell breaks loose.

 

If there was a weak point, it would be the brakes. To be honest, I found them to be extremely poor. Within one session the rotors had started to warp and they were rubbing even when the brakes weren't applied. After 6-sessions (of 5-laps each), they are now dog-food and I'll need to sort them. When you consider Goodwood is a track that is light on brake use (as I said, it is very fast and most corners are taken in 3rd or 4th) and I am very light on my brakes (even on track), the idea that these are 'uprated' brakes leaves me wondering what the stock set up would be like. From warped rotors, to massive fade and rubbing that vibrates right through the wheel, if the Snake has an Achilles heel, the brakes are it. As Mr. Shelby made his name on the tracks of the world, and, lets be honest, this is the only place you'll see the real potential of the SS, it is a shame they are so dire.

 

(for reference, my car has 600-miles on it and I made sure I bedded the pads and brake system in properly before use. I also ensured I warmed them on the day).

 

Anyway, that was the one black cloud on an otherwise brilliant day.

 

 

Great car. Sorry to hear about the brakes. I have a 2010 GT500 due shortly and am thinking of the SS upgrade. I am really torn, however. Aside from the brake issue, I'm having a tough time getting by the relatively skinny tires. All of the existing power and any future SS power increases are not of much value if you cannot get it to the pavement. Not a good feeling get smoked on the street, the drags or track because the power could not be put efficiently to the pavement. The GT500 is also pretty heavy, not a big deal for most street use but it needs more contact patch for more spirited applications -- even light ones at the track.

[V1PER]

Hi Simon..............A mighty good looking fella driving in your last pic.

 

Brakes as I found are a very dissapointing issue and I've sorted mine to great satisfaction now.....makes a huge difference to track driving confidence.

 

The other issue as you know is heat soak.

 

As far as grip....I can't wait for someone to bring out a sticky 20" tyre. Rumour has it that TOYO might be first up. Only then might we be able to get all those horses on the tarmac.

[samg]

Hi Simon..............A mighty good looking fella driving in your last pic.

 

Brakes as I found are a very dissapointing issue and I've sorted mine to great satisfaction now.....makes a huge difference to track driving confidence.

 

The other issue as you know is heat soak.

 

As far as grip....I can't wait for someone to bring out a sticky 20" tyre. Rumour has it that TOYO might be first up. Only then might we be able to get all those horses on the tarmac.

 

 

 

More stick would be good but don't think that will adequately address the fundamental problem of tires that are out of balance with the rest of the SS car. Hope this is resolved at some point.

[SS333]

More stick would be good but don't think that will adequately address the fundamental problem of tires that are out of balance with the rest of the SS car. Hope this is resolved at some point.

 

While some 20" track rubber would be nice, I didn't find the car lacking traction or grip when at speed. Sure the SS likes to light them up under hard acceleration but isn't that half the fun?

 

As Viper said, some sticky extra grip rubber would be ideal for track use but that isn't an issue with the SS, that is down the the fact that no tyre maker is supplying track tires in 20" size (we're talking about Michelin Cups, Toyo R888s, etc).

 

The PZeros were fine although I can imagine you'd eat through a set PDQ, as mine were leaving a snail trail after 2 sessions.

[SS333]

Great car. Sorry to hear about the brakes. I have a 2010 GT500 due shortly and am thinking of the SS upgrade. I am really torn, however. Aside from the brake issue, I'm having a tough time getting by the relatively skinny tires. All of the existing power and any future SS power increases are not of much value if you cannot get it to the pavement. Not a good feeling get smoked on the street, the drags or track because the power could not be put efficiently to the pavement. The GT500 is also pretty heavy, not a big deal for most street use but it needs more contact patch for more spirited applications -- even light ones at the track.

 

To be honest, I bought the GT500 for the sole purpose of turning it into a Super Snake. I never even saw the car, let alone get behind the wheel and drive it, before it went off to be converted; therefore, I'm a bad person to ask about the merit of SS'ing a GT500

 

I also didn't buy the car to street race or use as a garage queen.

 

I bought it to track and enjoy - I figure this could be one of the last proper muscle cars as the environmental brigade, gas prices, ever increasing traffic and legislation mean that they become less and less viable for auto manufacturers to produce. I consider the SS a keeper (I reserve the right to change my mind :P ). As a track car it is heavy - no surprise there - however, I never struggled to put the power down. As mentioned above, the brakes need upgrading and the heat-soak is an issue. I'll be sorting the heat-soak with the SAI kit and I guess I'll have to go aftermarket for the brakes - once these things are done, I think the SS will be exactly what I hoped it would be.

 

[samg]

To be honest, I bought the GT500 for the sole purpose of turning it into a Super Snake. I never even saw the car, let alone get behind the wheel and drive it, before it went off to be converted; therefore, I'm a bad person to ask about the merit of SS'ing a GT500

 

I also didn't buy the car to street race or use as a garage queen.

 

I bought it to track and enjoy - I figure this could be one of the last proper muscle cars as the environmental brigade, gas prices, ever increasing traffic and legislation mean that they become less and less viable for auto manufacturers to produce. I consider the SS a keeper (I reserve the right to change my mind :P ). As a track car it is heavy - no surprise there - however, I never struggled to put the power down. As mentioned above, the brakes need upgrading and the heat-soak is an issue. I'll be sorting the heat-soak with the SAI kit and I guess I'll have to go aftermarket for the brakes - once these things are done, I think the SS will be exactly what I hoped it would be.

 

 

Well, I'll take your word for it to stop the argument but really don't agree. I was just with a new SS owner and he could not even get it into the 11s drag racing with the stock tires because of grip. Perhaps a better driver could -- but for that kind of power that should not be needed. Think about it, the SS 275 rear tire contact patch does not really even exceed that as on the stock 2010 GT500. How can they be adequate for balanced SS performance on road track or elsewhere?

 

Look all over the forums and the tires are not adequate for the regular GT500 let alone a SS and all of the excitment over the possibility of the 11" SS Alcoa wheels. Don't get me wrong, I love the SS and want to spend my hard earned savings on it -- but it has to improve first. All I am saying is that an SS with appropriate rubber upgrade will create the true super car that it can be. As far as the heat soak, we know it is an issue and there is an option to deal with it. If one does not opt for that option then don't be surprised. There is now no option for the brakes or rubber. Thanks.

[SS333]

Well, I'll take your word for it to stop the argument but really don't agree.

 

Hi Sam, I'm not arguing, sorry if it reads that way. :beerchug:

 

All I'm saying is that when used on track, one thing I didn't have an issue with was traction. Of course, drag racing, 1/4 mile times, etc, would be a different story.

 

However, as this thread is basically dead, I'll assume few other members are tracking their SSs or aren't interested in commenting on threads that cover that topic, so I'll drop it.

[Aussie Snake]

However, as this thread is basically dead, I'll assume few other members are tracking their SSs or aren't interested in commenting on threads that cover that topic, so I'll drop it.

 

Hi Simon,

 

Before the thread drops completly dead, dont lose all hope.

 

There are a few SS owner tracking their cars, two of us have now put full Griggs ST40 suspension upgrades on the car to improve track performance. John over in Florida was the first to get his car to the track, check out his earlier posts on his forum, he really pushed the car (JAS427).

 

The brakes are not really the best for the track but im sure they are fine for the occasional belt around the track. I really miss the look of my Shelby Brakes but i now have the Griggs 4x4 brakes on the car and they stop the car on a dime and work well on the track.

I havent yet taken my car to the Drag Strip, I will do sometime, but thats not really the kind of punishment i want to give my car, It gets enough just from my crappy driving skills as it is hahaha.

 

I think most of us, dont want to push our expensive vehicles too hard on the track, If i had the money i would have had two cars, one standard GT with Full Griggs Racing kit RT 40 suspension and i would have left my super snake as stock. BUT unfortunately im not a hedge fund owner so only got the one car, and i have tried to make the best of what ive got !!!!

 

I really liked your write up and review, enjoy the car mate, it looks fantastic, beats the hell out of any porsche just standing still and is one of the most unique cars on the planet you and I are very lucky people.

 

Cheers

 

Jason.

[SS333]

I think most of us, dont want to push our expensive vehicles too hard on the track, If i had the money i would have had two cars, one standard GT with Full Griggs Racing kit RT 40 suspension and i would have left my super snake as stock. BUT unfortunately im not a hedge fund owner so only got the one car, and i have tried to make the best of what ive got !!!!

 

I really liked your write up and review, enjoy the car mate, it looks fantastic, beats the hell out of any porsche just standing still and is one of the most unique cars on the planet you and I are very lucky people.

 

Cheers

 

Jason.

 

Hi Jason, many thanks for your comments.

 

It is interesting to hear the route you've taken the brakes - I know Viper is now very happy with his and after a track day, really feels confident in the car. I know I will have to address mine in the very near future because for road use they are fine; however, they just aren't up to a day spent on track (even limited use sessions).

 

As for John (JAS427), I remember his posts - and enjoyed them when I was waiting for my car. I'm glad there are others getting the most from these cars in terms of their performance. While I love to wash it and make it look its best, I enjoy knowing just how amazing it is when pushed. These are mean looking cars but you don't really know if they can back up how evil they look until you proven it to yourself in an environment designed to get the most from you car as safely as possible (ie a track). Obviously this is my personal opinion.

 

As I said in my first post, there was some very tasty metal on this last track day but the SS drew as many admiring looks and people were really interested in finding out more about it.... to say it drew a crowd would be fair.