Terminator Cobra vs GT500: 1 step forward and 3 steps back

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Iron Fist, lead foot: Development of the terminator https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/097...

See my other mustang historical videos    • Mustang Archives  

Closer look at Terminator internals
   • Why is the 03/04 Terminator Cobra Eng...  

Terminator design
   • 2003-2004 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra "Ter...  


Shelby 1,000 (with new rods, pistons, internals) http://shelby.com/images/pdf/2013_100...

Cliff notes:
Although it was Ford’s practice to use cheap connecting rods for cost savings, The terminator ended up with very good forged connecting rods due to project completion time limits rather than what was wanted by Ford and their budget.

John Colletti applied what he learned from the terminator to the Ford GT supercar as well, and with how important the rods became to him under his time crunch, likely would have continued the trend on the GT500, but retired.

With the terminator, John was PROUD to say he was passing on a value of $10,000+ warranty to the customer at no charge.

Management at Ford changed, and the GT500 was released with a $10,000 higher price tag (coincidence?) now that the car was competing with the corvette.

with many people thinking the GT500 was to be as well built as the Ford GT supercar (assuming it to be the same 5.4L) and also much like the terminator (due to its reputation), some customers were disappointed to find the car received “crack powdered forged rods.” which is not quite the same strength as traditionally forged rods.

One step forward: 5.4L with 500hp
Step back: heavier car, same performance
Step back: higher cost
Step back: not as strong as expected

The GT500 is often compared as equal to the terminator and had a greater potential to become much, much better.