Bought an 08 GT500

Well, I traded in my old 2001 Saleen S281 and walked out of the dealership with a 2008 Shelby GT500 with 16.5k miles on it. I checked her over and she seemed to be good to go. The clutch doesn't slip and the transmission worked well. I've absolutely loved driving that car. The only things I've noticed since buying it are that the car has issues going into reverse sometimes from a dead stop and will grind from time to time going from 1st to 2nd. The clutch makes an odd hiss when you slap it into 2nd but it grips and goes so I've no worries there. Beyond that, the car has been an absolute blast. I figured I'd take a little time before modding it but I'm already looking for CAI's, exhaust and suspension mods. As much as I absolutely loved the Saleen, it was just time to let it go, and for the price they were asking for the Shelby I had to jump at it.

That said, any ideas on that reverse shtick? Think it might be part of that whole tranny issue these things have? I'd done some research on the ordeal and found Ford's test method of having the car in neutral, clutch out and pushing the shifter into each gear with a little pressure and seeing if it blocks you out or if you get gear grind and I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary there.

Also, any recommendations for initial mods? I'm in the Navy and will be moving often in the next year with training and all so I've no garage to undertake large work with.
 
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Well I dunno if this will help or not, but I know a lot of the guys are putting in the MGW shifters into their cars which has solved the grinding for many (but not all). These cars are pretty much some serious BAMF'S from everything I've read. I'd check in with Van at revanracing.com for mods, that dude knows these cars prob better than anyone else. Keep us posted, wish you the best!
 
Thanks for that info. I'll definitely take a look. I had REALLY been wondering if a better shifter wouldn't solve some of my shifting woes. The stock shifter just seems ... mushy and inaccurate. I think its high up on my list of things to replace but it'll depend on the ease with which it can be swapped.
 
The clutch hiss is normal. There are a few TSB's about the tranny. Have the dealership see if they were done or have them do them. I find if it is hard to get into a gear double clutching helps. 1 to 2 is rough sometimes until the tranny warms up, double clutching helps here too... I have the 2010-2011 clutch in mine and it doesn't hiss anymore. The pedal is even lighter than the stock 07-09 if you can believe that, lol. I don't know what your goal with this car is but I found that my car with pulley/cai/exhaust was the same as a the same modded 03-04 cobra so I got a blower. I would say don't mess around and get a blower swap. Rear control arms are a must. Wider wheels and good tires are also a must IMHO.