THERE ARE CURRENTLY 20 PAGES OF PICTURES AND INFO ON MY CAR, ARRANGED MORE OR LESS CHRONOLOGICALLY (EARLIEST TO LATEST), AS WELL AS LOTS OF GENERAL INFO ON THE 1986 SHELBY GLHS CARS. ALSO YOU WILL SEE PIX AND INFO ON SOME OF MY FRIENDS' TURBO DODGES.
PAGES 14 AND 15 SHOW HIGHLIGHTS OF MY ENGINE BAY RESTORATION THAT WAS COMPLETED IN APRIL OF 2007
Page 16 added Feb/2008: new tow vehicle, 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4x4 Hemi.
Page 17 added May/2008: FIVE TURBOCHARGED GLHS/GLHT cars at one cruise show.
Page 19: high-resolution pix (shot 10/2008) including the restored original wheels, new Goodyear tires, new hood insulation pad, and restored vacuum solenoid paint dabs.
FOR VIDEO CLIPS OF THIS CAR AND OTHER TURBO DODGES IN DRAG RACING ACTION, GO HERE:
http://www.youtube.com/user/marcus86glhs
ENJOY!
This is my 1986 Shelby GLH-S #126, pictured here with my first dog. The GLH-S was produced by Carroll Shelby's modification company in Whittier, CA. This particular car was delivered to Fitzgerald Dodge of Laconia, NH in July of 1986. I purchased it from the 2nd owner in December of 2001 with just under 35,000 original miles. The car is very much original with only small areas of the car having been restored by myself to correct minor cosmetic issues.
The car is one of just 500 1986 Shelby GLH-S cars, each manufactured by Shelby Automobiles. Shelby made this car only one year. This particular example has just over 39,000 original miles to date (Feb 2009).
The 1986 GLHS would go mid to high 14's in pure stock form. My goal was to go 12.999 ET or better w/o any major modifications, and using the original unmodified engine, original turbocharger, and original intercooler. So, a better flowing exhaust system was the first, and most important mod, towards this goal. A full 3" diameter setup was installed in 2004 (original stock system was 2.25" diameter).
Close-up of some new exhaust components including 3" diameter swing-valve (wastegate) housing, large wastegate actuator, and 3" diameter downpipe (all from Turbos Unleashed)flowing to a 3" diameter mandrel-bent catback exhaust (shown in the above pix) from FWD Performance.
This GLHS still has its original numbers-matching engine! It's a 2.2 liter, 8-valve, 4 cylinder, cast iron block/aluminum head engine, factory turbocharged and intercooled by Shelby Automobiles. Currently dynoed at 231 HP/302 ft-lbs torque at the tires using 18 psi boost from the original stock turbocharger (stock HP/torque was rated at 175/175 at the crankshaft). The changes that I made from the original stock GLHS set-up are as follows: (1) Full 3" exhaust system; (2) Custom calibration (computer) with 3-bar MAP sensor; (3) Manual boost controller (grainger valve); (4) Mopar Performance +20% injectors; (5) Accufab adjustable fuel pressure regulator; (6) Turbo XS Type H blow off valve. Also, the A-525 five-speed manual transmission was strengthed to handle the increased power.
Special liscense plates identify the model.
The interior on my GLHS is all original and unrestored except for a repaired headliner. The A-pillar gauges and CD player were added by me.
The interiors on all 1986 GLHS cars were delivered identical in the silver/grey combination seen here. Power steering, power brakes, and air conditioning were installed on all 1986 GLHS cars. The floor matts seen here are aftermarket items.
Surprisingly, Shelby did not include a boost gauge with the GLHS package, so I did. Boost and wideband air/fuel ratio gauges are critical to monitor engine operation.
Original steering wheel and Momo shifter, both leather-covered, were special items for all GLHS cars.
....with my first dog.
....My Best Friend, in loving memory, 6/19/92 to 9/3/07.
Carroll Shelby's shop made exactly 500 1986 GLHS Omnis. The 1986 GLHS is arguably today the most valuable American front wheel drive car ever manufactured.
See page 10 for an update on car's NEW best ET and mph (12.923 and 106 mph)! This was done on slicks mounted on stock wheels and with only the few modifications listed above...a grand total of $1,500 worth of new non-stock parts were added to achieve this result, including the cost of the slicks. V8 "musclecars" and imports: how much did you spend to get into the 12's?
