No other aftermarket company has had a longer relationship with Ford and the Mustang than Shelby. With its recent resurgence into the aftermarket for the S197, Mustang owners can own and drive a genuine modern-day Shelby Mustang. Last year’s SEMA brought the CS6 Mustang, a V6 Mustang featuring a host of performance and suspension upgrades. While pushing well over 300 supercharged horsepower, the CS6 still left a lot to be desired. Shelby finally brought the goods at the 2006 SEMA Show when it announced its new parts program for 2005+ Mustangs that included a Shelby CS8 package. While the CS8 isn’t an official limited-edition Shelby vehicle with a serial number like the CS6, GT-H, or upcoming Shelby GT, parts can only be purchased through Shelby or one of their authorized dealers.
The CS8 that was displayed at SEMA is the very first one constructed and was built by Jason Cenora, a well known Mustang builder and Motorsports Sales Director for Hillbank Motorsports in Irvine, CA. We caught up with Jason after the show to get a closer look at the car and the substantial amount of modifications he had done to the car.
The heart of the Shelby CS8 package is the Paxton High Output Supercharger System that utilizes the Paxton Novi 2200R polished supercharger, intercooler, 2-bolt race blow-off valve, and high performance 3.23” supercharger pulley. With the supercharger system alone, the car is rated by Paxton at 470 horsepower and 420 lb-ft torque. Cenora didn’t stop there. He added Ford Racing High Flow-Rate Fuel Injectors, a 3” Magnaflow cat-back exhaust system, a Magnaflow high-flow True X-Pipe with cats, JBA Cat4ward headers, CPR high-flow fuel rails, and a Fluidyne high-performance radiator. With those in place, this particular CS8 dynoed at 476 horsepower and 442 lb-ft torque at the rear wheels. As if that weren’t enough, a Nitrous Express N-tercooler and Nitrous Express 4.6L 3-Valve Plate System were added for additional power available at the flip of a switch.
The CS8 package also includes the appearance package from its V6 counterpart, and the Shelby CS6 hood, Shelby CS6 front fascia and lower grille, Shelby upper grille driving lights, and Shelby CS6 side scoops complete the package. Cenora also added a few extra custom pieces to the exterior including a Classic Design Concepts GT500-style rear wing and Saleen HID headlights.
Compensating for the extra power, the handling and braking components of this CS8 were upgraded as well. Twenty inch American Racing / Shelby Razor wheels are combined with 275/35/20 Falken FK-452 tires. Stopping power is supplied by a Shelby/Baer braking system with 14” cross-drilled and slotted Baer Eradispeed Rotors and two-piston Baer Sport Calipers. Progress provided a complete coilover system with front and rear sway bars, adjustable panhard bar, and HD adjustable rear lower control arms to finish off the comprehensive handling package.
Adding some fun to the function, Cenora added enough mobile electronics to hold a small concert with his Mustang. The Alphasonik sound system is composed of a 15” subwoofer, 5.0 farrid capacitor, two 4-channel amps, and four component speakers. Vivo Electronics video monitors are in easy sight of every passenger, whether in the headrest, rear center console, or on the flipdown monitor in the front passenger seat. There is even a 15” monitor mounted in the trunk connected to a Sony PlayStation 2 that can also be viewed from the Eclipse 5500 DVD/navigation head unit. An Optima Bluetop battery was installed to provide sufficient power to all of the electronics.
Also enhancing the look of the interior is a UPR billet trim kit, a custom steering wheel from American Stitches, blue painted trim, and a full suede headliner. Auto Meter has supplied the various gauges, helping to make sure that all of the performance upgrades are working properly.
With its nitrous system, custom interior and array of mobile electronics, Cenora’s CS8 is most likely one of the more extreme Shelby Mustangs you will ever see. The best part is that Shelby will sell the CS8 as a package or the individual components, meaning you can build your own custom Shelby as well. The complete Shelby CS8 package including the full body kit, intercooled Paxton supercharger, 3.55 gears, 20” wheels, suspension kit, brake kit, and dual exhaust retail for $14,999. Visit www.HillbankMotorsports.com for more information.
Jason wanted to give thanks to some very important supporters. First, Lance Stander, CEO of Shelby Distribution USA / Hillbank Motorsports for his continued support and sponsorship of my project. Second he’d like to thank Amy Boylan and Gary Patterson from Shelby Autos in Las Vegas for working very closely with this project and helping him build his dream.
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