You do not need "a whole lot" of other mods. The Kenne Bell comes complete and you need nothing but the kit. Ford Racing sells almost an identical kit right out of their catalog too...nothing else required to make the power and it's smog legal to boot! It is one of the few that makes the advertised power. I am only speculating the new 2011 will make 600HP based on the results of the older 4.6 when used with the Kenne Bell (+200 RWHP). You most definitely do NOT have to rebuild the whole drivetrain as you say. You need to replace a clutch. The stock 2005+ tranny is good for 500/500. If you intend to really abuse the tranny (a la dragracing with slicks) yes,you'll break it eventually. The rear ends are mostly identical except for gears. I know..I had a Vortech Mustang that made around that power...though unlike the ultra efficient Kenne Bell, I also had to have an intake, cam, headers, etc...(mine was the older 5.0). I've been a long time Mustang fan, having owned 4 of them. I still subscribe to MMFF and 5.0 SF. Great mags..pick one up and you'll see how stout these stock drivetrains are.
FWIW, the 2011 GT500 only mades 20 more RWHP and 10 more TQ than a 2010 GT500. Same day, same dyno. Though the 2011 is 120lbs lighter.
And even a C6 Z06 (provided it is stock) will likely still lose to a Kenne Bell Mustang. Most Z06 on the dyno I've seen are putting out 450WHP or so. Even so...a used Z06 is still $60,000. Not cheap. You may find one cheaper in the USA though. Although a friend of mine is on his 3rd Z06 engine, thankfully all replaced under warranty. Would hate to replace on of these $20,000 engines off warranty!!
But I was comparing apples to apples...2011 Supercharged Ken Belle GT vs 2011 supercharged GT500. You're comparing apples to oranges with a used Vette in the mix. It would be better throwing in the Z06 argument if you said "What's better for $60,000..a new GT500 or a used Z06?"
It you want to really go fast for half the price of a Z06, you'd buy a Supra (like the one I had) and dispatch ZR-1s......but that's a whole other argument altogether...
But we're getting side tracked. As usual.
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PM me if you want to further discuss this.