Been reading threads here. Notice that of the S197s the ‘07 and ‘10 models are the least desirable.
Is there a ‘best choice’ year for S197 GT500’s? Or any year to specifically avoid?
The '07 has a really heavy crank damper which is ok for stock or slightly-above-stock power levels, but if you want to go for more than that, you need to replace it with the OEM '08+ unit or an aftermarket unit.
Also, the factory clutch was a mess on most '07-'08 models, and some '09.
There was a TSB on them which replaced the flywheel, clutch assembly, and on some cars the input shaft and the synchros. Had the TSB done on my wife's '08 at about 44k miles around the end of '13, covered under the Powertrain warranty the dealership sold her the car with, only cost us the $100 deductible.
New clutch has much lighter effort and it's been holding 656 rwhp for a couple years now. At the time the repair was done the car was putting down about 545rwhp.
So, crank damper on the '07's and possibly a clutch, if the stock unit hasn't been replaced yet.
Other than that and an occasional alternator, the '07-'09 cars are pretty bulletproof.
The '10 has the new body style but the same 5.4 iron-block engine, the '11-'12 got the aluminum-block 5.4, and the '13-'14 got the aluminum 5.8, carbon fiber Driveshaft, and a few other upgrades.
The '11-'12 has the desirable Performance or Track Pack option, whatever they call it.
Nothing wrong with either version of the 5.4, it has about the same 700-725 rwhp limits as the 5.8 ... To go over that you need better than 93 octane fuel, and/or built bottom-end.
One thing I do like about the iron-block engine, it can be bored out a bit.
The aluminum engines use that spray bore liner