Shelby GLHS

Infobox Automobile
boxcolor = darkgreen
name = Shelby GLHS
manufacturer = Chrysler Corporation
Shelby
production = 1986-1987
class = Subcompact
platform = FF L-body
body_style = 3-door hatchback (1987)
5-door hatchback (1986)
engine = 2.2 L "Turbo I" I4
transmission = 5-speed "A525" manual
related = Dodge Charger
Dodge Omni
Plymouth Horizon
Plymouth Turismo

The Shelby GLHS was a limited production automobile from the mid 1980s. The main differentiator of these cars from their regular Dodge versions was their use of what would become the intercooled Turbo II engine as well as special Shelby wheels and suspension tweaks.

1986

The 1986 Shelby GLH-S was a modified Dodge Omni GLH sold under the Shelby marque. GLH stood for "Goes Like Hell" and GLHS stood for "Goes Like Hell Somemore". Just 500 were made.

Koni adjustable shock absorbers were specified, along with Shelby-made wheels and special Goodyear Gatorback tires. The Turbo I engine was modified with pre-production pieces from what would become the Turbo II engine. These changes included an intercooler and other changes to produce 175 hp (130 kW) and a flat 175 ft·lbf (237 N·m) torque curve. Not included were any of the durability changes to the short block (forged crank, full floating pin, stouter connecting rods, etc.) of the 1987 Chrysler Turbo II engine. Luckily, the Shelby engines have proved to be reliable even without the durability enhancements of the production Turbo II. Performance was impressive, with just 6.5 s needed for 0–60 mph (97 km/h) and 14.8 s for the quarter mile (402 m) run. Top speed was 130 mph (209 km/h).

Further modifications included rear coil springs that were lowered one inch from the stock GLH Turbo, modifications to front and rear alignment, a prototype fuel rail from the Turbo II (1987) engine, a sticker placed on the bottom of the speedometer to read to convert|135|mi/h|km/h|0|abbr=on, and momo leather wrapped shifter and leather wrapped steering wheel.

The primary differences between the Shelby engine and the Chrysler Turbo II engine are the torque: Shelby's unique engine computer shaved the torque to save the stock Omni transaxle, Chrysler Turbo II engines had Auto ft.lbf|200|-1 of torque; the trimetal bearings, forged crank and extra oil passages weren't present; and the wiring harness is a conglomeration of original Turbo I, with splicings for the heated oxygen sensor.

All-in-all this was a very formidable car, especially on short tracks. In SCCA racing it was never allowed a place in the stock categories, as it regularly beat the times of Porsches and Corvettes in autocross races.

1987

The 1987 GLHS was quite different in appearance but similar in specification. Instead of the Omni, Shelby used the last 1,000 Dodge Shelby Chargers as a base model. Since the Charger and Omni were based on the same platform and used many of the same parts, Shelby carried over the engine and suspension modifications virtually unchanged. The powerplant of the 1987 Shelby GLHS Charger was the same "Turbo 2", 2.2L engine as the 1986 GLHS. Dodge Daytona vehicles were also equipped with Chrysler's new Turbo II engine, but only at Shelby authorized Dodge dealers.

Changes that were present were mainly a result of changes that Chrysler had made to the underlying Turbo I drivetrain between 1986 and 1987. Most notably, the EGR was no longer present and the fluid used in the transmission was no longer automatic transmission fluid, but now 5W-30 motor oil. All GLHSs left the factory with Mobile 1 oil in the engine and a small plaque in the engine bay recommending its use. This sticker didn't "stick" very well and is usually missing except on very well preserved examples.

All of the GLHSs were the same color, black. There is at least one odd ball that was painted by a dealership because the car wouldn't sell. The dealer had red paint added over the black. This vehicle is owned by the California Shelby Dodge Club president. All had the same options which included a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift knob, air conditioning, sunroof, non-armrest center console and KONI struts/shocks on all four corners. There was also an allowance made for the 85 mph (140 km/h) speedometer in the form of a sticker which extended the range of the speedometer to an indicated 125 mph (200 km/h). By the time the speedometer had wrapped fully around to the "5 mph" mark, the car would have been going at 135 mph (217 km/h). There was also a new version of the Shelby "Centurion" wheel that looked very similar to the Centurion wheels on the 1986 Omni GLHS, but had the "blades" turning in the opposite direction. These are commonly known as Centurion II wheels.

Accessories

One of the most popular performance upgrades for both of these vehicles is the MOPAR Performance Stage II Computer (Logic Module). This increased the boost to 14psi under wide-open throttle.

External links

* http://www.shelbyregistry.com/ Register your Shelby
* [http://www.front-runners.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=61&Itemid=29 Front-Runners.net - Carroll's Own GLHS]