First Drive: 2009 Roush Stage 3 BlackJack

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Steven J. Ewing on Thu, 10/23/2008 - 12:12
Filed Under: Manufacturers, Ford, Design & Auto Shows, Driving & Motorsports, Tuning, Automakers, Road Tests
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Since the dawn of the Shelby GT500 in 2007, the exclusive, supercharged Mustang experience is no longer just for the dedicated enthusiasts willing to shell out some extra cash to aftermarket performance manufacturers. Ford now offers 500 horsepower right from the factory, and with the Shelby’s starting price of around $43,000, some enthusiasts might find it hard to justify shelling out $56,000 for a Roush BlackJack—a special edition of the company’s Stage 3 treatment limited to just 100 cars for 2009. But for those who aren’t battling in a horsepower war, we think the Roush offers a bolder appearance and a bit more driving pleasure. Conveniently, it just so happened that we had a GT500 in our test fleet during the same week that we tested the BlackJack, and after driving them back-to-back, some of us would rather have the Roush, regardless of price.

(Click through the post to continue reading this review.)

RBJ1 On the visuals front, the BlackJack has us won over thanks to its mean, stealth bomber appearance. The nine-bar high-flow grille, smoked chrome wheels, and the revised rear skirt that nicely integrates the dual exhaust pipes really make this car stand out visually. The only bits of color found on the exterior are the red calipers on the upgraded brake kit—fourteen-inch slotted rotors with four piston calipers. When we first took delivery of the BlackJack, it was an all but unanimous decision that this is the best-looking Roush product we’ve ever tested.

Inside, sport leather seats with suede inserts meet piano black trim to reinforce the BlackJack’s sinister theme. If there’s a major complaint, it’s that we wish the sport seats provided additional side bolstering, as we found ourselves slipping around during hard turns.

Our favorite part of the whole package, though, has to be Roush’s short-shift kit for the five-speed manual transmission. The long-necked shift lever and its direct throws are an absolute joy. We much prefer it to the heavier-effort shifter in the GT500. Similarly, the clutch in the GT500 proved to be too heavy for everyday usage, a fact made all the more obvious by the Roush’s far friendlier setup. We think that the five-speed tranny works really well in the BlackJack, even with all of the added power and torque. Having a sixth gear would likely offer improved fuel economy, but conservation isn’t exactly what these cars are about anyway. Fifth gear registers around 2500 rpm at highway speeds, and with a quick “clack-clack” of the shifter, fourth gear gives you more than enough power for startlingly quick passing. The supercharger kicks in around 3500 rpm and holds steady up until the redline, and having a heavy foot in second gear really helps make the most of the available thrust. Roush claims that the BlackJack will run from zero to 60 miles per hour in around 4.4 seconds—which is actually one tenth of a second faster than the Shelby.
RBJ2

The Stage 3 suspension kit kept the BlackJack more connected to the ground and gave us a bit more confidence when traveling down curvy roads at higher speeds. Still, with a live rear axle, it’s no secret that rough stretches of pavement are not where this car was meant to make friends.

Overall, noise inside the cabin was a bit stifled compared to other Roush products that have passed through our hands, but still be sure to have a light foot when cruising at 75 mph on the highway, as digging into the accelerator produces a low growl that can easily drown out any conversations between driver and passenger. It’s a lovely, throaty sound, and surprisingly, it’s much heartier than the noise produced by the GT500.

If high horsepower numbers are your thing, the Shelby GT500 remains one hell of a bargain, but the Roush feels every bit as quick on the road. Further, because the revised clutch, shifter, and suspension simply work better, the whole package is gratifyingly easier to drive. The price difference between Ford’s factory hot rod and this Roush might seem like a hefty premium, but it’s money well spent.

2009 ROUSH STAGE 3 BLACKJACK

Engine: Supercharged V-8, 4.6 liters, 24v
Output: 430 hp/400 lb-ft
Transmission: Five-speed manual
0-60 MPH: 4.4 seconds (est.)
Top Speed: 142 mph (electronically limited)
Price as Tested: $56,180

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Comments

Anonymous

I don't think WR does enough reviews on Stangs........

My god, they are all over the place!!!!!

Kill me.

Thu, 10/23/2008 - 14:42
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checkin

do you think this will be faster than evo x on the track?

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Mon, 10/05/2009 - 07:55
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Jamieroberts

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Fri, 01/15/2010 - 01:00
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davegs

that stand is so nice i'm almost 99% positive if i keep playing poker online and online gambling that ill be able to buy one soon i'm saving up but not sure what to buy yet i do pretty good each week almost $1,000 in earnings

Mon, 12/28/2009 - 17:14
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Mon, 01/04/2010 - 13:58
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Anonymous

If I wanted to own a piece of Ford I would buy a share of Ford stock for $2.00 and take the rest of my $56,178 and go to Germany.

Thu, 10/23/2008 - 17:23
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Anonymous

id rather push my ford than drive anything else,dickhead

Wed, 11/05/2008 - 16:56
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Anonymous

LOL!! Have fun pushing!!

Thu, 11/20/2008 - 12:36
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Anonymous

Please return our car to the cave.

regards,

batman & robin

Thu, 10/30/2008 - 00:10
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semi

I'm not too impressed with Roush - partly because I can't afford anything they make. But mostly because I know aftermarket kits actually cause a car to AGE quicker. The workmanship is never the same quality as the originals and aftermarket parts start to "fall off" after two years or so. For its $43k price all you're getting is a Mustang with a cheesy body kit. Sure the performance parts are formidable but the Blackjack would never show up at a Barrett-Jackson auction block 30 years from now. It's not because car snobs will only bid on Shelbys but because they won't last 30 years.

Wed, 11/05/2008 - 08:16
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semi

Correction. I meant, "For its $56k price..." And, "Shelby, but because Blackjacks won't last 30 years." (see above).

Wed, 11/05/2008 - 08:20
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Jederino

None of these mass-produced cars will be worth a lot of money in 30-years. Classic cars are worth a lot because, while produced in far lower numbers, baby-boomers idealized them as part of their childhood, and grew up to amass tons of money.

Whose buying these new cars? Baby Boomers, once again!

Wed, 11/05/2008 - 20:23
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chasbike

i have a roush speedster, and have gapped off porsches and bimmers on high speed freeway interchanges. i have also traveled cross country with a woman and related luggage. try that in a euro sports car!

Tue, 11/11/2008 - 02:19
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Anonymous

looks like something you would run in the nascar cuircit?

Tue, 11/11/2008 - 19:16
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terminator-roush

I have a 03 Terminator Cobra vert that lays down 482 rwhp with the factory IRS and a bunch of bolt ons. I also own an 05 Roush Stage2 that I bought new in 05. It is Roushcharged with the higher boost pulley, ford racing x-pipe, and Dynotech aluminum 1 pc driveshaft being the only mods. I prefer it over my Cobra to Drag, Road Race, or just cruise any day. It just has good manners. I pull off 12:70's on drag radials and drive it home with the only change being pumping my tires back up to 30 psi. The Cobra obviously has more potential with the better bottom end and the 4 valve heads but I cant hook it up at the strip with 482 thru the IRS and it isnt forgiving at road course events either. Both cars turn heads but the Cobra has a more sinister look. I slammed it with with just the perfect rake and the huge 315/35's out back. I like my Cobra but I love my Roush!

Thu, 11/20/2008 - 19:59
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Lola

I own the 427R. This car has out performed the Shelby Cobra that I have driven in the past. I feel that the IRS has proven to be the real power to exciting driving in the city and out where you can push the car to its limits. I see all the Euro driving beside me and they too want a peak into the mystery of this car.

Sun, 11/30/2008 - 23:52
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Wed, 03/18/2009 - 04:47
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gbadoz

Obviously the posters above have no clue about Roush products...each Roush vehicle is serialized, limited production, and much higher quality than the base Ford.

Shelby Mustangs today have nothing to do with Shelby. The only true Shebly's were made back in the 60-70s... Todays Shelbys are just loaded with Ford Performance parts and a generic Shelby name plate.

If I didn't drive myRoush on a daily basis, I could sell it for more than what I paid for it...since there were only 94 made for my year...even less in my color combo.

Have fun keeping up with your German high maintenance money pit..and enjoy my tail lights...

2008 Stage 3 Roush

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Mon, 03/23/2009 - 11:38
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Sat, 03/28/2009 - 14:58
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I own the 427R. This car has out performed the Shelby Cobra that I have driven in the past. I feel that the IRS has proven to be the real power to exciting driving in the city but now i have changed my mind and thinking to change my car after my 642-901 qualifying exam for the Cisco Certified Network Professional CCNP which I have prepared to pass in first attempt from best Cisco services provider as i have already pass my 220-601CompTIA certification exam from CompTIA services providers along with the 646-204CSE Cisco Sales Expert exam which tests a candidate's knowledge of the features and benefits of unified communications as i will be free from all this i wil be in market to see whats new in and on internet to get all basic information specially design.

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