Blue Oval response to the multitude of powerful Mopar Hellcrate engines.
You can find many crate engines suitable for street or race applications on the Ford Performance website. The latest addition to the Ford Performance lineup is the big 7.3-liter Godzilla Pushrod V8. However, another mill with a supercharger or far more horsepower could soon follow.
Ford is developing the 5.2-liter supercharged, supercharged V8 of the 2020 Mustang Shelby GT500 for crate engine duty in Ford Performance catalog. According to Ford Authority, Ford Performance management discussed such a move at SEMA360 2020, an online version of the annual SEMA Show. However, it won’t be an easy transition from Shelby’s engine bay into a wooden box. Although the report states that the setup will be simpler, it does not provide any details. Prices and availability are not yet known.
It should not surprise that the GT500’s Predator engine is in contention for crate engine duty. Ford Performance already has a variety of Coyote-powered V8s starting with the Mustang. This includes a cross-plane crankshaft, 5.2-liter Shelby GT350 derivative. The supercharged engine will likely retain its power rating of 760 horsepower (559kilowatts), and it would easily be the most powerful crate engine on the Blue Oval.
It wouldn’t, however, be the most powerful OEM-crate engine in Detroit. It is however, a crosstown rival Dodge which boasts the incredible 1,000 horsepower (735 kW), Hellephant426 supercharged Hemithrough Mopar. Although it isn’t a production-line engine, the Hellcrate Redeye supercharged Hemi has been added. It still beats Ford with its 807 horsepower (594 kW), which is important for bench racers. Despite 2020’s dumpster fire, it’s good to know that the horsepower war in Detroit continues. It’s not just limited to production cars. GM, you move!