Ford’s most powerful V8 engine is an artifact.

Ford’s 2020 Shelby GT500 has a 760 horsepower V8. It is the most powerful engine Ford uses to power a car. Ford’s Romeo Engine Plant is where this monster engine is made by hand. An elite team builds one engine at a given time. Hot Rod Magazine had the opportunity to film the entire process.

The sprawling Romeo Engine Plant covers 2 million square feet. Here, elite technicians create Ford’s most valuable engines. The Niche line is where only the finest Ford V8s can be built. This tradition started with the 1996 Mustang Cobra’s 4.6-liter V8 and continues today with the 2020 GT500, which boasts a 760 horsepower Predator engine.

Update:

Although the Niche line has a huge legend, it is only a subset of the Romeo facility. The 2020 GT500’s PredatorV8 will be delivered as a complete engine ready for Ford’s new halo Mustang.

The engine moves around the 21 stations production line during production. Each engine is constructed by one person who moves the engine from station-to-station. Although this builder receives assistance at certain stages, ultimately the engine is theirs.

It takes approximately 210 minutes to build a complete engine from a block. It is a feat of craftsmanship and efficiency. Computers closely monitor all tools to make sure that torque specifications are met and that no aspect of assembly is missed. The Predator V8 can compete on all tracks around the world thanks to this combination of expert craftspeople and computerized assistance.

The engine builder places a plaque on the engine with their signature at the end of the line. This moment will be cherished forever by the engine builder and the 2020 GT500.