$325K Mustang GTD Seems Out of Reach? Ford Performance Has a $55K, 800-HP Alternative
Ford sent waves through the car enthusiast community when it revealed the track-conquering Mustang GTD. The thoroughbred racer will pack a supercharged 5.2-liter V-8 that improves upon the potent powerplant we loved in the GT500 and increases its output to 815 hp. Of course, a track car needs more than just power, so the GTD will come with a rear-mounted transaxle to balance the car’s weight, carbon-ceramic brakes to allow it to dive into corners, and active aerodynamics to help it wring the most out of its custom suspension.
Ford is gunning for Porsche with the limited-production GTD, calling out one race-ready Zuffenhausen-built machine in particular. “GTD’s heart is its supercharged 5.2-liter V-8, packing more horsepower per liter than the Porsche 911 GT3 RS,” said Mustang GTD Chief Program Engineer Greg Goodall. Yeah Greg, we’d hope so, the GTD’s engine is supercharged and the Porsche’s engine is naturally aspirated. What would be the point otherwise?
The Mustang GTD is set to be the most powerful and most track-capable Mustang by far. Now for the bad news: the first two years of GTD production are already sold out.
Luckily for Mustang fans, Ford Performance already has an 800hp solution ready to ease the sting of the sold-out GTD. A $10,000 package uses a 3.0-liter Whipple twin-screw supercharger, dual-pass water-to-air charge cooler, a larger throttle body, and a set of the GT500’s port fuel injectors to increase the output of the GT and Dark Horse’s 5.0-liter V-8 to 800hp and 615 lb.-ft. of torque. We wouldn’t call it a sleeper, because the GT and Dark Horse are already quite potent in stock form, but an additional 300 hp would make them different machines entirely and an absolute riot on the dragstrip. Starting with a basic version of the Mustang GT, which starts at less than $45,000, and all that power comes in at around $55,000—not counting the installation fee—making it one heck of a performance bargain.
If a nice, round 800 hp isn’t enough, opt for the Active Valve Performance Exhaust and the output ticks up to 810 hp. However, at more than $1200 for the active exhaust, those extra ponies come at a premium considering the first 800 only cost about $70 apiece. There are some downsides to the supercharger. First, while it was emissions tested by Ford, it’s not available in California. Finally, the supercharger and its dual-pass charge cooler are a bit taller than the original intake manifold, making it incompatible with the strut tower brace found in the GT Performance Pack, should you check that box as well. That’s not a bad compromise for a whole lot more power. Sure, it’s not the road course ringer that the GTD certainly is, but the 810hp Mustang you can buy today is a lot cooler than the 815hp Mustang you’ll never be able to get your hands on.
It looks good. Price is reasonable for what you get.
Yes it would be… but the likelihood of this car going for msrp within the first three years of production are pretty slim. When it does, it’ll have stiff competition from the then comparably priced e Ray.
Or buy a ZR1
sssssnoooooze
More power, Street legal and less money.
Better wait for the Zora with AWD and discontented for track use.
At least the trunk lids will not fall off like the Mustang at Daytona.
There’s no such thing as a Corvette for $55K. And this supercharger is legal in 49 states.
What ZR1 are you getting for $55K?
For $70k? Where?
ZR1 and 1000 HP. Mustang in the mud!!
The Mustang GDT costs $300,000.00
You never getting one of these for anywhere near 375k Ford’s already announced they’ve raised the price you’re not getting one of these for less than 600k
Much better choices than this for that price.
I think you guys are missing the point of this article. It’s about the supercharger kit for the GT or Dark Horse. The article is not about the GTD. The GTD is referenced to compare what a bargain the supercharger kit is.
Probably means more spin outs, muffed burnouts and curb hopping…
I’ve known Ford dealers to “factory” install performance mods like these and even suspension upgrades / lifts for trucks. I guess this is a more public / widespread offering, but I feel like certain dealerships have already been doing this kind of thing for decades.
Yes, has been going on forever, check out Lebanon ford website for example. You could get 0ver 800 horsepower for 49k you choose a couple packages and your 1000 hp easily for less than 60k They upgrade suspension to body panels you just check the box. Upgrades are endless and all With a FORD Factory WARRANTY .
I’m wondering if this is the same supercharger kit as the HP700 dealer installed 700 horse version for the F150 pickup trucks.
I would really think that the rear trans-axle is critical. What’s the point if the weight distribution is off?
This version is made for burnouts and drag races, not so much for beating supercars through the twisties.
Probably closer to $60K with installation, but still a far cry from over $300K! As noted, it’s mainly a drag car though. With that much power you’d quickly get into trouble on the street or a road course without the road race tweaked suspension. The original 289 Cobra would dance through curves the 427 Cobra plowed through, but the 427 monster would make up for the lost time on the straights. Still, the lighter 289 model had to be a lot easier to handle. The supercharger package doesn’t add much more weight to the front (unlike the 427 in a Cobra!), but the additional power would still make it harder to handle. Not for a newb!
Feels like the ‘60s secret order codes are back.
We live in a great time for bang for the buck.
I would like to say that if you are going to the track on weekends then I can see 800 – 1000 horsepower. But if you’re in N.Y etc. We’re are you going to use all that expensive horsepower running 100,000 dollars and up.and nobody tells you about the repairs when you’re blown is at the start line, and your 500 feet down the track. You better have bucks for this.
The 427 Cobra was not a bad handling car. Yes it suffered from understeer in stock trim, but a few handling mods, an aluminum block and heads, and some wide sticky slicks made it one of the most unbeatable road course cars one could buy. To make my point, take into account Dick Smith’s 427 Cobra Competition Roadster. He set a track record at Daytona at 198 MPH. That record still stands today. Wait! you say. Cars routinely do well over 200 MPH at Daytona. Dick Smith hit 198 MPH on the INFIELD ROAD COURSE. Take that!
I won a ride with Dick Smith as a raffle prize at SAAC-43 at Sonoma in that car. I was able to speak with him at length while at that event. I asked him what kind of power he was getting out of that normally aspirated 427 side oiler. He said “Oh, around 900 HP.” It was only about 2 weeks after that he died in a plane crash. So sad. He was a truly beloved member of NorCal SAAC and one helluva race car driver (and surprisingly humble). National Driving Champion multiple times.
I have a 2016 Stage 3 Phase 2 Roush Mustang convertible that is rated at 727hp. It is already traction challenged, I can’t imagine 810hp.
Nonetheless, the effortless torque and the beautiful sound from the active exhaust is intoxicating every time I take her out.