VMP’s GT500-swapped S550 Mustang Is One Wicked Machine
VMP answers all our questions about their Predator swapped Mustang and how it all came together.
By now, you’re likely familiar with VMP Performance‘s S550 Mustang dubbed Track Attack. This proverbial test car has gone through a slew of changes over the years, after all. It’s also served as a developmental car for the performance parts maker. Track Attack most recently sported a 5.2-liter GT350 powerplant, which VMP built to the max. But now, the insane machine has become the world’s first car of any kind to have received a 2020 Shelby GT500 engine swap. And it’s even a manual, to boot!
In this most recent video, VMP heads out for a drive in their wild Mustang, armed with 20 questions from viewers. Which, we imagine, are just a small sampling of the queries they’ve received. The first relates to cooling, which apparently isn’t much of an issue. Even in super hot and humid Florida. “The system is completely stock Performance Pack GT,” VMP says. “It does have our triple bypass. But cooling system wise, stock radiator, stock fan.”
The next, and perhaps most burning question, is how has the stock MT82 has held up to multiple infusions of power? And the answer is, pretty darn well. “It’s actually held up to over 1,000 wheel horsepower,” VMP said. “And it continues to chuck right along. One thing I will say about these MT82 transmissions is they get a really bad wrap. People think they’re weak.”
Interestingly enough, VMP also reveals that installing the Predator into their older Mustang was essentially a bolt-in process. Which gives us all a little bit of hope for future hot rodding endeavors. Tuning wasn’t even much of an issue, apparently. “It’s tuned on a stock 2017 GT Gen 2 processor,” VMP said. And all it took to score one of these coveted engines? The company simply brought it up on a routine call with Ford while they were ordering parts. And the automaker was happy to oblige.
It’s pretty cool to get an in-depth, behind the scenes look at how the latest iteration of this test mule Mustang came to be. So be sure and check out the entire video to get a glimpse at how amazing projects like this actually come to fruition!
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