Bonkers 1,100-HP GT500 Shows Predator Engine’s Unyielding Savagery
Palm Beach Dyno shows how far a 2020 Shelby GT500 can push the performance envelope with unveiling of a super-predator.
The 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 is already a very potent beast of a car. With over 760 horsepower and a supercharged 5.2 liter V8 powering the fun, the GT500 is easily one of the best muscle car values you can buy today. But what if you’re a buyer that looks at 760 horsepower, and thinks that won’t cut the mustard? A new video has emerged that appears to show that the GT500 has far more power waiting to be unleashed with the right upgrades in place.
First discovered by That Racing Channel, and created by Palm Beach Dyno, this particular GT500 has had extensive modifications done to it, and the end result is a fire breathing monster that makes 1,100 horsepower, and manages to achieve all of this with mostly factory bolt on accessories. But before we get into the beefed-up heart that makes this particular car go fast, we might as well focus on the rest of the elements that are on display here, with the exterior styling boasting a number of tasteful improvements to really draw the eyes to it.
The hood is made out of carbon fiber which helps shave 20 pounds of excess weight, and the staggered forged alloy wheels also cleave precious flab from the snake. The car comes with a staggered wheel setup, with 20-inch wheels at the front, and slightly smaller 18-inch wheels at the rear. A carbon fiber rear diffuser is also on hand, but unlike the previously mentioned items, Palm Beach added it for the sake of looks, but it’s still a very distinct piece.
The interior continues the heavy use of carbon fiber, with the stock seats being pitched for ultra lightweight seats that are light and very supportive. Palm Beach Dyno openly admitted that they like the exotic material, and even had special headrests imported in that have the GT500 snake stitched into them. This supposedly helps create a factory look, and we really like it. Other goodies include the optional factory carbon fiber dashboard, which was originally not equipped to this particular pony, as well as other minor interior touches. However, it was confirmed that more carbon fiber is on the way, and it will be added to the car as the stuff comes in.
But ultimately, it’s the engine that serves as the star of the show, and it’s arguably the area where Palm Beach Dyno spent the bulk of their resources on. The engine bay still looks like it did when it rolled out of the factory, but it’s the finer details that ultimately make their presence known. The supercharger for example is now a ported unit, while a JLT sourced air intake allows the engine to gulp in higher quantities of cold air. Long tube headers, enhanced fuel rails, and a drink of E85 racing fuel help the car reach that vaunted 1100 horsepower number.
So how does it sound once you have the opportunity to take it out on the road? It sounds like the call of the gods, with the insane engine note perfectly punctuating the unearthly levels of performance that are on hand. The braking performance is equally impressive, with the system managing to pull an impressive 1.8 g when bring the car to a full stop from speed. While no treks to the drag strip took place this time around, we suspect that this beast would have no problem schooling Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and Dodge Challenger Hellcat owners when tasked with performing at a weekend drag event.
It’s unknown how much money Palm Beach Dyno invested into this project, but we like what we see so far. We look forward to seeing what the firm has up its sleeve next, especially since they did confirm that they are already working on upgrades for the 7.3 liter “Godzilla” engine seen in the Ford Super Duty lineup.