Shelby GT500 May be the Most Modified One We’ve Seen Yet
2020 GT500 already has a full custom exhaust system and a custom tune on racing fuel, and it makes 800 wheel horsepower.
We all knew this was coming. There was bound to be someone buying a brand new 2020 GT500 who was willing to part ways with it for the first bit of their ownership in search of more power.
Youtuber Kundan, who runs the channel Stangmode, takes us on a tour of this brand new GT500 that already has a custom exhaust, upgraded injectors, and a tune on racing fuel. Though these aren’t super drastic modifications, this GT500 now makes 799 wheel horsepower, which is 39 more horsepower than Ford advertises they come with at the crank. That is a pretty substantial improvement for fairly minimal work.
The exhaust work was done by Matt Godwin and his shop, AMG Automotive.
“We built a complete custom manifold to Catback system, stage 1, so the customers can keep the catback with the four-mode exhaust,” says Godwin
While they did maintain the ability to use the electronic exhaust valves that come stock on the GT500, everything forward of that has been changed. The stock x-pipe uses 90-degree bends, while Godwin and crew ran two 45-degree bends for increased exhaust flow.
“With a boosted application, exhaust scavenging isn’t as necessary as just getting it out of here. We just want to equalize sound pulses and get it the hell out the back,” says Godwin
Additionally, the new exhaust system does not have any catalytic converters. It is built from .065″ wall stainless steel tubing and is all TIG welded.
After showing off the exhaust, they fire it up and demonstrate the difference between the quieter exhaust modes and the track mode. With the track setting, it’s blisteringly loud, but it sounds incredible.
“I gotta be a kid. Some kid in a Hyundai Genesis just gave me a wave up,” says Kundan as he takes advantage of the feature that allows you hold both paddles to free rev the engine.
Kundan and an off-screen individual named Tim Mace discuss potential horsepower goals of the car. Mace states that the owner would like to get 900 wheel horsepower out of it. With the addition of reduction pulleys and porting, it is very doable.
“When you get a regular GT, you have to add to it. Now, you’re just perfecting what’s already here,” says Kundan
When he finally gets a chance to open it up on some open freeway, he waits until they hit 50 mph and guns it. The noise this car makes when it’s opened up is absolutely wild. The custom exhaust really makes it scream, and the additional power is evident.
“The traction control kicking on, thank god,” says Kundan, as the rear tires break loose.
After switching to manual mode and playing with the paddles for a bit, his laugh reaction is priceless.
“I can’t wait until it gets warmer and we have a bigger tire on this guy,” he says
Of course, there’s no better way to end the video than to do a milky burnout. This GT500 truly is a monster. It may even be the most powerful one out there right now!
The cool news is that Kundan himself is getting a GT500 as well. If you’re familiar with his Mustang GT, the Black Mamba, you know that his GT500 likely won’t stay stock long either. Be sure to give his channel a subscription to keep up with his GT500 shenanigans!