The Shelby GT350 Mustang is an iconic car and this year it's been given an entirely new 5.2-liter V8 engine that generates 526 bhp, 429lb-ft of torque and fuel cutoff that comes in at 8,250 rpm.
On the outside this engine may look like the usual 5.0-liter engine found in the Ford GT or the F-150 but this engine is entirely new. And the most important part of the new engine is the new flat-plane crankshaft.
Flat-plane cranks are common in supercars like Ferraris where maximum performance is a top concern but this is the first time Ford’s ever offered one and they’ve been mass-producing V8s for more than eight decades.
Giving the engine that extra 0.2-liters of lung capacity is a larger bore and longer stroke. The 5.2’s digits clock in at 94 millimeters by 93 millimeters, respectively. If you’re curious, a regular 5.0-liter measures 92.2 by 92.7.
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Instead of traditional cylinder liners that are either pressed or cast into place the Shelby’s engine uses a plasma transferred wire-arc technology, which saves a significant amount of mass.
Overall this engine is lighter than the 5.0-liter V8 on which it’s based and it puts out A LOT more power. And despite spinning beyond 8,000 RPM it has to meet the same durability requirements as any other Ford product.
And if there’s not enough to love about the new Shelby Mustang it’s also priced to sell. This car should be available for $49,995 including destination fees.
