The Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 Prototype Is a Test Bed For Ford’s Newest Engine

In March 2022, pictures of a Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 prototype with a genuinely biblical hood bulge sent the automotive world into a frenzy. They were correct when they said it had to house Ford’s new 7.3-liter “Godzilla” truck V8, but it’s unlikely they had that explanation on their bingo cards when Ford decided to build it.

Ford Performance permitted YouTuber REVan Evan to share the build, revealing that the 7.3-liter V8 is concealed under the enlarged hood. Until it was equipped with a 7.3, the GT350-based prototype, according to a Ford official, had simply been laying around unused. It had long been utilized as a test bed for various parts.

For obvious reasons, a Godzilla prototype crate engine works well with a Mustang; thus, this made it the ideal receiver. In terms of the precise sort of prototype 7.3, it has been designed to operate with a manual transmission in addition to the 7.3 and automatic combination presently available in a crate.

Ford has created a redesigned intake manifold for the manual transmission, and unlike the Super Duty, it has a throttle body that emerges level rather than pointing upward. This prototype’s enormous, oddly formed hood was intended to conceal it. Those who had hoped for a factory-installed 7.3 Mustang would be disappointed to learn that this is a one-off test of a crate engine and gearbox combination.

Though the existing S550 Mustang is about to be replaced, keep in mind that the new S650 won’t be here for another two weeks. Ford has no business investing in such a radical Mustang at this cycle stage. It in no way rules out the possibility of a 7.3-liter S650; nevertheless, you’ll be able to construct one on your own whether or not one exists.

As stated by the Ford official video, this Mustang was built to test a drivetrain combination that Ford Performance will begin selling this fall or next winter. Although the pricing is uncertain, Ford assures customers that it will be “extremely competitively priced.” The opportunity to own a Godzilla-powered Mustang is almost here, but you’ll need to put some work in to make it happen.

According to Mark Wilson of the subsidiary, the 7.3-liter manual gearbox control pack and crate engine combination are being tested on this. “Any car can suit this because of its design. This standalone engine control system is full-featured. If you wanted, you could install it in a 1956 Ford, a 1969 Mustang, or a 2020 GT350.”

Wilson says, “There’s a hood clearance issue. Aside from that, he observes that the new crate engine fits perfectly and has plenty of room on each side. It is a little engine that works in almost all situations. The 7.3-liter V8’s loud howl, broken by the lovely sound of a manual gear change, is heard from the road while the vehicle is moving.

According to Ford Performance engineer Dave Born, a new intake manifold will end the packing problem. “Because of our alterations, it will resemble a production manifold quite a bit. For example, the throttle neck has been upswept. It’s not suited for packaging.” Ford Performance has developed a new, more conventionally styled manifold.