The Highest Horsepower In A Naturally Aspirated Ford Mustang Ever

Few nameplates in American automotive history carry the weight of the Ford Mustang. Since its debut at the 1964 New York World’s Fair, the Ford Mustang has defined what a performance car can be — and in the decades since, it has continually raised its own bar. While forced induction has become the go-to recipe for big power numbers, a select group of Mustangs proved that a naturally aspirated engine, engineered to perfection, can be just as breathtaking.

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The most powerful naturally aspirated Mustang ever built doesn’t even rely on a big-block engine — the engineering marvel under its hood remains the highest-revving engine Ford ever produced. Without any forced induction, this NA V8 generates more power than a Porsche 911 GT3 RS. Here’s a closer look at these remarkable Mustangs and the naturally aspirated engines that make them legends.

The 5.2L Voodoo V8 Provides The Highest Horsepower In A Naturally Aspirated Ford Mustang Ever

When it comes to naturally aspirated Ford Mustangs, none pack as much power as the Mustang GT350 and its 5.2-liter Voodoo V8. It has no turbo or supercharger, yet still impressively delivers 526 hp. The engine is a dual overhead cam V8 with a flat-plane crankshaft, which allows for faster and higher revs as the engine remains lightweight. It makes its peak power at 7,500 rpm and redlines at a stratospheric 8,250 rpm.

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The crankshaft design also produces an intoxicating exhaust note, reminiscent of a Chevy Camaro Z28 or even a Porsche 911 GT3. Notably, the flat-plane crankshaft remains a rarity in American V8s.

Voodoo V8 Specs

(Source: Ford Authority)

The 5.2L Voodoo V8 Was Exclusive To The 2015-2020 Mustang Shelby GT350 And GT350R

The first 5.2L Voodoo V8 engine was unveiled in 2015. The engine was used in both the Shelby Mustang GT350 and GT350R models. These Mustangs were designed with the perfect balance of track-ready and street-legal performance in mind. The 5.2L Voodoo V8 was discontinued alongside the end of GT350 and GT350R production in 2020, having been exclusive to those models throughout their entire run from 2015 to 2020.

The GT350 and GT350R were replaced by the Mach 1, which arrived for 2021 and featured a 5.0L Coyote V8 under the hood. The Mach 1 has since been replaced by the S650 Mustang lineup. A version of the Voodoo V8 went on to live in the Shelby GT500, bolted to a supercharger and dubbed the Predator, where it produced a staggering 760 hp. Today, the Predator V8 powers the fastest and most capable Mustang ever built — the 815-hp Ford Mustang GTD, which recently took home the record for the fastest American car around the Nürburgring.

Here’s What To Know About The Shelby GT350 And GT350R

Produced from 2015 to 2020, the Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 and the Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R are the only two models that ever featured the naturally aspirated 5.2L Voodoo V8. Despite sharing the same engine, these two Mustangs differ in meaningful ways.

Key Differences Between The Shelby GT350 And The Shelby GT350R

• The GT350R features an upgraded suspension system with stiffer springs and a thicker rear sway bar for enhanced track handling.
• The GT350R provides a more track-focused handling experience with its fine-tuned traction and stability control, optimized for track use, whereas the GT350 balances street and track performance.
• The GT350 offers a more luxurious and comfortable interior, while the GT350R is stripped of rear seats, air conditioning, and the stereo to reduce weight.
• The GT350R is lighter due to its more track-focused design, using carbon-fiber wheels and other weight-saving features compared to the GT350’s aluminum wheels.
• The GT350R is the more expensive model, offering higher performance capabilities due to its track-oriented enhancements.

Weight is one of the first and most significant distinctions between the two. As the more track-focused model, the GT350R was engineered with additional carbon-fiber components and a stripped-out interior to shed mass and sharpen its on-track edge.

Per CJ Pony Parts, the GT350R offers more finely tuned performance than the GT350, with increased suspension stiffness through stiffer springs, a thicker rear sway bar for improved handling, lighter carbon-fiber wheels, and standard Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires built for track use.

These features collectively give the GT350R the ability to handle sharper and higher-speed corners. While the GT350R delivers superior track performance, the GT350 provides a more refined interior experience — the GT350R sacrifices rear seats, air conditioning, and the premium stereo system in the name of weight savings and a more race-inspired character.

How Much Does A Ford Shelby Mustang GT350 Cost?

The first Shelby GT350 featuring the naturally aspirated Voodoo engine was released in 2015. Per Ford Media, only 100 Shelby GT350s were produced that year as part of a production run celebrating the 50th anniversary of the original 1965 Shelby GT350. Per Mustang Fan Club, 5,643 GT350s were produced in 2016, 5,249 units in 2017, 4,555 units in 2018, 4,349 units in 2019, and 2,180 units in 2020.

There are plenty of used Shelby GT350s with powerful, naturally aspirated Voodoo engines available on the market today. Used examples span a wide price range depending on model year, mileage, and condition. Per Classic.com, the average sales price for a used Ford Shelby Mustang GT350 (2015–2020) has been around $59,986, with recorded sales ranging from approximately $36,500 on the low end to $181,500 at the top.

How Much Does A Shelby GT350R Cost?

Being a more fine-tuned and pricier option, the production numbers of the Shelby GT350R were considerably lower than those of the GT350, making examples harder to find. However, there are still solid models available on the used market.

Ford manufactured only 37 GT350Rs in the initial 2015 production run. Production ramped up in subsequent years, with 526 units built in 2016, 929 in 2017, 676 in 2018, 1,228 in 2019, and 637 in 2020.

Used Shelby GT350Rs have maintained their value quite well. Per Kelley Blue Book, used GT350R listings vary widely based on mileage and condition. CarGurus lists multiple used GT350Rs for sale across model years and mileage ranges. Per Classic.com, the average sales price for a used Ford Shelby Mustang GT350R — 3rd Generation (2015 to 2020) — has been around $86,662, with the lowest recorded sale at $45,000 and the highest at $210,000.

This Naturally Aspirated Mustang Engine Also Packs Quite A Punch

While it’s not quite as powerful as the naturally aspirated Voodoo engine, the fourth-generation 5.0L Coyote V8 — as featured in the Ford Mustang Dark Horse — is the second most powerful Ford NA V8 (at least going by factory power ratings). In the Mustang GT, it makes 480 hp, but in the Dark Horse it’s tuned to an even 500 hp.

Fourth-Generation Coyote V8 Specs

(Source: Ford Media)

The fourth-generation 5.0L Coyote V8 is truly something special, delivering 500 hp and 418 lb-ft of torque. The Mustang Dark Horse sets a new benchmark for Ford Mustangs, standing as the most powerful non-Shelby edition ever created. For current pricing, check Edmunds for the latest MSRP on the Ford Mustang Dark Horse.

Sources: Ford, CJ Pony Parts, Ford Media, Exotic Car Hacks, Mustang Fan Club, Edmunds, Kelley Blue Book, CarGurus, Classic.com