Palm Beach Dyno big kahuna Ken Bjonnes recently tested a 2024 model year Ford Mustang on the dyno. The before and after beggars belief, but there’s more to it than a sixth-generation Whipple supercharger.
After loading the tune via the Whipple Tomahawk flash tool, the pony-turned-muscle car hits the dyno once again for a few pulls. Octane boost helps the 5.0-liter Coyote a bit, yet a bigger difference is made by switching from 3.8 to a 3.75-inch pulley. The best pull ended with 795.93 horsepower at 7,740 revolutions per minute and 620.51 pound-feet (841 Nm) at 4,870 revolutions per minute, figures that are stupidly impressive compared to the crankshaft numbers from Whipple Superchargers.
There is more to squeeze out, though, but only after the owner upgrades to a heavier-duty clutch. There is a big difference in the S650-generation Mustang’s manual transmissions, with the GT rocking the Getrag MT-82 as opposed to a Tremec for the Dark Horse. The EcoBoost manual is no more for 2024, probably due to poor take-up rate for said combo.
If you’re in the market for a V8-powered Mustang and you are inclined to spend top dollar on the Dark Horse, bear in mind the manual is limited by software to 7,250 revolutions per minute. The dual-throttle-body Coyote sings to 7,500 revolutions per minute with the Ford-designed automatic tranny.
Neither manual is expected in the forthcoming Shelby GT500, which should be similar in many respects to the Multimatic-built GTD. Coming in hot for the 2025 model year, Mustang GTD uses a dual-clutch transaxle and semi-active multilink rear suspension. Otherwise put, no trunk space at all.
Looking at the bigger picture, a Mustang that promises to be faster around the Nurburgring than the C190 GT Black Series and 991.2-generation 911 GT2 RS can only be described as an instant classic. Estimated to start at $300,000 or thereabouts, the most expensive Mustang of them all will be followed by the new Shelby GT500 for MY26.
Similar to the GTD, the GT500 is rumored to have the very same 800-plus-horsepower Predator supercharged V8. The Ford Motor Company did confirm dual air inlets for the 5.2-liter engine, but it’s not currently known whether the Predator has also been elevated to dual throttle bodies as well.