2010 Ford Shelby GT500 Engine Upgrade- The Bravery

...the downside of lowering the engine for hood clearance means you might create other conflicts down below. Such was the case when the ample ARH 1 7/8-inch long-tubes met the stock steering shaft. At stock height, the headers would have fit fine, but at an inch lower, they needed a gentle massage from an air hammer to gain the necessary clearance. With these two tubes slightly flattened, the engine fit like a glove.

The factory GT500 fuel system is good for 700 or so horsepower at the rear wheels if you install bigger injectors. As you start pushing past 800 rwhp and beyond, it's time to look at a whole system. Lethal worked with Fore Precision Works to create a complete triple-pump fuel system, in return and returnless variants, for S197 Mustangs. The heart of the system is this Fore billet, three-pump, return-style hat (PN FPW-0036-500; $440). It houses three Walbro GSS342 pumps, which move 255 liters per hour each!

From the three-pump hat, this Fore adapter converts the three lines from the pumps into one larger line that feeds the two Fore fuel rails. The full system (PN LP-0709GT500TRIPLERETURN; $1,936.44) from Lethal also includes an octet of 80-lb/hr injectors, and that's the configuration for this car too. Jake ran the lines along the framerail and mounted the adapter near where the stock fuel filter resides.

The fuel lines enter the engine compartment through this handy existing hole at the back of the rear wheel well. With the fender liner back in place, you don't even know they are there.

Moving to a return-style fuel system means you need a regulator to control pressure. Lethal's system employs Aeromotive's familiar Pro series regulator (PN AER-13110; $296.59). This boost-referenced regulator will support enough fuel for 2,000 hp, so it's more than enough for any street-going 'Stang.

If you are trying to click off quick e.t.'s, weight is your enemy. Lethal wasn't giving up the creature comforts on its '10 GT500 just yet. As such, every pound is precious. BMR's Lightweight Tubular Radiator Support/Sway Bar Delete (PN RS002; $169.95) drops 26.5 pounds right off the front of your '05-'10 'Stang.

Adding full adjustability to the front end of the Shelby are pairs of QA1 struts and caster/camber plates paired with UPR coilsprings. These struts feature aluminum bodies, which are 3 pounds lighter than the stockers, and they offer 10 rebound adjustments. UPR offers this as a complete kit with springs, struts, camber plates and coil-over adjuster rings (PN QA1-H2004-100; $799).

Sticking with the stock six-speed is one thing, but like the clutch, upgrading the driveshaft is essential. The factory two-piece driveshaft was designed for handling stock power levels in a quiet fashion, not corralling over 800 hp at the pavement. To the rescue is a one-piece aluminum driveshaft from the DriveShaft Shop (PN FDSH10-A; $749.95). The shaft weighs only 17 pounds and is designed to support up to 900 hp. A BMR safety loop will stand watch just in case.

To corral all the power, the rear of the Lethal GT500 received a complete Steeda suspension, including billet lower control arms (PN 555-4405; $299.95), a Competition upper control arm/mount (PN 555-4109; $279.95), an adjustable Panhard bar (PN 555-2551; $159.95)...

...and a heavy-duty Panhard bar brace (PN 555-2555; $89.95).

In this shot you can also see Fore Precision Works' beautiful rearend cover/girdle for 8.8 rears (PN FPW-88DIFFCOVER; $499). Behind it lies 3.73 gears, a Moser spool, and Moser 33-spline axles. The axles ends were also converted to rugged 9-inch bearing ends from Moser.

Rounding out the exhaust fronted by the ARH headers and X-shape crossover is Magnaflow's Magnapack after-cat exhaust (PN 16574; $500.91). The exhaust is lighter than the stock gear and delivers an aggressive sound in a durable, stainless steel package.