Heart of the Pony: Ford’s All-Time Top Mustang Engines 1

When Ford introduced the 2011 Mustang GT with the new 412 horsepower 5.0L V8, it marked the first time a factory-built Mustang–meaning non-SVT and non-Shelby–offered over 400 horsepower.

The 5.0L Ford V8 made a name for itself in the 1980s and 1990s, and when rumors started circulating that the Blue Oval was working on a 21st century redesign, enthusiasts got  excited. Now, in stock form, the “old” 5.0 produced a relatively tame 215 horsepower. The engine was revered because it was dead simple to modify, and the power gains were enormous.

But with 412 horsepower and 390lb-ft of torque, the new 2011 Ford Mustang 5.0 is no slouch straight out the box–though Ford fanatics are already modding it. And the fact that it powers the most powerful factory-built GT ever is enough to earn it the number one spot on this list.