---
title: "This Never-Used 550-HP Ford Mustang GT500 Crate Motor Needs a Good Home"
description: "The latest Mustang GT500 has way more power than the S197, but there's still something appealing about this 5.4-liter supercharged crate motor."
date: "2023-01-02"
modified: "2023-01-02"
authors:
  - name: "Peter Holderith"
    job_title: "Contributor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/peter-holderith"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/this-never-used-550-hp-ford-mustang-gt500-crate-motor-needs-a-good-home"
categories:
  - "Culture"
  - "For Sale"
  - "Ford News"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
---

# This Never-Used 550-HP Ford Mustang GT500 Crate Motor Needs a Good Home

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/02/ford-gt500-crate-motor-lead.jpg>)
*\<em\>Bring a Trailer\</em\>*

The [S197 Ford Mustang](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/31902/our-ford-mustang-problem-is-continuing-in-2020-and-now-its-killed-a-poor-dog>) was built between 2004 and 2014, and it sort of got left in the dust by the newer, [more sophisticated S550](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/42515/heres-why-ford-didnt-make-a-mustang-shelby-gt500-convertible>) that arrived the same year the S197 departed. Indeed, it was so sophisticated that [the latest Mustang](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/2024-ford-mustangs-new-platform-is-a-heavy-refresh-of-the-old-one>) is effectively a warmed-over version of the S550. That doesn't mean there weren't bright spots in the first modern retro-styled pony car, though. One of them was the GT500's 5.4-liter supercharged V8.

The advanced all-aluminum engine features dual overhead cams, forged pistons, and a roots-style supercharger from Eaton. It produces 550 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. Sound appealing? You're in luck. A crate version of the engine offered by [Ford](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/that-crashed-ford-mustang-with-a-chevy-camaro-face-has-an-amazing-back-story>) is now [for sale on Bring a Trailer](<https://bringatrailer.com/listing/ford-shelby-gt500-engine/>). It's never even been put in a car.

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/02/inline-B.jpg>)

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/02/inline-C.jpg>)

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/02/inline-D.jpg>)

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/02/inline-A.jpg>)

The motor is what you might call a "long block." It has all of the necessary accessories to run in a car including an ECU, complete intake system, exhaust manifolds, and even an air conditioning compressor. All of the necessary belts to run these accessories are also installed.

The seller claims the unit was purchased from [Ford](<https://www.thedrive.com/category/ford-news>) Racing in 2016 and has been kept in storage ever since. It appears to come with several accessories that would make swapping it into an S197 relatively straightforward from a parts perspective. Stuff like a new throttle pedal, intake boot, plumbing, and wiring are all included.

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/02/inline-E.jpg>)

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/02/inline-F.jpg>)

As of publishing, the current bid on this engine is $13,000. There is no reserve.

*Got a tip or question for the author? You can reach them here: peter@thedrive.com*

## Author
Peter Holderith is a former staff writer for The Drive. He enjoys covering the regular news cycle, writing reviews, and hunting down long features on obscure pieces of automotive history.

### Author social links  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-h-5ba447192/>)  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/_baldtires>)