If there were ever the perfect starting point with a Ford Mustang to create excessive amounts of horsepower to equate to excessively inspiring performances on the racetrack, it would have to be the Shelby GT500. It’s 5.4-liter, 32-valve V8 engine with aluminum cylinder heads, specially calibrated camshafts, and roots-type supercharger has given the newest rendition of the Shelby upwards of 500 horsepower during it’s dour years of production to date. What’s that equal? One heck of a platform for the enthusiast in the aftermarket.

Karl’s East Coast Speed Shop in Rhode Island has taken quite the journey with their 2007 GT500, first breaking into the tens and later the nines utilizing the stock engine. The engine bay of their Shelby, however, has been given a complete makeover, now sporting a 5.4-liter Ford Racing aluminum block with ported 4-valve heads, the stock steel crankshaft, Oliver aftermarket rods, and forged pistons. The bullet is topped with a Kenne Bell 3.6 liquid-cooled supercharger, helping to produce the 1,100 rear wheel horsepower. The engine is backed by a 4STB-E automatic transmission prepared by FB Performance, and transferred through a 9-inch Moser rearend housing.

The newly built engine and automatic transmission setup was enough to power the Karl’s East Coast Speed Shelby – weighing in a hefty 3,815-lbs –  to its next performance benchmark, netting a new best of 8.94 at 154.35 MPH lap at Cecil County Dragway, including a 9.03 and 8.95 earlier in the day to prove the feat was no fluke.