How Ford’s Niche Line Builds The 760-Horsepower 2020 Shelby GT500’s 5.2-liter Predator V8

We travel to Ford’s Romeo Engine Plant Niche Line to see how the 2020 Shelby GT500’s 760-horsepower, supercharged Predator 5.2-liter engine is built.
For the full details check out the story at: www.hotrod.com/articles/2020-...
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[@michaelbond9953]

After buying my GT500 I watched this video and it brought a tear to my eye. Thanks to all the Ford workers that made my dream car possible.

[@SpeedMetalMedia]

If that one made you tear up, check this one out... kzbin.info/www/bejne/r3TXYmCdodJpjZo

[@jondavidbristow9819]

Nice to see old school techs that actually take pride in their work building new design

[@zSinister]

I was thinking the same thing and I'm 35 years old =)

[@mikes8815]

It’s really amazing what humans are capable of doing. In just over 100 years we went from horse and carriage to this. If we all just worked together and helped our neighbors there’s nothing we can’t accomplish.

[@thestupid7281]

What if ford made a new pterodactyl instead of the raptor

[@mikesmithey1892]

@@thestupid7281 it would change the airline industry. We would probably get around the globe more efficiently than we do now. And without burning so much fossil fuel. Remember The Flintstones going on vacation and the Giant pterodactyls flying the friendly skies. Wouldn't it be great. You would land at an airport have a giant bucket of water and a couple of sheep to feed the pterodactyl then load up and take off.

[@scottdonbrosky5968]

100 years ago there was a assembly line.

[@Paul2.4T]

There's a very big and important reason why this 5.2 keeps up with the big v8s and a large part of that is the smiles on peoples faces

[@stevenfromer3816]

It is amazing to watch how these engines pretty much hand assembled.

[@midnight347]

They been hand building the engines of Ford performance (formally svt) engines since at least the 1996 cobra possibly prior to that. There is a plaque on the engines that say hand built with pride and it has the 2 signatures of the techs who built your particular engine. I have a 97 cobra and 07 gt500 both were like that and I used to have another 97 back in the day.

[@PestGuardSd]

It's cool to see the men and women working the same assembly line where my GT350 Voodoo engine was assembled!

[@OZD-mb2bs]

The tooling is equally impressive!

[@dundonrl]

I've had 2 cars with engines built there. 1997 SVT Cobra and 2003 SVT Cobra, both bought brand new.

[@specforged5651]

Neat

[@CMH_1975]

Me too. I had a 03 and a 04 Cobra. The 03 was bought brand new Jan 12 2003. Crazy how time flies. The 04 was bought in 07.

[@axeleuresti5544]

I want to put cobra engine on my ford xlt extended cab flarside.4.6 .

[@tybriggs9880]

Glad to see the water pump is not internal and timing chain driven like on that V6 nightmare to change engineers shouldn't smoke crack. New engine looks brilliant good job.

[@Johnnycdrums]

Anyone else intrigued by the jigs and fixturing design?

[@John_Schulz]

Absolutely !!! So much more into manufacturing and assembly processes than ever imagined. Beautiful.

[@deansapp4635]

Yes sir

[@skigdividerx4991]

Yes! Who builds that stuff?!

[@Johnnycdrums]

@@skigdividerx4991 ; Men.

[@granttaylor1790]

I'm more intrigued that no one wears a uniform, safety boots and some aren't even wearing hearing protection.

[@JB-zn1kx]

Oh Romeo, Where Art Thou? Here I is!!!

[@eighthof8]

Not just an engine, but a Masterpiece!

[@JecuskyGarrett]

Honestly! Each bolt turned is like a brushstroke on a painting.

[@lrlapua8035]

the factory has some cool toys for building engines....

[@joelrodriguez7038]

The more excited when is hand built, you feel like is a special car

[@jose.rzaragoza1937]

Shelby 2020 best never rest

[@jamesroeber]

great segment, very well put together, thanks jj

[@coyote5.046]

I like that your doing ford videos man don’t stop I enjoy them

[@millertime8835]

Saw one come in the shop 500miles rod knocking !

[@northlander4370]

they will fix it ! settle down !!

[@JPollina1]

These guys take pride and enjoy what they’re doing

[@billiebuckamer8189]

Pretty cool. A lot goes into assembling these...many, many parts!

[@Robert8455]

Just saw they built their last 3 engines on the Niche line yesterday, Jan 2, 2023. The end of an era. Nice article on Motor Trend.

[@svenomick5857]

Beautiful work

[@redlion9199]

This motor looks like the 427 with the huge heads on it. Notice who's building these motors, old school!! Any one notice the care taken to build this beauty...

[@tom4139]

Chuck Cooper I thought just the opposite. These guys are slinging parts like it’s half past 5 on a Friday.

[@TheCamaro5]

@@charlesangell_bulmtl The fixtures i only saw two humans. There is already a video out of a gt500 off the truck with a severe head knock.

[@TheCamaro5]

@@charlesangell_bulmtl Still a ways away from GM fixtures. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKTMnZKEat9pgdk

[@dilldowschwagginz2674]

Sure thing. Those folks take pride in building that monster

[@norberthofer5830]

Looks like they are building these engines in an abandoned warehouse.

[@tomnekuda3818]

More like a Swiss watch than an engine....just beautiful! That is one serious piece of metal.

[@ProjectFairmont]

Sounds like the original Blade Runner soundtrack. Mesmerizing.

[@radsdad1]

Excellent editing.

[@cleanishmk5853]

Ford tough 💪🏻 America built 🇺🇸 Mr. Henry Ford would be proud that you didn’t show the audio from inside

[@johnbehneman1546]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!! GREAT EDUCATION AND A GREAT VIDEO!!!! THANKS FOR SHARING!!!

[@texw4062]

The sound made me feel like I was watching the Star Wars Christmas Special

[@johnnysimon3954]

Wow the most impressive motor ever I think😎

[@hammerdriver5950]

The tool makers at ford do amazing work!’

[@dennisbird2710]

Hand crafted into a work of art , what a beast 💪 👏 👌

[@lx347cid]

that's awesome - would love to see the whole process in person

[@timcheou5649]

Down to earth engine builders, with heart and soul way better than german rivals, the spirit of the american muscle, i am asian and i love Ford and i owne one. Go Ford! Please pray for me until i am rich enough to buy a supersnake :)

[@sebbev7586]

Hope this engine comes as an option for the 2021 F150 Raptor :)

[@jipidydoo]

Well you definitely got your wish now haha

[@fizziesclips3647]

well guess what, the raptor R is coming

[@johnhenry1395]

That thing is a work of Art!

[@olldh]

Just the engine for my Raptor...That is a thought...A SUPER RAPTOR!!!!

[@V8_screw_electric_cars]

Beautiful V8 I have a crush.

[@Pursuit_Of_Speed]

Never seen people so happy at work

[@pauldrayton2784]

Me either they love making engines

[@silverbullet6084]

That's because their makin big bucks for not breaking a sweat!!

[@russtownsend2898]

@@silverbullet6084 like to see you do it. Were way over paid!

[@silverbullet6084]

@@russtownsend2898 My neighbors are retired from GM, they can't tie their own shoes, there dumb as f-ck!!! they installed cigarette lighters for 40 years.

[@huntersteinbach1299]

That is a beautiful engine.

[@piercer2]

Looks massive

[@johannesvanhoek9080]

Very impressive !

[@pauldrayton2784]

Hats off to u guys just wow

[@zgblundell]

Cool to see the dual overhead cams dropped in. Is the light show at the end to inspect seals and fluid leaks?

[@tpavlov29]

Anyone else find this incredibly relaxing?

[@lelibelashabakabel8035]

I'm in bed listening to this dreaming while still awoke.

[@BangkokImages]

I wonder.. if the same two guys who built the engine on my 1999 SVT Cobra and signed the plaque, are still working and if so.. could I get them to build my GT350 or GT500? THAT would be cool.

[@samiam9059]

Can't wait to hear the thing

[@charliesgarageusa4986]

That is one bad ass motor 👍

[@buddieluvsu]

Just spectacular

[@AvenEngineer]

I don't need to buy one of these engines, but the similes on the faces of the two techs in the first 30 seconds makes me want one more than anything.

[@NigelsModellingBench]

Wow!! Thanks for this. Would have liked the real sound on the Dyno!!

[@SpeedMetalMedia]

The test at the end is not a dyno. The engine is run with pressurized air to test its seal integrity... www.hotrod.com/articles/2020-shelby-gt500s-760hp-52l-predator-built-ford-proud-romeo-niche-line/

[@bbcala9719]

Wow that's beautiful and renders me speechless. What horsepower in a mustang. I can only think that this ends the era of the back yard mechanic. Love it though

[@gregorycraig1638]

Bb Cala Ah no it won’t!

[@TheOmniculture]

Gonna drop one in my 2010 sport trac soon as they available to crate🤩

[@gorgonbazil2652]

Please help me, It seams I lost my keys during the tour, please let me in after hours "Alone" with my pallet jack to look for them!!

[@itsme-gn2vg]

Gorgon Bazil what seams are you sealing? 😆. It’s spelled seems

[@itsme-gn2vg]

Gorgon Bazil what seams are you sealing? 🤣. It’s spelled seems. Two different meanings. Cmon bro

[@gorgonbazil2652]

@@itsme-gn2vgYeah Steve, I know, was just in a hurry..

[@GOBRADON502]

@@itsme-gn2vg what are you the KZbin grammar police 😆😂😀😁😄

[@gorgonbazil2652]

I typed too fast, thats what happens when you think faster than you can type.

[@laurieclews6791]

My brother has just bought a 2019 Roush with the same engine. I have a 61 Galaxie427 starliner with a sohc in it which was the great grandfather of the engine in the video

[@GOBRADON502]

Then its not stock if you're talking about a 427 cammer was never available in a Consumer Car you could order a 427 in the Galaxy but not the single overhead cam version and from what I know the 427 wasn't even available until the 63 model year

[@jimolson8424]

The 61 Starliner is most beautiful Galaxie ever built.... I have always wanted to own one.

[@alansmith2368]

@@GOBRADON502 The motor was most likely put in the car years later.

[@GOBRADON502]

@@alansmith2368 I thought those engines were never sold to the public how did someone get their hands on one

[@alansmith2368]

@@GOBRADON502 not sure how. I think ford sold them later on as a special order motor from ford. Just the motor itself. Some big machine shops also make them in present day. With their own castings and such. Aluminum and cast iorn

[@skigdividerx4991]

How does it hold all that boost with head bolts? Thought for sure they'd be studs.

[@sanfordgraham1603]

Wish I had one for our 87 GT and our older Ford Truck :)

[@electrifiedmustang4681]

Chevy has an LS1 video. Nice to see ford do one of the Shelby as well

[@69mjar]

That supercharger!!

[@u.s.paratroops4633]

That was beautiful......

[@jessiecole659]

I would love that job

[@4digitShelby]

Camera looks great when still but the fps just doesn’t catch moving things well at all. Is it only recording in 30fps?

[@ryanp4915]

I'm fortunate to have a very early 21' GT500. Curious if the builder and signer of my motor was featured in this clip. Any way to find out who was featured here?

[@jimclarke1108]

I think i need to update the tools in my shed

[@billthompson9595]

Excellent.

[@dilldowschwagginz2674]

Such a beast

[@John_Schulz]

Absolutely Stunning, Intriguing, and Informative---To Build A True Work Of Art and Technology. Absolutely Brilliant and Superb !!! Thank You Immensely and Wholeheartedly For Sharing.

[@justinm6110]

how many do they build a day?

[@rod928s4]

Interesting...there are 4 knock sensors in this engine! (6:05) I wonder if its the same for the Voodoo and Coyote?

[@brysonleonard9857]

There is in the 3rd gen coyote. Couldn't say for the voodoo but the second gen and first gen coyotes only had 2

[@Random-rt5ec]

OMG I want to drop this into my 2011 Crown Vic

[@chrisdaigle5410]

It'll bolt right in. Same motor mount holes. Wiring will require a little work.

[@dr.phil-federalinspector6023]

I'll never make enough money to buy one of these...not in Kansas anyway!! Toto and I are on Social Security now...and that dont pay for his dog food....yikes!

[@douglasscott5623]

That's ok I won't in California either...

[@bluespig1]

Buy raw chicken necks & chicken wings. Better for the dog and will save you vet fees down the road. processed dog food, wet or dry, is cancerous rubbish at best. If you love your dog, feed him/her a real diet which is cheaper than all the tins & bags.

[@glennwill638]

I know what you mean im on SSDI

[@aerialcat1]

⚓️ 😁👊

[@enriqueponce9132]

Does anyone know if the pistons and connecting rods of the gt350 are the same as the gt500? thanks

[@fordnut4914]

The hellcat menace.

[@mikeborer898]

Wish I had this motor in my Mach 1

[@potranco999]

I was ready to put in my order for a Mach 1 last October (as soon as I was able), but at the last minute (after seeing what it would cost me), I decided instead to look for, and eventually purchase a 2019 GT350 over Thanksgiving weekend. I’m sure glad I did. This engine is amazing. What’s neat also, is the lady you see accepting the piston earlier in this video (Michelle Bollaert) was one of the builders of my engine. *I was sad to hear she recently passed away after battling cancer.

[@styga1969]

Work for Ford for over 20+ years as a technician. The only way I would go back is if I worked with these guys. Take note who’s ever out there in this vid. Did all the 2.2’s...3.0’s Vulcan and 32v .. schooled on the SHO motors .. all the SVTs .. Back broken from the 3.8 head gaskets ..lol .. all the 4.6’s ..5.0’s .. . Started in 1987 ... got out I believe in 2010 ...

[@raymondsolano1780]

Are all these builders the ones that built older Cobra engines? Mostly from mid 90’s to early 2000’s.

[@Wydnava]

This whole video made me tear up 😢 bless America 🇺🇸 #Ford

[@f4udhorn]

Wow! The precision! And fixtures!

[@here_for_the]

Can anyone speak to the very top supercharger cover being black in color? A few still photos later in the video are like the production covers.. Silver.. (aka clear anodized aluminum) Were the black top blower covers just versions PRE PRODUCTION coating variants?

[@SpeedMetalMedia]

It’s a protective cover used during the assembly process... www.motortrend.com/how-to/2020-shelby-gt500s-760hp-52l-predator-built-ford-proud-romeo-niche-line/

[@Sir.VicSmasher]

They should have put unique coil/ cam covers on the GT500 engine like they did with the previous generation. 2011-14 GT500 engine was a looker and had zero plastic coverings.

[@midnight347]

The 07-10 gt500 looks good too it's basically the same thing but with an iron block, black valve covers and blower. The 11-12 had a silver version of the same m122 blower.

[@Twobarpsi]

Why aren't the cams degreed for accuracy?

[@kx250braap]

Idk what's cooler the engine or the tools

[@kostaskritsilas2681]

My 1993 Lincoln Mark VIII had a DOHC, 4 valve, all aluminum 4.6 L Mod motor. Nowhere near the horsepower of this beast, but it had 280-290 HP (factory rating). Great, great engine. Never felt like it was trying, just loafing along. Wonder if that motor had any influence on this one.

[@ray8427]

Not only a great engine but the Mark VIII was a great automobile. I had a 1993 Mark VIII as well, LOVED that one.

[@midnight347]

Yes that was the very beginning of what became this. The modern coyote is like the grandson of that engine and this is just a coyote variant they call the predator.

[@centaurus777]

760 HP at what RPM and does anyone know the torque?

[@DawnteHopes__559]

Man I wonder if this could go into a ford bronco would be dope af

[@daveyaremko1342]

so are those cylinders plasma coated like the 5.0 coyote engines?

[@johnfloyd2551]

Most likely since it is a coyote

[@GarveyMustangMan]

Engineering/math at its finest!

[@jasonellis9534]

Four bolt main, you god damn right!!!

[@lelibelashabakabel8035]

need one of these for my pinto donk runabout,hey folks I'm not kidding either.

[@timparker6082]

professional all the way

[@nickl451]

Awesome vid, but I had to play Bruce Springsteen over this vid lol. Thanks for sharing!

[@doofmaczemy]

What do I need to do to get a tour of this in person?

[@SpeedMetalMedia]

Sadly production ended last year... kzbin.info/www/bejne/r3TXYmCdodJpjZo

[@josephjohnston8255]

The music freaked me out. Sound like some kinda space music lol

[@GT402]

What was the purpose of the lights at the end?

[@maddog9659]

www.vision-systems.com/cameras-accessories/article/16749319/assembly-required

[@car-collector]

@@maddog9659 That's amazing

[@ablejohnson738]

I need one of these in my 6000SUX

[@low87dawg86]

Lol

[@klesmer]

Would have been nice to have had a better look at the crankshaft. Cross plane or flat plane?

[@rod928s4]

Cross-plane on this engine, Klesmer.

[@klesmer]

Thanks.

[@fastgt1]

The link you put up to the “full story” doesn’t work. Did you misspell it??

[@LateBrakingM3]

He put one too many T's in there. It's a link to a blog that then links to the actual article. Here's the article to save you time. www.hotrod.com/articles/2020-shelby-gt500s-760hp-52l-predator-built-ford-proud-romeo-niche-line/

[@SpeedMetalMedia]

It is updated now, but thanks for adding the link.

[@SirHC888]

Signature on the gt-500 motor. Where does that occur?

[@SpeedMetalMedia]

Right there on the niche line. They stamp the signature onto the plate.

[@sonnyzehm105]

By the way you should also replace the distributor because if you broke teeth on the camshaft you broke teeth on the distributor usually in most cases and I have seen it happen if the distributor freezes up locks up yes you can break teeth on the cam as well