Ford’s ‘Trinity’ 5.8L V8 engine is only found in the 2013 & 2014 Shelby GT500s, the last two years of the fifth-generation Mustang. With 662 horsepower, a 3.5-second 0-60, and excellent reliability ratings, yes, you do need one.
Key Points
- The 2013-2014 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500s are the only cars to have ever received the 5.8L.
- The Ford 5.8 Engine is a bored-out version of the former GT500’s 5.4-liter engine.
- A Trinity 5.8-liter V8 in the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 delivers 662 horsepower and 631 lb.-ft. of torque.
- The 2013-2014 Mustang Shelby GT500s with the 5.8L hit zero to 60 in 3.5 seconds.
- Based on the Ford Modular engine, the Trinity V8 was named one of Ward’s 10 Best Engines in 2013.
Ford Introduces New 5.8L V8 to 2013 and 2014 GT500s
After a 40-year hiatus, Ford reintroduced the Mustang Shelby GT500 model in 2007, sporting a supercharged version of its tried-and-true 5.4L Triton V8, which, at 500 horsepower made it the brand’s then-most powerful production engine.
In 2013 and 2014 Mustang GT500s, Ford took the same 5.4L, bored it out, and put a larger supercharger on it, creating what’s now known as the 5.8L “Trinity” engine.
Ford’s 5.8L ‘Trinity’ Engine Puts Out an Impressive 662 Horsepower
You read that right, 662 horsepower, and a similarly impressive 631 lb.-ft. of torque, a 112-horsepower increase from the 2012 GT500. Does the 5.8L make the 2013 and 2014 GT500s fast? Yes, with a 0-60 of just 3.5 seconds, there’s no question about it, the 5.8L makes the final two years of the fifth-generation GT500 accelerate very fast.
Ford didn’t just take the old 5.4 Triton and make it bigger, they upgraded most components as well. For a closer look at the 5.8L at its 2011 conceptual debut, check out this video by SVTPerformance, where Ford’s SVT President Jamal Hameedi walks us through the engine part-by-part.
The 5.8L V8 Engine Hasn’t Had a Single Recall Thanks to Reliable Design
The 5.8L was based on Ford’s Module engine design, which was known for being able to reach 200,000 miles with few issues. Currently, eight years have passed since the 5.8L’s release and the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) hasn’t even issued a single recall pertaining to the 5.8L. We even scoured through the NHTSA’s registered complaints pertaining to the 2013 and 2014 Mustang engines as a whole, and not a single 5.8L was mentioned.
That’s not to say you won’t find the occasional complaint across the Internet, but most derive from the owner adding some sort of performance modification to push it even further.
Ford’s Monstrous 5.8L is Also an Award-winning Engine
Thanks to its tried-and-true design and modern upgrades, the 5.8L actually landed on Ward’s 10 Best Engines list in 2013 and was the largest engine on the list by far.
Should You Buy a 2013 or 2014 GT500 with the 5.8L Engine?
The 5.8L is a winner on all fronts. At 662 horsepower, 2013 and 2014 GT500s produce 112 more than the previous model. There are zero recalls and only a handful of complaints. Considering all this is after eight years of being on roads, we absolutely suggest buying a GT500 with the 5.8L Trinity engine. The GT500 was discontinued after the 2014, but reintroduced again in 2020, but with a smaller (albeit more powerful), 5.2L supercharged V8.
Photos: Ford
