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Ford Authority

Ford 5.2L Legend Engine

The Ford Legend engine is an upcoming V8 gasoline engine that currently powers the Mustang GTD and that will power the S650-generation Mustang Shelby GT500-level model (which will likely not wear the Shelby name). Featuring a dual overhead cam (DOHC) design with a supercharger, the Legend is part of the Ford 5.2L Modular engine family.

Quick Look

Engine familyModular
Displacement5.2 liters
AspirationSupercharged
Configuration & cylindersV configuration, eight cylinders
Engine orientation in vehicle(s)Longitudinal
Valve configurationDual overhead cam (DOHC) with variable camshaft timing (VCT)
Assembly site(s)Niche line at Dearborn Engine Plant
Successor-
Related5.2L Predator, 5.2L Carnivore

Evidence

Prior to 2025, Ford Authority was hearing from insider sources that Ford Motor Company was hard at work on a variant of the existing Predator engine for the most powerful variants of the S650 Mustang. We received the first tangible evidence of this in February 2025, when a UAW document stated that the union anticipates “an afternoon shift being added towards the end of 2025 on the Niche assembly line”, which will be “for the 2026 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500.”

As Ford Authority reported earlier, the new UAW master contract agreement reached with Ford in 2023 stipulates that DEP will continue building the supercharged 5.2L V8 through its duration – into 2028.

A photo of a letter allegedly from the UAW Local 600 referring to the 2026 Shelby GT500.

Expectations

We expect that the Ford 5.2L Legend engine will be the most powerful production engine ever built by the Ford Motor Company, being even more powerful than the 5.2L Predator that it is succeeding.

In fact, sources tell us that the supercharged 5.2L engine used in the Ford Mustang GTD is actually the Legend. Known internally within Ford as “Legend Gold,” it makes 815 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque, enabling the high-end pony car to achieve a top speed of 202 miles per hour.

In the S650 Mustang GT500-level car, the Legend engine will have a few different internal components than the Legend Gold engine in the GTD.  It’s unclear how much power and torque the Legend will make in the S650 Mustang’s GT500-level car, but we have heard from sources that final output will come in around 800 horsepower and 650 pound pound-feet of torque. Additionally, Ford Authority has also learned that the Legend engine in the S650 GT500 will retain the dry-sump oiling system of the Mustang GTD.

Vehicle Applications

The Ford Legend engine is already used in the Mustang GTD. At the end of 2025, the engine will be used in the S650-generation Shelby GT500-level vehicle. A couple of years thereafter, we expect the motor to be included in the F-150 Raptor R variant of 15th-generation Ford F-150.

Model Year(s)MakeModelTransmissionDrive WheelsPower (hp) @ RPMTorque (lb-ft) @ RPM
2025 - presentFordMustang GTD8-speed dual-clutchRWD815 @ TBD664 @ TBD
2026 onwardFordMustang GT500 (not final name)8-speed dual-clutchRWD800 (expected)650 (expected)
2028 onwardFordF-150 Raptor R10-speed auto4WD750 (expected)650 (expected)

Specs

Ford Legend engine specifications are currently not available. We will update this section as needed once official information is available.

Production

The Ford Legend engine will be hand-assembled on the Niche line the Ford Dearborn Engine plant.

Engine Family

The Legend is part of the Ford Modular engine family – a series of V8 gasoline engines used in various vehicles. More specifically, the Legend is part of the Ford 5.2L Modular engine range, which represents a series of hand-built, high-performance V8 engines displacing 5.2 liters.

Successor

The Legend is currently the latest iteration of Ford’s high-output 5.2L V8 engine family, and therefore has no successor.

Discussion

Discuss the Ford 5.2L Legend engine in our Ford forum.

News

Follow our coverage of Ford Legend engine news.

Photos

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