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There are few cars more open to modifying than the Ford Mustang. Show up to any SEMA show – the annual trade show for the aftermarket industry – and you’ll regularly see the Mustang voted as the Hottest Car, an award granted to the vehicle deemed the best platform for accessorizing by aftermarket firms.

With its sharp styling, bulletproof engines, and wide variety of companies offering upgrades, the current-generation Mustang – known as the S650 to fans – continues that tradition, serving as the ideal blank canvas for enthusiasts to build their dream rides. We’ve waded through the sea of available options and have come up with 10 of the best that will help make your car the star of any meet.

1

Ford Performance Supercharger

800+ Horsepower Without Voiding The Factory Warranty

Mustang owners serious about performance will want to start with the Ford Performance supercharger upgrade designed for the 5.0-liter V8 fitted to the Mustang’s GT and Dark Horse trims. The engine in stock form delivers up to 500 hp in those cars, but the supercharger lifts things to a wild 810 hp – 800 hp for cars without active exhaust – when using 91 octane gas. That’s not even the best part. Since the upgrade is offered directly by Ford, it won’t void the new car warranty. It also comes with its own three-year, 36,000-mile warranty when installed at a dealer or ASE-certified shop.

The upgrade was developed in partnership with Whipple Superchargers and tested to the same durability standards Ford uses when developing a new model. Included are a 3.0-liter Whipple twin-screw supercharger, an air-to-water intercooler with a high-flow intercooler pump and an oversized heat exchanger, plus high-flow fuel injectors, billet high-flow fuel rails, a high-flow intake, and a 92-mm throttle body. Ford also includes a Tomahawk calibration tool. All of this will only set you back $9,995, plus installation.

2

Ford Shelby GT350

The Return Of An Icon

While the previous-generation Mustang’s Shelby GT350 variant was built by Ford, for the seventh-generation Mustang, the Shelby GT350 hails from the company responsible for the original 1965 icon, Shelby American. The original was developed by Carroll Shelby as a homologation special for SCCA racing, with the GT350 Competition version, typically referred to as the GT350R, dominating SCCA events.

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Shelby’s latest GT350 is based on the seventh-generation Mustang’s GT trim and features a range of performance upgrades, including an available supercharger upgrade that lifts output to 810 hp. The Mustang GT’s 480 hp remains the standard output. Standard features include a Borla cat-back exhaust system, suspension lowering springs, sway bars front and rear, 20-inch forged wheels, a vented aluminum hood, and an aero kit that includes a three-piece front splitter. Track rats can also opt for a more-focused GT350R variant that boasts 830 hp and comes exclusively with a manual transmission. The GT350 comes with either manual or automatic transmissions. The cars aren’t cheap: for the supercharged GT350, you’re looking at a starting price of $109,995, which includes the donor Mustang.

3

Borla Cat-Back Exhaust

For Performance And Sound

For performance enthusiasts on a limited budget, installing an exhaust system is one of the easiest and most effective ways to enhance a vehicle, as it typically boosts power via reduced back pressure for the engine, while also making a car sound awesome. For the seventh-generation Mustang, Borla’s cat-back systems are among the most popular exhaust upgrades, and for good reason. Borla has systems for the EcoBoost, GT, and Dark Horse, and for cars with active exhaust systems – which adjust the volume via valves – Borla’s exhausts have valves that work with the stock valve actuators to retain the active exhaust functionality.

Borla’s exhaust systems are made from stainless steel and typically feature 3.0-inch diameter pipes with 4.0-inch tips that can be finished in chrome, dark chrome, or carbon fiber. They also have different sound categories that cater to a buyer’s taste, including Touring, S-Type, and the loud ATAK. Borla’s cat-back exhausts start at about $1,900, and the company also offers cheaper axle-back designs as an alternative. Another name in the business that supports the Mustang is MagnaFlow.

4

Ford Mustang RTR

Upgrades From Mild To Wild

RTR Vehicles, the performance collaboration between Ford and professional drifter Vaughn Gittin Jr, offers a range of upgrades for the latest Mustang. The company specializes in performance and styling enhancements, covering both the Mustang EcoBoost and V8 models. RTR’s current offerings for the Mustang start with a basic Design Package, priced from $6,995, which includes unique exterior design details such as RTR’s signature grille with illuminated air intakes.

Then there are the three Spec packages, each offering increasing levels of modification. The top Spec 3 package, priced from $32,995, is designed for the Mustang GT or Mustang Dark Horse and adds the Ford Performance supercharger upgrade mentioned above, boosting power to 810 hp. The Spec 3 package also includes a full suspension upgrade, forged wheels with Nitto NT555 G2 tires, a body kit, and a vented hood. For buyers on a budget, many of the key components are also available individually.

5

Roush Adjustable Coilover Suspension

Stance And Stability

Like an exhaust upgrade, new coilovers are another cost-effective way to enhance your vehicle in a major way. Coilovers combine a shock absorber and a coil spring into a single unit, allowing for customizable ride height and handling performance – and one of the popular options for the seventh-generation Mustang, as well as its predecessor, is Roush’s manually adjustable coilovers. They’re available as a set, priced at $1,399, and are also easy to install even at home with some basic tools. Roush’s website has full instructions.

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The coilovers are designed for Mustangs without MagneRide suspension and rely on Roush’s own shocks. They will lower the car by 1.5 inches at the front and 1.0 inch at the rear, giving you some serious stance. According to Roush, the coilovers are engineered to handle over 1.0 g of lateral acceleration, and the extra stiffness in the ride that they provide results in improved handling and stability.

6

Lethal Performance Supercharger

Generating Almost 800 Horsepower At The Wheels

A little-known company based in Wellington, Florida – Lethal Performance – offers upgrades for multiple Mustang generations. For the latest Mustang, it offers a Stage 2 supercharger upgrade designed for the 5.0-liter V8 in the Mustang GT and Dark Horse. This kit uses a Whipple supercharger to boost output to an impressive 875 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque, with dyno results to prove it.

Priced at $10,299.99, the upgrade includes much more than just the supercharger. The kit also comes with an intercooler, a custom supercharger pulley, and a Tomahawk calibration tool for easy tuning. Additionally, it features billet fuel rails paired with GT500 fuel injectors and high-flow air filters to support the increased power.

7

Saleen 302 Black Label

Building Fast Mustangs Since 1983

Saleen is a name that’s synonymous with fast Mustangs. The Southern California company has been tuning Mustangs since 1983, and shortly after that start it was racing the pony car in the SCCA/Escort Endurance Championship, taking home the series’ Driver, Manufacturer, and Team titles in 1986. For the seventh-generation Mustang, the company offers its iconic 302 upgrade for the Mustang GT.

The lineup begins with the White Label, which starts at around $66,000 and delivers 490 hp thanks to a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 paired with handling and styling upgrades. Step up to the Yellow Label for around $86,000, and you get a supercharger that boosts output to 775 hp. At the top sits the Black Label, starting at approximately $113,000, which combines a supercharger with larger fuel injectors to hit 850 hp. All models feature unique body panels, revised aerodynamics, upgraded suspension components, and Saleen-specific interiors, giving them a sharp look that matches their performance. Buyers can choose between coupe and convertible body styles, as well as manual and automatic transmissions.

8

Steeda Q850 StreetFighter

Fast On The Road And Track

Steeda has been tuning Mustangs for more than three decades, and its ultimate package for the road and track is the Q850 StreetFighter. Built on the seventh-generation Mustang GT, this supercharged upgrade uses a Whipple 3.0‑liter unit to crank output to a heady 810 hp. The Q850 also includes a fully adjustable suspension upgrade with front coilovers, rear shocks, bump-steer correction, and chassis bracing – allowing the upgraded Mustang to lap Sebring’s 3.7 miles more than seven seconds quicker than a stock Mustang GT.

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Steeda also sheds considerable weight – up to 178 lbs – via items like a lithium-ion battery, rear-seat delete, and lightweight wheels, further sharpening its handling and responsiveness. Aerodynamic tweaks, beefed-up axles, Nitto performance tires, and a few special touches – like custom plaques identifying the model – round out the package. Pricing starts at $36,995, not including the cost of the donor Mustang GT.

9

Hennessey Performance H850

Texan Tuner Pumps Up The Dark Horse

Hennessey’s H850 upgrade for the Mustang Dark Horse transforms the muscle car into a serious performance machine, boosting output to an impressive 850 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque. This power gain comes from a supercharger for the 5.0-liter V8 engine, enhanced by a high-flow intake, upgraded fuel injectors, and a new fuel pump. To ensure smooth and reliable performance, Hennessey integrates its own engine management software.

The upgraded Dark Horse sticks with rear-wheel drive, offering either a 6-speed manual or a 10-speed automatic transmission. The automatic version is notably quicker, helping to accelerate the car from 0-60 mph in just 3.2 seconds and covering the quarter-mile in 10.9 seconds at 133 mph – significantly faster than the stock car’s 3.7 seconds and 12 seconds, respectively. Optional upgrades include a carbon-fiber aerodynamic kit with a front splitter, side skirts, and rear spoiler, as well as forged wheels. Pricing for the package starts at $24,950.

10

Ford Mustang GTD

When Money Is No Object

For ultimate Mustang performance, Ford itself has the answer in the form of the limited-edition Mustang GTD. The track-focused yet street-legal pony car has been developed using decades of racing expertise from Ford and its engineers, particularly for its suspension, which includes Multimatic’s Adaptive Spool Valve (ASV) dampers, and its active aerodynamics package, which includes a Drag Reduction System. Be prepared to pay, though. Build slots were handed out via an application process that is currently closed, and one lucky owner recently posted pricing information which includes an MSRP of $318,760, plus a $5,500 destination charge and a $3,700 gas guzzler tax, which takes the total to $327,960.

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Power in the GTD comes from a supercharged 5.2-liter V8 spitting out 815 hp. The engine is similar to the one in the last Mustang Shelby GT500, but gets upgrades like dry-sump lubrication (a first for a Mustang), a maximum engine speed of 7,650 rpm (up 100 rpm from the Shelby), a smaller supercharger pulley, and a titanium exhaust. The car also boasts a unique 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Performance includes a top speed of 202 mph and the ability to lap Germany’s Nürburgring racetrack in only 6:52.072 – the fastest time for an American car.

Sources: Borla, Ford, Hennessey, Lethal Performance, Roush, RTR Vehicles, Saleen, Shelby American, Steeda