When it comes to drag racing, those not familiar with the scene might think that horsepower is the only thing that matters. However, that’s not always the case.
As this video from DragTimes shows, a stock Ferrari 488 Pista and a heavily modified Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 are extraordinarily well-matched, even though it is the Ford that has significantly more grunt.
Sitting beneath the skin of the 488 Pista is a twin-turbocharged 3.9-liter V8 with 710 hp at 8,000 rpm and 568 lb-ft (770 Nm) of torque from 3,000 rpm. This engine is coupled to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission driving the rear wheels and makes the Pista one of the most accelerative supercars on the planet.
Watch Also: Ferrari 488 Pista Spider Dares To Line Up Against The Legendary F40
By comparison, the Shelby GT500 leaves Ford’s factory with a 5.2-liter supercharged V8 rated at 760 hp. If it was to race against the Pista in its standard form, there’s little doubt that the Ferrari would sprint off into the distance thanks to its lighter overall weight and better aerodynamics. However, this particular GT500 has been extensively modified and now delivers 980 hp through the rear wheels, meaning the engine itself is likely producing in excess of 1,100 hp.
In a series of rolling drag races between the two, they prove to be very well matched. In some of the races, the Pista sprints off into the distance while in others, the extra grunt of the Ford proves to be too much.