Top 5 Shelby GT500 Mods Under $500

GT500 Mustangs are top-end performance cars right off the assembly line, but that doesn’t mean your GT500 can’t benefit from small, meaningful improvements.

In addition to being inexpensive, most of these GT500 mods are easy and quick to complete. With just a weekend and some simple tools, you can upgrade your GT500's look and performance. Personalize your ride with our top five GT500 mods for under $500 each.

1. Rock Blockers

This small add-on is a piece of foam that slides into your Mustang’s side skirt. They’re designed to keep dust and gravel from building up on your GT500’s rockers.

Keeping gravel out of the rockers on your GT500 goes a long way to keeping that fresh, clean look that people expect from a high-end performance Mustang like the GT500. They’re also one of the cheapest mods at less than $15 on average.

If you’re looking for a recommendation, JTL Performance’s rock blockers are designed specifically for the GT500 and are popular with enthusiasts.

Installing rock blockers on your GT500 is easy. You won't need any tools for the install, just the product and some elbow grease.

2. Jacking Rails

The next recommendation for a quick and easy GT500 mod is adding a set of S550 jacking rails.

Jacking rails install easily underneath the pinch weld at the sides of your GT500. Adding these rails will give you easy access to jack points along the entire length of the pinch weld while also protecting it from scratches or wear.

For less than $150, you get the practical benefit of quick and painless tire rotations and general maintenance tasks that require you to lift your GT500.

Installation is also easy. All you need is a 15 mm socket and ratchet to remove the pinch weld factory bolts. You can have the install completed and be back on the road within half an hour.

3. Oil Separator

Most engines have to deal with oil from the crankcase getting into the blow-by-gasses from the engine cylinders. On a performance car like the GT500, this is even more of an issue. While your stock GT500 has systems in place for recirculating these gasses, it’s still possible for oil to build up over time.

Adding a GT500 oil separator is a great way to keep oil from accumulating in the intake manifold while ensuring your engine runs smoothly for years to come.

An oil separator does come close to the $500 price point, but it’s still a worthwhile investment that could prevent costly repairs and maintenance down the road.

An oil separator comes standard with the track pack option for the GT500, so adding one yourself can give you the same high-end performance upgrade without breaking the bank.

4. LED Marker Lights

The factory GT500 marker lights aren't very bright. Thankfully, it’s easy to swap in, multi-bulb replacements. Not only are these aftermarket marker lights brighter, but they're available with different lens colors so you can personalize your lighting setup.

GT500 marker lights come in three lens color options: red, clear, and smoked. Red is the factory lens color and is a good choice if you just want to brighten up the classic look. Clear and smoked styles are better if you're building towards a different style.

Installing new marker lights is easy and will only cost around $50. You won't need any tools, but a pair of needle-nose pliers will make the process easier.

5. Resonator Delete

A resonator delete replaces the stock exhaust resonator to modify your GT500’s exhaust note and make it louder. It also shaves weight off your build for better acceleration.

For the GT500, we recommend the MBRP’s X-pipe resonator delete. With this mod, your exhaust will sound better than ever, which is a fitting upgrade for a performance machine like the GT500.

You’ll have to cut the exhaust pipes for the install, but it's way easier than it sounds. You can do it yourself with a few simple tools and a couple hours. Even if you hire somebody to do it for you, it’s very possible to still stay within a $500 budget.

Take Your Modded GT500 to the Next Level

With these simple but effective GT500 performance mods, your Mustang will be more fun to drive than ever before. If you've already done these modifications or are looking to take your upgrades even further, our GT500 parts buying guide is a great place to start. Just make sure you sign up for our newsletter for great deals on our huge selection of aftermarket parts.