After more than a year of tireless engine development and construction, today marks a milestone moment for Roush/Yates Engines, Steve Matusek, and his Aeromotive race team. The brand new 500 cubic inch, twin turbocharged bullet has been dropped down into the framerails of the sleek 2010 Ford Mustang, putting Matusek and crew one step closer to testing and their Pro Modified debut at the NHRA Pro Mod opener in Gainesville in March.

The 500-inch bullet is derived from the same engine that Roush/Yates has been developing for their Pro Stock effort headed up by Justin Humphreys and is based based around a new Ford Racing block mated to a set of Mirror Image (Hemispherical) cylinder heads. Roush/Yates and Matusek believe the boosted mill produce the 3,000 horsepower necessary to run with the competition in the 5.8-second category where turbochargers have experience a recent surge of interest, thanks to the exploits of Brad Personett last season.

Matusek dropped his tried and true 323 cubic inch turbocharged Modular engine into the new Larry Larson Race Cars-built Mustang late last season to shake the car down in Competition Eliminator at the Las Vegas Nationals while work continued on the 500-inch piece.

To view additional images of the new powerplant, check out the gallery after the break. For more information on Aeromotive, log on to www.aeromotiveinc.com.