TKM Reveals A Streetable Billet Modular Block For Shelby GT500s

Finding a replacement engine block for a 2007-2014 Shelby GT500 has become a serious problem. As these cars age, the factory aluminum castings are getting harder to locate, and they have always been the weak link when you start chasing four-digit horsepower. TKM Performance brought a heavy-duty solution to PRI 2025 that solves this issue once and for all. They partnered with Noonan Race Engineering to create a water-jacketed billet modular block that drops right into the S197 chassis. This isn’t a solid-filled drag race part; it is a fully streetable component designed to handle massive horsepower without overheating in traffic.

John Boy from TKM Performance explained that the goal was to give Shelby owners a lifeline. Since these cars are holding their value incredibly well, owners are willing to invest in a foundation that matches the car’s potential. This new block mimics the 5.8-liter Trinity architecture found in the 2013-2014 models, so your cylinder heads, front cover, and accessories transfer over seamlessly. It features slightly taller main caps for added rigidity, which is a necessary upgrade when you are pushing cylinder pressures this high. Because of those taller caps, you will need to run a modified windage tray or a spacer, but that is a minor adjustment for this level of strength.

The block is machined from a solid chunk of billet aluminum by Noonan in Spartanburg, South Carolina, utilizing the same expertise they put into their 4,000-horsepower Pro Mod engines. The standout feature here, however, is the cooling capability. Most billet blocks on the market are solid, dry designs meant for quarter-mile blasts where cooling isn’t a priority. This billet modular block features a complete water jacket system, making it perfect for road course builds, standing mile cars, or guys who actually drive their cars to the show on weekends. You get the structural integrity of a dedicated race engine with the thermal management of a factory motor. TKM has an initial batch of ten units available for $18,500 each. It is a premium price tag, but for a platform that was running out of options, it is the ultimate insurance policy for your build.