The Mustang SVO took a more subtle, high-tech, approach to making power than its sibling V-8 Brother. The Special Vehicle Operations Team decided that the turbocharged, intercooled 2.3L 4-cylinder engine from the Thunderbird Turbo Coupe would make an excellent choice. With its overhead-cam cylinder head it tipped the dynos at 175 hp, the same as the carbureted 5.0 V-8 for 1984! This became the base platform from which the Mustang would leave its "Gas crunch" memories and toss them aside in favor of more power! One year (1985.5) after its release, the SVO was treated to an additional 30 horsepower. Engineers borrowed heavily from the Merkur XR4Ti parts bin to achieve these impressive numbers. In 1986 the ECM was dialed back and horsepower was reduced to 200 powerful ponies.