Ford's 450HP 7.3L 'Godzilla' V8 | Inside Info & Spy Pics | Where's the Direct Injection?

Ford's 450HP 7.3L 'Godzilla' V8 | Inside Info & Spy Pics | Where's the Direct Injection?
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It's safe to say that there's some excitement around the release of Ford's New 7.3L Godzilla V8 Engine. Let's face it, no one really expected to see a brand new pushrod V8 engine design from Ford Motor Company in 2019. We here at SVTP did our best to bring you the insider info we uncovered during the 7.X's development, and now that it is here we can share with you some of the "behind-the-scenes" materials we were able to dig up and some HP numbers we keep hearing batted around.

Here are our previous articles on the 7.3L if you want to review the story's development:

So to not bury the lead, we've heard from several sources that the internal goal for the 7.3L Godzilla engine is 450HP. It may come in a little higher or lower, but that seems to be the figure Ford engineers were initially shooting for. No word yet on a torque figure, but my guess is somewhere around 500lbft. One thing is for certain, big power is going to be made on the low-end of the RPM range. For the current applications the 7.3L is slated for, stump-pulling grunt always on tap is a standing order.


Another good bit of information is that the lead on this engine program was Brian Wolfe. If that name sounds familiar it's probably because Wolfe is an avid drag racer, and was the Director of Ford Racing during its glory days. His name still carries a lot of weight with those who are working hard to unleash maximum performance from all things Blue Oval related. He was known to be extremely accessible, so much so that he happily took a phone call from me in 2004 to discuss the Terminator and SVTP. I was only about 21 then, but he took the time out of his day to talk cars with someone he had never met that just happened to get his number from a mutual friend. That's just the kind of guy he is. I can't disclose all the features of the 7.3 over which he personally bludgeoned the bean counters to make sure they stayed in the program, but in a future installment we'll cover them. You're going to see a lot of the knowledge and experience Wolfe gained from Pro-Stock Drag Racing transferred into the DNA of the 7.3L.


Speaking of DNA, we have healthy looking iron block, some ridiculously gorgeous aluminum heads, and a forged crank. I can see this engine becoming a more popular swap option than the 5.0 Coyote V8 in the next few years (if FPRP cranks out a control pack for it). You may be asking yourself, "What happened to SVTP's predictions of Direct Injection." All I can say is that the engine was developed with the addition of direct injection in mind. It could be that it's being held back for a future program or a mid-cycle power increase. With dual-fuel systems and 12:1 compression you're easily looking at a 500+ Horsepower engine. We'll get into that more bellow as we review some spy pics for which many Bothans died to bring us.


Ford, especially the performance side, listens to their customers. If you want to see this engine design in more than just trucks you really need to make your voice heard. If I can point them to a 50+ page thread of current Ford owners saying they want this engine in a Mustang there's a chance we can make that happen. I'll take mine with an aluminum block, a destroked crank, in Grabber Blue, with the name Boss 429 emblazoned on the side. What about you? For now, let's do a deep dive into the details and pics:

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Let's start off with this little crop of the head. As you can see here, the port for a Direct Fuel Injector has been machined above the intake port.


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Here's a little bigger view in which you can see the intake port, spring pockets, guides, and pushrod through-holes. Also take notice of the extensive ribbing cast in for extra strength and the pedestal mounts for the roller rockers.


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Here you can see the wide based mounting surface, spark plug holes with a generous number of threads, and the exhaust port.


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Speaking of ports, check out these intake ports.


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They are a wide-mouthed design that are undoubtedly capable of massive flow right out of the box.

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I mean just look at this port. Imagine what these will flow with a little port work from @Livernois Motorsports.

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Remember us saying the combustion chamber held massive valves and had a similar shape to a Dart Pro1 head? Well here it is. Notice the pocket cast into the top for a DI injector. It doesn't look like coolant flow or oil drain-back will be an issue either.


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It all adds up to a new Ford Engine that performance enthusiasts can really get excited about. I want to see Godzilla swaps in everything.
 
My dad ordered a 2020 F350 7.3 with 4:30 gears, dealer said they start producing them the 17th. I want to play with his before I get one for myself.
 
Awsome. Please post up what you think about it. I was thinking that exact motor and gear package in an F250 tremor
As long as that A10 trans has good overdrive options, Id consider an F350 version. But if it doesnt tow nearly as much as a Powerstroke, Ill opt for the 6.7.
 
As long as that A10 trans has good overdrive options, Id consider an F350 version. But if it doesnt tow nearly as much as a Powerstroke, Ill opt for the 6.7.

It's just going to have to rev to pull. If you're not rolling heavy all the time the 7.3 is a legit option.
 
It's just going to have to rev to pull. If you're not rolling heavy all the time the 7.3 is a legit option.
Agree. I suppose my hope is that the 4.30s needed to get the gasser in its power band when towing can be offset for unloaded daily driving by the sheer number of gear ratios in the transmission. No reason with that many gears that it cant get more than acceptable fuel mileage unloaded.

Its a 7000 pound HD truck, I get it. But Id like to think with the advancement in powertrain technology it should be possible. Then again, I cant wait to see how the 6.7 Powerstroke is revised and the numbers it can put up.

It shouldnt be hard to get to 500bhp and torque. A tune and some mods *cough*headers*cough* should help.
 
Agree. I suppose my hope is that the 4.30s needed to get the gasser in its power band when towing can be offset for unloaded daily driving by the sheer number of gear ratios in the transmission. No reason with that many gears that it cant get more than acceptable fuel mileage unloaded.

Its a 7000 pound HD truck, I get it. But Id like to think with the advancement in powertrain technology it should be possible. Then again, I cant wait to see how the 6.7 Powerstroke is revised and the numbers it can put up.

It shouldnt be hard to get to 500bhp and torque. A tune and some mods *cough*headers*cough* should help.

I'll have an article next week that touches on the new PSD power numbers. I'd be really happy if a properly equipped 7.3L could knock down 18MPG at 65-70MPH on the highway.
 
I'll have an article next week that touches on the new PSD power numbers. I'd be really happy if a properly equipped 7.3L could knock down 18MPG at 65-70MPH on the highway.
If it did that, Id say I just found my new truck. Well, after the wife gets her new Rubicon. :D :D :D
 
If Ford decides to axe the Coyote in the F150 because of CAFE, and they have a 7.3 waiting in the Super Duty that would be a win for Ford.

Improve the Corporate Fuel average AND move more units of Super Duty. Plus, youre a set of headers away from what is probably a throaty exhaust note.
 
If Ford decides to axe the Coyote in the F150 because of CAFE, and they have a 7.3 waiting in the Super Duty that would be a win for Ford.

Improve the Corporate Fuel average AND move more units of Super Duty. Plus, youre a set of headers away from what is probably a throaty exhaust note.

Isnt ford working on a 4.8L v8 to replace the 5.0 in the F150?
 

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