Very nice!!

Ford to beef up engine for F-150

Automaker is developing V-8 powerplant for popular pickup that will dwarf rivals

By Eric Mayne / The Detroit News

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Responding to the auto industry’s escalating horsepower wars — including Chrysler’s popular Hemi engine — Ford Motor Co. is developing a larger, more powerful V-8 engine for its top-selling F-150 pickup line.

The engine’s 6.2-liter displacement will dwarf Ford’s biggest V-8 offering — the 300-hp 5.4-liter Triton V-8 — as well as rivals from Chevrolet, Nissan and Dodge, including the 5.7-liter 340-hp Hemi.

Ford declined to comment on the project, but suppliers are already bidding to provide components for the engine, according to documents obtained by The Detroit News.

Ford has not decided where to build the engine known internally as Hurricane.

Despite rising gasoline prices, the Hurricane project is “somewhat overdue,” Global Insight market analyst John Wolkonowicz said.

“In trucks, it’s all about bragging rights,” Wolkonowicz said.

The full-size truck market has become a major battleground for Detroit automakers, with Ford, Chevrolet, Dodge and GMC facing new competition from formidable Toyota Motor Co.p. and Nissan Motor Co. entries.

Demand for the 345-horsepower Hemi has soared since DaimlerChrysler AG’s Chrysler Group revived the legendary engine two years ago.

More than 60 percent of all Dodge Durango sport utility vehicles are now sold with a Hemi engine, and Chrysler is now using it on large, rear-wheel drive passenger cars.

The Hurricane project is another sign Ford is back on solid financial ground. Analysts say the project was probably delayed when the automaker posted losses of $6.4 billion over 2001 and 2002.

Helped by steep cost reductions and lower operating costs, Ford is on track to earn pre-tax profits of $7 billion by mid-decade.

“Now that things are looking up a little bit, they’re starting to prioritize some of those things that got put on the back burner before,” Wolkonowicz said.

The Hurricane project comes as Ford is rolling out 11 new engines and transmissions to bolster its powertrain lineup.

Ford dealers are eager to sell a more powerful engine. Like the Triton V-8, the new engine will feature advanced technology to limit harmful emisions.

“Anytime they can claim (class-leading) horsepower, torque and green’ at the same time, hello! Where do I sign up?” said Bob Krause, inventory manager and sales consultant at Roy O’Brien Ford in St. Clair Shores.

You can reach Eric Mayne at (313) 222-2443 or emayne@detnews.com.

 

The REAL question is...


Would it fit in a Mustang?

 

hmm... if it a tall-deck version of the 5.4 I doubt it will fit.

I think Ford made a mistake by making tight bore spacing on the 4.6, now you cannot punch out the cylinders for more bore.

 

 

New Cobra 'R'? 6.2L? Hmmm....

 

when will we see preproduction pic's of the lightning?

 

Virtually no chance of an even taller deck mod motor. The stroke of the 5.4L is already well over 4".

This will probably be a new modular family with larger bore centers. Hopefully they've left enough room to grow, and hopefully the deck will be no higher
than the current 5.4L.

I'm surprised there's not more posts in this thread. This is the first hard evidence we've had of the Ford "Big Block" that's been rumored for a number of years.

 

They are all stunned like a dear in headlights

 

Hurricane huh? Wonder what that kind of a clue that is...

 

Watch in amazement as the Earth twists in half from the torque.

 

THANK YOU FORD!!!

This is some of the best news I have heard in a while, actually, since "The Dustin Reports". I am so happy to hear that Ford will be introducing this engine and taking away one of Dodge's only attacks on the F-150.

I know Dodge Rams are probably great... and that the HEMI is legendary... but COME ON!

Let me set the stage... we have two men watching the ____ game (insert favorite sport here)

"MY new STATION WAGON has a HEMI!" - Bob
"Oh, hey, so DOES my NEON!" - Steve

Dodge commercial comes on...
“Introducing the new Dodge Caravan featuring the 5.7L HEMI!”

The END…

 

If hemi heads are so great, why doesn't anyone else use it? My old '87 Escort GT had hemi heads.

 

6.2=378.3CU.I

 

I think its time for Ford to add more powerful engine in F-150. Whenever you read comments about F-150 people says that it could use more power.

 

Some people can use more power. For most the current engine is enough in the F-150. The Lightning, however ...

 

Man, I know its a pipe dream, but could you imagine being able to buy a big block Mustang again after what, about 31-32 years!

 

Just bring it!

 

yeah, sounds good to me. now where
s the crate version from FRPP to put in my 92 notchback?