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2022 Blue Bird Vision Might Get to Schools Faster Thanks to Ford's Godzilla V8

Sometimes it feels like engine swaps are as old as the automotive industry (probably because they are), but don’t place a bet that you’ve seen them all. That’s because few might have imagined the latest use for the Blue Oval’s 7.3-liter Godzilla V8 engine that usually resides under the hood of the F-250 Super Duty.
Blue Bird Vision using Ford's 7.3-liter Godzilla V8 49 photos
Photo: BlueBird Corporation/YouTube
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Crate engines have a beloved tendency to pop up just about everywhere, from the lowest of low riders to the highest SUVs out there. According to Blue Bird, the updated 2022 propane and gasoline versions of the well-known Vision school bus are going to join the party as they are about to make exclusive use of the Ford 7.3-liter V8 engine.

That’s correct folks; school rides just took a dose of Ford Performance madness. And, just for the record, we double-checked. According to the U.S. company, production of the 2022 Vision school buses has been scheduled to start this spring.

They are adding innovative technologies such as an advanced fuel system to the new engine, while “improved and simplified wiring and fuel line routing, and an updated look for school buses” should complete the big picture.

This isn’t the first time Blue Bird has used a Blue Oval engine, as the advanced fuel system tech is provided by none other than Roush CleanTech, a sister company to the renowned Roush Performance. Previously, Roush CleanTech has delivered over 30k worth of propane and gasoline fuel systems for Blue Bird buses that were using Ford’s 6.8-liter engine.

The exclusive partnership between Blue Bird, Roush CleanTech and Ford continues to flourish as we launch Ford’s new engine with cutting-edge fuel systems in our Vision and Micro Bird school buses,” said Phil Horlock, president and CEO of Blue Bird Corporation.

Naturally, the 2022 Blue Bird Vision isn’t after the best sprint time off the line – even though most children would probably love an adrenaline ride before the classes. Instead, Blue Bird wanted the best-in-class combination of horsepower and torque.

Additionally, the new engine – although of higher displacement – should also provide better fuel economy over the outgoing 6.8-liter because the 350-horsepower mill is lighter and more compact.

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Editor's note: Gallery includes official images of the Ford 7.3-liter V8 engine.

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About the author: Aurel Niculescu
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Aurel has aimed high all his life (literally, at 16 he was flying gliders all by himself) so in 2006 he switched careers and got hired as a writer at his favorite magazine. Since then, his work has been published both by print and online outlets, most recently right here, on autoevolution.
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