In the era of DOHC, twin-turbocharging, and 48-volt hybridization, Ford is making a huge statement with the Godzilla. The single-cam V8 with 7.3 liters of displacement also happens to be a big deal for the Blue Oval given than the Modular family – including the Coyote in the F-150 – doesn’t feature pushrods.
More or less the spiritual successor of the Windsor small-block V8 from 1961 through 2000, the Godzilla also sounds just right in the Super Duty. The following clip showcases the aural character of the engine, with the exhaust gas exiting through a single outlet. That’s the standard exhaust Ford uses for the 2020 Super Duty with the Tremor package, an off-road leviathan with 35-inch tires wrapped around 18-inch wheels.
Tremor models further sweeten the deal with progressive-rate springs, a different stabilizer bar at the rear, twin-tube dampers with 1.7-inch pistons, an electronically locking rear differential, and a limited-slip differential from Dana up front. The rock-crawl mode and Trail Control are two other highlights, and Ford claims this package will be available to order by year’s end.
Going back to the 7.3-liter gasoline V8, the Godzilla engine features best-in-class horsepower, torque, and towing. More to the point, expect 430 horsepower, 475 pound-feet, and 21,200 pounds. The payload is nothing to write home about at 7,660 pounds, but what did you expect? There’s no truck capable of besting every category, but the Super Duty is getting pretty close.
The port-style fuel injection offers simple maintenance and high airflow, and if you were wondering, the cast-iron block ensures maximum strength and stiffness for additional peace of mind. The cooling jets help the pistons work their magic while the variable cam timing improves efficiency whenever possible. As for the in-block camshaft, that’s supposed to reduce the height and width of the engine for easier servicing.
In addition to forged steel for the crankshaft, another highlight of the Godzilla is the variable-displacement oil pump. This design provides more lubrication when needed while reducing parasitic losses under light driving loads.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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