Throughout Ford’s illustrious history as an automaker, the brand has constantly been looking for ways to improve upon its most capable creations. The Ford Model T was cheap and capable as a truck, and the F-Series that followed some decades later has been a bestseller since the day it dawned, and it continues to be so today.
A few short years ago, Ford looked to up its game once more, by introducing a powerful new gas engine for its Super Duty trucks. We tested the 2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty, and can confirm that the mighty 7.3-liter Godzilla engine performs exactly how Ford envisaged. Here’s a closer look at the powerhouse engine, including technical specs of the Ford 7.3 Godzilla, potential weak points, and new variations.
CarBuzz has gathered all specs and stats for this article directly from Ford, unless specified otherwise.
History Of The 7.3-Liter Godzilla
The Godzilla engine was first announced in 2019, and was slotted under the hoods of Ford Super Duty trucks from the 2020 model year. It was later applied to E-Series models too, from the 2021 model year onward. Here’s a more complete list of vehicles using the Godzilla mill:
Ford Super Duty (including F-250, F-350, and F-450) Ford F-650/750 Ford E-Series Ford F-59 commercial stripped chassis Ford F-53 motorhome stripped chassis
The whole purpose of the 7.3-liter Godzilla engine was to replace the aging 6.2-liter Boss V8, which had been available in Ford’s more capable model for some years, and was starting to look tired in the face of competition. It also serves as a solid replacement for the Triton V10 engine, which could also be found in Super Duty and E-Series Ford models.
On the face of it, a powerful and naturally aspirated V8 engine sounds like the sports car powerplant of dreams, but the intended application of Ford’s Godzilla engine could not be more different. Rather than prioritizing high-end power, this 7.3-liter V8 was designed to offer low-end torque, in addition to a steady and reliable stream of horses.
While nothing is more exciting than a fast-revving, high-rpm V8, a Super Duty engine instead needs to favor heaps of torque and low-stress internals, so that it can perform on a daily basis when towing and hauling. Some Super Duty trucks can tow up to 40,000 lbs and haul 13,500 lbs, and this sort of use and abuse is what the Godzilla engine was built for.
7.3-Liter Godzilla Technical Specifications
Ford
Ford 7.3-Liter Godzilla V8 Technical Data
Configuration
Pushrod V8
Displacement
7.3-liter
Aspiration
Naturally aspirated
Power
Up to 430 horsepower @ 5,500 rpm
Torque
Up to 485 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm
Although the intended use of Ford’s Godzilla engine is not for blasting away from lights and setting track records, that doesn’t mean it’s a gutless lump. Peak power is delivered at 5,500 rpm, and comes in the form of 430 hard-working horses on more recent pickups, so when not loaded up with cargo, the so-equipped Super Duty trucks sure can shift. Delivered at a handy 4,000 rpm, peak torque comes in at 485 lb-ft. That isn’t enough to compete with the insane 1,200 lb-ft on offer from Ford’s own 6.7-liter turbodiesel engine, but for those who favor gas, it’s still more than capable for most jobs.
Power with the 7.3 V8 that we had on test was never a problem. The F-250 gets off the line surprisingly fast.
– Jake Lingeman, CarBuzz
On test, our reviewer found the power on tap from the Godzilla engine nothing short of ‘bonkers’ in the 2021 F-250 Super Duty, and commented on how the fear-inducing name was certainly fitting for the engine. Having the truck in four-wheel-drive mode helps when trying to power away from a stop. A loaded-up Super Duty is a heavy beast, and needs all the motivation it can get when trying to move off in a hurry.
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Common Issues And Shortfalls Of The Ford Godzilla Engine
Ford
Reported Godzilla Faults
Having only debuted around five years ago now, there isn’t a wealth of reliability data available for the 7.3-liter Godzilla engine. So, in an effort to find out what issues real owners are, or are not, having with their Godzilla-powered Ford models, we took a look on Reddit for any experiences. A good number of owners took the time to share their thoughts, and most were hugely positive, having experienced no faults with the engine over tens of thousands of miles.
However, some have complained about faulty spark plug wires, which leads to a reduction in power and rough running, although this is easily cured, and is certainly no expensive fix. This fault, in addition to others, is also noted by Timothy Abeel, a national law firm. Overall, Reddit users found the Godzilla engine largely reliable. The Timothy Abeel site also lists other apparently common occurrences, such as poor range, lifter failure, and rough idle.
Potentially, the rough idle is linked to the spark plug wire fault, as if one spark plug was down, the engine would only be firing on seven cylinders, and not eight. As for the poor range, that has to be expected with a 7.3-liter V8 to some extent, and could simply be down to the weight of a Super Duty driver’s right foot. However, the apparent lifter failure is a more concerning concept, which could lead to extensive engine damage if ignored for too long.
Availability And Variations Of The 7.3-Liter Godzilla Engine
Ford
If the sound of Ford’s mighty Godzilla engine sounds appealing, but you have no need for a Super Duty truck, then fear not, as the 7.3-liter V8 is also available as a crate engine. Ford will sell you the engine, box-fresh, for a reasonable $8,500 – which sounds like the perfect way to spice up a classic Mustang restomod.
For those seeking even more power, Ford also offers a Megazilla engine, which boasts a monstrous 615 horsepower and 638 lb-ft of torque, whilst still maintaining natural aspiration. The Megazilla V8 is sadly not available in any factory-fresh Ford model, but is instead available solely as a crate engine, for the princely sum of $22,995.
It’s also worth noting that Ford has introduced a smaller variant of the Godzilla engine, packing a 6.8-liter capacity, which provides 405 horsepower, alongside 445 lb-ft of torque. Despite the smaller size, the unnamed 6.8-liter baby-Godzilla sports very similar figures to its larger brother, and so will likely make a great choice for many shoppers. This leaves the Godzilla unit for only the hardest working of Super Duty trucks.
Sources: Ford, Timothy Abeel, Reddit, Ford Authority, Ford Performance Parts