Pre-Packaged Power: Ford Racing to Offer More Crate Engines
It turns out that some of Ford’s best thinking can actually be found inside the box: Especially when that box holds one of the new high-quality crate engines being offered this year by Ford Racing Performance Parts (FRPP). The latest mighty mills add to one of the most comprehensive aftermarket engine programs in the industry, featuring a lineup of high-quality crate engines designed to offer factory-fresh power upgrades for a wide range of applications—and budgets.
New blocks for the kids—and anyone else looking for Ford-engineered power plants—include:
Z363 500 HP Pushrod Crate Engine—Leveraging the same block that drives the Mustang Boss 302, this big V8 has been bored out to 4.125 inches and now rocks 363 cubic inches of displacement, 500 hp and 390 lb.-ft. of torque. That’s an increase of 16 cubic inches, 50 hp and 50 lb.-ft. of torque as compared to the engine it replaces. The Z363 has been engineered for both street and strip use, with a forged crankshaft, aluminum heads, forged I-beam connecting rods, new Mahle pistons, floating piston pins and a hi-po oiling system.
5.0L Ti-VCT Aluminator—FRPP also is introducing a new pair of V8 engines for its growing “Aluminator” family. Both build on the strong foundation of the Mustang GT’s 5.0-liter powerplant, featuring twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT). But they’ve now been tuned for increased performance in both naturally aspirated and forced-induction applications. For the former, the engine runs on an 11.0:1 compression ratio and relies on components like Mahle forged pistons that are hard-anodized with a unique low-friction coating, as well as Manley H-beam connecting rods with ARP 2000 bolts and Boss 302 high-performance bearings. Drivers who prefer supercharged power can choose the “SC” version, with a 9.5:1 compression ratio and components optimized for forced-induction.
5.0L Ti-VCT Coyote “Sealed” Racing Engine—It’s the same 412 hp “Coyote” V8 found in the 2012 Ford Mustang GT, but its internal components have been “sealed” to prevent changes and qualify for spec racing series like the National Mustang Racer’s Association “Coyote Stock” class.
2.0-Liter I4 Crate Engine Concept—With more and more drivers flocking to new Ford products using the automaker’s 2.0-liter I4 engines, the company is preparing to cater to their need for speed, too. The first step was the recent introduction of a naturally aspirated I4 “Crate Engine Concept” that sets the tone for future four-cylinder power plants. This new engine is an enhanced version of the direct-injection I4 with Ti-VCT that’s used in the Ford Focus, and it makes an estimated 160-175 hp and 145-155 lb.-ft. of torque. A wide range of production I4 crate engines are on their way as well, including some with Ford’s EcoBoost technology. According to the automaker: “The new four-cylinder lineup will form the widest range of production-based crate engines since the debut of FRPP’s successful 5.0 V8 crate engine program.”
For more information on engines designed to meet your crate expectations, contact Ford Racing Performance Parts at 1-800-FORD-788 (1-800-367-3788) or visit www.FordRacingParts.com.