In 2020, Ford launched one of the most talked-about gasoline engines in the heavy-duty pickup truck community. Powering Ford’s work-horse vehicles like the Ford F-350 and the E-Series cutaway vans, the Ford 7.3L gas engine gives buyers a potent, no-nonsense alternative to the mighty but complex Power Stroke Diesel.
Thanks to its thoughtful design, the Ford Godzilla engine has quietly become one of the smartest engine choices in Ford’s Super Duty lineup. Discover the full story of the 7.3L Godzilla engine, from its development and technical design to real-world performance, reliability, and why it’s considered by many to be one of the best and most powerful gas engines Ford has released in decades.
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The Ford 7.3L Godzilla V8
The Backstory Of Ford’s Monstrous V8
Godzilla 7.3-liter V8 engineFord
From 1968 to 1997, Ford relied on the mighty 460 big-block V8 for its heavy-duty gas-burning workhorse engine. This was a traditional overhead valve, big-block engine. However, it had poor fuel economy and could not meet increasingly strict emissions standards. By the late 90s, the modular Ford Triton engines had been fully implemented across Ford’s heavy-duty trucks and full-size van lines. This family of engines included the 4.6-liter and 5.4-liter V8s and the 6.8-liter V10.
The V10 was Ford’s large-displacement gas engine that was used in the Super Duty trucks and the heavy-duty E-Series vans. In 2005, the V10 was improved with Ford’s three-valve head design, bumping power output to a respectable 362 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The Triton engines were plagued with many problems, earning a lot of criticism from reviewers and customers. For the 2011 model year, the 6.2-liter Boss V8 took over for all the gas-powered heavy lifting and was a vast improvement over the Triton engines. The 6.2-liter Boss was developed as its own distinct engine family, sharing very little with the aging Triton engines.
2010 Ford F-150 Raptor SVT engine close up 6.2 liter BossBring A Trailer
After the cancelation of the 6.8-liter Triton V10, Ford was left without a true large-displacement heavy-duty gasoline engine. For nearly a decade, the company relied almost entirely on the 6.2-liter Boss V8 as both the standard V8 engine and heavy-duty application power plant. While the 6.2-liter was strong, reliable, and capable, it still fell short of the brutal low-end power and towing chops that many Super Duty customers expected from a true diesel alternative.
Ford began working on a large-displacement gas engine in 2016, finally creating a replacement for the long-gone V10 after roughly three years of development. With a swept volume of 7.3 liters, the Godzilla V8 was publicly announced in 2019 and was then available for the 2020 model year trucks. Once again, Ford offered a large-displacement gas-burning eight-cylinder that was up to the task of serious work. If there’s one late-model gas engine worth getting excited about, the 7.3-liter Godzilla V8 may be it.
Godzilla V8 Specifications And Performance
A Big V8 With Bark And Bite
Godzilla V8 fact sheetFord
Ford Godzilla Engine Specifications
Displacement
6.8-liter 415 cid
7.3-liter 445 cid
7.3-liter 445 Megazilla
Configuration
90-degree V8
90-degree V8
90-degree supercharged V8
Horsepower
405 hp @ 5,000 rpm
430 hp @ 5,500 rpm
612 hp @ 5,580 rpm
Torque
445 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm
485 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm
670 lb-ft @ 3,920 rpm
Bore
4.22 in
4.22 in
4.22 in
Stroke
3.68 in
3.976 in
3.976 in
Bore Center Spacing
4.530 in
4.530 in
4.530 in
Deck Height
9.650 in
9.650 in
9.650 in
Compression Ratio
10.8:1
10.5:1
10.5:1
Weight
550–580 lbs
550–580 lbs
673 lbs
Production Years
2023–Present
2020–Present
2021–Present
Ford reached back into its big-block heritage when developing the 7.3-liter, returning to a simple, robust pushrod architecture in an era dominated by overhead-cam engines. It would be easy to assume that the 7.3-liter Godzilla engine is a worked-over 6.2-liter Boss V8. However, it is not; the Godzilla is a clean sheet, modern pushrod V8 engine. Although the 6.2-liter Boss and the 7.3-liter Godzilla share a common bore center spacing of 4.53 inches, the similarities stop there. This bore center spacing allows the 7.3-liter engine to maintain a compact size, while still offering up 445 cubic inches of good old-fashioned push-rod V8 power.
The 7.3-liter has a 90-degree cast-iron block, with deep skirting and six-bolt main bearing caps (four bolts with two lateral cross bolts). To help keep its weight down, the 7.3-liter uses aluminum cylinder heads with wedge combustion chambers, and two valves per cylinder. As mentioned earlier, the 7.3-liter utilizes a classic cam-in-block design, using push rods to open and close the valves via cast aluminum roller rockers with a 1.8:1 ratio. Nothing says heavy-duty like a forged crankshaft and powered metal connecting rods, both of which the 7.3-liter has.
2021 Ford F-250 Super Duty Godzilla engineCarBuzz/Valnet
Even though the 7.3-liter is a traditional push rod V8, to maintain peak efficiency, it does have variable cam timing, with a single phaser mounted to the camshaft. However, what the 7.3L gas engine doesn’t have is direct fuel injection. This was done for a multitude of reasons. Conventional port fuel injection has proven to be a simple, reliable, and effective fuel injection system. A port fuel injection system keeps costs down while maintaining a simpler, more reliable fuel delivery setup. With fewer components than direct injection, it offers easier maintenance and repairability over the long term.
Additionally, the injectors are less prone to premature wear due to fuel contaminants, and the intake valves are under a constant fuel wash, keeping them from getting gummed up with carbon – which has become a major issue for engines with direct fuel injection. Ford prioritized long-term reliability and ease of service over the slight efficiency and emissions benefits of a direct-injection system.
The Megazilla engine is designed and intended for competition or off-road use only. It should not be installed in a vehicle that is driven on public roads and highways. Prices listed below for the Megazilla crate engine were sourced from the Ford Performance Parts website and are accurate at the time of writing. Prices and availability may change depending on location.
What Is The 7.3L Megazilla?
Ford Megazilla Crate EngineFord
Not available in any production vehicle from Ford is the extremely potent Ford Megazilla crate engine. The 7.3L Megazilla hit the pages of the Ford Performance Parts catalog in late 2021 offering the large V8 in a performance trim, transforming the already powerful Godzilla into an all-out racetrack brawler. Currently, a Megazilla crate engine will set you back $25,295, but for your money, you’re not buying a run-of-the-mill Godzilla engine. No, the Megazilla is fortified for racing and performance use, delivering 182 more ponies than the Godzilla along with a slew of other performance goodies to keep you out front.
Utilizing the production Godzilla cast-iron block and forged crankshaft (proving how strong the production Godzilla block and crank is), the Megazilla uses Callies H-beam forged connecting rods, and Mahle forged pistons, with a compression ratio of 10.5:1 – no 87 octane here.
Related
Ford’s 6.0-Liter Power Stroke Engine Explainer
The polarizing 6.0 Liter Power Stroke was supposed to rise to the top of the segment, instead it’s many problems caused its fall from grace.
The cylinder heads are CNC ported, cast-aluminum units with 62.4 cc combustion chambers. The Megazilla does not have variable camshaft timing for performance, tunability, and better aftermarket camshaft compatibility reasons. The Godzilla engine comes with a more aggressive camshaft with a longer valve-open duration profile, providing higher airflow and more power at higher rpm.
As if the Megazilla weren’t enough, Ford made available the Megazilla 2.0. This brings the addition of a Gen 6 3.0-liter Whipple Supercharger. Ford has been deliberately vague about the exact boost pressure from the Gen 6 Whipple supercharger on the Megazilla 2.0. Instead, the company focuses on the headline result: a monstrous 1,000 horsepower – strictly for off-road and racing use, of course.
There Is No Substitute For Cubic Inches
Who’s Buying This Big V8?
2027 Ford F-350 Super Duty Lariat Tremor Long BedFord
The 7.3-liter Godzilla engine has become a “sweet spot” engine for many Super Duty owners who want strong performance and simpler, lower cost ownership. After discontinuing the 6.2-liter Boss V8 following the 2022 model year, Ford introduced the new 6.8-liter V8 as the standard gasoline engine, while positioning the more powerful 7.3-liter Godzilla as the premium engine option. The 6.8-liter, sometimes referred to as the “Mini-Godzilla,” shares the same design philosophy and architecture as its 7.3-liter big brother. However, the 6.8-liter is cheaper to manufacture, and meets emissions requirements more easily than its predecessor – the 6.2-liter.
2025 Ford 6.8L 6.8-liter V8Ford
While Ford does not release official engine mix sales data, many dealers report that the 7.3-liter Godzilla has become surprisingly popular with private buyers and lighter-duty users. It appeals to those who don’t tow every day, but still want durable power without the higher costs and added maintenance associated with diesel ownership. Fleet operators and contractors tend to appreciate the gas option trucks, which are cheaper to buy and operate when they aren’t constantly running at maximum GVWR.
Does The Godzilla Outshine The Powerstroke?
Ford Super Duty 6.7L Power Stroke badgeFord
This is an age-old comparison – gas versus diesel – and the answer is completely subjective. Will a regular, late-model production gas engine ever offer the copious amounts of torque available from a modern-day diesel engine? Not likely. The Power Stroke is the king for extreme, heavy towing, and continues to dominate in heavy commercial and maximum towing applications.
However, there are some caveats to diesel ownership. Upfront costs are considerably higher with the Power Stroke diesel engine option adding up to $13,495 to the bottom line of a new Super Duty. In comparison, buyers can opt for the 7.3-liter for a reasonable $1,500 extra over the base 6.8-liter V8 engine and still have an exceptionally powerful work truck. Finally, diesel fuel is typically more expensive than regular gasoline, and diesel owners must regularly refill the DEF (diesel exhaust fluid) tank, an added maintenance step that gas engine owners need not worry about.
“The 7.3-liter is designed for maximum durability in the harshest environments, given that our customers live and work in these conditions every day. This engine has the largest displacement in its class and is designed to provide benefits in key areas like power, durability, ease of maintenance and total operating costs.”
– Joel Beltramo, Ford Manager for Gas V8 Engines
Sources: Ford, Ford Truck Enthusiasts, FRPP, Motor Reviewer
