2020 Ford Super Duty's New 7.3-liter V8 Approved for 430 Horsepower

Earlier this year, Ford teased a bunch of updates for its 2020 F-Series Super Duty pickups — including the all-new 7.3-liter V8 the automaker planned on offering.

Timed perfectly to coincide with the exact moment we forgot the motor was supposed to be coming, Ford released some specs this week. They don’t look half bad. Designed to be as hardwearing as possible, despite not being a diesel, the Windsor-built V8 will be made broadly available — making its way inside F-53 and F-59 stripped chassis models and the upgraded E-Series van.

A less powerful 350-horsepower version with 468 lb-ft of torque will be standard for the F-450, F-550, new F-600, F-650, F-750, and the aforementioned E-Series/stripped chassis models. Meanwhile, a 430-hp variant with 475 pound-feet (available at 4000rpm) will become an optional upgrade, starting with the F-250 and F-350. Don’t worry if it’s not to your taste. The manufacturer reassured us that both the 6.2-liter gasser and 6.7-liter diesel will be retained for the 2020 model year.

The 7.3-liter engine is to be mated to Ford’s new 10-speed “TorqShift” automatic transmission on all models except F-650 and F-750, which will keep the 6-speed. An optional calibration intended to help customers minimize their fuel consumption will also be offered, but the company said more information will be made available at a later date. Super Duty towing and payload ratings, as well as the stats for the upgraded 6.7-liter Power Stroke, will also be announced later this year. Considering we’ve had to wait two decades for Ford to update the BIG gasoline engines in the heavy-duty lineup, we suppose we can endure a few more months for the rest.

As previously stated, Ford’s pushing the new V8 as bulletproof. To make its case, it cited a variable-displacement oil pump, extra-large main bearings, a forged steel crankshaft, piston cooling jets, and years of “commercial engine experience.” However, as good as the new, under-stressed motor sounds, we’re honestly a little more excited for the updated 6.7-liter turbo diesel. We imagine its specifications will put the big gasser to shame by offering more thrust than a Saturn V rocket.

[Images: Ford Motor Co.]