Chances are if you're an off-road enthusiast, you already know about the Baja factory beast in the Ford
F-150 Raptor. If not, you must be living under a rock or at least crawling over one somewhere in the
desert. To create this dirt king, Ford used the F-150 architecture as a base to develop a prototype for
the SVT Raptor. Debuting at the 2008 SEMA show in Las Vegas, Nevada, as a concept, it took the
automotive industry by storm as no manufacturer among the big three had ever attempted to build a
factory Baja 1000 capable truck.
Leading up to job one, Ford looked to their SVT (Special Vehicle Team) engineers to come up with
ingenious
solutions to build a Baja capable F-150. With their vision clear, engineers sought to industry leader
FOX Racing to help create the first-ever factory internal triple-bypass shocks and suspension to give
the Raptor trophy truck-like suspension travel. Combined with stiffer upper and lower control arms,
BFGoodrich all-terrain thirty-five inch tires, and a six-inch wider track, helped the Raptor become the
instant legend we all know and love today.
In its 2010 debut, Ford started offering the Raptor with the tried and true 5.4L 24V V8 engine with plans
to engineer a King Kong size 6.2L V8 to give the Raptor its much-needed muscle to conquer the desert
floor. Since then, engineers have been hard at work every year, ensuring the Raptor stays at the top of
the food chain among factory-built Baja capable trucks. After its three year hiatus in 2017, the Raptor
returned, but this time dropping the SVT nameplate for Ford
Performance. Only this time, a new formula
in engine design was implemented in the form of a high-output EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 engine. Whether
you're just driving to your local grocery store or need to tear up the trails, the Raptor has the
arsenal of tools to get the job done.
Below you will find a comprehensive guide to get you up to speed on what is powering your Baja beast!
During the Raptor's launch in 2010, every off-road and truck enthusiast was itching to get their hands
on the latest creation from Ford and SVT. Using lessons learned from past F-150s, Ford knew it had to
start with a powerplant that would hold up against any type of terrain that the Raptor would see. So
SVT engineers turned to the tried and true 5.4L 24V SOHC (Single Overhead Camshaft) V8 to create the
muscle to power the Baja king through any desert, tundra, or forest. The Raptor came equipped standard
with a SuperCab configuration along with this engine, which featured 310 horsepower and 365 lb/ft of
torque. So out of the gate, the Raptor had some serious muscle to help it race through the desert and
conquer any trails it faced very well.
Unfortunately, this engine was short-lived as Ford was putting in the works to engineer an engine that
would be the largest F-150 engine ever to be injected into an engine bay from the factory. During its
one year of production in the original 2010 Raptor, it would help pave the way for the improvements on
the Raptor to come in the following years. Many automotive journalists said that it did not have the
power it needed to push through harsh terrains such as deep mud, sand, and loose gravel. These reasons
are why the engine was short-lived as it did not have enough muscle to tussle with the forces of mother
nature.
You can find the 5.4L SOHC 24V V8 in the following Raptors:
2010 Ford F-150 Raptor SuperCab
Raptor 5.4L SOHC 24V V8 Engine Specs
Measurement
Technical Specification
Configuration
Aluminum block with aluminum cylinder heads
Intake Manifold
Composite style intake with motioned controlled runners
Exhaust Manifold
Cast iron headers
Valvetrain
SOHC, 24 valve (3V per cylinder)
Pistons
Forged aluminum
Connecting Rods
Forged Aluminum
Ignition
Distributor-less with coil-on-plug
Bore X Stroke
3.55 in. x 4.17 in.
Displacement
330 Cubic inches/5.4L
Compression Ratio
9.8:1
Engine Control Sytem
PCM
Horsepower
310 @ 5,000 RPM
Torque
365 ft.-lbs. @ 3,500 rpm
Recommended Fuel
93 Octane
Fuel Delivery
Sequential multi-port fuel injection
Oil Capacity
7 quarts 5W-30 full synthetic with filter
(5,000-mile service interval, 3,000 for
heavy use)
Redline
6,000 RPM
2010-2014 Raptor 6.2L SOHC 16V V8
It wasn't until the following year in 2011 where enthusiasts would see the Raptor truly take off amongst
the
automotive industry. At first, Ford didn't think this type of performance truck would strike the hearts
and souls of enthusiasts due to the successes of the Harley-Davidson and Lightning street
trucks of the past. Little did they know how many F-150 buyers are hardcore off-road enthusiasts. During
its launch, Ford had been hinting to many potential buyers of an optional 6.2L SOHC (Single Overhead
Camshaft) V8 engine that would take the Raptor from viscous to deadly. At first, many consumers didn't
see where the value was in adding cost to the already pricey Raptor.
Ford ended up dropping the dated 5.4L SOHC 24V V8 engine in 2011, in exchange for the BOSS 6.2L V8, also
known as the “Hurricane” engine to become the only engine within the first-generation Raptor. Joining
the Raptor was a choice of a SuperCrew four-door cab instead of just the SuperCab variant. By offering a
SuperCrew option, this better-suited buyers as not everyone is going to be off-roading or prerunning
daily. Luckily, Ford hit a home run with the 6.2L V8 because after consumers started experiencing the
raw power and torque coming from all 379 cubic inches, it proved that it was far superior in every way
to the outgoing V8. Producing an extra 101 hundred horsepower and 64 more lb/ft of torque, SVT engineers
gave what the Raptor needed to blast through the desert like a Baja trophy truck.
From there on, Ford continued to improve the Raptor every year by giving it better suspension, revised
FOX Racing shocks, advanced traction control, and new technology components. Putting all of these
components combined, Ford put the Raptor as the top of the food chain among all its competitive
counterparts from Ram and Chevrolet. To further enhance the performance of the first-generation Raptor,
owners will add a performance
exhaust system, cold air
intake, custom tuning, and
upgraded upper/lower
control arms.
You can find the 6.2L SOHC 16V V8 in the following Raptors:
7 quarts 5W-30 full synthetic with filter
(5,000-mile service interval, 3,000 for
heavy use)
Redline
6,500 RPM
2017-2020 Raptor 3.5L H/O EcoBoost V6
After its three year hiatus from the F-150 lineup, enthusiasts were wondering when Ford would return the
Raptor to take over the off-road truck market once again. Leading up to 2017, Ford Performance engineers
were hard at work, developing a worthy successor to the first-generation that became an instant legend
amongst the off-road truck market. To make this happen effectively, the Ford Performance team realized
how successful the second-generation 3.5L Twin-Turbo EcoBoost had become combined with the
military-grade all-aluminum in the all-new F-150 architecture.
After years of development and engineering, Ford had come up with a high output version of the
exceedingly fruitful 3.5L EcoBoost V6. Using performance calibration, revised Borg-Warner turbochargers,
and an anti-lag system, Ford Performance engineers pulled 450 horsepower and 510 lb/ft of torque out of
the engine. From a displacement standpoint, it is crazy to think that engineers could pull out this much
torque from a V6
of this nature. At first, enthusiasts were not happy to see a V6 in the Raptor as many owners are purest
in the traditional truck formula.
Upon its initial launch in 2017, many enthusiasts were captivated by the larger body, wider track,
improved triple-bypass FOX Racing shocks, and upgraded off-road technology integrated into the package.
All these features made a substantial impact on potential buyers, which helped them look past the V6
engine platform. Once driven enthusiasts were shocked at the amount of low-end torque, the Raptor put
down to the ground at only 3,500 RPM.
To increase performance, many enthusiasts will add various components such as an upgraded intercooler,
reservoir
triple-bypass racing shocks, performance
exhaust, pre-runner bumpers, and a
custom tune. All of these combined
will
take the Raptor to new levels of off-road performance challenging many purpose-built Baja 1000 trucks.
The
second-generation Raptor will outperform the first-generation in almost every way except the exhaust
note!
We are looking forward to what the potential third-generation Raptor will be among the 2021 Ford F-150
lineup. Stay tuned to all of Steeda's social media for the latest news.
You can find the 3.5L Ti-VCT 32V EcoBoost V6 in the following Raptors:
2017-2020 Ford F-150 Raptor SuperCab
2017-2020 Ford F-150 Raptor SuperCrew
Raptor 3.5L H/O EcoBoost V6 Engine Specs
Measurement
Technical Specification
Configuration
Aluminum block, aluminum cylinder heads
Intake Manifold
Composite with charged motion runners
Exhaust Manifold
Tubular stainless steel headers
Valvetrain
DOHC, 32 valve (4v per cylinder), roller finger follower
Pistons
Forged aluminum
Connecting Rods
Forged Aluminum
Ignition
Distributor-less with coil-on-plug
Bore X Stroke
3.64 in. x 3.41 in.
Displacement
213 Cubic inches/3.5L
Compression Ratio
10.0:1
Engine Control Sytem
PCM
Horsepower
450 @ 5,000 RPM
Torque
510 ft.-lbs. @ 3,500 RPM
Recommended Fuel
93 Octane
Fuel Delivery
Port fuel injection with direct injection
Oil Capacity
6 quarts 5W-30 full synthetic with filter
(5,000-mile service interval, 3,000 for
heavy use)
Redline
6,500 RPM
2021-2022 Raptor 3.5L EcoBoost V6
After its return in 2017 and running out the 2020 model year, the Raptor is fresh for 2021 with a new
body design and nicer interior than ever. Running essentially the same engine and transmission as the
previous generation, the Gen 3 Raptor comes with 450 horsepower on tap through the 3.5L twin turbo V6
under its hood and pairs it to the 10R80 automatic found in the Mustang.This combination makes the third
generation of the Raptor even more aggressive than before. For this year, Ford Performance also focused
more on off-road performance than before while maintaining road manners with the help of their
newly-developed G.O.A.T. system found in the Bronco.
The 3.5 EcoBoost has more than proved itself in the Raptor's use, and as a result the engine can be found
to be slightly improved over the previous generation. With the addition of the G.O.A.T.modes, this is
the most capable Raptor yet. While it is only available in the full-sized SuperCrew configuration, it is
still a performance vehicle with a towing weight of over 8,000lbs, making it still a very capable work
vehicle when needed.
While we still wait (im)patiently for the V8-powered Raptor R to make it's debut, the current Raptor is
definitely no slouch in any way. The 5.1 second 0-60mph time is respectable and the actual off-road
driving outperforms any rival on the market. With the Bronco Raptor Joining the Raptor nameplate, the
Raptor's performance can be expected to continue improving for both on-road and off-road use. Witht hese
improvements, the Raptor moves ever closer to being a fully-fledged trophy truck.
Raptor 3.5L H/O EcoBoost V6 Engine Specs
Measurement
Technical Specification
Configuration
Aluminum block, aluminum cylinder heads
Intake Manifold
Composite with charged motion runners
Exhaust Manifold
Tubular stainless steel headers
Valvetrain
DOHC, 32 valve (4v per cylinder), roller finger follower
Pistons
Forged aluminum
Connecting Rods
Forged Aluminum
Ignition
Distributor-less with coil-on-plug
Bore X Stroke
3.64 in. x 3.41 in.
Displacement
213 Cubic inches/3.5L
Compression Ratio
10.0:1
Engine Control Sytem
PCM
Horsepower
450 @ 5,000 RPM
Torque
510 ft.-lbs. @ 3,500 RPM
Recommended Fuel
93 Octane
Fuel Delivery
Port fuel injection with direct injection
Oil Capacity
6 quarts 5W-30 full synthetic with filter
(5,000-mile service interval, 3,000 for
heavy use)
