Kaz109
Full Access Member
Ask seeing the numbers on the regular F150 powerboost I have no doubt that should and will be the best powerplant for the raptor. The upside to hp and tq and fuel economy is just too great
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Yes agreed.The 5.2 Predator is already making 760HP with a TVS; it certainly doesn’t need an aftermarket supercharger. If they offer an optional V8, that engine is a given.
Agree, those motors make anything they put it into flat out fast. That’s a given you get out of an FCA car with that power plant.
But we are most likely at a peak with engines and regulation will start to kill things off. It’s the dawn of a new day. We have a new sherif in town it appears. Sad in ways but true.
For sure, the worst part about it ... is these turbo charged engines aren't any better on fuel economy at all. Compare this 3.5L Ecoboost engine in the Raptor, to the 400HP 5.7L Hemi on the RAM trucks. The RAM has noticeably better MPG for everyday usage, which would seem at quick glance to "defy physics" when looking at the bare minimal set of information. Displacement, and horsepower / torque rating. Something called a 3.5L V6 "EcoBoost" should be miles better on MPG than 5.7L NA 8 cylinder by the branding ... but we know once those turbos start spooling, so does the fuel pump lol not to mention the cylinder deactivation present with a lot of the V8's.
Marketing vs. reality. I think Ford should be using the smallest displacement V8 they can manage to get around 500-600 HP out of, and somewhere around 560+ ft/lbs of torque. I don't think if the next Raptor is engineered correctly and weight considerations are made, there's any reason it can't overall perform better as an actual off-road truck, being more nimble, comfortable and 'ergonomically' designed for taking corners and jumps etc. as well as long highway stints. The TRX again, is mostly great at plowing back and fourth on a straight line and hence the heavy focus on the insane engine and 0-60 time ... drive one, and you'll see it's more of a "boat" that puts a smile on your face as you slam the accelerator than it is a race-bred off-road machine that can corner like a dream.
I'd rather have the current Raptor any day over the TRX - and if the horsepower is down for your taste, give it small tune for 91 octane. But the next-gen Raptor, I would fully expect to finally get rid of the leaf spring setup, further refine the Fox shock setup, and boost the engine power enough to still in real-world MPG ratings to beat the TRX.
I understand, and you're correct that they are used in completely different applications. However, my main point is still valid. Even considering the same or very similar application, there's a noticeable difference between ACTUAL mpg, and EPA rated or manufacturer claimed MPG. We all know, those MPG figures on turbo boost engines are performed with an "expert" driver who knows to stay out of the boost range as much as humanly possible.
You sound like you know engines, and vehicle dynamics well so that point should still ring valid and true with you.
I mentioned the V8 with ~560 lb-ft of torque would also presumably anyhow, be mated to a noticeably lighter vehicle overall which given solid engine design (something like the 5.2 Predator) would also be smaller displacement, plus using a 10 speed transmission should overall give a noticeable increase and not 'within the same' fuel economy as a much heavier TRX with a clunkier 8 speed transmission & driveline. I'm pretty confident Ford would also be very clearly targeting a fuel economy that's still good-enough to not be outrageous for everyday driving; something I think the RAM missed the boat on a bit with the TRX despite the obviously awesome sound and acceleration
It really just depends on how the vehicle is driven...