How important? Diesels make up almost 80% of Super Duty sales. And the move is expected to permanently end Ford’s longtime use of Navistar built diesel engines in its heavy duty pickups, due to an ongoing legal battle between the two companies over warranty and cost issues related to the old 6.0-liter V8 Power Stroke model years 2003 to 2007.
Ford has used Navistar diesels in its F-Series trucks since 1982. Ford has a new engine under it’s 2011 hood, with a new grill to accommodate its all new engine.
The all new Ford designed ‘Scorpion’ 6.7-liter V8 diesel engine that will replace the current Navistar supplied 6.4-liter V8 Power Stroke by 2011. The Scorpion will also use lighter aluminum cylinder heads, abandoning the cast-iron heads in the current 6.4 liter Power Stroke. Power targets are said to be about. 390hp & 720lb-ft of torque. Today’s Power Stroke V8 is rated at a more ’sedate’ 350hp 350lb-ft of torque. Scorpion fuel economy is expected to be increased by at least 3 miles per gallon (mpg) versus the current engine. Helping the Scorpions mileage will be a new 6-speed automatic, like the 2009 F-150 has.
After releasing some exciting technical info on an all-new Power Stroke engine for the 2011 F-Series Super Duty with sales starting in the Spring of 2010.
Under the hood of the new F-Series Super Duty will be a revolutionary new 6.7-liter Power Stroke turbo-diesel engine. The all-new engine promises a “significant improvement in torque, horsepower and fuel economy,” this new F-Series Super Duty would continue to be a class leader in both payload and towing. It will also be significantly quieter than past diesels.
Numerous high-tech innovations have been employed in building this new engine, starting with a compacted graphite iron (CGI) engine block that Ford says is twice as strong as standard iron blocks. This was deemed necessary due to the increases in power output. (This may evenn make it to other vehicles like the GT 500)
The new engine makes use of a Honeywell single variable turbine turbo (this is similar to the one found on the Porsche 911 Turbo), but takes turbo technology a step further still. Instead of one, there are two compressor wheels driven off a single turbine impeller, working like a bi-turbo setup that gives the engine a fast response time with little lag as well as the power of a larger turbo.
Visually, the new engine looks remarkably different, due to the fact that the intake and exhaust systems are the reverse of a conventional engine. The exhaust manifolds sit in the valley of the big V8 engine, while the intake manifold is on the outside. This means the cylinder heads are essentially flipped around.
By significantly reducing the amount of exhaust piping, lag is reduced considerably. Additionally, this new packaging moves the hotter elements of the engine like the turbocharger and exhaust pipes away from the intake areas, ensuring a constant supply of cool air to the engine. And as for that turbo, it sits in the valley between the cylinder banks. Due to its location, spool up is considerably faster and the engine’s overall balance is improved. Another major benefit of this setup is that that cab no longer has to be removed from the frame if work needs to be done on the turbo. Making the maitenence easier, the fuel-pump, EGR also know as exhaust gas recirculation and the thermostats are also easily accessible from the front of the vehicle.
More information will be coming as we get closer to launch date.
