Big V8 or modern turbocharged six, either way you (almost) can’t go wrong.
The pickup truck is one of the most popular vehicles in the world, and the Ford F-150 is the most popular. It is reported that there is an average of 103 F-150 pickups sold per hour. That’s for every hour, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In fact, Ford has sold 1.7 trucks per minute, every minute of the day, for the past three years. That makes for an astounding amount of F-150s on the road today, but one is easily the most special. Enter the Raptor.
Whether the name is inspired by birds, or long-extinct dinosaurs, the name Raptor is synonymous with feeding on prey. The Raptor version of Ford’s predatorial light-duty full-size truck was unveiled for the 2010 model year as the “SVT Raptor”. Unlike the on-road focused F-150-based SVT Lightning (1993-2004) the Raptor was all about going fast off-road. With Fox Racing internal-bypass shocks with external reservoirs the Raptor has long suspension travel to soak up bumps and jumps at speed.
What are the Specs for the Ford Raptor’s Engine?
But we’re here to talk about its engine, of which there are several. For 2010, the first-generation Raptor came equipped with a standard engine 5.4L V8 rated at 310 horsepower and 365 lb-ft of torque or you could opt for a larger 411 horsepower 6.2L V8. Which you should do, more on that later. Both engines came equipped with a 6-speed automatic transmission. By 2011, the 5.4L engine option was gone, leaving the 6.2L V8 as the only engine offering for the Raptor.
While the V8 is, and always will be, a classic, Ford took a radical turn with the second-generation Raptor (2017-2020). There was no snarling, burbling, V8 under the new Raptor’s raised hood. Instead, Ford made use of an updated second-generation 3.5L EcoBoost gas V6. A six-cylinder in a big performance truck? More on that in a bit, it’s not as bad as it sounds. This particular V6 makes us of twin-turbochargers to deliver an impressively potent 450 horsepower, and an even more impressive 510 lb-ft-torque. The 2017+ Raptor engine is mated to an updated 10-speed 10R80 automatic transmission.
The third-generation Ford Raptor was just unveiled in February 2021 and is reportedly using an updated third-generation twin-turbo 3.5-liter EcoBoost high-output engine but specs have not been released at the time of this writing.
Are These the Same Engines Found in Other Fords?
Yes, all Raptor engines are found in other Ford Motor Company vehicles in some form. The Raptor’s 5.4L Modular 3-valve V8 from its first generation is shared across a host of Ford products including the other Ford F-Series trucks, as well as the Ford Expedition, and the Lincoln Navigator. The 6.2L V8 from the same generation Raptor was shared with other F-Series including the F-150 HD Harley Davidson and the Ford F-150 Super Duty of the same era.
Moving along the EcoBoost engine from the second generation Raptor, it was offered in other full-size Ford offerings. Like the 5.4L V8 that preceded it, the engine can be found in the Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator starting in the 2018 model year. The engine is also quite similar to the engine used in the latest Ford GT supercar (2017+).
V8 Engine Technical Details
The Raptor utilized two different V8 engines, the modular 5.4L V8 and the larger displacement 6.2L V8 also known as the “Hurricane” and “Boss” internally. Let’s go into a bit more detail on each and then we’ll focus on the EcoBoost V6.
5.4L V8
This particular version of Ford’s modular engine was short-lived in the Raptor but utilized a 3-valve single-overhead-cam (SOHC) cylinder head with variable camshaft timing (VCT). This improved power and torque over the previous 2-valve version found in big Ford’s in the late 1990s and early 2000s. That means 3-valves per cylinder or 24 valves total on the Raptor’s base 5.4L V8. The engine is built off of an aluminum block with aluminum cylinder heads, a composite-style intake with motioned controlled runners, and cast iron headers. Displacement was a total of 330 cubic inches with a compression ratio of 9.8:1.
6.2L V8
The first generation Raptor’s larger, and eventually only, V8 actually shares several structural similarities with the modular engine family that was home to the 5.4L V8. The 6.2L engine may only have a two-valve per cylinder in its SOHC valve train design, but it makes use of trick roller-rocker shafts and two spark plugs per cylinder, as well as dual-equal variable cam timing. But obviously the 6.2L is all about additional displacement, which helps it make bigger power. With 379 cubic inches, it is 49 cubic inches larger than the smaller modular 5.4L V8. It is built on a more conventional cast iron block but also has aluminum cylinder heads. Pistons and connecting rods are both made of forged aluminum and the compression ratio is also 9.8:1.
3.5L EcoBoost
The second generation Raptor uses the D35 iteration of the 3.5L EcoBoost V6, which is also that engine’s second generation. While it was not initially a favorite by truck purists, it’s tuneability and power have made quite an impression. The addition of port fuel injection (while keeping the direct injectors) was an important update to manage the high output nature of the Raptor. The engine is built on an aluminum block with aluminum cylinder heads while the intake manifold is composite with charged motion runners. The 3.5L engine also features tubular stainless steel headers. Pistons and connecting rods are also forged aluminum and compression is 10.0:1. Obviously, the big power is helped by the turbochargers. The D35 added new electronically actuated wastegates, along with lighter turbine wheels which increases power and responsiveness. The Borg Warner supplied turbos can run between 2.5 psi (0.17 bar) and 16 psi (1.1 bar) more boost than the previous generation EcoBoost.
Does the Raptor’s Engine Require Special Maintenance?
Not specifically no, as all engines and major components are shared across other Ford vehicles. For both the 5.4L V8, and 6.2L V8, Ford recommends use of 93 octane fuel . Oil capacity for both engines is 7 quarts and Ford recommends 5W-30 full synthetic with filter (5,000-mile service interval, 3,000 for heavy use). For 3.5L EcoBoost-equipped Raptors, premium 93 octane is recommended along with 6 quarts of 5W-30 full synthetic with filter (also a 5,000-mile service interval, 3,000 for heavy use).
Beyond that, the Raptor is just like any other vehicle. If you purchase one used, get a pre-purchase inspection done by a reputable shop that knows what to look for in an off-road focused truck like the Raptor.
Which Raptor Engine Should You Look For?
Other than the 2010 5.4L equipped Ford Raptor, you can’t go wrong. That original engine was plagued by an overall lack of power and torque to get the big truck through mud and rough terrain. So, there’s a reason that it only made it one model year. If your Raptor hunting is influenced by price, than you should definitely take a look at the 2010-2014 first generation 6.2L truck. Prices range from just above $23,000 to just under $38,000 (select the Raptor trim from the drop-down under each link):
- 2010 – $23,176 – $27,117
- 2011 – $28,952 – $32,722
- 2012 – $31,800 – $35,708
- 2013 – $36,382 – $40,951
- 2014 – $34,229 – $37,912
If you can swing the additional cost of the more modern EcoBoost, all signs point to it being worth the investment. Starting in 2017 and continuing through 2020, average prices are as follows:
- 2017 – $55,585 – $59,990
- 2017 – $63,841 – $68,678
- 2019 – $68,346 – $73,439
- 2020 – $74,687 – $80,063
As you can see, the updated second-generation Raptor isn’t cheap. Of course, Ford will still sell you a new 2020 Raptor starting at $53,455. Regardless of your Raptor buying decision, you’ll have one heck of an engine underneath. Just skip the smaller V8!
