Originally Posted By: 440Magnum
Nothing against the Ecoboost v6 in this application, but am I the only one that thinks their flat-crank V8 that's supposedly going in the net GT350 would be the PERFECT powerplant for the next Ford GT?!?
After all, the original was v8 powered using a 90-degree crank 427, but it had the "nest of snakes" manifolds that made it sound like a flat-plane v8. I don't think the flat-plane v8 would even be heavier than an Ecoboost either, at least not significantly.. Its light inherently because the crank has so much smaller counter-weights than a 90-degree crank (or a v6 crank), and doesn't need turbos, intercooling, and associated plumbing.
Putting the Ecoboost in there seems more marketing and pushing the Ecoboost brand than actual performance, in this case.
The ecoboost can be turned up to X hp relatively easily compared to the NA V8, so if they want to tune it up to hyper car performance, they can without a major engine redesign.
I think for a halo car they wanted to make sure it could be as powerful as needed, as they would catch all sorts of flack if it was too slow with only 550hp...
I agree though, that probably as a drivers car, the V8 would be better.