20 Best Ford Engines of All Time (Ranked)

Matthew Scyoc

Matthew Scyoc

— 6 min read
20 Best Ford Engines of All Time (Ranked)

Ford has been cranking out engines for over a century, and let’s face it—not all of them were winners. But when they nailed it, boy, did they nail it. From fire-breathing V8s that could make your grandma spill her coffee to quiet overachievers that just got the job done, Ford’s engines have defined everything from the golden age of muscle cars to today’s turbocharged rocket ships.

This list is a love letter to the heart and soul of Ford’s machines, ranked from “meh, it’s fine” to “this thing should be in a museum.” Whether you’re a fan of big blocks that can tow a house or modern turbocharged marvels that sip gas while embarrassing V8s, there’s something here for everyone. So buckle up, grab a wrench, and let’s take a ride through the best (and not-so-best) engines Ford ever bolted together.

Oh, and fair warning: If you’re a die-hard Essex V6 fan, you might want to skip this list. Things get real.

20. Ford Essex V6 (1994-2011)

  • Specs: 3.8L, 200-250 hp
  • This engine was the quiet achiever. Not flashy, not loud, but it got the job done day in and day out. Perfect for mid-sized cars, and it didn’t blow up your wallet at the gas station.

19. Ford Zetec I4 (1992-2004)

  • Specs: 2.0L, 130 hp
  • It’s like the little engine that could. Found in the Escort and Focus, it wasn’t powerful, but it was efficient, reliable, and begged you to modify it. Think of it as a blank canvas for your imagination.

18. 2.3L EcoBoost I4 (2015-Present)

  • Specs: 2.3L, up to 350 hp
  • Don’t let the four cylinders fool you. This baby is turbocharged and ready to party. It powers the Mustang EcoBoost and the Focus RS, so it’s got street cred and a license to shred.

17. 2.7L EcoBoost V6 (2015-Present)

  • Specs: 2.7L, up to 325 hp
  • The Goldilocks of engines—not too big, not too small, just right. Turbocharged for extra fun, it’s perfect for a modern-day F-150 or Edge ST when you want power but not the gas bill.

16. 4.6L Modular V8 (1991-2014)

  • Specs: 4.6L, up to 500 hp
  • Ford’s first attempt at modernizing the V8. It had some growing pains, but when they strapped a supercharger on it for the Cobra, it turned into an absolute monster.

15. 351 Windsor V8 (1969-1996)

  • Specs: 5.8L, up to 300 hp
  • The Windsor was the pickup truck engine that could also moonlight as a muscle car powerhouse. Tough, reliable, and ready to rumble, it was like the hardworking dad of Ford engines.

14. Ford Barra I6 (2002-2016)

  • Specs: 4.0L, up to 436 hp (turbocharged models)
  • Australia’s gift to the world. The Barra could take a beating, laugh it off, and keep going. Tuners love it because it’s basically indestructible—and stupid fast when boosted.

13. 460 Big Block V8 (1968-1997)

  • Specs: 7.5L, up to 245 hp
  • The mountain motor. If you needed to tow a house or power a tank, this was your engine. It wasn’t exactly fuel-efficient, but who cared when gas was 50 cents a gallon?

12. 428 Cobra Jet V8 (1968-1970)

  • Specs: 7.0L, 335 hp (wink, wink—it was more like 400 hp)
  • This was Ford's sneaky way of dominating drag strips. They ‘officially’ rated it at 335 hp, but everyone knew it was a lot more. The Mach 1 with this engine was a quarter-mile king—leave your wallet at home and let the Cobra Jet do the talking.

11. 5.4L Triton V8 (1997-2014)

  • Specs: 5.4L, up to 550 hp
  • The Triton was Ford’s Swiss Army knife of engines. It did it all—trucks, muscle cars, and even supercars like the Ford GT. When it was in the GT500, it didn’t roar; it screamed like a banshee hopped up on nitrous.

10. 351 Cleveland V8 (1970-1982)

  • Specs: 5.8L, up to 300 hp
  • Big ports, big power, big dreams. The Cleveland was a muscle car sweetheart, perfect for burning rubber and embarrassing Camaros at stoplights. This thing loved to scream at high RPMs.

9. 289 Small Block V8 (1963-1968)

  • Specs: 4.7L, up to 271 hp
  • Ah, the engine that put the Mustang on the map! It was lightweight, zippy, and made you feel invincible at 60 mph. Shelby slapped it in the GT350 and turned it into a screamer. Pure American muscle in a little package.

8. Ford Flathead V8 (1932-1953)

  • Specs: 3.6L, 65-110 hp
  • The granddaddy of hot rods! This was the engine that made every farm boy with a wrench feel like a racecar driver. Sure, it’s not exactly fast by today’s standards, but back then, it was practically warp speed compared to everything else puttering along.

7. 3.5L EcoBoost V6 (2010-Present)

  • Specs: 3.5L, up to 450 hp
  • Turbochargers on a V6? The purists cried foul, but this little powerhouse shut them up fast. It’s the heart of the Raptor and even the Ford GT—basically, proof that you don’t need eight cylinders to crush your competition.

6. 7.3L Godzilla V8 (2020-Present)

  • Specs: 7.3L, 430 hp, 475 lb-ft torque
  • Godzilla is right! This engine is a dinosaur-sized throwback to when big cubes ruled. If you need to tow a yacht and still want to smoke tires, this is your ticket.

5. Ford Coyote V8 (2011-Present)

  • Specs: 5.0L, up to 480 hp
  • The Coyote’s howl is music to every car lover’s ears. It powers the Mustang GT and proves that a naturally aspirated V8 is still alive and kicking—and kicking hard.

4. Boss 429 V8 (1969-1970)

  • Specs: 7.0L, 375-500 hp
  • This engine is so big it barely fit in the car. Designed for NASCAR, this beast was like stuffing a T-Rex into a shoebox. Sure, it wasn’t cheap or practical, but who cares? It’s called the Boss for a reason!

3. Ford Cosworth DFV V8 (1967-1985)

  • Specs: 3.0L, over 500 hp
  • The Formula One dominator! This little guy wasn’t just a great engine; it was THE engine. Everyone in racing either used it or wished they had one. Lightweight, high-revving, and glorious.

2. Ford Power Stroke Diesel V8 (1994-Present)

  • Specs: 7.3L-6.7L, up to 475 hp and 1050 lb-ft torque
  • If torque is your love language, this is your soulmate. The Power Stroke is a diesel juggernaut, perfect for hauling, towing, and intimidating Prius drivers at stoplights.

1. 302 Windsor V8 (1968-2001)

  • Specs: 5.0L, up to 220 hp
  • The 5-point-oh! The backbone of countless Mustangs, from street racers to soccer dads. This thing was like the pizza of engines—everyone loves it, and you can dress it up however you want.

There’s the definitive ranking from "meh" to "masterpiece"!

Read more