Stopped by the dealer last night and sitting in the commercial lot, under the tilt hood of a cab-over medium-duty truck was a twin-turbo Powerstroke! My jaw hit the ground! Finally, a way to put an end to the stupid rumors suggesting that the new engine is going to be anything other than International. (Did you ever wonder how so many people actually got to read the actual contract between Ford and International? Who knew so many contract lawyers with idle time and access to corporate records perused over our fair site? And exactly why would Ford seek an inferior engine to replace International?)

The new engine has sequential turbochargers with the outlet from the first turbo feeding directly into the inlet of the second turbo. The second turbocharger was positioned at a right angle to the first turbocharger. The plumbing was not the nightmare I was expecting. The engine looked clean and well-engineered- nothing like the mess of plumbing surrounding the GM-Isuzu.

The catch? It was not until I tilted the cab forward that I noticed this was a V-6! No I am not suggesting that the engine to replace the 6.0 will be a V-6. But it makes sense that International would make use of modular architecture and the environmental technology on the V-6 twin when building the V-8 twin.

I like the fact that the twin set-up is getting run time in a commercial configuration before it hits the consumer market. If the V-6 is any indication, and I think it makes sense to assume that International will make use of the economies of scale here, the new engine looks good. I am excited enough about it to consider holding off a new truck until the new power plant is available. Now if only Ford will resist the temptation to make the new truck look like something Country-style leisure folks use to haul belt-buckles and coolers filled with Zima to the pop music concert, we will be in good shape.

And is there a way we could take some blood from each person who even suggested the new engine would be anything other than International?



-Mike

 

I found the suggestions remarkable too

The LCF with that exact engine was available as July; We had one on our lot by the beginning of August. I snapped some pictures on my phone but got aggrevated and never posted them...

It is an incredibly clean setup considering there are dual turbos, isn't it?

 

Yes dual turbos. We have and I am sure we will continue to make the mistake of referring to the sequential turbo strategy as "Twin Turbos" but, as I understand it the primary is smaller than the secondary. The smaller turbo feeds it's big brother. Is this correct Matt?

So, they are not twins.

But, the "Twins" sounds like they are a whole lot more fun the the "Duals"

Don't you think?

 

That is correct Keith (the smaller turbo feeds the bigger one)

 

I want to see pictures....

 

You always want to see pictures...

 

and quotations...

 

so are the turbo both being fed by exhaust gas or is it the compressor outlet of the smaller turbo that is feeding the turbine of the larger unit?

 

Exhaust gas feeds both. The second turbo further compresses the air from the first turbo.

 

Me to. Now I'm drooling.

 

what was the displacement of the V6?

it should be a 4.8 if it is of the modular design. or close considering the same bore and stroke.

 

I may just propose a theory.

That if the 6.4l is a 6.0l, just with greater capacity, and that the 4.5l is just a 6.0 with 2 less cylinders?

 

Pictures Please

 

Test drove a LCF with my dad and uncle yesterday. For a heavy vehicle, it sure does move. The 97 F-450 PSD Flatbad (which the LCF would replace) is still running strong, although the tranny will need a rebuild soon. So my uncle couldn't justify the costs.

 

They move pretty good even with a V6? Man...I can't wait for the V8!!!