Back From The Dead
In the automotive world, a blown motor typically means replacement is the more practical option, as repairs tend to be costly. Fortunately for the guys at LOJ Conversions, they already had a spare 7.3-liter Ford Godzilla V8, which was ultimately swapped into a 2005 F-250 after its original engine suffered a rod failure that destroyed the block.
Why would LOJ Conversions—known for LS-swapped Nissan projects like the LS7-powered 350Z—have a massive V8 just lying around? According to owner Stephen Dorrick, the engine was originally purchased so the team could study it and gather data for future product development for his powertrain conversion business. He initially considered swapping the engine into a Ford Excursion SUV, but he couldn’t find a good deal. Instead, he ended up with an F-250 pickup showing 81,000 miles, which he found on Facebook and paid more than he had intended to.
Old-School Simplicity Still Matters
The F-250 is a basic XLT model, though it does include power windows and power door locks. It also benefits from a coil-spring front suspension, replacing leaf springs, as part of the mid-cycle update for the 2005 model year. For Dorrick, however, the appeal lies in the truck’s simplicity, noting that basic trims tend to be more reliable because they have fewer components that can fail.
That simplicity is complemented by the swapped Godzilla gasoline engine, which Ford introduced to the Super Duty lineup for the 2020 MY. The naturally aspirated V8 forgoes turbochargers and relies on a pushrod design, both of which help reduce mechanical complexity. In factory form, the engine produces 430 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque.
One of the most notable aspects of the build is how straightforward the conversion turned out to be, with Dorrick describing it as if “Ford made it to be done that way.” While the original 5.4-liter Triton V8 was removed, the factory ZF S6-650 six-speed manual transmission, manual transfer case, Dana 60 front axle, and Sterling 10.5-inch rear axle were retained. To handle the added output, the clutch and flywheel were sourced from Ford’s 6.8-liter Triton V10.
Fitting Right In
Additional upgrades include a Ford Performance Godzilla engine control pack, a Godzilla-specific stainless steel exhaust system, and a 6.0-liter Power Stroke diesel V8’s radiator.
The primary drawback cited is fuel economy, with the truck returning around 12 mpg—roughly on par with a V12-powered Ferrari 812 Superfast. Nevertheless, Dorrick says the truck performs well as a daily workhorse and commuter, though the idea of eventually swapping the powertrain into an Excursion remains very much on the table.
