When Ford’s EcoBoost turbo V6 engine hit the shelves and dealerships, we were wondering if it would gain any traction as a racing engine at some point. It makes great power from the factory and represents a pretty big step for a domestic manufacturer to roll out something so bold as a twin turbo V6. We were excited to see a story spilling the beans on the fact that Roush Yates will be buying bone stock 3.5L EcoBoost engines and building them up for competition in the American LeMans Series.
The engines will shockingly retain their factory turbos but lose some stroke to meet the 3.2L class rules where they will be competing. The engines will be wrapped in a totally sexy Lola body and chassis that will be manufactured in England.
If you are rolling your eyes, consider this. The Ford mill will be fighting on the same ground as Honda, which apparently uses a 2.8L turbo V6 as well. Try to remember a time when an American company was competing head to head with a Japanese company (or other foreign rival) when it was NOT a naturally aspirated V8 versus small inch turbo engines. This is nose to nose, apples to apples stuff. Yes the engines will be modified for racing but the basic factory foundation will be there and ready for battle against all comers.
Sure the American LeMans series isn’t exactly the biggest stage in the world, but this could be that all important first baby step towards a world where the entire field of the Indy 500 isn’t running Honda engines.
This is total coolness and we’ll watch with anticipation when the cars hit the track and the rubber meets the road. We hope like hell the Ford will be competitive and start showing the world that the boys in Deetroit have their stuff together as much as anyone else!
Go baby go!
Source — Cleveland.com — Racing Companies to use Ford EcoBoost Engines
