7.3 Godzilla in an RCR Gt40 MKII?

Hey all, this is my first post here on gt40s.com and I am looking to have an RCR Gt40 MKII built for me with a 7.3 Godzilla. My reasoning for wanting the Godzilla over a Windsor block 427 is that I want a more modern engine with better reliability than a Windsor with modern 8 stack fuel injection and a dry sump oiling system. I also want something other than a coyote. I plan on doing a lot of heavy track days with this car and also potentially racing it. An engine like this was what I had in mind with maybe less power for reliability: https://www.willisengines.com/dyno-results-ndash-stage-3-ultra-street.html . Does the Godzilla sound like a good choice or does it just sound good on paper?
 

Larry L.

Lifetime Supporter
"Does the Godzilla sound like a good choice or does it just sound good on paper?"

If you haven't done so already, 'might wanna break out a ruler and put it to good use before you fill out the order form for a Godzilla. ;-) There's not much wiggle room in a MKII's engine compartment (even less in a MKI)!
Just sayin'...
 

Rob Klein

Supporter
I would do a all aluminum 351 race motor. You should be able to het 650hp and that will be plenty. I have a all aluminum 351 punched to a 427 and even with 15” rears putting the power down has to be thoughtful
 

Randy V

Moderator-Admin
Staff member
Admin
Lifetime Supporter
Sounds like an exciting project.
I’ve only built 1 car with over a thousand HP and even though the car with me in it weighed 3,000#, It was a beast and without racing slicks there was no way to put even half of the power to the ground. Yes it was cool - but simply over the top and could be a real handful to control.
The 7.3 is a great motor and a real stump puller, but I think I’d look to something that produces a more street friendly torque curve rather than 500+ LB FT just over idle speed…

edit - The street tires were DOT Drag Tires that had a section width of 18”..
 
Thanks for everyone's input. I do still think the Godzilla will work and with the dimensions of 28.74x27x29 inches it should fit just fine if not a little snug. In terms of horsepower I think shooting around 600-700 would be more than enough for the car because recently I did the GT40 Lemans one day experience with David Zubick of Racing Adventures and found that the 550 horsepower engine could really make that car fly! Also I do just really like the idea of putting a Godzilla in the car because back when ford was using the 427 it was originally out of the Galaxie and I would like to apply that same principle with fords more modern engine from the super duty series.
 
Quote
"I’ve only built 1 car with over a thousand HP and even though the car with me in it weighed 3,000#, It was a beast and without racing slicks there was no way to put even half of the power to the ground. "

This makes me feel alot better about not getting too overcomplicated/overpowering my GT40 build.
 

Neil

Supporter
Thanks for everyone's input. I do still think the Godzilla will work and with the dimensions of 28.74x27x29 inches it should fit just fine if not a little snug. In terms of horsepower I think shooting around 600-700 would be more than enough for the car because recently I did the GT40 Lemans one day experience with David Zubick of Racing Adventures and found that the 550 horsepower engine could really make that car fly! Also I do just really like the idea of putting a Godzilla in the car because back when ford was using the 427 it was originally out of the Galaxie and I would like to apply that same principle with fords more modern engine from the super duty series.
Back in that day, Ford was putting a '60s engine in a '60s car. You want to put a modern engine in a '60s car????
 

Howard Jones

Supporter
Heres is some idea of the quality ($$$) of the other parts you will need:





None of these are the parts you will need but they serve to illustrate the range of the costs involved in a 1000 hp power train. Remember that when (NOT IF) you break things they cost this much to replace. I don't think you can do a complete power train for less than the cost of the rest of the car. my guess is you will need to spend $70.000 to get it reliable and suitable for that much power. AT LEAST! Oh, and there is NO WAY that ANY production transaxle and associated components will live at 1000hp using a tire capable of providing sufficient grip levels.

AND if you don't want to hook up that 1000hp then why have it! Start with the tire you intend to use and build the power train to make as much torque that the tires will live with other wise it's a bench racer, trailer queen death trap.

I think you would be better served to buy a real racecar
 

Larry L.

Lifetime Supporter
Heres is some idea of the quality ($$$) of the other parts you will need:





None of these are the parts you will need but they serve to illustrate the range of the costs involved in a 1000 hp power train. Remember that when (NOT IF) you break things they cost this much to replace. I don't think you can do a complete power train for less than the cost of the rest of the car. my guess is you will need to spend $70.000 to get it reliable and suitable for that much power. AT LEAST! Oh, and there is NO WAY that ANY production transaxle and associated components will live at 1000hp using a tire capable of providing sufficient grip levels.

AND if you don't want to hook up that 1000hp then why have it! Start with the tire you intend to use and build the power train to make as much torque that the tires will live with other wise it's a bench racer, trailer queen death trap.

I think you would be better served to buy a real racecar


Carroll Shelby somehow ought to have found a way to shoehorn those factoids into his famous quote "There is never enough horsepower......just not enough traction." 'Could have saved more than one gear head many bucks... ;-)
 
Back in that day, Ford was putting a '60s engine in a '60s car. You want to put a modern engine in a '60s car????
I'm also interested in this set-up purely for the raw experience of this motor with the same kit manufacturer. but this answer is not at all fair..if you recall most kit suppliers have updated the underpinning/chassis. of this car essentially offering that nostalgic feeling with more modern features. so its not exactly a modern engine in a "60's car" if "today's technology" is utilized.
 
Thanks for the input everyone, shooting for the 650-700 hp range to be more managable. Still wanting to go with the godzilla though since the race car replicas gt40 is a moderized replica at the end of the day (an incredibly well made one at that) and does not need to be the exact same as the original 66' mkii. Also, AXULFRAX summed up the idea pretty well.
 

Randy Folsom

Supporter
Sounds like a fun project. I stopped by RCR a few weeks ago. I saw a RCR40 with what I think was fitted with a Coyote engine. It fit, but the chassis was significantly modified. Big notches. No room for an AC compressor. The Graziano transaxle will stick out beyond the rear clip and weight that far back will significantly impact weight distribution. There is no difference in a MK1 and MK2 RCR chassis. The MK2 rear clip does provide a bit more head room, but otherwise the RCR cars are identical. IMHO the only reason for that much power in a 2,500 pound car is bragging rights, but the same could be said for the 533 HP 302/363 going into my car. If you’re thinking steam roller tires will get the power to the ground, be aware that those make street driving difficult because they make the car hard to steer. Also, keep in mind that you will need to make room for the bigger radiator, ECU, wiring, etc. Looking forward to seeing your build.
 
Sounds like a fun project. I stopped by RCR a few weeks ago. I saw a RCR40 with what I think was fitted with a Coyote engine. It fit, but the chassis was significantly modified. Big notches. No room for an AC compressor. The Graziano transaxle will stick out beyond the rear clip and weight that far back will significantly impact weight distribution. There is no difference in a MK1 and MK2 RCR chassis. The MK2 rear clip does provide a bit more head room, but otherwise the RCR cars are identical. IMHO the only reason for that much power in a 2,500 pound car is bragging rights, but the same could be said for the 533 HP 302/363 going into my car. If you’re thinking steam roller tires will get the power to the ground, be aware that those make street driving difficult because they make the car hard to steer. Also, keep in mind that you will need to make room for the bigger radiator, ECU, wiring, etc. Looking forward to seeing your build.
The beauty of the Godzilla over the Coyote, the Godzilla is 3”’s less in width; no notching to fit it in. Indy Power Products has the proper 9 qt oil pan too.
 
Back
Top