Texas-based PaxPower is known for putting
V8 engines where automakers won’t, such as Ford’s F-150 Raptor and Ranger
Raptor. Now, the company has set its sights on the recently-unveiled 2021
Bronco, which Ford has announced will be available with two engines at launch,
none of which is a V8. The entry-level unit will be a 2.3-liter EcoBoost
four-cylinder rated at 270 HP, with a 310 HP 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 to be
offered as an option.
The lack of a V8 powertrain is great news
for PaxPower, which has already announced a V8 conversion for the off-roader
based on Ford’s own 5.0-liter Coyote engine. The company seeks to fill this
void in the market with its V8 conversion featuring the third-generation
5.0-liter Coyote V8. It will be mated to Ford’s 10-speed automatic
transmission, with a manual gearbox being a “possible option”.
PaxPower plans to offer two variants of
the engine swap: a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 with 400 horsepower and 541 Nm of torque and a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 making 758 horsepower.
Thanks to a 2.9-liter supercharger, the latter will offer more than double the
power of a stock 2.7-liter Bronco.
In addition to mounting the 5.0-liter V8
to the Bronco’s engine bay, PaxPower says the conversion will require that the
10-speed transmission, all auxiliary engine systems, modules, exhaust, and
wiring be replaced with those from a V8 vehicle. The company anticipates that
the 400 HP V8 conversion will cost around US$ 30,000, not including the stock 2021
Bronco, while for the 758 HP supercharged version, PaxPower will charge around US$ 45,000. The converted Broncos could become available as soon as the second quarter
of 2021, based on current 2021 Bronco timetables.
Besides the engine swap program, PaxPower
will be developing a complete line of suspension, bumper, performance, and
other upgrades for the new Bronco, as teased in this rendering.
