What is a Restomod?
In the past few years, restomods have surged in popularity as the desire for 60s era Muscle car aesthetics, free from government safety regulations, remains strong. The timeless appeal of these beautiful classics, often featured as hero vehicles in modern movies, only fuels people's growing cravings for them. Their stunning beauty is truly remarkable. However, theres a catch. For every bit of beauty they possess, in factory form, they lack in driving dynamics and reliability.
At Lakeview Automotive, we have the pleasure of working with a wide range of classic cars and their owners. While some have been maintaining their beloved classics for years, fully aware of the care and attention they require, others are new to the world of classic car ownership or returning to it after a lengthy break. The second group either forgot or were unaware that many decades ago, when these cars were new, there used to be a mechanic shop at almost every gas station. Yes, a mechanic shop at every gas station! That's how much constant attention these now classics required. Technology simply wasn't there, comparing a carbureted engine to modern direct injected engine with variable exhaust and intake cam timing and fine knock learning is like comparing IBM's old tabulating machines to a modern day iPhone.
Please don't take us the wrong way, we're not saying that a numbers matching Boss 429 doesn't get our spines tingling and our car lover senses buzzing. That being said, If you intend to drive your classic car extensively and you're not a strict purist, which most people aren't deep down, a restomod is exactly what you need. Its like the beer with no hang over. The 60s looks with non of the drawbacks!
There are two ways of doing a restomod. One, modernize the underpinnings (engine, transmission, suspension, breaks and NVH [noise vibration and harshness]) what gives you the feel of an automobile in motion. Two, visually, modernize what the vehicle looks like; this could be in the form of body kits, wheels, paint matching etc. Typically, when a classic undergoes a modern visual updates, it tends to cater to a specific taste and appeal to a more niche audience. However, when classic appearance is combined with modern driving capabilities, the result is truly sensational. This is what Scott's 67 Ford Mustang with the 7.3L Godzilla V8 is like.
What is the best Ford Engine to put into a Ford Restomod?
The 7.3 Liter (445 CU) Godzilla Ford engine is the answer. 
Probably one of the best things to come out of the year 2020. We couldn't dream of a better engine for Ford Restomods. When we heard that in their Superduty trucks Ford will be introducing a 7.3 L pushrod engine with 10.5:1 compression we knew these engines will sooner or later make their way into a ton of Ford Restomods. Since that time, we knew we were going to shoehorn one of these engines between the shock towers of a first generation Mustang (1964-73). Being a pushrod engine and narrower than the DOHC 5.0 Coyote we felt confident in being able to swap this new Ford "LS" into a 60s Mustang without having to cut the shock towers out, and replace the suspension system with a Mustang II style system, a practice that must be done in order to fit a coyote in.
Why swap a 7.3 Godzilla instead of the 5.0 Coyote?
Ford's Coyote is a phenomenal engine and we love them dearly, however, they do tend to be a little "European' in their personality. The 7.3L Godzilla is a modern engine with modern engine power, drivability and reliability, however, its "old school" in personality.
In the era of 1960s, muscle cars were powered by hefty truck engines, granting them impressive low-end power. And what is the source of the 7.3L Godzilla engine? It's derived from the Ford Super Duty trucks, boasting ample cubic inches and abundant low-end torque that embody the "classic" traits without any of the traditional limitations. Essentially, the Godzilla 7.3 engine is a modernized classic in itself!
Moreover, with it being a single cam engine, swapping out cams for that old school "lumpy" idle isn't such a hassle like on the Coyote.
7.3 Godzilla vs 5.0 Coyote Specs
5.0 Coyote Specs
- Displacement: 5.0 liters (302 cubic inches)
- Configuration: V8
- Fuel System: Sequential multi-port electronic fuel injection (direct injection 3rd gen)
- Aspiration: Naturally aspirated
- Power Output (2018 Mustang GT): 460 horsepower at 7,000 rpm
- Torque (2018 Mustang GT): 420 lb-ft at 4,600 rpm
- Compression Ratio: 12.0:1
- Bore x Stroke: 3.63 inches x 3.65 inches
- Valvetrain: Dual overhead cam (DOHC), four valves per cylinder
- Variable Valve Timing (VVT): Yes, with Twin Independent Variable Cam Timing (Ti-VCT)
- Block Material: Aluminum
- Cylinder Head Material: Aluminum
- Redline: 7,500 rpm
7.3 Godzilla Specs
- Displacement: 7.3 liters (445 cubic inches)
- Configuration: V8
- Fuel System: Port fuel injection
- Aspiration: Naturally aspirated
- Power Output (Estimated for 2022 Super Duty): Around 430 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque
- Material: Cast iron block and aluminum cylinder heads
- Valvetrain: Overhead valve (OHV) design with two valves per cylinder
- Bore x Stroke: 4.22 inches x 3.976 inches
- Compression Ratio: 10.5:1
Looking at the specs of both engines, it becomes clear why these engines have different personalities. The 7.3 takes on an old school American approach of power by displacement, while the Coyote takes on a European approach of small displacement high efficiency and using Revs to achieve power. There is no doubt that the Coyote is more complex than the Godzilla. Will say it time and time again, if you're looking to modernize a classic Ford, the old school personality of the Godzilla makes it the best option.
How to swap a 7.3L Godzilla into a classic Mustang.
We think that we were the first people to attempt this in a 60s Mustang there was no information anywhere we had to do it from scratch, going in blind. So, we started test fitting.
While the 7.3 Godzilla is just narrow enough to squeeze between the shock towers of a 60s Mustang, its a tall engine with a large rear sump. Scotts 67 Mustang also had rack & pinion steering which made even a low profile rear sump pan impossible to install. Thankfully, Indy Power Products had just developed a front mount oil pump conversion kit for the Godzilla. The kit did a fantastic job in giving us room vertically.
While the 7.3L Godzilla is narrower than the Coyote mainly due to its smaller heads, its still a big engine. With the shock towers in place we had very little room left for exhaust plumbing. So our fabricator Sam built custom log style manifolds to clear without notching the shock towers. Again, we are really doing our best to make this the least invasive swap to the Mustang as possible.
This swap was done at a time when there was very limited aftermarket support for the 7.3. The Truck intake manifold with its throttle body pointing up wasn't going to fit. So our fabricator Sam hand built a manifold to work. Now there are many after market options to choose from.
Here's an image of it at the World of Wheels Auto Show in Calgary 2022.
Lakeview Automotive is the shop for Classic Mustangs looking to get modernized in the Calgary & area!
Scott now puts a ton of worry free miles on his Restomod 67 Mustang. He knows that when he's going to crank that ignition on, it will start and drive. No more worries due to carb malfunction and elevation changes causing poor running conditions. The car just works like it was from this century.
Contact us at Lakeview Automotive for all your restomodding needs!
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