Quick Facts:
- Build: Ford Maverick V8 swap by Tucci Hot Rods of Marcy, New York.
- Engine: 5.0L Ford Coyote V8 with twin turbos planned.
- Transmission: ZF 8HP70 eight-speed automatic.
- Engine it replaces: 2.0L EcoBoost, 250 hp and 277 to 280 lb-ft, by model year.
- Debut: SEMA Show, Las Vegas, November 3-6, 2026.
- For owners: Tunes, bolt-ons and Ford’s turbo kit, compared with a swap.
6 min read
In This Article
Overview
A Ford Maverick V8 is headed to the 2026 SEMA Show, and Ford is not the company building it. Instead, Tucci Hot Rods in Marcy, New York, has pulled the stock 2.0L EcoBoost. In its place sits a 5.0L Coyote V8 and a ZF 8HP70 eight-speed automatic, with twin turbos planned.
For comparison, factory Ford Maverick horsepower tops out at 250, according to Ford’s Maverick specs. Yet the same Coyote family makes 480 hp in the 2026 Mustang GT with no boost at all. We covered the Ford Maverick compact pickup at launch, and no factory version has topped 250 hp since.
Before off-roading and overlanding took priority for me, fast cars were my passion. In 2010, my brother and I brought two Corvettes onto Jay Leno’s show. So a boosted V8 in a small truck gets my attention right away.
This is a hot rod, and many of you are wondering what the Maverick offers from an off-road and overlanding standpoint. What Tucci has done here should open the door and show you how many possibilities this truck has.
If you plan to mod your own 2.0L, airflow is one place to start. The K&N cold air intake and the K&N high-flow air filter both list 2.0L Maverick fitment. Because the listed model years differ, check each listing against your truck first.
Airflow parts for the 2.0L EcoBoost
K&N High-Flow Original Lifetime Engine Air Filter: Increase Power: …
What Tucci Has Confirmed So Far
Tucci announced the project with a short caption: “a twin turbo 8hp Coyote swapped Maverick is coming to SEMA 2026.” Here, “8hp” means the ZF 8HP transmission family, not horsepower.
On September 9, Tucci posted the stock 2.0L out of the truck. Next, the shop showed the Coyote and 8HP70 fully mounted in the engine bay. According to Tucci, the shop cut away much of the transmission tunnel and part of the firewall for the engine.
The same post tags the suppliers behind the build, including Hellion Turbo, LOJ Conversions, VMP Performance, Mishimoto, Diode Dynamics and HP Tuners.
One number is still missing. Tucci has not published a horsepower target, although several outlets report about 800 hp. For scale, Ford rates the Coyote in the Mustang Dark Horse at 500 hp and 418 lb-ft without turbos. Add boost, and a supercharged 810-hp Coyote F-150 from Shelby shows where a 5.0L tends to land.
Ford Maverick V8 Build: Key Facts
Here are the numbers behind this Ford Maverick V8, from Ford’s ratings and Tucci’s posts.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Stock 2026 EcoBoost | 2.0L four-cylinder, 250 hp at 5,500 rpm, 280 lb-ft at 3,000 rpm |
| Confirmed so far | Coyote and 8HP70 mounted; tunnel cut; twin turbos planned |
| Power target | Not published by Tucci |
Why a Ford Maverick V8 Swap Is So Hard
Packaging is the first problem. Ford builds the Maverick as a unibody and mounts the 2.0L EcoBoost sideways, with a rear drive unit on AWD trucks. By contrast, the Coyote and the 8HP70 sit lengthwise and feed a driveshaft.
Tucci has not confirmed the final drive layout, but the lengthwise setup points to rear drive. The cut tunnel is the first visible cost. On top of this, the four-cam Coyote is wide, so twin turbos and intercooler piping compete for the remaining room.
What This Means for You as a Maverick Owner
Flash Tunes by Model Year
For most owners, a Ford Maverick tune is the first and cheapest step. On 2022-2024 trucks, COBB reports 11.9% more peak horsepower and 17.6% more peak torque on 93 octane with its Accessport. Livernois lists over 50 wheel horsepower and 50 lb-ft for $599.99, although it does not sell its tuner in California.
For 2025, Ford moved to a new 2.0L with port and direct injection, and COBB lists no support for it. Instead, custom tunes for these trucks come from shops such as Panda Motorworks and 5 Star. Panda quotes 28 hp on 93 octane and 50 hp on E50 fuel for its Stage 1 package.
Owners also praise the transmission tuning, citing better shift quality. Going by owner feedback, shift quality is the Ford Maverick tune benefit I would point you to first. California owners should also check for a CARB EO number; our look at CARB-legal aftermarket parts explains why.
Ford Maverick Performance Parts and Your Warranty
If you want Ford Maverick performance parts with Ford’s name on them, two stand out. First, the Ford Racing intercooler, built by Mishimoto, costs $1,000, fits 2022-2027 2.0L trucks except the Tremor, and carries CARB EO D-759-32. Owners call a bigger intercooler the best first hardware mod, since heat soak pulls power on hot days.
Second, the Ford Racing turbo upgrade kit advertises 300 hp and 350 lb-ft for $1,750, including a calibration tool. It fits the 2025 Maverick 2.0L, and Ford lists it as legal in 49 states, not California. Notably, its product page shows warranty availability as “Not Available,” so read the terms before you order.
Ford covers the powertrain for five years or 60,000 miles. Even so, forum members warn a detected tune often leads to a denied claim. Therefore, save your stock calibration and budget for engine repairs in case a claim gets denied.
If you run a tune, you should watch boost, temps and codes with the OBDLink MX+ or BlueDriver. Budget buyers also get live data from tools such as the Veepeak OBDCheck BLE.
OBD2 tools for tuned trucks
Veepeak OBDCheck BLE Bluetooth OBD II Scanner for iOS & Android
Coyote Swap vs. Ford Racing Turbo Kit
The two paths share a goal and little else. Ford’s kit adds 50 hp over stock for $1,750 plus installation, and, like other Ford Maverick performance parts, it keeps the factory drivetrain. By contrast, a Coyote swap means fabrication, driveline work, cooling, wiring and a custom calibration.
Ford also has a history here, including its warranty-backed F-150 supercharger, so factory-backed power upgrades have precedent. The kit is 49-state legal. A V8 swap suits builders who want a show truck and accept the cost and paperwork. For a daily driver, however, the kit or a tune delivers a clear gain with less risk.
Final Thoughts
Fast cars came first for me, so I love this build. Tucci is doing what hot rodders have done for decades, giving a humble, practical truck an engine it never came with. The Maverick sells on price and fuel economy, and a twin-turbo V8 gives up both, which makes it a perfect SEMA truck.
Still, for your own truck, start smaller. A tune matched to your model year adds Ford Maverick horsepower without cutting metal. Meanwhile, the Ford Racing intercooler fights heat soak, and a data logger lets you watch the results. If you are shopping and power matters, pick the EcoBoost over the hybrid, because the tuning support sits on the 2.0L.
On the styling side, some of you want to keep your Maverick street-friendly and still like the look of what Tucci has done with this one. For you, Tucci sells a Ford Maverick front lip for $885 on its website. It is the production version of the lip from the shop’s 2021 Maverick concept, made in the US from fiberglass with a marine-grade gel coat. The lip arrives in gloss black with hardware and drill guides. Tucci recommends a body shop for final fitment and paint, and the lip does not fit the Lobo or Tremor.
Watch for the finished Ford Maverick V8 at the SEMA Show in November. Until Tucci posts dyno numbers, treat the 800 hp figure as a rumor. For 2025 trucks, the Ford Racing kit is the closest thing to a hot Maverick on sale today.
FAQ
Does the Ford Maverick come with a V8?
No. Ford sells the 2026 Maverick with a 2.0L EcoBoost rated at 250 hp and a 2.5L hybrid rated at 184 hp combined. Tucci’s truck is a one-off custom build, not a Ford product.
What is the most powerful Ford Maverick?
Every factory 2.0L EcoBoost trim, including the Lobo and Tremor, makes 250 hp. Beyond stock, the Ford Racing turbo kit for the 2025 Maverick is rated at 300 hp and 350 lb-ft.
How much power does a Ford Maverick tune add?
Vendor claims range from about 28 hp to over 50 wheel horsepower on 93 octane, depending on the tuner and model year.
Will a tune void my Maverick warranty?
Not automatically. Federal law bars a blanket warranty denial for adding aftermarket parts. Still, owners warn dealers often deny powertrain claims after detecting a tune.