The second-generation Ford Ranger Raptor is known as a performance off-road pickup that combines advanced suspension tech with a twin-turbocharged V6 petrol engine. The factory 3.0-litre Eco Boost petrol V6 developed for the US market Ranger Raptor produces 405hp and 430 lb-ft of torque for North American customers, so it’s certainly no slouch out of the showroom. Still, some believe that a true performance truck also needs a proper eight-cylinder powertrain and sound, and that’s where Australian aftermarket specialist Killa Conversions and Performance comes in it’s revealed what it’s called the Raptr8 S which takes a ‘donk’ T8 and transmutes it into a beefed-up version of the factory machine.

This conversion puts a Mustang sourced V8 engine, aftermarket supercharger, and a more sophisticated auto transmission into the midsize pickup. It needed a tremendous amount of engineering expertise to marry the new powertrain to the truck’s electronic and factory management systems. This Raptr8 S is capable of pumping out 750 horsepower and 670 lbs-ft of torque, which means this truck has a major power upgrade over the factory twin-turbo V6, but it is not something that can be cheap and easy to undertake, with the conversion kit and extra certifications also costing money. It is the supercharged muscle combined with an intact factory system, and Australian tuning, that makes this swap such a monumental job.

1. The Standard Ford Ranger Raptor Already Packs Serious Off-Road Performance

Second-generation Ford Ranger Raptor is known as a true performance off-road truck. Out of the gate the truck is great when ripping trail at high speed thanks to its Fox Live Valve suspension and Watts link rear end. The truck is enough of a performance truck out of the box so you don’t need to make any upgrades to perform high speed off-road in the truck. Ford equip the typical Ranger Raptor with a twin turbocharged 3.0-liter Eco Boost petrol V6 that churns out 292kW and 583Nm (around 405 horsepower and 430 lb-ft for North American readers) with no extra effort from the aftermarket. Though some off-road enthusiasts want more..

Standard Ranger Raptor Performance:

• Second-generation performance pickup
• Twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6
• Produces 405 horsepower
• Delivers 430 lb-ft torque
• Fox Live Valve suspension

The factory Ranger Raptor already has the powertrain chops and off-road capabilities to be a serious high-speed trail machine. Its suspension and Watts link rear end are well documented as providing a fun trail ride. However, the factory six-cylinder engine isn’t enough for every enthusiast, and for a few passionate gearheads, the muffled exhaust note and spirited vibe of a V8 engine is a fundamental part of the muscle truck experience. That leaves plenty of room for a third-party professional to get ambitious with an engine swap. Killa Conversions was not content to simply upgrade the powertrain rating of the original V6, and so decided to push the limits and switch out the factory mill in a search for a more powerful V8 engine.

2. The Raptr8 S Introduces a Supercharged V8 Conversion

New performance project from Killa Conversions and Performance Killa Conversions and Performance, based in Landsborough north of Brisbane in Queensland Australia, is an aftermarket tuning company that has unveiled its most powerful project yet the Raptr8 S conversion, which aims to bring the current-gen dual-cab Ranger Raptor to the V8-powered performance truck that many market lovers have dreamed of for years. The company, instead of placing the vehicle on the Ford factory production line, has created a complete aftermarket engine swap program American V8 to be precise, that is a total conversion of the original vehicle.

Raptr8 S Conversion Highlights:

• Developed by Killa Conversions
• Based in Queensland, Australia
• Current-generation Ranger Raptor
• Comprehensive engine swap program
• Most powerful project yet

The Raptr8 S illustrates how an aftermarket engineering specialist can upgrade an already high performance vehicle to a level far above that of the factory. Killa Conversions’ aim was to create an all new powertrain package rather than simply upgrading an engine. The development required a substantial amount of effort to integrate the new engine and transmission into the complex systems of the Ranger Raptor. The vehicle also bears the hallmarks of Killa Conversions experience with dodgy powertrain conversions in the utility vehicle space. The workshop has managed to deliver American V8 grunt and sound with a supercharged V8 into a new age midsize pick up with performance that is very different.

3. A Ford Mustang Coyote V8 and Roush Supercharger Deliver 750 HP

The engine that sits at the heart of the Raptr8 S conversion is a third-generation Ford Coyote 5.0 V8 out of the Mustang. Instead of being naturally aspirated, the engine has been fitted with a Roush aftermarket supercharger, giving an incredible increase in horsepower (559kW or 560kW depending on metric conversion), torque (908Nm) compared with the standard twin-turbocharged V6. The increase in power from Killa Conversions. The engine pushes 750hp (559kW) and it’s a huge improvement on the standard Ranger Raptor.

Raptr8 S Engine Specifications:

• Third-generation Coyote V8
• Mustang-sourced 5.0-liter engine
• Roush supercharger installed
• Approximately 750 horsepower
• Produces 670 lb-ft torque

The difference in this original engine’s performance versus the supercharged V8 is dramatic. The conversion boosts power nearly 92 percent over the stock twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engine. The torque boost delivers substantially more pulling power and acceleration to the pickup as well. The conversion produces around 908Nm a figure you’d typically see in a high-performance sports car rather than a midsize utility truck. And that’s the power flavor you get from using Mustang-derived Coyote architecture combined with Roush force induction in the Raptr8 S. Not only that but the combined force induction and Coyote architecture also gives the Ranger Raptor the glorious eight-cylinder rumble so many owners want to hear from a factory truck.

4. The Stronger 10R80 Automatic Transmission Handles the Extra Power

When you’re talking about the 750hp and 670lb ft of torque generated in the build, you need to pay close attention to the drivetrain. Killa Conversions was aware that the factory transmission was not ideal for transferring those sorts of figures, but the standard engine also used the 10R60 10-speed automatic transmission (used in the Bronco Raptor and Explorer ST, among others). For the Raptr8 S build, Killa Conversions has opted to swap out the unit for a far beefier 10R80 10-speed automatic transmission (borrowed from the high-performance V8 Mustang range).

10R80 Transmission Upgrade:

• Original 10R60 transmission removed
• Stronger 10R80 automatic installed
• Mustang-derived transmission unit
• Ten-speed automatic configuration
• Designed for increased torque

The transmission upgrade is the final piece of the conversion puzzle, as the increased power output from the engine will place additional stress on the drivetrain. Installing a supercharged V8 without addressing the transmission would leave an important aspect of the performance package in an underpowered state. The 10R80 transmission was a natural upgrade to handle the large amounts of torque the engine produces. It also facilitates quick-shifting gears to make the most of the increased power output of the modified pickup. By upgrading the Coyote V8 with the automatic transmission, Killa Conversions has engineered the perfect powertrain in the Raptr8 S.

5. A 12-Month Engineering Project Keeps Factory Systems Operational

The addition of a completely different powertrain to a modern vehicle, which itself has dozens of electronic systems, represents a significant challenge. Killa Conversions took 12 months to engineer the package for the Raptr8 S, which involves ensuring the engine and transmission sit within the network of the factory electronics and driver assist systems. Today, the kit is a turn-key conversion with the new powertrain installed, and integrated into the Ranger Raptor’s existing electronics and onboard system. The workshop has managed to keep a number of key electronic systems operational, such as the advanced multimedia electronics, active stability control, autonomous braking and terrain selecting modes. This helps prevent error messages and degraded safety.

Factory Integration Highlights:

• Twelve months of development
• Complete turnkey powertrain installation
• Factory multimedia systems retained
• Active stability control operational
• Selectable terrain modes preserved

Arguably the most important element of this conversion is the electrical integration. Today’s pickups have many interconnected systems responsible for driver-assistance, stability, braking and vehicle operation. A simple swap of the powertrain without considering these other systems would undoubtedly influence the on-road performance and create other challenges. Killa Conversions has developed its kit so that the Ranger Raptor retains its normal operation despite all the mechanical changes taking place. This conversion project is more than simply fitting a motor and a gearbox, as it is a engineering feat maintaining the factory safety assistance and selectable driving modes helps to continue to deliver the same tech that made the original more than a truck.

6. The $89,000 Australian Dollar Conversion Comes With Major Costs

The supercharged V8 comes at a big cost. Killa Conversions has set its engine and transmission upgrade kit at $89,000 excluding the cost of installation through its drive-in, drive-out setup. That is in addition to the cost of the original Ranger Raptor if you buy one to start with listed at $90,440 excluding on-road costs (or around $95,000 drive-away). And there is the additional cost of independent engineering certification in your Australian state or territory, which is another source of expenses and form-filling that can easily run into the thousands of dollars.

Raptr8 S Conversion Costs:

• Conversion package costs $89,000 AUD
• Original Raptor costs $90,440
• Approximately $95,000 drive-away
• Independent engineering certification required
• Additional costs reach thousands

It gets even more expensive when factoring in the cost of the factory warranty. Killa Conversions does point out that your Ford factory warranty gets immediately voided when you get the engine and transmission swapped out for these upgrades. Killa Conversions has also responded to questions about how steep the price is when it comes to the conversion via its social media channels in stating that you are getting a new supercharged engine and transmission and that it’s all included in the price of installation. For buyers, paying for a lot of extra horsepower is just the beginning of what it costs to get into a Raptr8 S cost of the car, conversion expenses, certified engine installations and the factory warranty are worth considering.

7. The Raptr8 S Costs Less Than Imported Super-Trucks in Australia

Total cost of a new Ranger Raptor with the supercharged V8 conversion will be around the 190,000AUD mark. And the US the conversion kit alone is close to US57,000, putting the total purchase price of the completed vehicle at around US125,000. Which despite almost doubling the cost of a typical straight-off-the-showroomline Ranger Raptor is cheap compared to imported performance-oriented full-sized truck to Australia such as Ram 1500 TRX or the F150 Raptor R which have much higher pricings.

Australian Performance Truck Pricing:

• Complete Raptr8 S costs $190,000 AUD
• Conversion package costs $57,000 USD
• Estimated total reaches $125,000 USD
• Standard Raptor costs considerably less
• Imported super-trucks command higher prices

The Queensland tuner claims that the Raptr8 S can be a “value-for-money alternative” to significantly higher priced imported performance pickups. The company compares its converted Ranger Raptor to the Ram TRX previously priced at AUD$260k for the Australian market and the Ford F-150 Raptor R which reaches about $360k Australian dollars after conversion to RHD. Even though the Raptr8 S remains a significantly expensive vehicle, its anticipated total of $190k Australian dollars is a huge point of difference for those imported competitors. Its smaller and lighter midsize platform also offers a performance edge of sorts. For Australian lovers of big power, but don’t want to pay for imported full-size super-truck pricing, the conversion is an intriguing option.

8. The 750-HP Ranger Raptor Challenges the Ram TRX and F-150 Raptor R

The real performance comparison becomes a whole lot more interesting when the Raptr8 S is compared to full-size performance trucks that have long run and proven performance. The Ram 1500 TRX no longer sells in Australia but was priced at around $260,000 AUD, final TRX Final Edition model was listed at $249,950 + ORC in 2024. The Ford F-150 Raptor R is yet another big truck with a much larger price in Australia. The Raptor R in the US is RRP at $115,000 USD when translated into RHD in Australia that amounts to $360,000 AUD, or in USD about $230,000.

Super-Truck Price Comparison:

• Ram TRX previously cost $260,000 AUD
• TRX Final Edition listed at $249,950
• F-150 Raptor R costs $115,000 USD
• Australian Raptor R reaches $360,000 AUD
• Raptr8 S produces 750 horsepower

The factory-built F-150 Raptor R provides 537kW and 868Nm from its 5.2L supercharged V8. Killa’s slightly smaller midsize Ranger Raptor conversion offers some 560kW and 908Nm and beats the flagship trucks with its published figures. The tuner says the Raptr8 S will beat the Ram TRX and F-150 Raptor R in all bar some dimensions and is almost a third cheaper in Australia. Its smaller and lighter platform also means it’s a lot lighter than the two-and-a-half-tonne Ram TRX so provides a huge power-to-weight ratio advantage. This gives buyers a good idea why Killa is positioning the conversion as a high-performance alternative to the existing super-powered rigs.

9. Australian Tuners Have a Long History of V8 Ranger Conversions

Putting eight-cylinder engines in Australian dual-cabs is certainly nothing new. Previous iterations of Ford’s Coyote V8 have been at the root of the supercharged Miami engine, featuring a Harrop supercharger in the latest FPV and Falcon XR8 sedans, while the third-generation Coyote that powers the 2018-21 Mustang GT is naturally aspirated, and continues to do so in the latest Mustang GT, Dark Horse and F-150. Australian aftermarket workshops have developed several other V8 conversion programs for the Ranger and other rival utility vehicles, contributing valuable engineering insight to the base for the Raptr8 S.

Australian V8 Conversion History:

• Coyote V8 powered Mustang GT
• Miami engine used Harrop supercharger
• Formula Tech offers LS3 conversions
• Previous Ranger V8 swaps available
• Killa has extensive conversion experience

Killa Conversions has been working on such mod jobs for a number of years, previously offering naturally aspirated Coyote V8 conversions for the first-generation Ranger Raptor at $62,000 along with packages based around GM LS3 power plants at between 49,000-58,000. It has also created V8 conversions for previous generation Rangers, Holden Colorados, earlier Toyota Land Cruisers and Nissan Patrols. Its September 2021 Raptor8 conversion replaced the first-generation Ranger Raptor’s original power plant with a Ford Performance 5.0-litre Coyote crate engine that generates 345kW of power and 570Nm of torque, then added a custom exhaust, electronics, a new transmission, engine mounts, a Pedders suspension upgrade and a set of accessories.

10. The Raptr8 S Combines Supercharged Power With Factory Comfort

Building on a proven lineage of V8-powered, midsize utility vehicles, the Raptr8 takes the performance idea to a new level. The standard conversion package preserves the original Fox Live Valve suspension and the factory brakes, while optional Braking and Chassis upgrades are offered for those who expect to make use of the entire 750-ponies on a regular basis. Inside the cabin, the truck preserves the original factory comfort features, safety assistance and selectable driving modes, meaning the converted pickup can still do most of what a stock Ranger Raptor can, despite being fitted with a completely different engine and transmission combination.

Raptr8 S Driving Experience:

• Original Fox suspension retained
• Factory brakes remain standard
• Optional chassis upgrades available
• Factory comfort features preserved
• Supercharged V8 delivers 750 horsepower

The driving experience couldn’t be more different from the twin-turbo V6 Ranger Raptor. Thanks to the supercharged Coyote V8 producing around 670 lb-ft torque, and paired with the quick-shifting 10R80 transmission, the acceleration is significantly more aggressive. The Fox dampers still foam away rough surface bumps, while the Roush-supercharged engine emits the harsh robotic howl of a V8 performance machine. Killa Conversions has created the hardcore Raptr8 S out of the Ranger Raptor everyone wanted but couldn’t get from the Ford garage slotting the brawny old chassis engineering of the original truck with the supercharged performance of a Mustang engine, the Raptr8 S is an extreme Aussie performance pickup with a roar to match.