Aerodynamic body lines, V8 swaps, removing the stereo and air conditioning–when it comes to going faster in an automobile, there are loads of ways to skin a cat. Hot rods, however, can certainly lose a lot of their personality when such goals are taken into consideration.

The new engine offering is the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, similar to the one found in the 2011 and newer F-150.

This is to say nothing of the annoyances that come with working on decades-old vehicles. Cruising junkyards and fighting critters are not the two most enjoyable things to do, which is why kit cars have seen such a major growth over the past several years.

For customers that want the ease of installation combined with reliability and get-up-and-go, the prime choice has now become Factory Five, the world’s largest manufacturer of build-it-yourself component cars, hot rods, and customs. The company’s 1933 Ford coupe brought about much-needed innovation to the hot rod market, utilizing aluminum body panels, a full tube chassis, and made-in-house parts that all came together in one big package to minimize the end user’s legwork.

Now comes the news from Ford Racing Performance Parts (FRPP) that the ’33 Ford will now come available with a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, giving builders access to a stout little powerplant that’s already seen great success in such Blue Oval models as the F-150 and Taurus SHO. With dual turbochargers and direct fuel injection distilled into a small-displacement engine, hot rodders can have their performance/fuel economy cake and eat it too.

Speaking to FRPP Project Manager Andrew Casselberry, we were able to delve a little deeper into the background of how the two companies teamed up on this venture. “We’ve worked with Factory Five for several years, in particular on their Cobra kit cars,” he said. “It was very popular for customers to want to use one of our pushrod or Coyote engines, but we thought we’d try offering the EcoBoost line too, just to see what kind of engagement they got.”

The selected motor was the 3.5-liter V6, a twin-turbo mill that debuted in 2009 in such models as the Ford Flex and Taurus SHO, as well as the Lincoln MKS and MKT. Commanding a healthy 365 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque, the EcoBoost could hold its own against larger, more thirsty V8s, while also maintaining a respectable fuel economy rating.

The one used in the ’33 roadster is sourced from the F-150, and has the same horsepower rating but an additional 70 pound-feet of torque, for a total of 420. Taking into account that the roadster itself weighs in between 2,300-2,500 pounds, enthusiasts should have no trouble at all choosing the EcoBoost over say, the Boss 302 or 427 V8s.

“For a guy who likes modern fuel injection and turbocharging, the EcoBoost is the way to go,” posited Casselberry. “Factory Five’s hot rod kit cars have loads of potential in their modern ride, trim, and technology, great suspension, capability for a wide wheel and tire combo; we anticipate this being a fantastic option for customers.”

Factory Five’s president, David Smith, was pleased as punch to see what the six-cylinder did to the hot rod, and had quite a bit to comment on regarding the car’s enhancements with the new powertrain. “When we first shipped our kit over Ford Racing, we were pretty excited to see what all the EcoBoost could offer,” he said.

“The project proceeded from concept to reality in about a year,” continued Smith. “It got to go to the 2014 SEMA Show as a complete turnkey vehicle, and it was flawless. Ford Racing did themselves proud with the EcoBoost running gear, the guys at Watson Engineering did a terrific job with routing all the plumbing, and we couldn’t have been happier with seeing our platform reach a new level.”

More than simply looking good and performing like a beast, the ’33 Ford also served a purpose for Ford Racing’s research and development of an EcoBoost crate motor. “In the aftermarket, a modern high-tech crate engine like the EcoBoost V6 isn’t much use without the computer and engine wiring harness,” explained Smith. “You can’t just drop an intake and carb on these mills. Ford used our ’33 to help design and test-install the aftermarket harness, and the rest is history.”

As a design that first began back in 2008, the ’33 Ford has become a versatile creation that can come in several different configurations: roadster, hardtop coupe, “bike” fenders, regular fenders, full fenders, and with or without running boards.

Customers seeking to get their own ’33 Ford can select from a Stage 1, Stage 2, or Complete Kit. Stage 1 includes the chassis and suspension parts, while Stage 2 includes the body, interior, and trim to provide the finishing touch. Both cost $9,990 each, but can be ordered together as the Complete Kit for $19,990. Wheels, tires, drivetrain, and paint are left to the customer to supply.

Forced induction, light weight, and a smooth ride–could a Factory Five ’33 Roadster have a place in your garage? Go ahead and check out the company’s website, and be sure to stop by the Ford Racing Facebook page for announcements, videos, events, and more.