What is Barra Engine?
Ford Australia's turbocharged 4.0-litre inline-six, famous for immense strength and a cult following for big-power builds.
The Barra is a 4.0-litre inline-six built by Ford Australia from 2002, fitted to Falcon models. Both naturally aspirated and turbocharged versions exist, but it is the turbo Barra that has earned legendary status among enthusiasts for its extraordinary durability.
The turbocharged Barra's strong cast-iron block and robust bottom end allow it to handle huge power with relatively modest modifications. Stock-block builds making well over 1,000 horsepower are well documented, which has driven worldwide demand for the engine despite it never being sold in many markets.
As Falcon production ended, the Barra became a sought-after swap engine, exported and fitted into all manner of cars. Its combination of inline-six smoothness, turbo torque and bulletproof construction has made it one of the most respected performance engines from Australia.