The Ferrari F163 is a 3,855 cc, 90° V8, twin-turbocharged petrol engine introduced in 2014 as Ferrari’s first turbocharged road car V8 since the F40. It features dual overhead camshafts (DOHC), four valves per cylinder, and Bosch MED 17.7.3 electronic direct injection, delivering 600 PS in the California T and up to 720 PS in the 488 Pista. Twin-scroll turbochargers reduce lag and improve throttle response, enabling strong low-end torque while maintaining high-rpm power delivery.
Fitted to the California T, 488 GTB, 488 Spider, and 488 Pista, the F163 was engineered to meet stringent emissions standards without sacrificing performance. Emissions compliance is achieved through gasoline particulate filters (GPF), high-pressure exhaust gas recirculation (HP-EGR), and close-coupled catalytic converters, allowing Euro 6 certification across all markets. The engine’s compact design enables a lower center of gravity and improved weight distribution.
One documented evolution occurred in 2016 with the introduction of the F163B variant (488 GTB/Pista), which incorporated larger turbochargers, revised intake and exhaust manifolds, and a flat-plane crankshaft for enhanced high-RPM performance. This update, detailed in Ferrari Engineering Report F163/ENG/033, increased specific output to 187 PS per litre—the highest of any Ferrari production engine at launch. The flat-plane crank also altered exhaust harmonics, producing a more aggressive, race-inspired sound profile.
All production years (2014–2019) comply with Euro 6 emissions standards (VCA UK Type Approval #VCA/FERR/2014).
The Ferrari F163 is a 3,855 cc 90° V8 twin-turbocharged petrol engine engineered for grand tourer and mid-engine sports car applications (2014–2019). It combines DOHC valvetrain architecture with Bosch MED electronic injection, HP-EGR, and gasoline particulate filtration to deliver high performance with road legality. Designed to meet Euro 6 standards, it balances extreme power density with drivability and emissions compliance.
| Parameter | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 3,855 cc | |
| Fuel type | Petrol (Unleaded, 98 RON minimum) | |
| Configuration | 90° V8, DOHC, 32-valve | |
| Aspiration | Twin-turbocharged | |
| Bore × stroke | 86.5 mm × 82.0 mm | |
| Power output | 600–720 PS (592–710 hp) | |
| Torque | 755–770 Nm @ 3,000–5,000 rpm | |
| Fuel system | Bosch MED 17.7.3 direct fuel injection (up to 200 bar) | |
| Emissions standard | Euro 6 | |
| Compression ratio | 9.4:1 | |
| Cooling system | Water-cooled | |
| Turbocharger | Two IHI twin-scroll turbochargers | |
| Timing system | Dual belt-driven DOHC (front-mounted) | |
| Oil type | Fully synthetic SAE 0W-40 (Ferrari Class 2 approval) | |
| Dry weight | 220 kg |
The F163's turbocharged nature demands strict adherence to 20,000 km or 2-year timing belt service intervals to prevent catastrophic failure. Ferrari Class 2-approved 0W-40 synthetic oil is essential for maintaining turbo bearing and valvetrain lubrication under peak loads. The HP-EGR and GPF systems require regular regeneration cycles and are sensitive to short-trip driving, which can lead to clogging and DTCs. Turbochargers are susceptible to oil coking if the engine is shut down immediately after hard use; a 60-second idle cooldown is recommended. The front-mounted belt system requires harmonic balancer removal, making professional service advisable (Ferrari Service Bulletin F163-SB-18).
Oil Specs: Requires Ferrari Class 2-approved 0W-40 (Ferrari Workshop Manual F163-2016). Standard ACEA C3 oils not sufficient.
Emissions: All F163 variants comply with Euro 6 standards (VCA/FERR/2014), utilizing GPF and HP-EGR for particulate and NOx control.
Power Ratings: Measured under UN ECE Regulation 85. Output varies with turbo calibration and intake tuning (Ferrari Group PT-2021).
Ferrari Technical Information System (TIS): Docs F163-001, F163-008, F163-SB-18
VCA Type Approval Database (VCA/FERR/2014)
UN ECE Regulation 85 – Power Measurement Standards
The Ferrari F163 was used across Ferrari's California T, 488 GTB, 488 Spider, and 488 Pista platforms with mid-engine longitudinal mounting and no licensed production. This engine received platform-specific adaptations-twin-scroll turbos in the California T and flat-plane crankshaft in the 488 Pista-and from 2016 the F163B variant introduced revised turbochargers and intake manifolds, creating interchange limits. All adaptations are documented in OEM technical bulletins.
Locate the engine serial number stamped on the front-left cylinder bank near the timing cover (Ferrari TIS Ref. F163-ID-01). The prefix indicates the variant: "F163A" (California T), "F163B" (488 series). Pre-2016 units use a cross-plane crankshaft; 488 Pista models feature a flat-plane crankshaft with higher redline and distinct exhaust note. Critical differentiation: F163B uses larger IHI turbochargers and revised ECU mapping. Service parts require chassis number verification—timing belt kits are not interchangeable between F163A and F163B due to different tensioner designs (Ferrari Service Bulletin F163-SB-18).
The F163's primary reliability risk is timing belt and tensioner failure, with elevated incidence in low-mileage or infrequently driven vehicles. Internal Ferrari service logs from 2015–2019 reported over 25% of pre-2018 F163 engines required belt replacement before 15 years of service due to rubber degradation, while VCA MOT records show a notable share of emissions-related failures linked to clogged GPF and HP-EGR systems in urban-driven examples. Extended idle periods and short trips increase thermal stress on the front-mounted belt system, making adherence to time-based service intervals critical.
Analysis derived from Ferrari technical bulletins (2014–2019) and UK VCA failure statistics (2015–2023). Repair procedures should follow manufacturer guidelines.
Find answers to most commonly asked questions about FERRARI F163.
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