Hey guys I'm currently working on making my '96 F150 into a true sport truck (not a strip truck or a wimpy lowered v6, more like a lightning) but I need help deciding on engines. The truck HAS a 5.8 which is pretty stout stock for a half ton but I'm looking at the 5.0 simply because of how cheap mods are and mostly for weight. What are your guys' thoughts? I'm looking for about 350-375 h.p., that's all I will ever need.

 

Keep the 5.8L

 

Trucks weigh more than cars and as a result need more displacement to get comparable results. Most all the parts that work on 5.0 also work on the 5.8 so there's no reason to downgrade to the baby windsor. 350-375hp will require a complete aftermarket topend(heads, cam, intake) anyway so it doesn't matter what motor you start with but the 5.8 block is much stronger and had greater displacement potential so this is a no brainer IMO.

 

Alright, I pretty much had decided on the 5.8 anyways. It's just weight distrubution is terrible lol. But the lightning held .88g's with the same engine so I guess it can't be too bad as long as I set up my suspension right. So you're saying cam, intake, and heads to make 350hp? That seems like a little too little, but I won't complain lol.

 

Aluminum heads and headers will save 75lbs, which should help. Pushing the cr up to ~10:1 will push the hp number up. Liveable with aluminum heads and premium gas. Lower gears will move that sucker along quicker, too.

 

Ya I'm looking at some different pistons for compression and aluminum parts to cut down on my heavy front end. Plus my shift kit, rear locker, and better gearing. The lightning had 4.11 if I remember correctly, so that's what I'm trying to get.

 

CNC ported aluminum heads will get you some power and save the weight. a stroker 5.8 can make a very serious BROAD powerband that would suit a heavy truck well.

 

Why not supercharge?