I have a Ford F-150 with the 4.2ltr V6. I have had a number of problems with it. I throw a main at 44,000 miles. none the less I love my truck. But I do have a complaint about the 4.2. There aren't enough upgrades for the motor. If you have 5.4, 4.6, or the 4.0 you have alot of upgrade available. You can get superchargers, Mas upgrades, Intakes and throttle bodies. But for the 4.2 you have a very limited number of things you can do. The power of the 4.2 is awsome for a V6 don't get me wrong but I hate the fact that you can take a 4.0 and get more horsepower out of then you can the 4.2. Thanks for listening.

Sheldon.

So. Cali.

 

Theres an article in Hot Rod magazine about a guy that built up a mustang 3.8L thten switched to the 4.2L out of a truck and switched many of the parts over from the 3.8 to the 4.2 (including a supercharger) it might give you some ideas. hope this helps.


82' Flareside with 400 horse under the hood

 

Do you have a link or what month/year issue of Hot Rod Magazine that article was in? I'm looking for a set of headers for my 4.2 to compliment the Gibson exhaust and K&N filter. Perhaps there might be some information regarding headers in the article.

Thanks in advance...
Tom
S. Florida
____________________________________
Train Hard, Stay Humble, Fight Dirty

 

I'll look around, but I remember seeing off one of the Mustang boards that someone was thinking of using a 3.8 crank in a 4.2 block to make a stroker. I vaguely remember that most 3.8 upgrades SHOULD work on a 4.2. A big plus are the obivious:

Better exhaust
better flowing intake
more fuel
plugs
wires
spark
15 degree lower thermostat than stock (sounds wierd, but it does work)
synthetic oils (unless you have a Auburn LS...too slippery)
Electric fan vice clutch fan (mid-80's-90's GM's work the best, dime a dozen and EASY to make fit)
bigger capacity radiator (? okay, I'm grasping at straws now)
performance chip (? Maybe some of the custom burn chip companies might offer one, but I do not know for sure)

 

I looked everywhere trying to find headers for my `99 4.2
and I ended up finding them by accident check with JBA as
far as I know they are the only one!! hope that helps
by the way they were about $350

 

For people looking for a super charger for your v6 4.2 l or just a new manifold or numerous other things Try A website called www.supersixmotorsports.com I havnt called them yet but I think Iam going to at least try the manifold and crank wih the rockers and push rods.

Hope this helps somebody
ceo

 

Supercharger for the 4.2L? I got to ask why? This engine is gutless, your just going to end up spending way more than it's worth.

 

I used to have a 99 with a 4.2L. I had put numerous upgrades on it. I had a throttle body spacer that I got from summit. I also had a Airaid
cold air induction kit that added alot of power. I know that JBA makes a set of headers for the 4.2L. I also added some custom built cat back exhaust with a flowmaster muffler. It was running about 240 hors. Hope this helps.

 

 

for all u guys and gals who havent done your homework heres quite a few performance products and sites for the 4.2l for vortech superchargers goto need-4-speed.com tony will hook u up with a supercharger for your v6 and ported heads upper and lower intakes fuel management systems roller rockers etc. asp makes underdrive pulleys and aftermarket head bolts so you dont have to keep buying those 1 time use tourque to yield ones from the factory. jba make stainless steel headers wich is a big plus if you have a after market cat back exhaust. supersixmotorsports has pistons rings superchargers etc for your enjoyment. stungbymystang motorsports has just about everything you need internally and externally for your motor too cams heads etc. diablo sport makes a chip which can be custom burned for your application. redlinedperformance has tons of performance parts pistons rods bolts etc for the 4.2. jacobs electronics makes a dis ignition system which plugs right into your factory setup better response. as for i ive added asp underdrive pulleys, gibson catback exhaust, ford motorsports 1.73 ratio roller rockers,diablo sport chip,a vortech sq2 supercharger,bullit aftermarket mass air meter, reground camshaft and ported and polished heads from stungbymystangmotorsports,its now dynoed at 365hp and very impressive hope this helps everyone