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Old Mar 12, 2011 | 06:17 PM
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Engine Upgrade

I have an 03 F150 XL SPort, manual transmission, 4.2 Liter V6. I really would love this truck with a 5.4 Liter, and have rarely seen this configuration until a few weeks ago. I am wondering if any of you could tell me what kind of can of worms I would be getting into if I tried to put a 5.4 liter in this truck. What would I have to change other than the engine.
 
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Old Mar 13, 2011 | 01:42 PM
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the transmission, wiring harness, driveshaft, motor mounts... alot basically.
 
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Old Mar 13, 2011 | 02:47 PM
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Transmission

So the transmission for a 5.4 liter will be different than a 4.2? I am surprised, because many older cars used same transmission, but with different bell housings.
 
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Old Mar 13, 2011 | 04:19 PM
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im guessing you come from older cars? i did too. they changed EVERYTHING. for instance, they no longer have removable bell housings. so yes, you will need to change transmissions. 4.6/5.4s share the same mounting points, and the 4.2 i believe shares the same as older SBFs.
 
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Old Mar 13, 2011 | 04:20 PM
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oh, and they never put a manual transmission behind a 5.4. the M5OD(only trans offered in this bodystyle) is too weak.
 
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Old Mar 14, 2011 | 07:23 AM
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Originally Posted by 93 mix 'n match
they no longer have removable bell housings. so yes, you will need to change transmissions. 4.6/5.4s share the same mounting points, and the 4.2 i believe shares the same as older SBFs.
This is correct.
JL
 
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Old Mar 14, 2011 | 07:05 PM
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Older Engine

Ok, just for conversation sake then. What older Ford engines could I put in this truck, even going as far back as carbureted models that could give me a more torque. If it can't be a 4.6/5.4, what else in the Ford line. I know it probably doesn't make sense, and truth is the 4.2 Liter I have is pretty impressive for a V6, and with the fuel injection is probably more powerful than any carb. But anyway?
 
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Old Mar 14, 2011 | 07:16 PM
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Keep the 4.2...you will be glad you did.
 
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Old Mar 14, 2011 | 10:48 PM
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are you expecting a transmission built for a v6 to hold up to a sbf?
 
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Old Mar 15, 2011 | 04:47 AM
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SBF

I give up, I obviously am an amateur at this. I figured a SBF was small block ford. The V6 in my truck produced 205 HP. The 77 Corvette I have produces 190 HP with a 350 V8 (sad as that is for a Corvette). However, the same transmission was used on a 69 Corvette that produced 350 HP, althought I understand there were some different ways of measuring HP in 1969 that makes the numbers look better. But in any case, the manual transmission in that car can handle way more HP and torque, and is the same as when they installed a 454. SO, yeah, I figured a manual transmission in my V6 Truck could handle 50-100 more HP, and whatever torque increases there may be. AND, I am not talking about drag racing, just street driving. I want the bigger motor because the V6 gets weak on the hills, and certainly when towing. I was not aware the Ford tranny was so fragile and weak. ANyway, its all just thinking while typing. If I want a bigger motor truck, I should just buy one and sell this one.
 
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Old Mar 15, 2011 | 05:33 AM
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Thats the ticket....There is nothing really inherantly wrong with our trannies.
I have had two of the 4.2,s with automatics behind them,and never had any problems.
Sure...its no powerhouse.My 97 had 186,000 showing when she got traded,and my present 07 is a longbox xl with the 4.2,Automatic.Just recently towed a U-Haul car trailer,with a loaded up Honda CR-V on it.From Louisianna.
She did great.
From what Ive read on this thread,the general consensus is that wile it CAN be done,your better off getting what you want...
 
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Old Mar 15, 2011 | 09:35 AM
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From: Montague, NJ
Originally Posted by iwasmenowhesgone
I give up, I obviously am an amateur at this. I figured a SBF was small block ford. The V6 in my truck produced 205 HP. The 77 Corvette I have produces 190 HP with a 350 V8 (sad as that is for a Corvette). However, the same transmission was used on a 69 Corvette that produced 350 HP, althought I understand there were some different ways of measuring HP in 1969 that makes the numbers look better. But in any case, the manual transmission in that car can handle way more HP and torque, and is the same as when they installed a 454. SO, yeah, I figured a manual transmission in my V6 Truck could handle 50-100 more HP, and whatever torque increases there may be. AND, I am not talking about drag racing, just street driving. I want the bigger motor because the V6 gets weak on the hills, and certainly when towing. I was not aware the Ford tranny was so fragile and weak. ANyway, its all just thinking while typing. If I want a bigger motor truck, I should just buy one and sell this one.
the thing of it is, the transmission in your truck is great for daily driving, and NOTHING more. theres a reason they never put them behind a 5.4. its too much. they are not strong transmissions at all. they're built for ranger sized trucks and ford put them in 150s.

you know what your talking about. you just dont know the limitations of the truck parts. so its not your fault.
 
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