I plan to turbocharge the 04 F150 5.4. What do I need to know

My plan is to buy an ebay kit, and add injectors etc. I can build the headers, and plumb everything.

Tuning on a dyno, to match what I need. All I want is 50 hp. Any extra is gravy. I don`t plan on building a super demon, my issue today is that I can`t pull my 4 place snowmobile trailer in OD! I know, boo fricken whoooo. But it bothers me. I`d rather build a turbo`d engine that runs on 87 (most of the time) and with a little premium and a flash, wallah! A towing monster (or at least towing lizard)

And yes I have considered a new ECB. I own this one, and it fits my a$$. It`s an 04 with 140 kms and the original windshield. THAT clean...

 

Have you looked into STS turbos? A universal kit starts around $2500.

Also HP Tuners I believe offer tuning solutions for nearly all Fords.

50hp is not much to ask of a turbo, and the same kit would likely give you around 125hp+ back easily with the same properly sized turbo.

To small of a turbo and it will boost all the time. So if you want just 3 psi it would come from the waste gate I believe.

 

A turbo around 57mm is gonna suit your needs quite well. Find a nice sized Air to Air intercooler and plumb it post turbo. A 57mm will spool down low and help keep lag down. I would suggest a Precision Ball Bearing Turbo to spool even faster. Also it will produce the 8-10 psi you will need easily without hurting your factory internals. In an application such as this 93 octane fuel is an absolute most and anything lower is NOT a good idea.