I have an 03 f-250 with the 5.4. I would like to get in the range of 350-400 hp. I have been looking into doing a cummins swap or just getting the motor built to do it. I would rather have the motor built to do it since it seems it would be cheaper and more sensible. What would the motor require to pull this off. Thanks

 

What are you going to do with it? Just show or do you need it for towing or truck pulls?..Ever thought about how much torque you want? 2 or 4 wheel drive?

 

It's 4wd and running 35s. I do pull my trailer with it and drives around empty also. Just wanting more power; you know how it goes.

 

You would need to increase air coming in and out. Full headers and 3 to 31/2 exhaust and at least a cold air intake, or supercharger. You could also do bigger injectors and cams. It could be done but expensive.

 

Instead of a swap why dont you look at picking up a used Ford diesel? Much easier imo

 

I agree..and if you start building a motor that much it might not be as reliable.

 

I have cold air intake, programmer, exhaust already. I have the rest of the truck built the way I want it so I'm not wanting to get a different one. I don't like keeping things stock. Would cams and aftermarket heads net me in the 400 range and what would I have to do about programming the computer for this.

 

are you talking about a diesel swap or adding cams/heads in the existing 5.4

 

Call summit racing tech department and tell them what you want to do and what youve already done and they can point you into the right direction.

 

Sounds like you need supercharger or turbo to get the numbers you are after. Look for a wrecked lightning. Start buying the go fast goodies off of it. If you have an 2003, I am sure it has some miles on it. You might want to consider how the bottom end of the motor is going to hold up to all the extra ponies you are going to strap to it.

I would visit some lightning forums, and mustang forums. It is easy to accomplish, but not cheap.

Like the old saying, you want to go fast. How much money do you have?

I am in the current state you are. I have an 2004, and when my motor goes it is going to be getting a transplant. Just not sure which one yet. I am probably going to go with a 12V cummins swap on mine.

With a truck this big, it is not about HP. It is all in the Torque.

 

I only have 70,000 miles on it so I'm not too concerned about the bottom end. I would like to do a cummins swap but seems that it would cost at least twice as much to put a cummins in and not even get the hp range I want. A stock twelve valve won't be much of an upgrade from the 5.4.

 

In stock config the 12V with a little fuel work, from what I have read, will net 460 ftlbs of torque. That is a heck of a step up from the 2v 5.4. With more goodies it is capable of a lot more than that.

If you are planning on keeping your 5.4 than a lightning or a Harley truck with the supercharger would be a good place to start sourcing parts from.

Good luck on your build. I was thinking of going this way as well, but my engine just has to many miles on it to start bolting on that much hp.

 

There is no easy or cheap way to build the 5.4L engines. Are there aftermarket parts? Yes. There are cams, headers, superchargers, etc. for the 5.4L engine but 99% were designed for the F150 or Mustang. Will those parts fit your Super Duty? Yes, with some modification.

There real issue is that very few people go this route with the Super Duty. Hence, it will be a "trail & error" project for the builder and that means $$$. Most of the supercharger kits include a tune for both the engine and transmission. However, the tune is not for the 4R100 transmission. So, you will need someone like Mike at 5 Star Tuning to tune both the engine and transmission. Also, that 4R100 transmission will need to be made bullet proof to stand up to the new HP/TQ.

You most likely will need to upgrade the internals (crank, rods, pistons) be maintain reliability. That is another significant cost to the build.

I was looking at installing a Whipple supercharger on my 2005 F350 5.4L 3V engine. I took quotes from two custom engine shops and they were $15K and $20K. My Super Duty is like brand new with only 38K miles but the new engine build was more than my truck was worth. Now, I am at a complete stand still. I don't know what I am going to do.

 

And horsepower doesnt mean much if there isnt any torque to go with it!

 

A supercharger will get you where you want to be on a fairly low amount of boost.(around 5-6 lbs) The stock bottom end will hold 5-6 lbs ok with good tuning. The stock powdered metal rods are the weakest link. The SC will give you gains in both hp and torque. Headers, exhaust, intake and etc alone will not even get you remotely close to your power goals. Throwing a set of heads and a cam on the engine is pointless without replacing the stock intake manifold and doing so will shift your power up higher in the rpm range which is not really ideal for a working truck.