More Power!!!!!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,769
Likes: 7
From: Gretna ,LA.
More Power!!!!!
Change the rear end gears at a reputable shop.What this will do is give the engine a more mechanical advantage as far as moving the truck.It doesnt give any more hp or trq,but it frees up the engine.It is like if you if ever rode a 10 spd bike, the lower gears it is easier to pedal as compared to taking off in 10 th gear.It is the same principal.Most new vehichles are geared for fuel economy and not performance and this is why a gear swap always makes a big difference in performance.Hope this makes sense.
PS my rebel flag plate gives me 25 hp also
PS my rebel flag plate gives me 25 hp also
Last edited by V10KLZZ71S; Jun 18, 2003 at 12:36 PM.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: Pennsylvania
More Power!!!!!
V10KLZZ71S,
Thanks for the info...I think that is the way to go with the money I have at hand.....I agree wit the flag...I felt that 25HP as soon as I put it on...it was the first thing I did to the truck...it was on before I left the dealer. Thanks again!
--COwboy
Thanks for the info...I think that is the way to go with the money I have at hand.....I agree wit the flag...I felt that 25HP as soon as I put it on...it was the first thing I did to the truck...it was on before I left the dealer. Thanks again!
--COwboy
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Austin, Texas, U.S.
More Power!!!!!
The 4.6 sucks, because you are using the 2V version. The 4V is a MUCH better motor, and Ford should be ashamed for even keeping the 2V around. Even so, the 5.4 is the truck engine, and the 4.6 is the car engine. Chevrolet's truck motors don't start until 5.3 Liter (4.7 doesn't count since it's a joke), and even then the LS1 derivative is still pathetic.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
From: Greensboro
More Power!!!!!
I thought this thread was about improving performance on the 4.6L.
I would love to get more out of mine, yet what I have now still rocks. The 4.6 L is a great engine as long as it is the right application.
I hate to say it, but my Ex will take my F-250 w/ the V10 off the line all day long. But, I sure wouldn't want that engine in such a heavy truck.
I would love to get more out of mine, yet what I have now still rocks. The 4.6 L is a great engine as long as it is the right application.
I hate to say it, but my Ex will take my F-250 w/ the V10 off the line all day long. But, I sure wouldn't want that engine in such a heavy truck.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,769
Likes: 7
From: Gretna ,LA.
More Power!!!!!
How many old ford trucks had 289's in them and they were not junk.Modern engines are so way ahead of older designed engines.The 4.6 is not junk.There are countless 2v 4.6's in mustangs that are modded every which way.Im not saying they cant be improved on performance wise ,but junk they are not.
New User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
More Power!!!!!
Fordcowboy 2000
4.10 gearing, Throtle body & generation 2 K & N filter.
This is what my brother has done on his F-150 99 4.6 & works well. Cruising at 75 the mpg has not suffered to bad & the excelleration has improved compared to stock, plus the gears help out a lot when towing. 4.10's was the best mod out the lot, quicker of the line, but note front diff has to be done as well but worth it.
I got 4.10's installed in my dodge & ford & my mpg has gone up around town, & it shaved 0.6 sec of 0-60mph time on my dodge.
Have to say, my brothers 4.6 is a great litle engine.
good luck.
4.10 gearing, Throtle body & generation 2 K & N filter.
This is what my brother has done on his F-150 99 4.6 & works well. Cruising at 75 the mpg has not suffered to bad & the excelleration has improved compared to stock, plus the gears help out a lot when towing. 4.10's was the best mod out the lot, quicker of the line, but note front diff has to be done as well but worth it.
I got 4.10's installed in my dodge & ford & my mpg has gone up around town, & it shaved 0.6 sec of 0-60mph time on my dodge.
Have to say, my brothers 4.6 is a great litle engine.
good luck.
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Elder User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 678
Likes: 3
From: Dallas, Texas
More Power!!!!!
Originally posted by FordCowboy2000
I can get 300 HP out of my 4.6 w/o a supercharger
I can get 300 HP out of my 4.6 w/o a supercharger
I am not insulting you or your engine, these are facts. The 4.6 is a fine engine and the design is superior to pushrod motors in theory. In reality they are an underwhelming powerplant that will just become a moneypit in the search for more power.
Some inexpensive and effective mods would include exhaust upgrades, gears, k&n filtercharger setup, pullies, a timing adjuster, etc.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Austin, Texas, U.S.
More Power!!!!!
Originally posted by Jimbo302
Ok, how? The only way I know to do that is to fully cnc port the heads, swap or regrind the cams, and a host of other bolt ons. These are very costly modifications that have proven to usually yield just under 300rwhp, and still don't create the kind of low end torque needed in a heavy truck. These motors are in dire need of a few more inches. If you want real grunt from your 4.6 save your pennies for a Vortech with a cooler.
I am not insulting you or your engine, these are facts. The 4.6 is a fine engine and the design is superior to pushrod motors in theory. In reality they are an underwhelming powerplant that will just become a moneypit in the search for more power.
Some inexpensive and effective mods would include exhaust upgrades, gears, k&n filtercharger setup, pullies, a timing adjuster, etc.
Ok, how? The only way I know to do that is to fully cnc port the heads, swap or regrind the cams, and a host of other bolt ons. These are very costly modifications that have proven to usually yield just under 300rwhp, and still don't create the kind of low end torque needed in a heavy truck. These motors are in dire need of a few more inches. If you want real grunt from your 4.6 save your pennies for a Vortech with a cooler.
I am not insulting you or your engine, these are facts. The 4.6 is a fine engine and the design is superior to pushrod motors in theory. In reality they are an underwhelming powerplant that will just become a moneypit in the search for more power.
Some inexpensive and effective mods would include exhaust upgrades, gears, k&n filtercharger setup, pullies, a timing adjuster, etc.
The 2V modular isn't a bad motor per se, but the 4V motor is infinitely better. The main problem is clearance issues with the high deck height, and it's quite expensive. I just like the 5.4 a lot better for trucks, but strap a Kenne Bell twin-screw on that 4.6 so it can breathe up high where it likes to operate, and you'll be in business.
New User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: California
More Power!!!!!
I just purchased a 98 f-150 with the 4.6 and am happy with it. I have the regular cab short bed 2WD with A/C and that's about it. Truck only weighs about 4000 lbs. I am happy with the power off the line, but it could use more midrange and top end.
I agree the way to do that would be with exhaust, intake and chip. I just have the exhaust and it definitely pulls from a stand still, but tires out pretty quick.
I could see this engine not being enough for a super cab 4x4, but for my little 2wd regular cab it does just fine. It's all about power to weight ratio.
I agree the way to do that would be with exhaust, intake and chip. I just have the exhaust and it definitely pulls from a stand still, but tires out pretty quick.
I could see this engine not being enough for a super cab 4x4, but for my little 2wd regular cab it does just fine. It's all about power to weight ratio.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
More Power!!!!!
My short bed F150 has 80,000 miles and is equiped with 3.73 gears, K&N Fuel Injection Performance Kit, Flowmaster exhaust; which in total cost me around $500, (I bought my truck with 3.73 gears
). She can peel pretty easily on asphalt but not for a very long time. I've raced lots of trucks and cars and she can keep up with S-10 Extremes, Suburbans, Long Bed Z71s, and hold with stock, older model 4.6 Stangs. I like to use premium gas too that helps out pretty well in the power category.
Just don't try and race Cadillac DeVilles, for some reason I got beat by one of those?
But all in all the power is about what I expected.
I plan on getting a Diablo Chip, and cutting my cats for more high end power and better shifting.
Chris
). She can peel pretty easily on asphalt but not for a very long time. I've raced lots of trucks and cars and she can keep up with S-10 Extremes, Suburbans, Long Bed Z71s, and hold with stock, older model 4.6 Stangs. I like to use premium gas too that helps out pretty well in the power category. Just don't try and race Cadillac DeVilles, for some reason I got beat by one of those?
But all in all the power is about what I expected.
I plan on getting a Diablo Chip, and cutting my cats for more high end power and better shifting.
Chris
Last edited by NASCARTruckDude; Jul 12, 2003 at 04:58 PM.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 678
Likes: 3
From: Dallas, Texas
More Power!!!!!
Originally posted by Lectrocuted
I hear ya Jimbo. No replacement for displacement.
I hear ya Jimbo. No replacement for displacement.
I'm not saying the modulars are poor in design. Just that they are inherently flawed in the fact that an OHC design has an advantage in the higher rpm's, and these motors just don't flow an adequate amount past 5k to take advantage of that. Its when forced induction and high flowing top end parts are added that they truely show thier worth. Once you get into that, its all about cubic dollars, and that just isn't my thing.Its not that I don't like them, a friend of mine has a sprayed 02 GT that traps 118 in the 1/4 on street tires, and another has a bolt on gt that went 11.8 on a 125 pill. And of course the lightning's blown 5.4 has proven what a slightly larger roots modular can do.
It's just that I have owned a 97 F150 XLT 4x4 supercab with a 4.6 and an auto, and a four inch lift. It's just not enough motor for a real weight truck, doesn't do anything past 4500rpms, and is harder and more costly to maintain or modify.
Sorry, I rambled on. I'll shut up now.
New User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
More Power!!!!!
I got a '97 F-150 4.6L and I recently put Flowmaster exhaust on it and I could feel a little boost with that. Then I put JBA shorty headers on it and I felt the boost let me tell ya. Also I installed an air take system by AFE. I feel these are nice upgrades from the stock engine. I'm thinking about putting a throttle body spacer on it would this help any?