hey guys right now i have a 95 f150 ext cab and three boys. i know as they get older it will be harder to have everybody in the truck so im thinking about upgrading to a 2002 crew cab. I know on the older trucks its a lot easier to swap out motors and mod the motors but i was wondering about the 1997-2003 trucks, what kind of engine mods can i do to them that the computer can handle or can i do a swap if i want to. if anybody is wondering i was wanting a 400-500hp out of the motor.

 

The hp your looking for Would need a supper charger and some heavy mod's with custom tunes. The lighting motor only put out 360hp. The 5.4 is about 260hp.

 

well i seen the harley davison crew cab has the supercharged v8. but i was also wondering could i drop a crate motor in the truck with a supercharger, example like a 351 with supercharger or am i restricted to a 5.4L.

 

the 351 can be done...just not easily....VERY heavy on the modifications and funds.

A supercharged 5.4 would be much more accommodating, because it was a factory option....you would need the PMC and harness and trans to match the engine IF you would swap one in. Easier still just but a HD supercharged unit ...money spent probably will be a wash. IMHO

 

On these new engine designs there is no easy swaps like your used to with the old push rod/trans engines of old.
The 97 and later trucks use a different trans bell and bolt pattern between two different transmissions.
The PCM operating system is also different.
The motor requires two camshafts.
There is no ignition distributor.
Consult a cam vendor for your application desires.
Often a program modification should be done to get max benefit from changes.
Headers don't do that much for a torque engine application on a stock engine.
To get the level of power you want, a new Eco Boost equipped truck is what you want.
Otherwise I would go to an aftermarket supplier for a replacement complete motor built out to the level you want.
Stock converter is not reliable revved past 5500 to many times.
Good luck.

 

alright well how much internal mods can these motors take then? ex: cams, intake, rockers arms, boring over.

 

you don't seem to understand what the above poster just said. Its not like having a small block Ford. to get more power, in the end you are better off buying a 2011 up truck. the EB has 365 hp stock. the 5.0 has 360 hp. and the 6.2 is rare in a F150, and it is 414HP. your 5.4 is 260 hp......any engine can be bored. the rocker arms on a OHC engine are called followers. I don't think any intakes are made by the aftermarket for performance. the aftermarket may make cams, but they will be mild because vacuum has to be close to stock for the ECM to work properly. Its going to take big bucks to get a lot more performance.....and I would say probably 10k +.

 

Cost is just not feasible, once you get the engine making 400hp, you need to replace the 4r70w with something stronger like the 4r100 if you stick with a 5.4 boosted.
By the time you buy the truck, build the motor and upgrade the transmission you would be around $12,000 for a 13 yr old truck.

 

These block won't take an overbore to far beyond a cleanup.
There is not enough meat to do it reliably.
Heads can be ported for good flow but the truck intakes are not designed for high rpm airflow.
The runners are long and smallish to keep airflow speeds up to help make torque for a truck application.
Cams and compression increase will get some power at the expense of low end torque the same as in any internal combustion engine would respond.
As a reference, a stock 4.6 with compression increases and cam plus headers can come in about 300 hp but over 5500 rpm.
As another reference, we did a 94 Lightening that has a 5.7L (351) with a custom centrifugal blower setup at nearly 10 psi boost and came up with about 325 hp on an otherwise stock motor.
I did all the machine work to bolt it to the motor and set the drive belt to alignment. The final result was a really nice factory looking job, powder coating an all.
The engine control system is Speed Density to boot.
The truck normally is OEM equipped with 4:11 rear gear so you can imagine stock tires meant nothing for traction right off the line with such a setup.
You have to be real hungry and have the investment doe to assemble a good total project.
In this day and age what used to be high powered hot rods are now matched by the factory offerings off the show room floor.
Good luck.

 

well its like i said before as my boys get older my old 95 ext cab is not going to be big enough so i like the 99-03 crew cab because of the room and that they are really cheap now and so is the insurance. im asking about power because if i get one i probably going with bds 6" lift with 35's. that is why i was asking about power on these motors. but if its going to cost too much then i guess im going to stick with my 95 then.

 

You might try looking out for the last year factory supercharged Harley model in super crew.
It will be 2wd.
Good luck.

 

A stock 2002- 2003 CREWCAB is a fantastic truck. Plenty of room for the kids and plenty of power for pulling and hauling. Don't see the need for 6 inch lift and 35 inch tires, but my 2002 will haul a 10,000 trailer down the highway at 75 MPH so I would think it would turn a couple of fat tires ?

 

How about gears ?

 

Can this mod be accomplished. I have the complete Explorer, including computer, etc. This is the same motor that is used in the GT according to my Mustang source in Georgia.

Just thinking about the future. Thanks, Rooster.

 

yea they really are not much bigger than an extended cab, easier access with 4 real doors but not that much bigger, I'd not like riding back there for long.


look at a Lincoln Navigator, they are cheap and can be had with 300 and something HP stock, also much more room for the kiddies, whatever size they are.

400-500 HP is expensive in anything, try a powerstroke? it'll get better fuel economy than a 500 hp gasser and be way cooler too