With my 07 5.4 dead in the water I decided to do a huge upgrade and swap in the V10. I never really liked the 5.4 and my transmission was getting tired. I tried to talk myself out of the swap (because I really wanted to do it!) but I seemed to find solutions to the issues that I came up with. I contemplated swapping the engine for a junkyard engine and selling it but for what I'm pricing this swap at I really wouldn't get much of an upgrade. The wild hair wouldn't come out so I decided to go for it!

Here's the plan for the build:

'09 dash and center console swap to have the proper shifter... Plus I also get a nicer dash and working heated seats!!

After talking with Mike at 5star they said they could tune the V10 as long as I run the 5R110 transmission.

I found a 6.8/5R110 and transfer case (The 5R110 has a larger output so I couldn't use the F-150 transfer case) with 60K on it and got it Saturday.

I got the engine in last night and it is a lot tighter than I thought. I'm going to have to run an inch body lift to clear the cowl and tunnel for the transmission. Here's a few pics of the engine in the truck last night.

 

It looks like when it's all said and done, that it's gonna be easier to access plugs and injectors on the v10 than the 5.4 or the 4.6....Will the axles stand up to the extra torque?

 

They run these axles on the raptors so I don't see why not. I plan on adding a limited slip to the 8.8 also when I swap in the 4.56s

 

This thing is definitely a big engine! Here's how tight it is wit my new 1 1/2" body lift. I still need to move the firewall back about 3/4" around the throttle body elbow and dog leg my transmission cross member back 6" for the 5R110. I really don't want to do a 2" body lift (I already more than clear my 35s with my 6" Fabrech) so I'm thinking of cutting into my cowl to clear the throttle body.

The new body lift

 

Took out the temporary body lift out and grabbed my favorite hammer OB1 Kenobi (he's all knowing and all wise in subjects like this) and made just enough room to fit the intake under the cowl. I'm going to have to run a half inch body lift because I couldn't get the radius of the firewall to move enough to clear the elbow.

 

I'm eager to see the finished product. My hat's off to you, you're really jumping into this with both feet !

 

I as past the point if no return when i got the engine in the engine bay..... I don't want to imagine having pull that thing back out without lifting the body off!! I'm hoping to have most of the drive train in and set by the weekend and most of the wiring done.

 

Almost looks like an engine again

 

This is amazing, keep it up! watching intently.

 

Engine had to come apart and go back together. The F-150 5.4 has a different timing chain cover.

 

Starting to look likes an engine again!
Got a smoking deal on a Banks cold air intake!

 

Well that doesn't fit!



Had to relocate the PS reservoir back 6 inches to clear the new intake

 

This will be the last update until April. I'm leaving for 6 weeks for a class for my next promotion in the Army. I can't wait to hear this thing run when I get back!!

 

 

Definitely cool! More of a project than I would take on by myself anyway. I know this is after the fact, but did you look into dropping the motor down the 1-2 inches rather than cutting the firewall? I'm also wondering about the wiring needed to make all systems work properly.