I've got 550 miles on my truck now so I decided to punch it and see how it would run. I haven't been overly impressed with the power so far but it is getting better. A few days ago I was on the highway and I floored it at 60mph. After the kickdown into a lower gear it pulled as expected, but then at about 65mph it was like I a turbo kicked. A very sudden and noticable surge in power and sound. Since then I've tried it several more times and it does the same exact thing everytime. Has anyone else noticed this and if so do you think the chip makers will figure out how to get this power all the time? People keep saying this engine doesn't feel like 300 HP and I agree for the most part, but it's almost like it's holding back until it hits 65 and then it gets full power.

 

Lots of things going on with these trucks. In the morning when I go up my local road the truck is much louder than when it is warmed up. And yes if you put your foot in it / it will go.

 

Remember, the 300hp is not going through a BMW driveline, but a Ford truck. I notice the hp when I am loaded to the brim, pulling a trailer, and I forget because the power is still there. Our truck is geared for hard work.

 

trux4me,

I also get a noticeable surge of power - in any gear - at about 3500 RPMs. When I kick it down on the highway, it feels pretty sluggish until I hit 3500 and then it "breaks loose" and pulls hard with a nice exhuast growl. More like a VTEC than a turbo, IMO. I'm sure we have the new 3V technology to thanks for this.

I'm also shifting well short of the HP peak, which is advertised as 5000 RPMs. The fuel cut off is set at about 4900 in my truck which doesn't make much sense to me. A chip will most likely solve this, but there really aren't any available yet.

I'm at 5800 miles and the engines "peakiness" seems more obvious now than when it was new. I'm either gaining power on the top end or losing low end grunt. In truth, my truck doesn't feel any faster than it did 5000 miles ago. Maybe even a touch slower. I've been hesitant to take it in because my service department does not seem to be up to speed on these new trucks. Ford has released at least a couple of updated PCM "flashes", but my service advisor insists that there are none. Hmmm.......

My truck does tow my 21' bass boat effortlessly, which is my main concern. My gas mileage is not much worse with the boat behind me vs. unloaded which tells me that it's not even working hard. It just won't win any drag races.

hats2wt,

My engine is noticeably loader now than it was new. Not really a bad thing - I do like the growl from the exhaust. Much better than any sound I've gotten from my previous seven F-150's.

 

Clem - Thanks for the response. That is exactly what I was talking about. And since I made the first post I've noticed what you're saying about the surge being more RPM related, like you said at 3500 RPM. By the way greenroses my wife has a BMW 540i and I know what you mean by the drivetrain. That car is a rocket. Anyway this power surge is so noticeable that it's like there is something in the programming that is causing it. It is more than just coming into the "powerband" for lack of a better term. It's very sudden, just like you flipped a switch to turn on something. Hope you guys don't flame me for this but my last truck was 2003 Ram with the Hemi and it was rated at 345hp and it was all there on demand, no waiting, just punch it and the power was there. This truck with only 45 less HP feels like 100 less HP. Don't get me wrong I love this truck and there is no way I would go back to the Dodge. I can tell that the Ford seems to be loosening up some (700 miles now). When it was brand new it seemed to pull strong from 1000 rpm and then at about 2500 it seemed to sort of pull back, (I'm talking about under light acceleration) almost like the timing was being retarded. That characteristic seems to be going away and it feels more linear now. It's like Ford has programmed in a break-in period. I do know one thing, the power is there and when the chip makers figure out how to release it the chip is going to make a big difference on these new 5.4 3 valve engines.

 

I am at 1013 miles and haven't noticed a Darn Thing other than it has power available at all RPMs. I could probably spin those eighteens effortlessly..
However, when driving at speeds of 70+ and you decide to "mash" it a little; seconds later you are at 90mph..Watch it!

I have yet to tow my boat (22' Sea Ray O/V) with it as she is still in hibernation, but this truck better do the Job as that is primarily why I purchased it! I will be a very displeased Ford owner is she dogs out driving over the Cascades..
"Mad"

 

I pulled a rather steep hill north of town yesterday, I've got to tell you that truck really pulls hills. I was running away from everyone. I'v got a 3.73 rear end, and even though the engine is still a little tight, I am really happy with the performance. The shift points are perfect. I've never had a passing gear uphill like this except in my Jag XK8, which is 290 hp and a 5 speed. This truck blows the doors off of my wife's Lexus LX470.

Jim

 

I would hope so. Even the latest LX470 only has 235 HP, compared to Ford's 300 HP.

A better comparison to the Lexus would be Ford's 231 HP 4.7L. You wouldn't win that one, as the Lexus puts out about 10% more torque.

Ironically, both your Lexus and your F-150 have the same exact curb weight of 5590 lbs.

 

I don't want to buy another truck with a smaller engine just to prove your theory.

 

You don't need to buy another truck jim. "Blowing the doors off" a vehicle of the same weight and only 235 HP (22% less than the 300 HP) is nothing remarkable. Your comparison was obviously apples to oranges.

The 5.4L is an average performer in this truck class. I'm happy with the way it pulls my 5,000 lb trailer, but it's not anything special, and it does shift back and forth a lot.

 

Well then should we compare the 4 liter 290 horse jag to the F150- man have you got a bad case of the nit piks. Your lucky wife.

 

It seems like the one thing that nobody ever mentions when they compare hp is the weight of the vehicle. Its all about power/weight ratio. A vehicle with 300 hp and weighs 4000 lbs will run side by side with another 300 hp 4000 lb vehicle. Put two 250lb guys in the back seat of a BMW 540i and see how it runs. Compare the vehicle weight of a 2004 F-150 FX4 Supercrew and a comparable Dodge with a hemi. I bet if you put the 5.4 3V engine in a 2003 F-150 then you would think it had 300 ponies!

 

It is partially power to weight. More, though, is the gear ratio. Put our driveline on a BMW 540 and it'd pull a 26' trailer. (And two 250lb guys) A semi only puts out around 400-450 horse, but it's geared to pull ten's of thousands of pounds. A HEMI is more of a sport truck, meant to please guys looking for better acceleration. It has most of it's power in the high end.

 

jim,

The Lexus and the F-150 are the same weight. One is 235 HP, and the other 300 HP. Obviously your comparison was apples to oranges. Get over it.

Put your engine up against others in this truck class, like the Hemi and Titan. You'll find that it's average...and you won't be "blowing the doors off" of anything. That is the reasonable truth, not "nit-pik".

BTW, since you brought up wives, maybe you should consult yours when making size comparisons.

 

awwww that was "cruel"! You want power and drivability, get a Audi sr6, now we are talking! :O) We have a little a6 with a 2.7 turbo...Blows my 250 v-10 4.10:1 doors off and the truck ain't no slouch off the line for 7000+lbs+! But as quoted "not apples to oranges".