Thinkin about pulling this stock 351w out and making a 427 out of it....so around 500hp at the crank. Not worried about the combo, have that all figured out for the most part. Can the stock driveline handle it? Its a 4x4 F150 , 1996 with 164k on it. Also, who makes a budget header for this truck? I don't care about smog, and need to get rid of my rusted up stock garbage anyways.

 

well 500 horsepower will kill the aod and transfer case and the 8.8 rearend. Just a matter of time. You could just get a stroker kit and be under 400hp but what fun would that be!

 

Level 10 makes a rebuild kit to handle the HP for the Auto trannies. I'm sure there are other companies that make kits also. Check with one of your local trusted transmission shops in the San Diego area to see if they have experience with high performance applications. You might want to look at Precesion Industries for your torque converter needs (there are other good converters out there too that are designed to handle the increased HP such as Banks, which one you choose will depend on your needs as far as stall speed and towing capabilities, etc.) I dont know if the tranfer case will hold up if your going to romp it alot in 4x4. You could always switch over to an Atlas. You probably will want to have your driveshft(s) redone with an extra sleeve for added strenth. I believe they can put in some stronger u joints also. As far as the 8.8 goes...at the least you will need to put in a Detriot Locker. If you dont do this, you will scatter it the first time you romp on it. So, save the added headaches and put in the locker from the get go. If you are planning (or have now) large off road tires, and a 4.10 or 4.56 ring and pinion in the truck , then you probably will still have problems with the 8.8 not being beefy enough to handle both the big tires and the added HP, but you wont pop it right away as long as you have the Detroit Locker in there.