4.6 or 5.4 engine
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 692
Likes: 1
From: Saratoga USA
How did this thread degenerate into a Ford vs Chevy argument? Calgary Redneck, if you want a Chevy, go buy one, who cares how "fast" it goes. I bought my 2003 F150 King Ranch SuperCab because I liked the interior, not because of how "fast" it went. I have the 5.4, and it has plenty of power for me. I drove the 5.3 Chevy before I bought the Ford, one is not clearly superior to the other in terms of power. Back to the point, I would recommend the 5.4, the 4.6 is rather small for a heavy truck.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,673
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From: Chicago Area
To go back to the original question; I have a 2001 F150 4.6. My daughter has a '99 Expy 5.4.
While the additional torque from the 5.4 is nice, I really do not feel underpowered in my 4.6 even when towing our 2 horse trailer. It just downshifts and revs more. Actually, I like the way the engine sounds. And I do appreciate the better gas mileage. (Yeah, I know mine's lighter; the mileage would still be better). Mine is a working truck, pushing 80,000 miles in 2-1/2 years.
So, if you're cheap and drive a lot like me, I don't think you'll be unhappy with the 4.6. If putting $40 worth of gas in it often doesn't concern you, go for the 5.4.
While the additional torque from the 5.4 is nice, I really do not feel underpowered in my 4.6 even when towing our 2 horse trailer. It just downshifts and revs more. Actually, I like the way the engine sounds. And I do appreciate the better gas mileage. (Yeah, I know mine's lighter; the mileage would still be better). Mine is a working truck, pushing 80,000 miles in 2-1/2 years.
So, if you're cheap and drive a lot like me, I don't think you'll be unhappy with the 4.6. If putting $40 worth of gas in it often doesn't concern you, go for the 5.4.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,323
Likes: 2
From: Montana Territory
Both engines are rated the same economy as far as gas mileage goes... the difference is only fifty cubic inches...
If you are looking for something that you can make a lot of power with, I would go with the 4.6, its been around longer than the 5.4 (11 years now) and with the leftovers from the mustang crowd, you are seeing a lot of different chips, superchargers, nitrous and shift kits available for the price of a SBF.
Neither motor has better resale value.
If you are looking for something that you can make a lot of power with, I would go with the 4.6, its been around longer than the 5.4 (11 years now) and with the leftovers from the mustang crowd, you are seeing a lot of different chips, superchargers, nitrous and shift kits available for the price of a SBF.
Neither motor has better resale value.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,673
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From: Chicago Area
I don't think its correct that both engines are rated the same for mileage, but in any case, the 4.6 does actually get better mileage in my experience. There may be some exceptions, but its logical for a smaller engine to use less gas, particularly if the increased size is because of a longer stroke.
Good point about the wider useage of the 4.6, and more available speed equipment.
Good point about the wider useage of the 4.6, and more available speed equipment.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,775
Likes: 2
From: Conway Arkansas
Originally Posted by Mattsbox99
Feel free to walk down to any lot, all the trucks have the same economy ratings, regardless of body style, I don't know the actual economy, since I've never driven/owned one of these.
I can vouch for the gas mileage.
My g/fs 4.6 X cab gets a few miles per gallon better than the 6.4 X cab my buddies dad has.
Same truck, different motor.
Its not a ton different, just a few more MPG
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: joliet, IL
I've had both the 4.6L, and now the 5.4L, so I can give you a little info on both. My 4.6L was in a '97 supercab, long bed. Overall, not a complaint with this motor. Towed my 3K pound bout pretty well, and I put 140,000 miles on the truck w/ only a tie rod going out(at 110,000 miles). Now I have a 5.4L in a Supercab, flareside. The differences I notice are this....
4.6L was much faster than the 5.4L 0-30 when unloaded(chip and exhaust helped).
The 4.6L got me 20 mpg highway, and about 14 city, while 5.4L gets me 18.5 hway, 14 city(premium fuel required chip in 4.6L)
Towing, the 5.4L smokes the 4.6L. Much better low-end torque, and power throughout the entire RPM range. VERY happy w/ how this motor tows.
My 4.6L had 3:55 gears, hypertech chip, K&N filter, and flowmaster
My 5.4L has 3:55 gears, K&N filter
Both good motors, but I would go with the 5.4L. Gas mileage almost the same(had to use premium with the chip, so this evens out). Towing power much better w/ the 5.4L, but it is not a speed demon.
4.6L was much faster than the 5.4L 0-30 when unloaded(chip and exhaust helped).
The 4.6L got me 20 mpg highway, and about 14 city, while 5.4L gets me 18.5 hway, 14 city(premium fuel required chip in 4.6L)
Towing, the 5.4L smokes the 4.6L. Much better low-end torque, and power throughout the entire RPM range. VERY happy w/ how this motor tows.
My 4.6L had 3:55 gears, hypertech chip, K&N filter, and flowmaster
My 5.4L has 3:55 gears, K&N filter
Both good motors, but I would go with the 5.4L. Gas mileage almost the same(had to use premium with the chip, so this evens out). Towing power much better w/ the 5.4L, but it is not a speed demon.
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 22,436
Likes: 17
From: Louisville,Ky.
The longer stroke should not effect gas mileage. It will give you more torque. Cubic inches will make a difference. The superior torque of the 5.4L is worth the 1 or 2 MPG difference. But, I often tow a 2350lb trailer with 3500lbs + on it. The 4.6 would definately struggle with that kind of load!!
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Posting Guru
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,673
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From: Chicago Area
I guess I can't prove it, but it always seems like stroked engines suck up more gas than the increased displacement would indicate; just as they do seem to have more low end torque but less top end horsepower than a bored engine of the same size.
My 4.6 definitely does not struggle to pull our two horse trailer, which is around 6000 lbs loaded. It does downshift more than my daughter's 5.4, but that doesn't bother me; and at $2/gal, the trade off is worth it.
My 4.6 definitely does not struggle to pull our two horse trailer, which is around 6000 lbs loaded. It does downshift more than my daughter's 5.4, but that doesn't bother me; and at $2/gal, the trade off is worth it.
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 22,436
Likes: 17
From: Louisville,Ky.
I believe that the 4.6 is ok in a 2wd, but you lose a lot thru the transfer case and added weight of the front axle and extra driveshaft. If you have a 4x4, I would recommend the 5.4L.
Oh and for the record, the new LS1, LT1, LS6, etc, are actually 345.95ci not 350.
Oh and for the record, the new LS1, LT1, LS6, etc, are actually 345.95ci not 350.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,166
Likes: 0
From: Chino, California
Both engines are good. Neither one is 'better' than the other. They are mechanically identical. Both are Triton Modular V-8's.
I just happen to believe there's no substitution for cubic inches. As for the 5.4 not having any *****....balderdash! My F-150 Supercrew runs like a bat out of hell! It reminds me of the old 351 C I used to have.
Anyway, I say it depends on what you want to do with the truck. My vote goes to the 5.4 I have two of them and a V-10..
My V-10 doesn't feel any stronger than my 5.4 on the low end. In fact, I prefer the V-8 sound and low end power. It's in the upper mph's where the V10 pulls away from my 5.4 without even downshifting.
I just happen to believe there's no substitution for cubic inches. As for the 5.4 not having any *****....balderdash! My F-150 Supercrew runs like a bat out of hell! It reminds me of the old 351 C I used to have.
Anyway, I say it depends on what you want to do with the truck. My vote goes to the 5.4 I have two of them and a V-10..
My V-10 doesn't feel any stronger than my 5.4 on the low end. In fact, I prefer the V-8 sound and low end power. It's in the upper mph's where the V10 pulls away from my 5.4 without even downshifting.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,323
Likes: 2
From: Montana Territory
gotta love OHC motors.....
I was thinking about this, why chevy has more displacement than us, they also still have ancient pushrod motors, and get terrible mileage.... and still can't wind as high as a Mod motor.
I was thinking about this, why chevy has more displacement than us, they also still have ancient pushrod motors, and get terrible mileage.... and still can't wind as high as a Mod motor.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,775
Likes: 2
From: Conway Arkansas
Originally Posted by Mattsbox99
gotta love OHC motors.....
I was thinking about this, why chevy has more displacement than us, they also still have ancient pushrod motors, and get terrible mileage.... and still can't wind as high as a Mod motor.
I was thinking about this, why chevy has more displacement than us, they also still have ancient pushrod motors, and get terrible mileage.... and still can't wind as high as a Mod motor.
So let them have a bit more displacement
They need it
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,166
Likes: 0
From: Chino, California
Well, now....that begs the question: Are you all saying Ford and Toyota's V-8's are the only OHC's (V-8)?? Maybe I'm wrong but soemone told me the new generation Chevy truck engine like the 5.3 and the 6.0's are also OHC. Not so?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,323
Likes: 2
From: Montana Territory
no. GM does not have a OHC V8 motor in the lineup, and none on the drawing boards. They still use all pushrod motors. *this only applies to the V8s* they use toyota SOHC and DOHC four cylinders in their cars...