i have a 1/2 ton ford efi with a 351 and c-6, it only gets 7-8 mpg.and it don't run as hard as i think it should, the c-6 is acting up, and i was wondering what it would take to get a good running 460 efi-5speed and put it in my truck with 4.10 rear end, then it would be a tire smoking gas burner and i still think it would get better gas milege than 8... it's rediculous. the 1/2 ton is a 89 f-150 and the truck has only 65,000 miles on it. looks to be in immaculant condition, but i have had the tranny out once and don't want to mess with an automatic ever again. i am asking what gas milege do ya'll get with a 460 or a 351 and please state what transmission you have and if it is carbureted or not, i don't know if the efi is worth trying to switch over. am just seeing what ya'll think about it.

 

I get from 10-12mpg with a 460 coupled with an E4od. Truck is a '94 4x4 super cab, longbed. Plenty of power available. Had shift kit installed and K&N intake, Exhaust is Magnaflow out the back end. The 8,800 GVWR does not require emmissions testing in Georgia. You didn't say whether your truck was 4x2 or 4x4. The amount of air you're puching will make a slight difference, I'm sure. Don't look for "great mileage" with a 460, you will have loads of torque and won't go wanting in the power area.

Tex

 

the 5 speed zf tranny is gonna be real real hard to find and if you do, its gonna cost ya. just a warning.

 

i think i can get one for around 350-400 here. my buddy had a truck and he wrecked it, but he didn't tell me about till he had alredy had it hauled off to the junkyard. i cussed that boy for weeks because i wanted that motor-tranny so bad. my truck is a extra cab short bed 2-wheel drive the 460 would really get er flying. i want nothing to do with an automatic. sorry, just a personal thing. i will go with a t-19 if i can't afford a 5 speed. i can live with the 8-mpg if it just had a few more ponies. and it would be getting a 4.10 with a detroit locker as traction will be limited anyhow. maybe throw a few sacks of corn in the back and keep my tanks full all the time.

 

what is your rear end ratio tex?

 

Cost is relative, depending where and how you source the parts.

I'm going through this conversion myself, actually. 500cid stroker, twin turbos, replacing the SBF ZF5 with a BBF ZF5.

I got a running, 60K mile EFI 460 fairly complete from a local yard for $300 cash and carry, I got the BBF ZF 5sp on e-bay for $300, and what was cool it came with TWO PTO's (power take off hydraulic units). I didn't need either, so I sold the two PTO's for 200-300 each on e-bay, thus recovering the money I spent on the transmission, and the new clutch and hydraulic bushing that's ready for it

I was going to put the 460 in "as-is", however I wanted to lower the compression for my turbos, and an engine building friend of mine had sitting on a shelf a 502cid stroker he built for a customer, who only paid half of it, and was nowhere to be found a year later. So, I paid the balance and now I have a 500ish cid shortblock. Ported the snot out of my 460 EFI heads and the intake, and now its a complete engine, with a nice 7:1 c/r great for tons of boost at lower rpms. Anyway, you're not interested in turbo bits, just the 460/ZF combo.

Ultimately, this is going to cost me about $2500 by the time I'm done, engine, turbos, fabricated exhaust manifolds, wiring, ZF and related parts, etc.

The only piece I'm missing from this project which I can't seem to find, is a 93-94 EEC computer from a F150 lightning. Has to be a lighting, not a regular F150... so I can tune it with tweecer. The $2500 also includes dual alternators, and my addition of air conditioning, and various other changes to the truck's configuration.

 

And after checking out your website the other day to see your project, YOU are my new hero!!!!

No razzing intended, that's gonna be one FINE lookin truck.

 

Thank you Darkknight, she looks pretty good for 325K miles. Some rust popping through on the front fenders, and a few gremlins but its coming along overall fairly well. I'm looking forward to the late spring, early summer, when I can slip the 500cid in, do some basic naturally aspirated tuning, then attach the turbocharger systems mid to late summer, for a really fun play toy. That and four wheel antilock brakes. This rear ABS stuff drives me nuts, as on hard stops I can lock the fronts no problem, and I'd rather have four-wheel ABS or no ABS, I just can't decide what is right for me, there are pluses and minuses to both configurations.

Other than the fabricated front bumper (and eventually a fabricated rear bumper/class 4 hitch), the body will remain fairly stock. Not going to lift it, lower it, shave door handles, etc. I might go with a steel air gate (fabricated), but that's really about it, appearance wise.

Interior, powertrain, wiring is different, however