Anyone know how much more power I can get out of my 2002's 5.4 Triton V8?. it origionally had 260HP. I have a Silverline Cat-back exhaust system with dual 4" pipes. Don't know how much I get out of it though. Thinking of swapping out the CAT for a high performance CAT. Also looking at the highest flowing intake kit with the best filtration possible. Anymore ideas besides a superchip? I know this engine isn't running at full capabilities. I think theres at least 300hp in it.

 

Hi truckguy...welcome to FTE.

Thread moved to appropriate technical forum.

 

thanks! I coundn't figure it out.

 

Outside of forced induction, heads/ valves/ cams, a programmer is about the only thing that'll get you over 275 at the flywheel. The other bolt ons aren't going to get you to 300 hp.

-Kerry

 

I installed and welded a dual 3" exhaust system and long tube headers on an 02 F-150 5.4. The truck also has an el-cheapo CIA from ebay w/ K&N cone filter, underdrive pulleys, an SCT programer with a custom tune and a few other suspension and transmission modifications. I don't know how much power it's actually making, but my engine calculator brings up 318hp at the flywheel given the weight and 1/8mile trap speed. The best time the truck ran this past weekend was a 2.11 60' 9.6 @ 76mph (1/8th mile).

 

Unless you knew what you were pulling stock before adding anything it's hard to tell what your gains were. Not every engine is gonna make exactly 260hp at the flywheel.

Another item is having the exact weight of the truck as it ran. Then the calculator has a better chance of giving you results closer to actual dyno numbers.

I know how much of a hassle it is to go back to stock and getting a baseline, so I don't expect anyone to do that now. I will say that if you change your tune back to stock and see what comes out of that, then compare that to your results after the tune you may find that the biggest gain came from the custom tune. I wish SCT would have been more into a general public marketing campaign, perhaps the Predator I have now wouldn't have been such a great deal. I did not know SCT existed when I bought mine, yet they've been around for years and were known to the Mustang and Thunderbird go fast people.

-Kerry

 

What exactly is an underdrive pully?

 

I am well aware of that and to a very small degree, I concur. However, it's not like one truck is going to make 285 and the next only 235. Ford is using the exact same parts so isn't like playing the lottery when buying a truck.
I've seen my share of dyno runs on bone stock GEN 1 L's and even those are very close to each other (given the error between dyno types and air temp/denisty that day).
Yes, i agree there's a noticeable difference with SCT 87 tune, and even more so with the 93 octane tune. However, each of these parts were installed one at a time, and had noticeable results (some parts more than others) as per seat of the pants dyno. The programming was done when I installed the long tube headers and exhaust system, and I would have to say, the programming and exhaust system themselves, made more of a difference than all of the other minor bolt-ons put together...and at that point, tuning was a must.
If you've ever taken a close look at a stock 5.4/4.6 exhaust system, you will see that it is very restrictive. Right down to that ugly little y-pipe that looks as though it takes a nasty detour before going back into that trash can sized muffler. And I think that is why the new exhaust made such a big difference.
Me personally, I don't agree on running/dyno-ing a motor with a bunch of aftermarket parts and no tuning. It's a waste of money for dyno time, it's not good to rev a motor that is not tuned properly and it isn't going to change the outcome when it comes to aftermarket tuning, which is one of the reasons SCT sends custom base tune when you purchase their Pro Racer software.
As far as the weight goes, we'll have to take a ride to one of the local scales around here to get an exact number. Like you said, the calculator will be more accurate with the correct weight.

 

In a nutshell, they serve to slow the engine accessories down (alternator, water pump, etc...). This results in less "drag" on the motor so it can spin/rev a little easier.

 

Is slowing down the accessories good for the them? do you need a different serpentine belt? and my dual pipe cat-back sounds great but I can hear some type of choking noise when going up hills around 2000RPM. I think its the cat itself. I am looking at headers but want to know which are the best for under $1000.00. I don't care about looks that much but I want to unleash my engine. I can get a cat for around $200.00 that I hope complys with NY state emmissions and has better flow.

 

I guess I was thinking out loud, Matt... my comment wasn't directed exactly towards you.

All I was saying is that before people post gains there should be a real baseline to go off of. It's true that most engines are going to be around 260, but Ford doesn't guaranty that. I also never claimed the hp was gonna vary by 25 either way... maybe 5 or 10. Anyway letting us know that you made your biggest gains by adding the exhaust and going with a tune is very helpful.

I know the stock exhaust is a hangup. I plan on removing the logs for JBA's when the cash flow opens up. I also plan on removing the stock y pipe and going with a set up along the lines of a x pipe and duals ala Lightning.

Back to the question at hand...
Underdrive pulley systems can go either way. If you have a high flow pump and/or high output alternator, then it's no biggie. The power steering works fine, engine still gets cooled and the battery and accessories still get juice. It'll save you a couple of ponies and if you're into sqeezing out every one you can get, it'll suit ya.
The Cat is up to you... however it's a federal law that only those that have failed may be replaced... who's gonna know? Is it really worth it? It's up to you. I plan on keeping all 4 of mine original, as they are basically 2 1/4" straight pipes with perforations in them... the only way they flow any better is the shape of the perforations, or as Matt has done, put a long tube header in. Not sure why a cat would be your issue... they have no moving parts, so the tone is strictly up to the engine. Any problems and your O2 downstream would throw a code.

-Kerry

 

You can free up a little power with a electric fan. You don't add hp but you take the work of turning the heavy fan off your motor.

 

Hey does anyone know if there is an underdrive pulley kit available that will the fit the V10? I searched the V10 forum, and there isn't any discussions on it. I was under the impression that the 5.4L and 6.8L engines were basically the same except for 2 cylinders. I would think the pulleys would be the same.

 

I think there is if you click "shop" at the top of this page and look under performance parts.?. No gaurantees from me! I havn't been on it that much.

 

Search my posts. I'm at about 360 HP with mine. I have a photo in my gallery as well. Good Luck