I'm looking at buying a 2006 S-Crew XLT with a 4.6L and tow package. I would prefer the 5.4L but with the extra $2K rebate being offered for the 4.6L makes it almost a $3K difference. I’ve read many of the posts recommending the 5.4L option with the heavier duty tranny and rear and I would go this route if the budget allowed. I don’t plan to do a lot of towing and the max would probably be about 4500 lbs.

Given there’s probably a 4.6 in my future, what kind of horsepower gains can be made with a programmer/tuner and minor bolt-ons at a later time? Would it be enough to split the difference with the 5.4, say around 265 hp?

A side note, since Ford is currently pushing the 2006 4.6L with the rebate, will they likely offer a similar rebate on leftover 5.4L once the 4.6L are gone?

Thanks

 

No way would you get close to that... the best gains that i have seen on a dyno is reg cab 5.4 every bolt on tuner , cat back , CAI forgot what else and he dynoed at 270 RWHP this with a 5.4 reg cab ....

 

I have a 4.6 and I believe we have 235hp and about 297 tq.....I have a Volant intake, 40 series exhaust, and Edge tuner...Lets play paper dyno. 5 hp for the intake, 3 hp for the exhaust, and 35hp/50lbs tq(that is what Edge claims at stage 3 with minimum of 93 octane), that should be about 288-290 hp...Torque should be about 360 tq...




I have a feeling I am going to get flamed for this post

 

OK lets see when I had my Screw dynoed I had Airaid CAI , Aeroturbine Exhaust, Diablo Predator with custom tune and 4.56 LS and I put down 238 RWHP...

 

Also those #'s edge calims is through the power band not peak and thats on the 5.4 not 4.6
your peak gains should be more like 10 rwhp but gain RWHP down low

So stock at 2000 RPM's you have 100 rwhp but with the edge 130 RWHP...this just a example

 

Having just come from the mustang world, a 15HP-20HP gain would be very good on a 99 Cobra from just a tuner (which is a 4V). I doubt you'll see that much on the 4.6L (I assume these are the 3 valve engines). A nearly 55HP gain just isn't happening with those few bolt-ons - 55HP from bolt-ons including full exhaust, underdrives, etc, is very very good on any N/A engine. I doubt that Ford left THAT much on the table.

Just my .02 from my experiences with the Cobra.

 

Thanks for the input. So basically, about 15hp is about all you can expect to get? I test drove the 4.6L on the highway last night and passing is terrible. Will the tuner make any significant difference with this or am I just out of luck unless I figure out how to get the 5.4?<o></o>

Any comments on this?

 

on a reg cab 4.6, with our efans, pullies, and a custom exhaust, we dynoed 209/233 peak. We had BamaChips make a custom tune for it right there on the dyno, and peaked 225/279, so, at the peak of each band, the tune gained 16/46 at the wheels. I wish had gone back to look at the max gain. It held well above 250 torque until about 4700 rpm.

These engines have plenty of oomph that can be released, so dont fell bad that you got one, they still make enough power to move around in traffic.

The 4.6 in the truck is a 2v for now, expect a 3v in late 07 or 08

 

I have an Edge Tuner and primarily use it on Level 2 Programming which is the Towing Mode. Made some slight tweaks to the shift points and firmness to suit my own driving style/preference and noticed a very nice change in passing performance between 40-70 MPH. You will see the difference but if you can swing it...Go 5.4.

BTW my Truck is a 4.6L 4x4 with 3.55LS gearing

 

my truck seems to be perfectly fine passing cars on the high way....I mean it's not a race truck or anything like that. It doesnt have any problem passing or getting on the high way

 

How much are the pullies and as well as the e-fans???

 

Pulleys are $199
http://jusnesmodified.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=156_161_268 _417&products_id=187

Efans range, but the most popular (and most expensive) is $315 for Dual 16s with Dual Controllers
http://jusnesmodified.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=156_161_234

Or you can get them both, in a package deal with a gatorback belt for $529
http://jusnesmodified.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=156_161_275 &products_id=208

All these prices include shipping

 

Here in alabama saturday they had xlt screw w/ the 5.4 for $23000. There is no way i would get the 4.6. The upgrades alone that come w/ the 5.4 more than pay for the difference.

 

How did the engineers manage to cork up that much Torque? Guess they didn't want to give people a reason to not buy the 5.4L!

 

Sad, but youre probably right!