Well, since I'm selling/trading my F-2 to buy a '97 F150, I figured I'd post something since I haven't posted in an eon or two. I want to know what you all have to say about the Modular V8's. My take is...

...well, I guess you could classify this as a rant. (questions are in BOLD if you want to skip my ranting)

The '97 up F-150 is only equipped with the 4.2L V6, the 4.6L and 5.4L Triton V8s. For my style, the V6 is just out of the question. Nothing wrong with a “sawed-off 302”, and you can build the heck out of them with Supercoupe parts, but I'm not a V6 guy. My bone to pick is with the modern V8s.

You would think that Ford would have used the 5.0L instead of the 4.6L (as they did in the Explorer until '01, which is, in my opinion a better engine for the job). At least made the 5.0L an option for people like me. Unfortunately they didn't, and you can probably tell from the tone so far, I'm not a modular fan. Indeed, I am not. First off, 281 cubic inches. What in God's name is a Ford V8 doing in a truck with only 281 CID? That part wouldn't bother me, save that fact you cant bore the thing out very far. The modular design with it's close bore spacing and thin walls leaves only room for stroke, AND IT'S PHYSICALLY BIGGER THEN A 460!

On to the 5.4 I go... The 5.4L doesn't seem to be that bad of a power plant (I have been in a few '97-'98 trucks with it and it has some punch), aside from the fact that it's stroke is a lot more then it's bore, it blows spark plugs out, you can't bore it ether and puts out very little power for the cost and for it's size. Well, technically you can have sleeves pressed into that and get around and maybe a little over the displacement of a 351 (but plan on not having any vacation money for a few years).

Oh, and all of these engines are overhead cam, which is pretty pointless considering it doesn't do much but to add to the cost and complexity. Now I know a lot of people are going to think:

“Dude, you are a moron, get with the times will you? It's to reduce valve train friction...”

I have the answer to that, it's called a roller cam with accompanying components. Much simpler then all those chains and covers and cams and all the millions of pieces that go in between. So instead of hopping up the engine and installing a camshaft, I have to install 2 or 4 camshafts, for more cash? Even when Chevrolet and Dodge still use the conventional push rod design and are getting much more power out of there engines cheaper, overhead cam is better. I don't understand...

“Dude, you have to understand that modulars make more power then the older engines.”

This is true. Stock. Anything other then stock, and the small block is well on it's way to kicking it's butt. Cheaper. Modulars are really expensive to build last time I checked around, and everything over 350 hp has to have a supercharger to get it. 550 HP is not supposed to cost 35K!

GRRRRR!

I really believe the reason Ford is financially up a creek is a two part, and one part of that is the design and unnecessary implementation of the modular engines. Ford built it's name with the 302, 351, FE and Lima big blocks. If they continued to use the older engines and updated them like Chevy has (no, I'm not a Chevy fan), they would probably be much better off in my opinion.

Before you guys think I'm just a jerk spouting off...

In fairness, the modular has a few good traits that I have seen, one being the FE style skirt and cross-bolted mains. Also the fact that it holds up well after many reliable miles of service. It looks kind of like a 427 SOHC if it's dressed up. They don't sound to bad ether with a nice exhaust, even thou they don't have that traditional Ford sound. A nice clean block makes a cool looking coffee table.

So, given the fact that any '97 F150 I would get hold of will have the 5.4L (cause it's the biggest engine offered), are there any positive aspects of this engine that I have not mentioned? Lots of people seem to like them. WHAT HAVE I MISSED? I am a long time Ford fan from a family of mostly Ford owners. If I'm against something initially, I always give it a shot, but I'm having real problems with accepting the modular. If anyone owns a modular, and finds any of the above to not be true, please share your insight with me. I would like to have some more reasons to like this engine. What experiences have you had with these engines in your trucks? How much mileage would be acceptable on a used '97? I normally don't drive that much, and I normally don't care about mileage, but with newer truck parts as they are, I don't want to be looking forward to a transmission or engine swap in the near future.



Anyway, enough of my blabbing. I would like to say that the '97-03 is one of the nicest F-Series styles yet. I love all ford trucks, but that body style seems to stand out in particular. Especially the supercabs and Lightnings with the flairside bed. Harley's are pretty nice as well. I have to stick with a '97 because in my state (NJ), the emissions standard is bar '97. Gives me a lot more freedom to play performance games (possibly even swap a 302, 351 or 460 in later ).

Thank You

 

Poor gas mileage, awesome power. Great engine.

 

I hope you have a full fab shop at your disposal

I have the 4.6L in mine. It's a gutless pig, but shes very reliable. Basic maintenance has kept her in top shape for the past 105,000 miles. If the 5.4L is anything like it, you'll be very happy (except for the V-6 power).

 

you complain that the V6 and small V8 are too small for a truck? well ford has the 5.4 for you. I am completely happey with a 5.4 . I had a 87 supercab with a 351M, then a 89 F250 with the 351. Now i have a 2001 SC with the 5.4 . I can tell you my 5.4 will the the old 351 for lunch. HP, speed, pickup and go, anything. I dot worry about "rebuild" becasue i only have 165,000 miles on it and it has at least that much left to go. I can see 350,000 EASY. If you want a race car, the kids have a Mustang to use.. WE have talked about this 100 times on this site. The 5.4 is a great motor built to last forever. The truck weighs 5000 pounds. IT WAS NOT SUPPOSE TO BE A RACE CAR.

 

I've been very pleased with my 5.4L. Tow over 7000lbs with not too much trouble. It's no 460, but pulls well. The 99-up will have more power because they have PI heads. (Power improved). Went from 235hp to 260hp. The most common plug problem is from them not being torqued correctly when installed. It happens, but to a small percentage considering the millions of trucks out there.
They have a really long stroke which makes them pretty torquey for their size. 330ci.

They do have roller cam followers as well.

 

well... it seems odd that you are so negative to begin with being u already stated u are making the switch, and to sooth your complaining ford isnt really up a creek, they were maintaining with the competition... in 1997. yeah the new 3v 5.4s arent the new hemis or even the 6.8s but they are a good motor im on my second high mileage 5.4 in my 03 with no trouble... (If i could only stop with the burnouts...) if u are getting a 97... it probably isnt costing a whole ton so putting a crate motor in someday wouldnt be out of the question if its only a 7500dollar truck. maybe you could even put a new boss 6.2 or a 4.4 turbo diesel out of a new/09/10 model in there... who knows but i like power and the 260 my truck is spost to have has kept me happy, atleast til the 6.2 comes out

 

Thanks for all the input. The reason I started off a little on the negative side is that was throwing everything I believe/had believed out there in hopes that somebody would correct my point of view with something I hadn't thought of yet.

I know it seems a little strange that I've made the decision on which truck I like and then worrying about the engine afterward. Let's say I'm picky. I love everything about the '97-'03s, I just feel a little weird about the engine not being a traditional one.

LxMan1, I pretty much forgot about the PI 5.4L. Now I feel silly!

fruth04, I like fast trucks and power too, so yes when it gets tired a Lightning 5.4L or Boss isn't out of the question.

I've read a fair amount on on here but I guess I have some more reading to do! All in all I'm feeling a bit better after reading some of the experiences you've all had with them.

Thanks guys!

 

Remember the Boss is nothing but an appearance package, as is the Nascar truck for the most part, the L's and the later HD were the only trucks with blown 5.4L's.

I wouldn't be scared of a 5.4L with 150K IF it has maintenance records and the plugs were changed every 60K or more as well as fluids changed plenty of times. If you want to see what kind of power a modular can put out pick up the newest Muscle Mustangs and Fast Fords rag, they have half a dozen pages on a shop back east that does nothing but hop up modulars.

 

I'm sorry, I should have clarified: I meant the new Boss/Hurricane 6.2 that is scheduled for the late '09 F-Series.

 

ya eventhough the 4.6 has more power and torgue then a 302 (in stock form)

SIZE DOESNT NECESSARILLY MATTER!

 

I would put a stock 4.6l against a stock 5.0 any day...my buds similar 95 5.0 extended cab short bed 4x4 wouldnt even come close to pulling or quickness of my 4.6l.... just thought i would throw that out there...i have never been in an impressive 5.0 unless it was built

 

No, size doesn't necessarily matter. You pit the mid '90s Cobra 302 output to the first non-PI 5.4Ls. 240 HP out of the 5.0L, and 235 HP out of the 28ci more Modular.

Very few 4.6Ls had near the power of the 302 until the end of the 90's and early 2000's. 302 was rated at 215 HP and 288 TQ, while the 4.6 was 205 and 210 HP until '98. Torque also was shy of the 302's numbers, coming out with 270-275 TQ. After that, yes, the stock 4.6L wins. Of course if they had done anything performance wise as they did to the 4.6L instead of letting it die, the 302 would have remained on top. Stock.

If you wanted to go ***** to the wall size wise, a nice cheap 347 stroker (5.6L) or maybe even a 363 Boss (5.9L+), your going to have to dump an enormous amount of cash at the modular and also add a supercharger to keep up.

The main thing I was getting at in that statement I made was that after all these years, a mild build 302 will be a very good competitor to a performance built modular even with all the new technology worked into the Mods. The 302 is cheaper to get the same amount of power out of too, which, I really like. Also means you can take it further with the same amount of cash put into both engines. I resent having to pay more, for less.

I just wish they made it an option in these trucks.

 

Ahh, yea you had the later 4.6L. That wouldn't surprise me at all that you beat it.

BTW, BURNSTOUGHFORD, Your truck is awesome! Thats my favorite combo, and the truck I'm looking for (the supercab flairside with the offroad package). Really nice job on it.

 

Thanks bud.

My 4.6l was non PI rated at 221hp and 285ftlb.... i havent ever driven a 4.6l pi...my new 5.4l is obviously a PI but i dont really know how much power it has due to it still running on the 4.6l computer instead of a 5.4l computer...

ALL 5.4l's went PI in 99 and only part of the 4.6l's

 

Well...I will say that I have "raced" my buddies early/mid-'90's Nissan pickup with the 3.0 V6 5-speed. He's even got a 3" lift and 33" tires. We were neck and neck.

Like I said earlier. The 4.6L is a gutless pig. It does have good torque in 1st gear though. Good for the trails and fourwheeling.