When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I had no idea this engine was limited like that, but I have never tried to find the top speed in my F-150. In my old 92 Cherokee with the I6 4L HO, the limiter kicks in at 125 MPH. This is in 4th gear while still accellerating at one hell of a rate. It could go MUCH faster if it were at all safe to do so.
I made a good run in the middle of the night on a practically deserted highway a couple of years ago. Held it right at the limit for about an hour.
Never tried to hit the limit on my 97', although the highest speed I've ever taken it up to was only 94 mph. My bud's 01' effie with the 5.4 and 3.31 rear has cruised near the 110 mark many times and never shut down.
Personally I get a bigger kick just launching fast off a green light with a rice burner next to me blipping the needle on his $800 tach. I know they'll kill me in top speed, but for those first few seconds they'll wonder "What the hell does he have in that truck?"
My 99 F 150 4x4 was up a little over 100 when the rev limiter kicked in. I also didn't decelerate, I just couldn't accelerate. It has a 4.6 with a 5 speed and 3.55 LS rear end.
Whilst trying to pass a long line of cars , double lanes going my way, I glanced at the speedo at about 87.5mph, glanced over at the wife and from the look on her face it said mine shuts down right there.....NOW! lol--One day I may have the opportunity to find out alone. Just havent had the "appropriate" chance yet. Besides, I still have several years of payments left.........so I may actually never find out for a while.
It's a 4.6/5speed and acceleration, now that I'm used to it, lacks. I do know that one day doing 85 a guy in a big Ford went by me so fast I felt like I had parked! Never did catch him to ask how fast he was cruising... but about a mile ahead Mr Montana Highway Patrol did. I didnt want to stop and ask.
Egad I love cruise control and a good radar detector!!
Based off of what I read and personal experience, the 5-speed 4.6L can attain a top speed of 105mph. The automatic counterpart is 97mph. My guess is a larger amount of heat being generated by a Torque converter vs. the final drive ratio of the 5-speed. Manuals usually generate no heat, even at high RPMs. I was reading somewhere else and found that the 5-speed 4.6L is actually slightly faster than a 5.4 Automatic.. provided that they are both a Regular Cab shortbox 4x4. I don't know if this is true, but I would guestimate to assume that the earlier 5.4 Triton (which only put out 20 more HP) it would be a comparable match.
Looks like us 5-speeders can outrun you lazy automagic drivers by almost 7mph
Yeah I was looking for threads with "5-speed" 4.6L 4x4 and acceleration and couldn't find anything interesting about it. I know the combo is rare (4.6L 5-speed with 4x4) and hard to come by. But digging up isn't that bad is it?
I did note: One guy is claiming that the automatic pulls more. True, but I think he is reading the manual and thinking it is correct. I'm more begging to believe there is a typo in the ford manual that comes with the 1997-2003 fords. I towed 4,800 lbs easily with my 4.6 5-speed. The book says I can tow a maximum of 1,600. Uh, yeah I might as well tow stuff with my car then. Lies. It's another marketing ploy to get people to just buy an automatic to give the existing cars on dealer lots more $$$.