Massive request for 1st appearance
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Massive request for 1st appearance
Hey everybody. I am doing a restomod on a 1966 F100 custom cab. My desire is to build a SC 5.4. As I have not purchased anything for the powertrain yet, what is the best option? I want this truck to be scary fast! This will be a scratch build, so I have no problem looking at all options. SOHC vs DOHC? heads...cams...superchargers...compression ratio. I want unadulterted opinions on all of this stuff. My goal is 700+ hp. I am a pretty good scrounger and there is a great salvage yard with a locator service near me. For the powertrain, we'll say that money is not really a tremendous concern and time is plentiful.
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,602
Likes: 148
From: SE Georgia
How in-depth of an engine build are you looking to perform?
I know alot of guys with the 2004+ 5.4 3v with stock internals running 500+ wheel HP (roughly 600 crank HP) using 10-12 psi of boost and simple bolt-ons. nothing internal changed from OEM parts.
with a built motor, and boost at 12+ psi...I can easily see 700 crank HP
if money isn't an issue, for $15,000 you can get a brand new running 5.4 4v (GT 500 motor) from Ford Racing...they dyno out at about 440-450 RWHP. add some extra boost and tuning and you can easily see 500+ RWHP without much effort
I know alot of guys with the 2004+ 5.4 3v with stock internals running 500+ wheel HP (roughly 600 crank HP) using 10-12 psi of boost and simple bolt-ons. nothing internal changed from OEM parts.
with a built motor, and boost at 12+ psi...I can easily see 700 crank HP
if money isn't an issue, for $15,000 you can get a brand new running 5.4 4v (GT 500 motor) from Ford Racing...they dyno out at about 440-450 RWHP. add some extra boost and tuning and you can easily see 500+ RWHP without much effort
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Thanks Tylus.
I don't want to go the crate engine route. I want to build this thing myself. I can get a lot more for my money that way. Before I came to my senses, years ago, I was doing TPI swaps into Chevy trucks. I mean like in the early 90's. I've also built a few 429 Thunderjet/ Cobra Jet platforms over the years. There is a certain satisfaction in getting greasy.
A guy that lives near me had a twin screw Kenne Bell, stage three heads and cams, some sort of piston change, and I think a bolt on air intake modification. What performance could be realistically expected from this type of arrangment...with a proper tune?
I also need to now what to look for in terms of engine/transmission cores. I don't want to go the lightning engine route because I'm doing a total rebuild and changing the supercharger anyway.
Solid 5.4 cores are readily available at a decent price. Mention lightning at the salvage yard and the price jumps by the thousands. It's only a matter of knowing what years and casting numbers to look for and stay away from.
All info and opinions are welcome.
I don't want to go the crate engine route. I want to build this thing myself. I can get a lot more for my money that way. Before I came to my senses, years ago, I was doing TPI swaps into Chevy trucks. I mean like in the early 90's. I've also built a few 429 Thunderjet/ Cobra Jet platforms over the years. There is a certain satisfaction in getting greasy.
A guy that lives near me had a twin screw Kenne Bell, stage three heads and cams, some sort of piston change, and I think a bolt on air intake modification. What performance could be realistically expected from this type of arrangment...with a proper tune?
I also need to now what to look for in terms of engine/transmission cores. I don't want to go the lightning engine route because I'm doing a total rebuild and changing the supercharger anyway.
Solid 5.4 cores are readily available at a decent price. Mention lightning at the salvage yard and the price jumps by the thousands. It's only a matter of knowing what years and casting numbers to look for and stay away from.
All info and opinions are welcome.
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,602
Likes: 148
From: SE Georgia
I personally wouldn't go the Lightning route. the 2v is a good engine, but the 3v will offer more HP options down the line. I'm only running 6 psi and have roughly 412 crank right now...non-intercooled. That same 6 psi intercooled is good for 445 crank.
vs. the Lightning which is 380. so roughly a 65 HP gain when switching from 2v's to a 3v setup
the 5.4 blocks are essentially the same on the bottom end, and the new 5.4 uses the same parts...it's just a difference between Forged and Cast.
as I mentioned earlier, you can take a 100% stock 5.4 3v, and run 10-12 PSI + tuning...you are easily looking at the 500 HP mark.
in terms of motors you want...I personally would get a 2008 5.4 3v block and heads. That will have the newest spark plug design (the one that doesn't stick). Then build it internally like a L block is built
then, add about 15 psi of boost + tuning and you'll have a real monster
vs. the Lightning which is 380. so roughly a 65 HP gain when switching from 2v's to a 3v setup
granted, the L block is forged and re-inforced a bit...but after you do the same to the 3v motor...it has alot more HP options IMO
the 5.4 blocks are essentially the same on the bottom end, and the new 5.4 uses the same parts...it's just a difference between Forged and Cast.
as I mentioned earlier, you can take a 100% stock 5.4 3v, and run 10-12 PSI + tuning...you are easily looking at the 500 HP mark.
and that would be using OEM parts...basically a motor straight off the assembly line with a Supercharger installed, and nothing else but the bigger pulley
after the 500 HP mark, the 3v needs a better MAF, full exhaust, port/polishing, high flow fuel pumps...basically the usual bolt-ons
haven't heard of anybody doing a head/cam swapout though...but most people are satisfied with 500-550 RWHP. That is my eventual goal
after the 500 HP mark, the 3v needs a better MAF, full exhaust, port/polishing, high flow fuel pumps...basically the usual bolt-ons
haven't heard of anybody doing a head/cam swapout though...but most people are satisfied with 500-550 RWHP. That is my eventual goal
in terms of motors you want...I personally would get a 2008 5.4 3v block and heads. That will have the newest spark plug design (the one that doesn't stick). Then build it internally like a L block is built
then, add about 15 psi of boost + tuning and you'll have a real monster
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,602
Likes: 148
From: SE Georgia
oh yeah, forgot about those bad puppies
have you considered running a 4v 4.6 motor?
You can get a 2000+ Cobra motor for a pretty good price...and the Mach 1 has a slightly detuned version that is still 4v....and then of course there is the 2003-2004 Terminator 4.6 4v. With nothing but a tune and bigger pulley it will put down about 450 HP no problem
have you considered running a 4v 4.6 motor?
You can get a 2000+ Cobra motor for a pretty good price...and the Mach 1 has a slightly detuned version that is still 4v....and then of course there is the 2003-2004 Terminator 4.6 4v. With nothing but a tune and bigger pulley it will put down about 450 HP no problem
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
I thought about a 4.6. I think I'll stay with the 5.4 platform. The hp potential is greater there.
Trending Topics
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,440
Likes: 1
Read this article. It should give you some more ideas.
http://www.teamjdm.com/articles/JDM_Motor.pdf
http://www.teamjdm.com/articles/JDM_Motor.pdf
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 18,157
Likes: 0
From: Stanton DE
A guy that lives near me had a twin screw Kenne Bell, stage three heads and cams, some sort of piston change, and I think a bolt on air intake modification. What performance could be realistically expected from this type of arrangment...with a proper tune?
All info and opinions are welcome.
All info and opinions are welcome.
I run a little 2.3 KB (the newer ones are 2.6 & 2.8) on a 5.4, stage 3 heads stage 2 cams. My motor has forged pistons,rods and crank. I put a Lightning intake on it and sold the M112 and replaced it with the 2.3 KB. Naturally you need upgraded fuel system and bigger MAF. 60# injectors with 2 Walbro 255lph in-tank fuel pumps.
I'm making 594 RWHP on a tune with low timing,nothing crazy. So crank HP is about 750.
