Notices
2009 - 2014 F150 Discuss the 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 Ford F150
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Moser

460 vs 5.4

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 4, 2009 | 09:00 PM
  #1  
peter.jones's Avatar
peter.jones
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Hinesville, Georgia
460 vs 5.4

Hey guys,

Just a wonder??? does the 5.4 in the 2009 F150 have more power than the last of the Big Block 460's of the 90's? I was told it did, but can't find anything to support that. It seams hard for me to believe that a small block V8 has more than the old school Big Blocks.
 
Old May 4, 2009 | 09:08 PM
  #2  
Old93junk's Avatar
Old93junk
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 23,849
Likes: 20
From: McKenzie River
Can you see a 5.4 towing 12,000lbs up a 6% grade at 60mph?.....Not IMO does a 5.4 stack up against a 460 in the real world......5.4 replaces the 351w, not the 460. Thats what the 3v V10 does.
 
Old May 4, 2009 | 09:17 PM
  #3  
peter.jones's Avatar
peter.jones
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Hinesville, Georgia
I agree. My 93 F250 with the 460 does the same type of pull on Hwy 441 between Franklin and Cherokee North Carolina.

I won't be pulling anything that heavy with my 150 but my other camper weighs in at 6k
 
Old May 4, 2009 | 09:17 PM
  #4  
cpdorroh's Avatar
cpdorroh
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 572
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by peter.jones
Hey guys,

Just a wonder??? does the 5.4 in the 2009 F150 have more power than the last of the Big Block 460's of the 90's? I was told it did, but can't find anything to support that. It seams hard for me to believe that a small block V8 has more than the old school Big Blocks.
In 1997 the 460 made 245hp and 395tq. In comparison, the '09 5.4 makes 310hp and 365tq.

The short answer is yes, the 5.4 makes more horsepower in it's current form.

However, the 460 is definitely the winner when it comes to towing (torque). The 5.4 may win a drag race if both trucks are empty, but tie 10k lbs to the back of each truck and the 460 will walk away from the 5.4 especially on grades.

Like Old93 said, the V10 makes a better comparison.
 
Old May 4, 2009 | 09:34 PM
  #5  
Old93junk's Avatar
Old93junk
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 23,849
Likes: 20
From: McKenzie River
The 5.4 is a great motor, but when it comes to pulling the house off the foundation torque or long uphill pulls with HEAVY payload, the 460 is hands down the winner........And in its stock form the 460 is only hinting at its capability of HP......When unleashed its a monster.
 
Old May 4, 2009 | 09:55 PM
  #6  
Conanski's Avatar
Conanski
FTE Legend
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Community Builder
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
I'll add that looking at the HP/TQ numbers without also knowing where it's produced is next to meaningless, it really doesn't tell you much about a motor. The 460 was rated 245hp at 4000rpm and 400ft/lbs TQ at 2200rpm, compare that to the 5.4 3v which produces peak HP at 5200rpm and peak TQ at 3500rpm. With this info it's pretty obvious these motors are not at all similar, and while the 5.4 is pretty much producing all it can the 460 isn't anywhere near it's full potential, 300hp and 500 ft/lbs TQ aren't much more than a free flowing exhaust system away.
 
Old May 4, 2009 | 09:59 PM
  #7  
Old93junk's Avatar
Old93junk
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 23,849
Likes: 20
From: McKenzie River
Originally Posted by Conanski
I'll add that looking at the HP/TQ numbers without also knowing where it's produced is next to meaningless, it really doesn't tell you much about a motor. The 460 was rated 245hp at 4000rpm and 400ft/lbs TQ at 2200rpm, compare that to the 5.4 3v which produces peak HP at 5200rpm and peak TQ at 3500rpm. With this info it's pretty obvious these motors are not at all similar, and while the 5.4 is pretty much producing all it can he 460 isn't anywhere near it's full potential.
Agreed, the 460 should be compared to the V-10, not the 5.4.......I dare say, a well built 460 may be more than a match for the present V-10.
 
Old May 5, 2009 | 12:45 AM
  #8  
Ryan50hrl's Avatar
Ryan50hrl
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,698
Likes: 4
From: Neenah, Wisconsin
Ya know......5.4's will tow like crazy....they're built for rpms and if you let them get up there....they'll work all day. I've towed a few bobcats and full dump trailers (13,000 lbs) and it did it like a champ.....Just let those rpms sing...
 
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-2

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-4

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-5

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-8

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
Old May 5, 2009 | 02:00 AM
  #9  
blue_350's Avatar
blue_350
New User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
theres no subistution for cubic inches are how ever that saying goes and thats the truth
 
Old May 5, 2009 | 02:31 AM
  #10  
Ryan50hrl's Avatar
Ryan50hrl
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,698
Likes: 4
From: Neenah, Wisconsin
Well....thats not really the case anymore.....for example....3 valves is a replacement for more displacement........as are computer tuners.....

I've driven the old engines...302, 351 and 460's....as well as chevy 350's and 454's......But the 5.4 is by far a better engine...and will run circles around any of the others mentioned ...... and for the record....the 6.8 is a beast....
 
Old May 5, 2009 | 07:15 AM
  #11  
cpdorroh's Avatar
cpdorroh
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 572
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Ryan50hrl
Well....thats not really the case anymore.....for example....3 valves is a replacement for more displacement........as are computer tuners.....

I've driven the old engines...302, 351 and 460's....as well as chevy 350's and 454's......But the 5.4 is by far a better engine...and will run circles around any of the others mentioned ...... and for the record....the 6.8 is a beast....
Haha. This will start a fight for sure.
 
Old May 5, 2009 | 07:33 AM
  #12  
cpdorroh's Avatar
cpdorroh
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 572
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Conanski
I'll add that looking at the HP/TQ numbers without also knowing where it's produced is next to meaningless, it really doesn't tell you much about a motor. The 460 was rated 245hp at 4000rpm and 400ft/lbs TQ at 2200rpm, compare that to the 5.4 3v which produces peak HP at 5200rpm and peak TQ at 3500rpm. With this info it's pretty obvious these motors are not at all similar

Excellent point about where the engine makes its power. However, to take it a step further you also should look at the shape of the torque curves. Newer engines tend to have much flatter curves than older engines. So even though they may peak at 3250 rpm instead of 2200 rpm (V10 vs 460), the newer engine might actually still be producing as much torque or more at 2200 rpm. The 460 and V10 are both beasts.
 
Old May 5, 2009 | 09:09 AM
  #13  
BLK94F150's Avatar
BLK94F150
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,077
Likes: 1
From: None of your business
Originally Posted by Ryan50hrl
Well....thats not really the case anymore.....for example....3 valves is a replacement for more displacement........as are computer tuners.....

I've driven the old engines...302, 351 and 460's....as well as chevy 350's and 454's......But the 5.4 is by far a better engine...and will run circles around any of the others mentioned ...... and for the record....the 6.8 is a beast....
Agreed. 99 out of 100 times I'll take a 5.4 powered vehicle over the 460. The only ones I might be hestitant on is the pre-PI 5.4s.

Mike
 
Old May 5, 2009 | 10:46 AM
  #14  
Old93junk's Avatar
Old93junk
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 23,849
Likes: 20
From: McKenzie River
Originally Posted by Ryan50hrl
Ya know......5.4's will tow like crazy....they're built for rpms and if you let them get up there....they'll work all day. I've towed a few bobcats and full dump trailers (13,000 lbs) and it did it like a champ.....Just let those rpms sing...
Lets see that 5.4 tow that 13,000lbs up a 6% grade or worse at 6,000ft elevation or higher at 60+ mph on a 85 degree day.............Ryan, I dont seem to see any major mountain ranges in Wisconsin, so I dont believe you have the whole picture. The 460 will do all of the aforementioned things, the 5.4 will not.
 
Old May 5, 2009 | 11:05 AM
  #15  
Old93junk's Avatar
Old93junk
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 23,849
Likes: 20
From: McKenzie River
Around here, logging co. use the trucks with 460s, powerstrokes, and V10s for the WORK, The F-250 SD with the 5.4 is used by the office girl when she needs to drive up to the job site on errands.
 



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:19 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-1
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-3
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-5
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-7
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE