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Old Oct 6, 2010 | 03:55 PM
  #1  
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5.4 build

Hello,
been lurking for awhile but decided to join in to get some advice.

I have a 2000 F-150 that's being built by HnM as a pre-runner for our off road racing team. ( check out the progress Here )
So, with that build it will (when funds allow) need a more sufficient power plant. I REALLY don't want to go with the LS chevy but it's hard not to..
those over head dinosaurs are cheap and make good power...

I want to build a Ford motor but my dilemma is I want a smog legal motor.
So, in that category I need a motor newer than my truck, fuel injected, and around 450-500hp. (Forced induction is not an option.)

So, I thought 5.4. If I bought a 5.4 block, 4v heads, nice cam, and so on so fourth.
What set up would you run? Is it feasible?
I've ran the numbers in CamQuest and had around 466hp.
More or less I would really appreciate some advice on this project.

- Thanks in advance. ( hope this is the right section for this.. )


EDIT: I forgot to add that I was considering using a Torque shift w/ reverse manual valve body.
incite on that would be appreciated also.
 
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Old Oct 9, 2010 | 02:10 AM
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no advice...?
NVM.
 
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Old Oct 10, 2010 | 07:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Forty1Racing
no advice...?
NVM.

Check out Sullivan Brothers site, They make intakes for carb conversions and, I think an ignition system that eliminates the OEM computer.
 
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Old Oct 12, 2010 | 05:32 PM
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Originally Posted by Moto Mel
Check out Sullivan Brothers site, They make intakes for carb conversions and, I think an ignition system that eliminates the OEM computer.
will do thanks!
 
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Old Oct 13, 2010 | 10:50 PM
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No carb-converted, non-computer 5.4 is going to be smog legal anywhere.

Ford built these to use superchargers, and there are smog legal supercharged engines to be had, so maybe consider that before reinventing the engine.

Good luck with it.
 
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Old Oct 13, 2010 | 11:31 PM
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I am not familar with the emissions requirements in every state but, in Florida when I lived there the law was only relative to the vehicle and it's year and model. All pre '63 model cars were exempt from emission testing and requirements regardless of the engine in the vehicle. His state may have similar requirements as not all states follow California's emissions laws.
 
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Old Oct 14, 2010 | 12:32 AM
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All good, but the OP is talking about a 2000 F150 and a 5.4, so the 1963 or 1975 (CA) rule does not apply.
 
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Old Oct 14, 2010 | 12:45 AM
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You're right I just re-read the OP and the only way my suggestion would be useable is if the truck was used off road only, not licensed for road use at all.
 
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Old Oct 15, 2010 | 12:28 AM
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That's ok, the only way my suggestion is any good is if he changes his mind about forced induction.
 
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Old Oct 18, 2010 | 04:26 PM
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Originally Posted by 85e150six4mtod
That's ok, the only way my suggestion is any good is if he changes his mind about forced induction.
I would prefer not to do forced induction but may have to.. A turbo is out of the question with all the abuse it would have to go through in the desert.
I looked into MMR (Modular Mustang Racing) and they have some pretty promising equipment.
 
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Old Oct 19, 2010 | 02:07 AM
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You can just put a Lightning intake assembly on top of that 5.4 and make that power with no problem.
 
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Old Oct 19, 2010 | 08:49 AM
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Originally Posted by Forty1Racing
I would prefer not to do forced induction but may have to.. A turbo is out of the question with all the abuse it would have to go through in the desert.
I looked into MMR (Modular Mustang Racing) and they have some pretty promising equipment.

A Turbo would be no different than anything that has air going through it as the dust and dirt will ruin anything that does not have a really good filtration system in place. The cost fo rebuilding a turbo is less than any other type of forced induction unit's rebuild.
 
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Old Oct 19, 2010 | 02:29 PM
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Supercharger advantages:

--no exhaust rework, no heat where you don't want it.

--uses it's own oil supply

--no lag

--OEM parts in this case

Maybe you can find a wrecked Ford GT at the local scrappy.
 
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Old Oct 20, 2010 | 10:20 AM
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Originally Posted by 85e150six4mtod
Supercharger advantages:
Originally Posted by 85e150six4mtod

--no exhaust rework, no heat where you don't want it.

You can put the turbo where you want it.
Exhaust gas is wasted energy that becomes useful when driving a turbo and making horsepower.
Heat can be deflected and cool air could be ducted to the turbo.
A supercharger takes 25% to more than 50% of the engine's total power output to operate it.

--uses it's own oil supply

A Turbo can have it's own oil supply as some have a built in oil pump, but if you don't change your oil regularly you deserve to have broken stuff.

--no lag

Lag can be controlled through tuning and/or proper engineering of the plumbing.

--OEM parts in this case

Always Expensive Parts always. Turbos have fewer parts to break or wear out and the rebuild kits are pretty inexpensive. They can often be rebuilt for under $200.00.

Maybe you can find a wrecked Ford GT at the local scrappy.
There are some out in the of "Land of Fruits and Nuts" (California), I saw one place that had more than 10 of them in stock.
 
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Old Oct 22, 2010 | 11:25 AM
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Moto Mel has a good point.
 
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