Finally starting project... Need help (long read)
 

I'd like to start off by introducing myself and my situation. My name is Justin, I'm 25 and from a small town in western nc. I have a 90 f150 2wd 351w that was given to me a couple years ago. The truck was mostly used as a work truck as needed for the past 12 years or so. The past 4 years it has developed several problems like a massive oil leak, knocking, and it holds 0 oil pressure, but still the truck runs. When it was given to me I planned on driving it until it gave out then replacing the motor and keeping it only as a work vehicle to haul stuff. I've now changed my mind. I would like this to be a project for me and my dad, turning it into kind of a "muscle truck", nothing extreme, but something fun. I know there are better platforms, but this truck is very special to me, and here's why: Back in '89 my grandfather decided it was time for a new truck and wanted to custom order exactly what he wanted, so he went to the local dealership and ordered a 90 model, 351w, auto, 2wd Xlt lariat. Blue and white 2 tone with a short bed and dual tanks. It was meant to be his traveling truck. Sadly he passed away 2 Weeks before the truck came in and never got to see it. My grandmother still decided to buy the truck, and drove it for 10 years. After that she passed it down to my dad who drove it 10 years, and now it's mine... So strangely the most valuable thing I own is actually the least valuable thing I own lol. So now the motor is about to go and I've decided to kick off this project.... Now I just need ideas on what to do when we pull the motor. I've searched and searched and for these trucks there just doesn't seem to be many people fixing them up. I figured this would be the best place to start. What I'm wanting is a solid 350-400 whp when were done... No monster, but still enough for street/strip duty. I'm open to all suggestions, so what is the right recipe? I'm figuring new bottom end, cam, heads, full exhaust, intake... But idk anything about fuel and tuning. What are the thoughts on 408 strokers? Superchargers? I want to do this right... If it costs too much it may just have to take longer than planned. I love this truck more than anything, I grew up in this truck, and as hard as it's worked and as much as it has been through I'd like to give it the attention it deserves. All responses will be very much appreciated!:-jammin

Well I can't help you out on what to do to build it up. I've always just been a "plain jane" type of guy when it comes to engines.

However I just wanted to say welcome to FTE- you came to the right place.

Do you have any way of posting pictures of the truck for us? If not, you may want to look into that for the future, because you may come across some things we'll need pics of to help you out.

Otherwise good luck, and I'm sure someone else will be chiming in here shortly.

depends on how much you want to retain from the origional truck. if it were mine it'd have a carbed 460, c6, and 9" rear (personal dream of mine). those 87-91's look awesome no matter what anyone says good luck to ya man

Thanks and yes I can definitely post some pics if needed... I may throw some on here tomorrow just for the heck of it!

My thought exactly... I was just wondering how tough it would be to go from efi to carb setup... I don't want to spend $10000 on a motor alone. What would be needed for something like this?

Your best bet if you want to do it in-expensively (not cheap theres a difference) Is to buy a donor truck (older 250/350 2wd came with 460's) salvage what you can and buy whatever you cant. as far as building up the motor... well lemme find the link for 460's I thought it was really usefull.

460 Horsepower Chart (revised 1/24/09) - 460 Ford Forum


dont forget you gotta build the rest of the drive-train to handle what kinda power you wanna make. hope this helps a lil bit

Many ways you can go on it. My 90 was originally a 351w, E4OD. From there it became a 429 carbed with a C6, then I swapped back in E4OD. Later I detuned it and rebuilt it as a 460. The 429 was fun, but way radical for the street. The same engine is going to be swapped into the 94 F350 crew cab I am currently building. It will stay carbed for now, but future plans call for a FAST EFI setup. The big thing is to decide upfront what you are willing to budget for the build and then will have a better idea what you can afford to build.

I just dont know if a swap like that would be practical for me. But it would definately be bad ass. Anyone got any ideas for 350-400 whp keeping the 351 and fuel injection? Carb setups look soooo much better though:-X06 thanks for the replies though guys... Keep em coming. Surely there must be a couple fast f150s here!

I was really hoping to drop 5k at most on the motor alone... I'm just wondering about the stock efi setup? Is it any good? Can you get it chipped or reflashed like mustangs these years? The cars I messed with a few years ago (when I actually had $$$) were always boosted 4clys, so this is new territory for me.

Ummmm.....No....Speed Density is a grumpy old man of sorts.....

You can-
-Get Headers
-Get a camshaft
-Port the head
-Under Drive pulleys

and a couple other doodads.....

The main reason of no real upgrades, is that the speed density system works from predetermined flow rates, unlike Mass Air that actually reads flow rates in real time....

You can get a semi-lumpy bumpstick....Just don't go hogwil with lift, as it will create too much interference in the vacuum and cause the computer to crap bricks.....Now, however....If you REALLY wanna diddle with the computer, you can get a Moates, Quarterhorse, twEECer, etc computer program, and make a piggy back from the J3 port in the stock computer, and add/change stuff on the fly-in cab....But you are looking at $$$ there....And it's not terribly hard to swap to MAF, but it'll still cost some $$$.....

Happy upgrading....

And welcome to FTE!:-X22

id you want to keep efi and have some serious power go with maf setup

So what all is needed when going from efi to carb then? There are several threads on the topic I know, but I can't seem to find a definitive list. I remember reading somewhere that you had to lose the e4od? I was under the impression the 5.8's all had maf setups... What years had maf?

To swap to carb you'll need-

-Either a AOD, c6, or manual tranny: The E4OD is controlled by the computer
-Carb style heads
-Carb intake manifold
-Carb

There's some stuff I'm missing, but that'll get you started...

I heard the c6 robbed power badly... How tough is the manual from this gen. Of trucks?