I have an 04 supercrew lariat with the 3.73 axle and 4X4. I currently only have an CAI and throttle body spacer. I want to get better performance and towing out of my truck but it HAS to be RELIABLE. I looked into the superchargers but people don't recommend them for towing... so i looked at the sts turbo and people say its a vacuum for water. Plus the price for either one of them is more than i would like to spend.
I just want to get the most bang for my buck. Let me know what you guys are doing to make your 5.4's perform better.

 

First - either lose that Washoobi, or get tuning for it.

A 2004 and a CAI / WAI do not play nice. It's a risk you should not be taking and can actually hurt performance.

Second - get a programmer.

After that - up goes the cost - gearing, efans, etc.


Read this - https://www.f150online.com/forums/ch...questions.html

... and the links to stickies and recommended tuners in my sig.

MGD

 

Lose the TB spacer and as said before the cai doesn't play well with the 2004 5.4 3v....

Start with a programmer from the ones mentioned in my Sig. Then work on mods. Goto the chips and tuners forum and start to read up.

 

you can tow fine with a supercharger I tow a lot in the summer as long as you have a I/C supercharger and a good tune you will be fine.

 

First question:

How deep are your pockets?

Next question: Who said Superchargers are not good for towing? The lightning guys and Saleen guys have been doing it for years.

 

Thanks for the info guys - yeah i didn't see much power difference with the intake or the throttle body spacer.
My buddy had an 03 f-150 with a SCT custom tunes so before he sold the programmer we installed it in my truck to see if anything would happen. I liked the way my transmission locked up sooner and firmer. As far as power though i didn't see much. Of course these were the canned tunes.
I will look into an edge programmer/ Gryphon (i think)..
Allcarfan - I don't want to put over 3500 bucks into the motor I still have to buy the wife that new explorer since she wont get the F-150 ecoboost Some of the supercharger forums talk about it like is wasn't a good idea. transmission/ heating problems ect... but I am sure you would need to get aftermarket tranny/oil coolers anyways if you even thought about towing with a supercharger.
My biggest thing is that I don't need the truck failing on the family while I am gone or on a trip....

 

Question though... i thought you should get all your bolt on's first then get a programmer and get it custom tuned to your aftermarket stuff?

I would love to get some boost but running premium every tanks isn't likely in my future. plus I don't know how reliable S/C or turbo really are and if it would be a good idea to throw some boost on a stock motor with 85K miles.
Speaking of mileage i need to change my spark plugs -- did any of yall see an improvement after the dreaded spark plug change?

 

I will be taking that throttle body spacer off this week to see if that helps.

 

Is that your F-150 on YouTube??? if it is HOLY SH%$

 

Gotts Intake (only $15)
Programmer
Long tube headers
True dual exhaust (properly built and designed)
Rear end gears 4.10 or higher

Come back when you've got all these and we can go further.

 

If i change the rear end gears will i have to change the front also?

exhaust i'm not to sure of because i don't want it to be loud bc it is a family vehicle and we take long trips with her...

thanks for the help! I was just seeing if anyone had a huge improvement for the 5.4 that didn't bust the bank account too bad. i guess what im saying is what would be my best bet for a good increase across the motor. something that i could really feel!

 

Only if you want to use 4x4. Typical bolt-ons won't yield much. Cams would certainly help, but you're probably half way to a supercharger at that point. I installed my supercharger before any exhaust improvements and it's a huge increase in power. With the stock exhaust, it's extremely quiet except for the whine from the supercharger which isn't obnoxious.

 

 

Taking out the spacer isnt going to improve power but I wouldnt even run one, dont they make a whistling noise??

And I mean getting more POWER is not easily achieved without spending a lot of money. And if your towing, what do you need so much extra power for? are you going to be racing on the freeway with your family in the car? lol... I mean my 05 5.4 only upgrade is a K&N Intake and I tow fine!

If anything just get the gryphon with custom tunes to benefit the CAI and overall performance...

 

yeah im going to look into a supercharger when i get back from korea but for now i think ill get a programmer. maybe edge just for the extra gauges..

818F150- yes the TBS does make some noise and no i dont want to be racing with the family in the truck. my truck tows pretty good in geogia but now that im out here in new mexico it struggles. pulling 6K pounds up these mountains and down the highway put a real load on my truck. the whole area i live in is above 5K feet. everywhere we go to do anything seems to be hours away. i just need some more ponies under the hood.

I'd rather upgrade my truck instead of buying a new f-150.... i almost have her paid off!!