5.4 Vs 4.2
#572
09-27-2010, 03:37 PM
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you do know that there is a HUGE difference between a 4.2L auto ext cab than a reg cab shortbed 5spd with 3.55 gears right? with my 08 V6 reg cab shortbed i raced a 04-08 style 5.4L lariat screw from about 10mph to about 60(red light to red light) and was pulling away, but if it was a reg cab shortbed i would have had my butt handed to me. my brother has a 03 ext cab 2wd 4.2L auto with 3.55s and his is about as slow as my 86 chevy c-10 with a 305 2bbl was. i bet his 0-60 is about 11-12 seconds with only 80k. my 08 is about 9.2 seconds to 60, huge difference. ran into a guy with a VMP tuned screw at the track running a 15.9@86mph. 87 perf tune, airaid CAI and dual exhaust with maggies on it. he has probably 320ish hp and he only gets 1.03 seconds quicker and 4mph faster than my stock V6 other than a K&N CAI for my mod. but throw my brothers truck on the track and i bet you would see 19's. plus it does seem like there are some VERY strong running V6s out there and some that are just horrible. had a guy ask how my truck was so much faster than his when he ended up having the EXACT same truck, even the same extras i have. and i also bet there are a few of you with the 5.4s or the 4.6s that would be the same way. some are just VERY strong and some are VERY weak. i test drove a 06 4.6L ext cab 4x4 and it was slow as hell, thats why i got a V6 again. because my 04 heritage would have smoked that 4.6 i drove. but now i realize that i probably test drove a weaker or average one. not all the V6s and V8s are the same.
at least the 4.6 "sounds" like a v8, thats all that matters right? thats an instant 400hp
#575
09-27-2010, 08:43 PM
#577
09-28-2010, 03:34 AM
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I do realize that there is a huge difference between those trucks. But, do you realize there's a WAY BIGGER difference between a 2000 ext cab short bed 4.2 auto and a 1994 supercab long bed 5.8 with an extra hundred thousand miles, and an enormous topper on it? In my opinion, ford should've just put the 4.0L in the F150 and kept with what they had. The 4.2, as mentioned above, was the bastard engine. What other vehicle came with it? None I can think of. Why in the world did they make the 4.2? I have no idea personally.
#578
09-28-2010, 04:34 AM
The 4.2L SPI V6 found in 1997-2003 F-150 and E-150 trucks is basically a 3.8L V6 engine block used out of the 96-99 Mustangs, but with a longer stroke and different intake system. Because of demands for higher fuel economy in 1996, Ford had no choice but to kill the thirsty 4.9L I6. With some retooling, the car engine gained a slight increase in power and torque, making it useful for a light truck engine. Overall, the 4.2L V6 was cheaper to build, gets more HP, more fuel economy and even though it didn't put out as much torque, was an all-around successful engine, sans the 97-98 Felpro gasket issue. Compared the the 4.0L OHC engine, the 4.2L uses a pushrod valve train and was simpler to build and convert into a truck engine.
I divert all continuing comment from the "haters" to the first line in my signature.
Have a nice day!
#579
09-28-2010, 10:14 AM
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me too...unless they put a manual with the V8s again.
Only probalem i have with owning my V6, but for being a V6, it doesnt sound horrible.
well my 78 351 f150 with 285k was still a strong running engine. it might not lose a whole lot of power with age and mileage.. mine started out with 160-165hp and it felt like it still had almost all of it when i had it. even tho your truck with a 351 had more miles, it handles a heavy load better. your friend's truck is the worst truck to have the 4.2L in it. i mean at first i know it sounds like "WTF?" that your truck would beat his but if you think about it for awhile, it almost turns into a no brainer. i KNOW if i were to put 5000Lbs on my 08 V6 and 5000Lbs on my 78 and raced them down the track, i bet the 78 would win even tho it has about 40less hp, it is just made to handle the weight so it does what it does best.
and the thirsty 5.0L and the thirsty 5.8L...lol
Only probalem i have with owning my V6, but for being a V6, it doesnt sound horrible.
The 4.2L SPI V6 found in 1997-2003 F-150 and E-150 trucks is basically a 3.8L V6 engine block used out of the 96-99 Mustangs, but with a longer stroke and different intake system. Because of demands for higher fuel economy in 1996, Ford had no choice but to kill the thirsty 4.9L I6.
#580
09-28-2010, 09:04 PM
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#581
09-29-2010, 12:49 AM
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This thread is hilarious. People that have 4.2's are going to say they 4.2s are the best and people with 4.6's or 5.4 's are going to think the same thing about their trucks. Bottom line is 5.4's have the most power and pull the best. 4.6's sound like a v8 but don't really perform. 4.2's..... welllll.... They get good fuel mileage and are reliable trucks. I wouldn't want one myself, but that doesn't make them bad vehicles. Everyone is going to be proud of what they have. That's how it goes.
#582
09-29-2010, 05:13 AM
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Alright boys and girls. Everyone grab a pencil and have a seat. Lets start todays lesson:
The 4.2L SPI V6 found in 1997-2003 F-150 and E-150 trucks is basically a 3.8L V6 engine block used out of the 96-99 Mustangs, but with a longer stroke and different intake system. Because of demands for higher fuel economy in 1996, Ford had no choice but to kill the thirsty 4.9L I6. With some retooling, the car engine gained a slight increase in power and torque, making it useful for a light truck engine. Overall, the 4.2L V6 was cheaper to build, gets more HP, more fuel economy and even though it didn't put out as much torque, was an all-around successful engine, sans the 97-98 Felpro gasket issue. Compared the the 4.0L OHC engine, the 4.2L uses a pushrod valve train and was simpler to build and convert into a truck engine.
The 4.2L SPI V6 found in 1997-2003 F-150 and E-150 trucks is basically a 3.8L V6 engine block used out of the 96-99 Mustangs, but with a longer stroke and different intake system. Because of demands for higher fuel economy in 1996, Ford had no choice but to kill the thirsty 4.9L I6. With some retooling, the car engine gained a slight increase in power and torque, making it useful for a light truck engine. Overall, the 4.2L V6 was cheaper to build, gets more HP, more fuel economy and even though it didn't put out as much torque, was an all-around successful engine, sans the 97-98 Felpro gasket issue. Compared the the 4.0L OHC engine, the 4.2L uses a pushrod valve train and was simpler to build and convert into a truck engine.
#583
09-29-2010, 11:41 AM
Senior Member
lol. pretty much. tho i could never find actual torque specs for my 78. hp was 160 or 165 but i would guess very close to 300Lb-Ft.....maybe 290ish? my 08 4.2L is 260Lb-Ft but at a high rpm. they pretty much have NO torque until 2k rpms. the 4.2L is basically made for someone like me. i am tall so i need a truck to fit my size, but i dont haul anything. out of 5 trucks i have only hauled stuff 5 times. so i benefit from teh fuel savings but suffer on the rare occasion(s) when i tow. but it still doesnt do too bad for what it is. it does its job just like the V8s but with a lower limit
