Hey guys. I own a 97 f150 4.6 4x4 auto
its been a great truck, just about 300k miles.
It’s got 35” bfg mud terrain and 4.56 gears.
Still need to complete the front diff (been “focused on other projects but will get to it)
I also have a 4-6” lift kit sitting in the garage, not sure I want to install it tho. I feel it’s plenty right now.
Anyway. I’ve been traveling to work out of town and have put a ton of miles on her in the past while and I’ve noticed, a few ticks and im starting to plan out what I want to do with it. Mostly thinking of refreshing the motor and trans,
wondering what some of you guys opinions are as far as what rebuild kits I should look into for this platform.
I don’t mind sourcing the parts and going that route either.

I saw a few threads on updating to the PI heads/ Intake what’s the scoop on that? New pistons,intake and heads? Is it worth the few extra ponies?

A 5.4 and trans is also a swap I’ve seen but honestly I like the reliability of the 4.6.. but there is the option of getting the whole setup build and ready to swap so there’s no down time…

any help, info or expertise would be appreciated!
looking forward to chatting!

thanks, Matt

(it’s not the best picture, but it will do, HA)

 

You run 35s and it isn't lifted?

 

I believe the torsion bars are turned up a little bit, and the rear has small block spacers.
but no aftermarket lift.
When I bought the truck it I, bought a rough country lift for it but ended up removing it, and just kept it the way it was

 

Does anyone know if the PI swap adds power throughout the rpm curve or just move the power band around

 

A few things I’ve noticed that’s had me thinking about the rebuild/ refresh is a leaking rear main seal, the recent pinging/knocking with 87 fuel.
I have been putting 91 in it now and it seems to have solved the issue. Not sure if thats wear or fuel related.
when I bought the truck it came with a hyper tech tuner/ programmer and ran that for a while and then ended up returning it back to the factory tune. The truck would knock when I ran 87 in it while programmed so when it started knocking on the factory tune i found that odd….

And the other thing is trans/ TC, It’s only done it once but have taken notice… the transmission taking a second to find a gear, rpm flared a little bit.

my thoughts are to basically just refresh the truck and get it back on the road.
mid I can do the pi swap for a few extra bucks I might do that but not interested in throwing a ton of money at it

a couple other things I’ve thought of are on very cold mornings , only during winter, piston slap.

One thing I haven’t dug too deep on is a loud clicking noise that randomly comes up and suddenly stops.
usually in the morning when it gets warmed up I fire it up , it idles and then randomly a louder clicking noise comes and goes, possibly for a few senconds or so.
and then I don’t really hear it after that.

 

then maybe you just need to stick to the 4.6, it’s not like they don’t use the same heads the same pistons the same same camshaft and 95% of the same parts as the 5.4 so you should definitely stick with whatever makes you warm and fuzzy inside

 

it adds it all the way across-the-board, however if you want to peak bolt on gains you use NPI pistons and PI heads / cams / intake

 

If you do that you WILL need premium fuel.

 

this, I assume is a better route than the 54 swap, more power at least?
any trade offs for towing?

 

truck already requires premium lol

 

The pi swap needs a tune as well?

 

You probably have combustion chamber deposits.