I love my 4.6L my dad keeps wanting to trade me his Lariat for it.

 

Having owned a 1998 f-150 with the 4.6 and now a 2004 with the 3 valve 5.4, I'll never go back to the 4.6. Hands down, better performance in every aspect. I get better mileage with the 5.4 because I'm not revving near as much to get the same amount of power out of it. My 98 was a regular cab and my 04 is an extended cab, both 4x4. My 4.6 would ping like crazy, and I had to rev the dam thing over 3500 when towing with it just to get going. The 5.4 does the same work without breaking a sweat.

 

If you want an engine that is going to be dependable and have decent performance, go with the 4.6. If you want power, go with the 5.4.

 

I am on my 3rd new body style F-150 1st two had the small 4.6 (STX Scab and XLT Screw) screw was moded tuner exhaust and intake and would pull on a stock 5.4 real nice its a good littile engine in the reg cab if your gona do any real work with your truck get the tow and go for 850.00

And i had the same problems with all three trucks break's and tire wear

 

What piston slap ? pre 04 yes and they spit out sparkplugs lol
I think its great your happy with your STX but to talk all that **** about the rest of us who have paid for our 5.4 sux's dont be a **** k :santa:

 

I guess if you like the sound of piston slap, a Silverado would be a good choice. There must be something wrong with my 5.4 because I have to look at the tach to see if it's running.

 

My thoughts exactly.

I myself couldn't see my 5000+ plus truck having almost the same engine but dummied down even more as my mustang gt did.

Long live the 5.4. Oh got over 8000 miles on her in about 4 months and never had a lick of trouble out of it.

 

I'm not in favor of negative threads or attacks on other owners, but in fairness the 5.4 people usually start it. Recall all the attacks against the 4.6 owners. Underpowered, bad choice, "only an idiot would buy", etc. etc. etc. that all us 4.6 owners have to endure almost every day.

Honestly, they are both good choices.

More power from the big one, better reliability from the smaller. Those are not really subject to debate. Just read the plug, rattle, phasors and injector threads.

On the pro 4.6 side you can mod a 4.6 to get more power. I do not know how to mod the 5.4 to fix the plugs, rattle and injectors.

On the plus 5.4 side, anything above a two wheel drive regular cab is VERY heavy. Even 300 HP is not a lot.

But any honest mention of the problems of each engine is fair game, not a personal attack.
Chris

 

Me too.

 

Excuse me, but you appear to be the one talking s**t. I was merely telling of the negative experience my brother had with his 02 xlt. Someone posed a question and I was giving my input. Now I have to look at that POS silverado he's driving pull up in my driveway every weekend and defend fords when the subject arises. I have the 4.6 in my truck and am satisfied with it. However, i had the 4.2 in my regular cab 2000 xlt and actually tought that was an outstanding engine. Very quiet and not much difference in power than the 4.6. I wanted another but they don't put those in the Scab anymore. Don't get offended when someone post something that you don't agree with. Alot of people bash the 4.6 and I don't call them names for it. I haven't owned my truck long enough to decide how good the 4.6 is. I apologize if I offended anyone.

 

I test drove both and could tell a little bit of a difference from the factory. I decided to go with the 4.6 because I won't be doing a lot of towing. For what I use my truck for it is perfect, but that is until I get my supercharger..........

 

I know they are referring to a motor that is different than what we have in our trucks, but they are close cousins! 1 Vote here for the 4.6L !!!!

"Wards Top Ten Engines for 2006
Ford Motor Co.'s 4.6L SOHC V-8 is back as a winner for a second year following a significant design change that yields more horsepower and torque.

“Ford's 4.6L modular V-8 is a convincing modern-day interpretation of a muscle-car V-8,” says Visnic. “But the engine shows its adaptability by being equally impressive in other Ford models, including its SUVs.”

Ten best for 2005 too!

 

I have a 4.6 in my car and a 5.4 in my truck. They both do a fine job for their intended purpose. But who would have ever imagined that a standard cab short bed pickup would weigh over 1,200 pounds more than a Lincoln Town Car? With the 1,200 weight disadvantage and towing a 5,000 camper, the 5.4 option was a no brainer. The 4.6 whips the old Lincoln down the road at 25MPG and the F150 with the 5.4 will get around 18-19 under perfect conditions on the interstate.

 

I believe everyone will have their preference and their opinions based either on present or past experiences with either engine. What seems to be the most prominent answer would be that; if you do alot of towing and hauling on a heavy supercrew truck the larger engine would be considered best due to the additional weight and stress needed to perform those duties. If you are a daily driver with minimal to no towing with a regular cab or extended cab and are concerend about gas mileage then perhaps the smaller engine would fit perfect for you. this whole "MY DAD CAN KICK YOUR DADS BUTT" is childish. We ALL like different vehicles, we ALL drive differently and we ALL have different needs, and that is what has kept FORD in business. They have SO many choices and configurations to suit everyones tastes. And if we don't really have anything nice to say then it is best not say it at all. Not only will it get you nowhere but you may just upset other people who are really interested in the thread. I think these threads need FACTS not HYPE and not "my brothers sisters cousins uncle's dad owns an dodge and blah blah blah" Just the facts. That's how we can REALLY HELP.

 

Who really gives a rip what anyone else thinks about their choice of engines anyway? I drive the the best truck made and it really don't matter to me what size engine it has as long as it will pull my camper and take my wife and I safely anywhere we want to go. Oh, and Merry Christmas everyone! :santa: