ok i know the difference in each motor hp wise is about 50 more as you go up. but my question is what is the best as a daily driver. i know the v6 will get better gas mileage but id rather have more power. im sure the 5.4 v8 is mainly a hauling truck so would it be wise just to get the v6 and mod it with exhaust and a k&n to bring up the hp?

and if it helps im talkin about a 2wd 05 stx single cab

 

A 2wd regular cab would be nice with a 4.6L V8. It has plenty of power, pretty good gas mileage and the ability to tow and haul more easily than the V6 if the need ever comes.

I have the 5.4L V8, but I have a super cab, 4x4 and large mud tires to turn. I also tow a 6k pound travel trailer or one of several utility trailers weighing up to 6k pounds when loaded.

 

Here are the engine's power ratings:

5.4L Triton V8 - 300 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 365 pound-feet of torque at 3,750 rpm

4.6L Triton V8 - 231 horsepower at 4,750 rpm and 293 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm

4.2L V6 - 202 horsepower at 4,350 rpm and 260 pound-feet of torque at 3,750 rpm

 

STX's only come with 4.6's, but since it's a 2WD reg cab, it'll be a rocket. And 4.6's react very well to mods, CAI, exhaust, programmers.

 

ok well there is my answer lol. i know i can gain about 30 hp combined with exhaust and k&n with a little better mpg. any other not so expensive do it your self mods?

 

You can do the Gotts intake mod, which is esentially building your own intake snorkle that gets rid of the bottleneck on the stock intake.

 

That's basically all the cheap mods you can do, everything else gets pretty high up there. I'm talking about headers, differential gears, forced induction. Also, if you go with the 4.6 you won't have to worry about the 2 piece plugs, VCT problems, or faulty injectors.

 

My VCT and injectors have been flawless, but the sparkplugs scare me... it is definitely going into the dealer for those.

 

i always been a believer in the easier the motor has to work to move you, the longer it will last. another words, biggest motor possible. if you use your truck for just driving to work and nothing more, i would say the 4.6 is the minimum i would go with. a truck is like a bass boat, biggest motor possible, nothing less.

 

ok so gotts or k&n?

 

you know I have had 2 STX reg cab's with the 4.6L and now my Screw with 5.4.

I get about the same mpg on average and the pick up was a little better in the STX. The Screw isnt too sluggish, i wish I had the pick up i had in my rcsb now

 

It's not a problem with alot of 5.4 owners, but is never a problem for 4.6 owners.

If you can find a reg cab with a 5.4 that isn't a fleet truck, you should definitely go with that.

As for the CAI, go with the Gotts mod with a K&N or S&B filter.

 

is the gotts pretty simple to do?

 

Yep, just do a search on it. The hardest part is shaping the end of the tube so that it fits the oval shaped fender hole.

 

I have had a 2wd reg cab short bed in both 4.6L and 5.4L I wouldnt look back at the 4.6L after having the 5.4. I actually get better gas mileage with the 5.4L. I drove from O'Fallon Illinois just outside of St.Louis to Gainesville FL and only had to fill up once in the 5.4L. and that is with a bed full of crap. in the 4.6L i had to fill up twice with a lot less in the bed. when i sold my 05 with the 4.6 i looked at the ford build possibilities and if i remember correctly the STX was offered with the 5.4 in 08 as well as power windows and locks.