5.4 power-I don't get it.
 

So I have a question about the 5.4 (2010). I owned one for most of the year. The power seemed okay and it towed well. Then I drove the new 2011 models at TMS. They were all better, but should be. The Chevy 5.3 was a dog and the Dodge 5.7 was okay.

I now have a Nissan Titan 5.6 for a pure lake vehicle, ie. one I don't mind getting mud in, getting the seats wet, etc. (I know you will bash me, it was a steal and I won't be towing houses with it) While on paper, it only has 7 more hp than the 5.4 (317 v.s. 310) and comparable torque (385), it is night and day more powerful feeling. The throttle response and torque is instant and no "hunting" for gears in the 5 speed tranny. It even feels as powerful as the RAM that supposedly has 390 hp. What is the deal with the 5.4?

I'll agree, the 5.4 has sufficient jam for pulling, but it certainly ain't peppy.

The 5.4 is "adequate". In my view it does most things well enough...but it's not great at any one thing.

Overall I'm happy with the F150. It does everything I ask it to do...and Ford didn't take any tax payer money...they told the gubment to shove it...that they'd do it on their own...and I like that.

I figure I can add more power when I want it.

Keep in mind the F-150 is heaviest of the half-ton trucks. If I recall, the Titan is about 600lbs lighter on average.

Perception is another thing as well. The Ford is very quiet inside, and that masks some of the "seat-of-the-pants" feel. Also, the 5.4 makes it's torque down low and isn't a high-revving engine. This also makes it feel slower than what it is. And, as has been said, the Ford is considerably heavier. That being said, a great tower it is...a race car it is not.

also from what ive read, the nissan 5 spd tranny is the most efficient one out there on 1/2 ton trucks. less drivetrain loss. but the truck is lighter than an f150 so that also makes a big difference

Yes the Titan is definitely a more fun drive, feels like it has a great factory tune... but other than that its not half the truck the F150 is. I think they drive/handle like crap.

The Titan 5.6L has always been "under promise/over deliver".

Heck I recall on shootout @ 04/05 it was quicker 0 - 60 with 1,000lbs in the bed vs. the F150.

Great tranny, and its a light truck also help. Plus just a sweet engine. (Given its been around for almost 7 years)

Thanks for the responses. Yes, it is lighter and feels "smaller", even though it really isn't that much smaller. In some ways, it is more "car like" than the F-150 and it others it is more "truck like". It handles and drives more like a car, except for the steering, which is somewhat like a semi truck. Maybe it is the engine and tranny combo, but it feels much more like my Mustangs with respect to immediate power and solid power throughout the band. The gas mileages sucks, but then so did my F-150. And, I'll only drive it 4-5K per year, so no big deal. On a side note, I would not own this truck to do the things I did with the F-150, like put heavy loads on the bed or tow anything close to the towing limit. It is just is not stout enough for that like the F-150 is. Other than thatn, it is a good little truck for what I now need one for.

Reading your posts, I'd have to say that you're a perfect candidate for an engine programmer.

I just installed my edge programmer on my 2010 and my throttle response is better, there's more torque off the line and pretty much everywhere else, my fuel economy is better and the gear searching is all but gone. All this and I'm still running the canned 87 tow tune. I'm waiting on my custom 87 performance tune from php which is certain to be even better.

I liked the truck a lot from the factory but it is now far more satisfying and enjoyable to drive. I can't believe how much potential the factory tune leaves on the table!

Yep try a good custom tune. I got my 2007 5.4 tuned by Mike Troyer not long after I bought it and it made a huge difference in everyday drivability. Much better partial throttle response and transmission behavior. A lot more power down low and a little more up top but the real difference was throttle response and low end power. Made the 5.4 liveable the last few years and actually pretty fun to drive. The only reason I'm interested in another F150 is because of the 2011 engines. I loved my 5.4's for their reliability and low end grunt (especially tuned) but the F150 has long been overdue for an engine with some serious balls. If I were to keep my 5.4 I will have to supercharge it. Should have just done that when I got it.

The other reason it might feel more peppy is it probably has a lot lower rear end gear in it than does the Ford. I wish Ford would put a little lower gears in these trucks to give them more off the line umph.
Not sure what that Nissan has, but I would guess it is in the 4.10 range or lower. The Tundra have a 4.30 gear in their pickups. No wonder they feel so strong off the line. If Fords had a lower gear, they would also. Same for Chevy.

5.4 power - isn't that an oxy-moron? :)

With my 3.15 axle ratio on my 5.4L 2010 I feel like I have a lot of power when I need it.

The nissan is lighter and crappier, lol. The 5.4 is a tame engine, not too much compression, cam etc... Just a mild long living work horse. Others have more compression and are tuned hotter. A lot of those chinese trucks have deep gears also. The tundra has 4.30's and Nissan used to run 4.10's... That gives the illusion of torque.