need some advice on a 90 f-150 Supercab inline six 4.9l XLT

This is my fathers old truck I'd like to try and maybe if at all possible turn it into a rod.surfed for a few hours and have found no luck finding add on parts and or any useable information on what to do . .
-get rid of the inline six ?
- what to replace it with ?
- motor mounts ?
- cooling ?
- fuel injection ? what about the cruise control ?
- transmission will it accept a 5.8 ?

any direction would be very much appreciated

I'm not so sure this is a wise choice for a beginer

keep in mind I'm on a minscule budget

thanx in advance

 

If you want useable information try searching the area here called "Pre 1997 Trucks". Every part available has been discussed there and many there have similar trucks. If you're a beginner on a minuscule budget, you may get in deep doing a drivetrain swap. A 6-cylinder in a Supercab is never going to tear up the road. I'd do moderate upgrades and enjoy the cruising. If you want serious performance, I'd consider trading up to a faster base product.

 

Max,
Thanks for the point in the right direction, I didn't notice that in the "other " area. I had preconcieved notion that I wouldn't be able to get . . real . .horse out of the small inline six. What would you think would be a feasable replacment ? It appears that this make and year are fairly interchangable, between the 4.9, 5.0, 5.3 liter engines. My first concern is the transmission , followed by the cooling system, then followed by the possibilty of a lack of space and no AC . .

If I could swap out these problems for a beefier drivetrain would the cost be minimal enough to make it worth the investment ? Some of the mechanics I have spoken with have said the 4.9 is a great engine with excellent low end torque . .which sounds good off of the line . . BUT then again its barely 300 C.I. Now I have also been told that I shouldn't even bother with the engine or the vehicle itself for true street eating performance, again not cost effective. I would think with a new tranny with better gear ratios, A fuel injected 5.3 with the proper air intake, and a larger radiator would be more than able to eat pavement for breakfast lunch and dinner . . . .

I've heard so many different things its so very confusing

 

You can get improved performance with a few bolt ons. It is a nice engine for what it is. I've been working with performance cars for almost 30 years and it can be confusing. You will never eat up the pavement in that 6-cylinder supercab configuration. If you transplant a used drivetrain from a similar truck, you will have an unknown, used drivetrain that will always need many repairs. You will have to be careful to swap exact parts to do it correctly down to front springs, accessories, AC as mentioned, maybe larger cooling, etc...etc... Next thing you know, you're rebuilding front end parts, upgrading wiring, U-joints, coring radiators, upgrading AC parts, replacing all of your belts & hoses, upgrading rear end parts, buying larger tires and wheels to handle the power, new exhaust system, and the list goes on and on. You would be better off finding a faster donor truck all together. My point previously is that on a minuscule budget and being a beginner, you're going to get in deep immediately. If you're bound and determined to have THIS truck go fast on a budget, I'd find a competent mechanic that will give you a written estimate to drop in a 5.0 or 5.8 crate motor due to it's power, condition, and cost. There's a million parts and they're raced on budgets. I'd buy a performance transmission and torque convertor from B&M or TCI. I'd put in a limited slip rear end with gears over 4.00 ratio. I'd find a donor truck for simple things like mounts and accessories. It would all be a waste of time if you didn't have a top notch suspension, brakes, exhaust, and driveline pieces. Lastly, and this is a big one, you will not recuperate much of your money when and if you get rid of the vehicle. You can also poke around here for some ideas: www.fordracingparts.com

 

i bought a used v-6 becuase it was all i could afford at the time and am very happy with it.

i new it would never be v-8 so i went with body upgrades lowered it, improved the brakes, electric cooling fans, put a nascar truck style spoiler on it. tonue cover, bed liner, rims and tires, and exhaust. made it look cooler and handle more like i wanted.

i have since just did things as needed lower intakes were leaking so i had the upper and lower intakes ported and polished. i did put headers on it and i know they make them for the 4.9

but if you are going to go with a swap go all the way and stick a 460 in it.