... Basic information to enlighten totally ignorant fools like me.

I desperately need to upgrade my truck, either by buying a newer, more powerful one or tricking out my current one. However, I am not a mechanic by any stretch of the imagination.

I have surfed this and other websites for years, picking up info and learning, but am unable to really figure out just what needs to happen. I have even asked engine rebuilders, but am still pretty ignorant.

Finally, to my questions: If one wants to supercharge or turbocharge their engine, what are the considerations? Forged pistons? Balanced cranks? What else? What kind of strain is put on a stock block if it's blown? How about the tranny? Does it need to rebuilt to a higher standard? Can one just get away with a performance shift kit and a standard rebuild?

I understand that there are so many variables that complicate the potential answers, but it would be nice if one or two of you experts maybe tried throw some generic information into a sticky that we all could reference.

I came here initially thinking of throwing a Powerdyne on my 4.6L to get me through my towing rigors for a couple of years while I saved up for a new diesel. Now, after following a few key threads, I'm feeling the urge to do it right, and totally rebuild my engine and tranny, and probably put an Allen kit on it. I just want to make sure I do it right, because there will be no turning back for years.

Phew! OK, I'm done and now hoping to have tons of info come raining down.

 

If you are gonna go through that much work you may as well go to a bigger supercharger or a turbo setup. I'd suggest buying a built shortblock from a company that specializes in modular Fords...VT Engines, Boss 330, CHP...etc. As for a transmission the Factory Tech Monster Box would be my choice. It all depends on what you expect for the truck and how much you want to spend. The stock shortblocks are fairly durable with proper tuning...transmission could be helped with a simple plate kit. Keep under 400 rwhp and you shouldn't need a built engine.

 

See, that's along the lines of what I'm getting at. I don't know what is a "bigger" supercharger? And the Monster Box appears to be unavailable for us lowly 4R70 guys anyhow.

My engine has over 160k miles on it and is starting show it's gray. I feel I must rebuild it before blowing it or it really will blow.

The engine place I picked has a 5yr/50k mile warranty (which drops to 1 year if I S/C). I thought that was pretty good.

I don't really have a lot of time or money to play with. My '97 F150 is my daily driver and tows my travel trailer into the rockies 9 months out of the year. I really just want to end up with something reasonably powerful, and ultimately very reliable.

 

Besides that, most of these trucks really can handle towing as long as it's within the boundaries specified by Ford. I mean if you want to dog the hell out of your 150 while towing over what you're rated for then go get a big diesel, it's already got the power you're looking for and you don't have to worry about breaking it. I mean there's only so much you can beef up the frame on the light duty trucks so I'd go bigger if I was towing a lot.

 

I would love to get the big diesel. That's a whole lot more money than rebuilding and supercharging an engine and tranny. The way I see it, I can sink about $8k - $10k into the truck and make it like new only better. If I trade it in, I'm still gonna need close to $20k to get a diesel that I'll feel comfortable with. I don't want an old smoker.

I don't actually tow beyond the limits of the truck, just beyond the limits of the 4.6L engine. The truck handles my stuff very well. It's just trying to drag it all up the steep grades in the higher altitudes where it gets to be a real issue.

 

The superchargers that are on the market for the 4.6 engines is very limited. Most are made for the 5.4s. I don't understand why, the 2V 5.4 engines are not that powerfull to begin with. When I bought mine I thought it was a slug, very disappointed. I can only imagine what the 4.6 is like. You'd think that S/C manufacturers could see that need in the market place. The only blowers I can think of are Procharger and Powerdyne for the 4.6 and I believe there's another coming soon, I could be wrong though. I can tell you this, I had 98000 miles on my truck before I installed my Procharger, now I'm at 105000 and I'm putting over 300 to the wheels and 365 #ft. of torque, and that will go up even more very soon, and that's all on a stock block and tranny. To date I've had no issues related to the blower. Good luck on your venture.

https://www.f150online.com/galleries....cfm?gnum=7238

 

Here's basically what I did.
I've got other mods, but these are specifically for the blower:
1. Buy used Procharger
2. Install it
3. Get a dyno tune
4. Enjoy

You can certainly do other things like build-up your bottom end, new pistons, etc. I'd love to do all that, but IMHO I'll drive the poop out of it until the motor lets go, then I'll rebuild it...no sense rebuilding a perfectly good engine Of course, that means I'm stuck with cr@ppy, no-flow non-PI heads.

I put the blower on when I had 100K miles. I've got 130K now. I tow a 7,000 lb. boat/trailer through the desert, 110+ degree temps. No problems with the engine or tranny.

There are guys here with over 200K supercharged miles on stock internals.

Among other things, I think a valve body and tranny cooler are smart to install as well. But aren't absolutely necessary.

318hp
410 lb-ft torque

 

Thanks for the positive feedback.

I guess I should clarify my position. My financial fortunes took an unexpected turn several years ago, and left me hanging with a truck I didn't expect to still own.

As disappointed as I was, I've been very impressed with the hanging power of this machine. 160,000 miles and I haven't even replaced the water pump. It doesn't burn a drop of oil. Despite my dreamy visions of turbo-diesels, reality is parked in my driveway. It's been completely dependable, no matter what I've thrown at it.

However, it's starting to show signs... flickering oil light, slight slipping under heavy acceleration, steadily worse mileage. I've had it for so many years. It's grown on me, AND worn on me.

Resurrection by positive displacement might be just what the doctor ordered for both of us. So... back to the technical stuff. The Allen kit "seems" to be just what the doctor ordered. Somewhat conservative, but provides boost where it's needed for towing, and still has some upgradeability. Not to mention simplicity; previous posts got me looking at turbo options. Sheesh! Definitely not a "right out of the box" solution. The centrifugal pumps look pretty desireable, but still are a high RPM option that takes up a lot of real estate under the hood.

 

I'd get your truck checked-out...compression (or leakdown) test for sure.

And I'd find out why your oil light is flickering.

IMHO you don't want to put a blower on a motor that's on it's last legs...not unless you plan on rebuilding it soon. Adding power is going to reveal any weaknesses of your drivetrain, and the results could be expensive.

If your tranny is starting to slip now, I'd imagine it will get worse when you put a lot more torque thru it.

If the Allen kit is an M90 blower, I'd look elsewhere. It's too small for a 5.4..check the dyno sticky or search old posts, they put out decent off-idle power but tend to quickly peter-out and, if I recall correctly, the numbers aren't that impressive.

 

Jordan not Mike, I appreciate your feedback a lot. But in this case ya gotta read the whole thread. The engine is a 4.6L, which I was planning on rebuilding before supercharging. Is the M90 still too meager of a choice? My final goal is not that far reaching. I just want a reliable machine that will keep me and mine trotting up the mountains, and down the valleys with our toys in haul.

I was under the impression the Allen kit would result in a 4.6 that was somewhat better than a 5.4, with the added advantage of boost even in the higher altitudes, and still maybe a little bit upgradeable if I get the notion.

If I should be looking in a different direction, what would you suggest? Reminder; I'm not wrench, I can do basic stuff, but that's about it.

 

I had the Allen kit on my 5.4 It is a very nice kit.Made good power at 5 PSI
But it is not made for racing.You can upgrade it a little but not much.I put a +4# pulley on it and had a custom crank pulley made for it and was seeing 10 and 1/2 PSI(still have the crank pulley)and thats all I would ever get out of it. Sounds like its just what your looking for.Good luck with the rebuild. Sound like a good idea before blowing.

Phil

 

^^ What he said. The Allen kit is made well and you can do the install by yourself if you've got some moderate underhood knowledge and a weekend. I'm with phil, the rebuild is a good idea before you put the blower on, it would suck to blow your engine the day after you install the charger. Also, as long as you don't try to kill your truck and get a conservative tune, your tranny should hold up for a good while. And if you need or want a new tranny, it looks to me like they do have 4r70w's at Factory Tech http://www.factorytechtransmissions....PROD&ProdID=17
Good luck, hopefully you can steer clear of Murphy for a while

 

Sorry...I agree with the others, it's a good choice for your 4.6

Not sure why I assumed you had a 5.4