Whats up guys!! I'm new to this site and wanted to introduce my truck to the board. I own a 2003 Screw Fx4 5.4L, Black in color of course! I have the following mods:
1) 6" Fabtech Lift
2) 35" Micky Thompson MTZs
3) MT700 Motto Wheels
4) MAC Cold Air Intake
5) Diablo Supersport Chip
6) Supermaxx by DynaTech Header/Exhuast system
7) MagnaFlow Exhaust
I have more cosmetic mods but not worth listing really. I also might add I have not chaged my gears due to the fact I dont feel like I need it. I have plenty of power at this time thanks to the Supermaxx and Diablo Chip.

Now that you know a little about my truck now with the questions. I am thinking about supercharhing my ride however I'm not sure what I really want to purchase. I have read a lot of members going with a "Take Off" system from Lightnings etc. I have also heard good things about the Procharger system as well. What I am looking for is something that will give me some "get up and go" power. No im not going to be racing red light to red light but I would like to know I have some "pop" at say 3000-3500 rpms. I may be asking for the best of both worlds but thought i could get some good opinions from the board. I am prepared to spend whatever I need to accomplish my goals. Some of you guys may not think supercharging a 4x4 is worth it, but something about charging a lifted truck strikes my interest.

Thanks for the your time reading this post. Look forward to many more conversations in the future.

Black Sunshine '76

 

use the search option:

https://www.f150online.com/forums/se...archid=1153116

and the classifieds:

https://www.f150online.com/classifieds/view.cfm

a few guys on here have procharged 4X4's

 

You won't be happy running 35s & stock gearing (3.55 or 3.73) with a Procharger IMHO. You're gonna have to kick-down to second gear on the highway to make meaningful boost. And it won't have much off the line.

Even if you get a roots or twin-screw, I'd do your tranny a favor and re-gear. You're gonna put a lot more stress on it otherwise. I'd look into 4.56 at the least, and even 4.88 for a lot more bite with a Procharger (it's not much shorter than a 4.56 if you look at the mathematical ratios...only about 6%)

I ran 4.10s with street tires (about 32 inch equivalent, 285/60R18). Several others do as well.

If you are adamant about not re-gearing, I'd recommend a different blower...and I had a Procharger on my Expedition for years and am one of the biggest Procharger fans on this site.

That being said, I would venture to say that about half the guys from this site who've put blowers on their trucks are 4x4.

 

Two words! Lightning swap!
http://www.madenterprise.com/scparts.htm
I would not bother putting a cent blower on any 4 door truck with 35s on it.
But that's just my opinion.

Phil

 

I concur, the centris won't do you much good with the big tires. You'd be much happier with L-swap. More low grunt is what you'll need to get the tires moving. Prochargers and others like them are more suited to lowered trucks with lower profile tires.

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

 

Well that is the million dollar question. What blower to go with my setup. I am in talks with Mike at madenterprise. Im trying to make sure that if I purchase a "Take Off" from him that it will have all I need to install. Plus, I thought that the eaton blowers were made for a different piston that what is in my Truck. Anyone?

 

Search the site, a LOT of folks have used Mike's kit. It appears quite comprehensive, and I'm certain the he can tell you what you'll need to get on your own/things that aren't in his kit (liley very few things). He's helped dozens of people do the swap, and it the best resource. Knowing him personally, I can tell you that he's a stand-up guy as well.

Not sure what you are talking about re: pistons. No one who does the simple L blower install puts new pistons in. Your factory ones are good for sane levels of boost.

 

I got an L intake assembly off ebay and got the rest of the parts from Mike.Great guy! after that all I had to get was the tune.
"Pistons." If you mean your motor has a little higher compression then a Lightning then your right and the L has forged pistons. But you will be fine with a good tune and not trying to make 500 RWHP,,,lol.

Phil

 

In regards to the piston debate...This is a response from Mike at madenterprise about the different pistsons in the Lightning and the standard F150.

I am in works with him to purchase a take off. I just have to make sure its what Im looking for. Some of you have been saying that I will not see any low end power from a Procharger. Although this may be technically true I find it a mute point. Here is my reasoning. When you want "off the line" power what do you normally have to do? Give it gas, in fact most ppl stomp the accelerator. Now, if this is indeed the case, the Procharger system gives the most boost when the rpms are up. What happens when you get on the gas? Your rpms naturally rise quicker therefore the Procharger will give you that power. Also, it seems that a centrifugal charger like Procharger will give you better mpg during normal driving conditions since the "boost" is as much at lower rpms unlike say a twin screw blower. I believe this would fall under the concept of lower parasitic drag.

This obvisously is my opinion from the research I have done. Any thoughts?

 

Factory gears and 35 means that it takes a lot longer for your rprm to rise.
And it'll take a two-gear downshift to get rpm to the sweet spot on the highway.

I initially had 3.31s with my Procharger on street tires.
Sure, it felt fast. But with a first gear that would take me to nearly 50mph, it took a while for the revs to climb. Highway passing = second gear.

When I put 4.10s in with the same tires, it was a HUGE difference.
Drivability was tremendously improved, because the it was easier to get rpm elevated..

No matter what blower you get, you should re-gear IMHO.
35s on stock gearing will be tough on your tranny with 35s, especially with the added heat/stress that a blower will add.

Lower gears will make your truck quicker.
You'll have more performance in the higher gears.
Third gear will be useful for passing.
You won't shift out of OD on mild grades.
Your MPG will likely improve.
Driveability will increase.
Your tranny likely will last longer.

All blowers have boost bypass so they aren't compressing under low-load/vacuum conditions. So parastic drag when cruising is minimal for all of them.

 

I have been in talks with Mike and I think I am going to purchase the Lightning system that came off his personal truck. After doing a little research and talking around, I think I will be happier with a swap. Plus his kit is coming with absolutely everything I need to "plug and play". I will keep you guys posted. now the only difficult thing is to find someone to help me install and tune my chip.