I have a sweet 99 f150 lariet,48000 miles ,super clean.Let me apologize for my lack of tech .Im old school ,points,thrush mufflers and carbs.This truck pulls my travel trailer which weighs in at about 4000 lbs.All is great in Florida,but ,on hills and strong head winds,I run into a power struggle.I really like this truck and replacing it would hit me up for another twenty grand hust for a decent used rig.So was thinking,what can I do to improve the power of this 4.6 v-8. I would appreciate ANY HELP.I am thinking about a super charger.Though of the pro charger.I have the mechanical ability and certainly the tools.A few grand is certainly alot better that 20 to 30 .LSO,any info about an exhust upgrade.I live in the Fl.Keys,so NO EMISSIONS testing.So guys or gals,set me strait.I appreciate ANY constructive help. Thanks

 

Replace the 4.6 with a 5.4. Get one from a 99+ f-150.

EDIT
Forgot to add: Then supercharge it.

 

Agreed. the 4.6 Ford burdened the F150 with from 97-00 is gutless. Like I said in another thread, it will probably never leave you on the side of the road or leak any fluids, but its not a performance motor in the slightest. No amount of mods, other than forced induction, will get it close to 5.4 territory.

 

Thanks Guys.I'd love to do the 5.4 sap into my 99 150 lariet.AND,if at this point I should be on another forum,let me know.My questions.I see a 99 5.4 is a preferred motor.So happens there are a few in Fl. not too far.I'm thinkin ,if Im going that route,and pullin an replacing.I'd want a fresh motor.So,do I buy a junk ard special,and ,either get a reman.or do the rebuild myself.In the 70's I was all over swapping small blocks with 6 cyl ,headrer,thrush,carbs,.you get it.But,I humbly say,Its a different world today.You guys talk programmers,magnaflo,flowmaster etc.If I got a 5.4 short block,can I put all my 4.6 stuff on i and dress it,I realize the exhust has some changes,but will the a/c p/s and all other STUFF interchange.OR,would I need to get a 5.4 and use brackets etc .My gut tells me ,its not like the ol days ,swapping a chev 283 thru 350 and all bolt up(mostly)Rather than plop 20 grand MORE down just to get a 5.4 performance,I'm thinking I cand spend mabe 5-7 ,puting a fresh 5.4 with a nice exhust system in this like new 150.The truck wouldnt fetch me 6000 on a trade,(thats hopeful.Anyway guys I need some power ,OH,how can I tell what trans I have? I see the 70 series can be an issue ,but if its a 100 ,the swap is easier.thanks again.Have some mercy on the old guy .

 

/\/\/\ read the 4.6 to 5.4 "how to" thread by JMC /\/\/\

 

Check craigslist.org, your local classifieds, or even the salvage yards. Around here, 5.4's sell on average for 500-800 complete, throttle body to oil pan.

Just so you don't make a mistake, the preferred 5.4 would be one from a 99 f150 with pi heads and the aluminum upper intake, it won't crack like the newer plastic ones. Econolines and f250/f350 didn't get the 5.4 with pi heads until 2001.

 

yes your accessories will swap right on over to the 5.4

but i did not know that lariats came with 4.6's

 

how about a rear gear change, air intake and a programer?

any idea of what gear you have?

make sure you have a trans cooler.

to me procharger is not going to improve power where you need it.

 

Thanks guys.Yep ,its definatly a 99 f150 lariet with a 4.6.Its a 3.55 rear.I put a trans cooler on before I started traveling with the trailer.I need to figure what trans I have ,and,is the alum .intake worth that much concern.BECAUSE,I was wondering if I could use the 4.6 intake ,OR,get an after market to take the intake problem away.At this point,finding a low milage ,99 would be a needle in a hay stack.That is why I was thinking of getting a 5.4 and rebuilding it ,along with an aftermarket intake if need be.Thanks guys.

 

Honestly, what I would do while looking for a 5.4 to start building, is I would install a centrufigal supercharger setup




Now before the masses start flapping their keyboards - yes, I would switch to a blow thru MAF and run an external wastegate - then keep the same setup for the planned 5.4

 

i dont know what id recommend for a gear change. 4.10 isnt much of a jump. but 4.55 is to much.
come on coobies!

 

I went from 3:55 to 4:10 gears in my 4.6L and it made a world of difference in my 5 speed truck. If you want to go the simple route? Change gears, install Procharger, add Borla muffler cat back. It's not that hard to wake up that little 4.6L without changing engines. If you want more after that? You can add 42lb injectors, lightning maf, and get a custom tune. If you are gonna build a motor, then by all means go with the 5.4 as bigger is always better. Just remember building these modular motors are a completely different animal to build than say a FE 390. Just sayin.

 

I would change the gears to start and see how you like that. 3.55 to a 4.10 is a pretty decent bump.

 

Yeah, unfortunately they also come on Lariat Supercrew's as well... lol

 

i thought if you added a procharger etc you would need to tune it straight away..? or only if you add injectors/maf etc