My best suggestion would be to test drive a 5.4l V8 F250 with a 6 speed from a dealer. Mind you, it weighs a little more than the F150... but see how you like the way it sounds and feel for the power in the gears.

Mind you.... the 5.4l gets most of it's start out torque at 1500 rpms, which is LOW.

 

please don't wasted your time and money I made this mistake 12 years ago and wasted $30k on 2001 f-150

 

Howdy salman,

How on earth could you spend $30k to swap a 4.2 V-6 for a 5.4 V-8? Were you paying someone $250.00/hr for labor and bought all new parts from the Ford dealer?

Just curious.

I have a '97 F-150 Stepside that I've owned since '99. Today it has 354,xxx miles and a dead V-6 w/ 5-speed.

I also have a wrecked '97 T-bird 4.6 V-8 w/ 132,xxx miles that I have thought about swapping the 4.2 for the 4.6.

Im currently building a Factory Five Racing Spyder GT so I have the skills, tools and shop to do the swap. Here's a link to a build thread:

http://www.ffcars.com/forums/41-ffr-...der-build.html

The T-bird is drivable and the engine and transmission are in great shape so my decision is do I keep the automatic trans behind the the 4.6 or swap to a 5-speed manual trans.

I can get a 5-speed and all the goodies to do the swap for $500.00.

But if I stick with the auto I'll need to swap the steering column for one from an auto truck. I can get these parts for less than $100.00.

Decisions, decisions. I can do the 4.6/auto swap for less than $250.00 including exhaust or spend another $400.00 and swap to a stick shift.

Money isn't an issue nor is selling the truck later on because I will never sell it.

I've also considered building a 393ci stroker 351W w/ Cleveland 4V heads ( I have a 414ci stroker in my Spyder ) or a 460 conversion.

Whatever I do I will make a build thread.

Paul

 

Something that wasn't said when this thread was active 7 years ago - the 4.2 uses the old Windsor bellhousing bolt pattern - the 4.6 and 5.4 uses the Triton pattern. Any swap of a V-6 to a Triton will require a tranny swap too.

 

Howdy glc,

Wow! I didn't realize this thread was that old!

Anywho...... Yep, the 4.2 has the old SBF bolt pattern and the 4.6 has a different bolt pattern.

Thanks Ford!

Paul

 

Just go old school and swap in a carbureted 351 stroke! I also have a 4.2L V6 5 speed 4x4 and I'm trying to get more power out of it.

 

Turbocharge it.

https://www.f150online.com/forums/su...l-f-150-a.html

 

Howdy,

If I went with a 351W swap I would go with EFI. The 414W in my Spyder uses a '97 Mustang GT ECU with distributorless coil pack ignition.

It's a custom/homemade setup that I've assembled myself and uses a Vic Jr 4-barrel type intake and TB, 60lb injectors, etc. and tuned with a Moate's Quarterhorse.

I guess for a "cheap & simple" swap a junkyard 351W/5.8 from a pickup could be converted to a carb.

Paul

 

At the risk of being flamed, I went with a 5.3 GM/T56 combo. It was pretty darn simple. The engine is basically stock and I picked up an easy 100 hp/100 ft/lbs over the 4.2....and about 2 mpg increase city/ 5 mpg highway (mainly due to the torque/6 speed combo). Since this is the family truck used for daily driving, camping, vacations, hauling trash and sundry boring family duties, I didn't go crazy with big power add ons. I do have another more serious motor on the engine stand that is propane specific. Going that route when the new year rings in.

 

Howdy Bilster,

If I wanted a belly button motor I would have bought a belly button truck.

Paul

 

Blister, is it completed? I'd like to see it

 

Oh yeah...have had it running for over a year. I drive it daily...and on trips. It's a good truck. stengun....not familiar with the "belly button" term but this generation of F150 has most of what I've been looking for. There is plenty of aftermarket upgrades for suspension, brakes and interior/exterior. So I can continue to tinker for years to come. This generation of F150 is the most aerodynamic of any truck built. Generally speaking, I was happy with the truck except for the lack of power and gas mileage the 4.2 exhibited. When it died from hydrolock, it was the perfect opportunity to correct that flaw. The 5.3 packages really well in the truck. Plenty of room to change plugs and work on. I'm not real big on brand loyalty. Let me figure out how to post pics.

 

The only photo I have at work is the initial mock up photo. The CIA is now packaged a lot cleaner and more functional.