Falcon11, it's understandable that your not a GM guy, not many Ford guys know GMs. But for me its unavoidable since I work for General Motors, they parade thoes numbers around like crazy...in fact sometimes I feel like telling them to shove the numbers where the sun don't shine, but on to the point.

Why not just put in a 4.6 or 5.4.......to do a full engine swap will cost more than its worth , and trading is out of the picture since I already have so much invested in this truck. Don't get me wrong, a V8 is a better choice for power any day, thats why I have my 88 mustang. And I really must argue the comment you made about the 4.2 being a gutless engine. This engine has been around in the form of a 3.8 since 1983 or 84 if I remember correctly. If an engine has been around that long there has to be something good about it. Besides, if your opinion of the 4.2 is so low why do you have one? The problem with the 4.2s take off isnt completely in the gears(my stock gears are 3.55s), its all in the transmisson....it needs a good stall converter. I have been in constant research of this engine since I bought my truck brand new in 1999, and I will say I have found some good points and bad points to it. The reason you hear so many bad things about this engine is that there are so many out there, its the most used engine in Ford's light truck line up. With the large number of 4.2 trucks on the road the number of problems this board has experienced is just a small drop in the bucket.

 

I agree with you f150freak, and yes I mentioned why the 4.2 is slow off the line, it's because of the gears. I didn't have a choice with the engine I got because I didn't pick it out. I didn't realize money was a big issue with you. You sounded like you would put about any mod on your 4.2 so I figured that an engine swap wouldn't be a big deal. Hey I was wondering have you dynoed yours? You siad you have a supercharger right? How much power do you have it producing now? Also what kind of performance times do you have (0-60, 1/4 mile)? Thanks, I like to see how fast people have gotten their 4.2's.

 

Havent dynoed it or run it in the 1/4 yet. I am in the process of gathering some new parts including a 2800 stall converter, new blower pully for more boost, and components to delete the FMU. As soon as the parts are installed it will be dynotuned for and a new chip installed. My guess is it is running low 15sand with the upgrades I ma working on I am expecting to drop a full second or more. Attempting to catch my own mustang, not an easy task. And money really isnt a big deal, with my job I am pretty much set.

 

I've spent 1,300 bucks on my truck. stock times was 16.686, best time WITHOUT crank pulley, electric, weight reduction, Nitrous, without the centerforce clutch, plugs, and only half the work done to the throttle body, but did have the airaid was 15.83.

I'm sure now Naturally Aspirated I am running 15.4-14.5's. and add on the 75shot of Nitrous I should be running 14.1-14.4 and maybe better... 100shot I know I will be in the 13's.

You have to remember, the automatic sucks mated with the 4.2's. Your slow off the line because:

1. You might have the 3.08's in your truck (mine came with 3.55's)
2. 1st gear in the auto is 2.75 something (?), 1st gear in manual is 3.90

a 3.90 1st wih a 3.55 rearend, You'd have to have roughly a 4.56 rearend to match me off the line. tGOT IT BUD!!!