First of all, I must say that I've been using F-150online.com for quite some time now and just decieded to register, -- great site!!

Now to my question..

I have a reg cab pick-up, 2 wheel drive (see sig), and I got into a race with a buddy of mine from school who has a '88 F-150, reg cab, 3.55's, 5 spd 5.0 liter. From the line he can take me up to about 60, then I start catching up. Now I know those old 5.0's were rated for like 185 horse, (and I have 205 stock!) and that in that year they were speed density, so he can't have to many mods. So, I went to the local Ford dealer, and test drove a '96 5.0 (little more horses I think) and it definitly had plenty more get up and go than my slightly modded 4.2! How can this be?

I know I'm now that bad of a driver, I get a heck of a good launch, but those 5.0's are definitly more powerful of the line than me. I was about a truck length behind each time 'til about 60. What gives here?



-------------------------------------------------------------
2000 Reg. Cab F-150 - 4.2 Liter V6 - Superchip - 5 Speed - 3'55's - 2 wheel drive - Flowmasters

 

I think it's the two extra cylinders and alot of rpms. Just an un- educated guess.

 

This is a good topic.

While you have more peak horsepower than your friend does in his 5.0L, he flat rapes you with average torque.

Example: At 2500 rpm your friend could be putting down as much as 275-310 lb/ft of torque. Our V6's aren't anywhere near that until much higher in the rpm range (if we see that much at all).

You should eventually be able to catch up to him, because high torque engines usually run out of steam up top. But you'll have a tough time matching his low speed grunt. It is for this reason that I say you live or die on the street and on a road course by average torque, not peak hp.

NOTE:there is a way to put down higher average torque numbers (like your 5.0L friend) . . .but you must have an automatic to do it. Sorry.

To beat him you're gonna have to mod your truck similar to how Talley is modding his and hope your top end speed increases offset his bottom end grunt. You can do it, but it's a hard road.


Later,

 

Once again WronddayJ steps up to the plate and delivers hard core in your face facts!

HOWEVER I disagree with the above statement (I always disagree huh )


To change it up.... "You can do it, but it's an EXPENSIVE road."

 

Never underestimate the mystical and magical powers of the loyal 5.0 liter.... It's has surprised many throughout it's years, and will continue to do so. Now, let us pay our respects to the awesome Ford small block V8 gods....

 

It flat out drag races... it's all about the torque... and I can promise you that his 5.0 has got your V-6 in the catagory... always remember... there's no replacement for displacement!

 

I hear you fordx4...I worship the 5.0, best motor ever made in my opinion.

 

I agree.

The 5.0L engine is a great one indeed. I've spent the better part of 12 years building and racing them and everytime I see another one, it's like an old friend to me. They rev up tight, they make great torque, and can take one heck of a beating and giggle doing it.

If there is a hall of fame for engines, this one certainly earned it's spot, and then some.

Talley- It can be expensive. . .but it doesn't have to be. I'm about to prove that.

Later,

 

But even with my truck set-up and mods, I must have close to (just an estimation) 215 - 220 HP. Compared to the measley 185 of the 5.0. Also, my torque has to be around 260. Compared to what....280 of the 5.0 liter. My HP difference should more than make up for the small torque difference. And yet, that 5.0 feels like it has more power than it knows what to do with....

 

On paper, it's easy to say that the older 5.0L truck V8 and the newer 4.2L truck V6 are pretty evenly matched up. And in a 1/4 mile run, they probably would be, if both trucks weighed about the same and had the same gears, etc.

---However---

In a stoplight to stoplight scenario the 5.0L will seem like a bruiser everytime he launches against you. . .not because of how much power either of you is making or not making, but because of when and what kind of power you are making. He hits his torque peak (which is higher than yours) at just above idle and carries that high torque number all the way to about 4,000 rpm (if memory serves). Your engine flat out can not make the broad, flat torque curve that his does (unless you chemically 'enhance' your low/mid range torque output with a 50 hp shot of nitrous. . .and/or have and tweaked automatic). And that is why he will give you fits in short blast racing. Eventually, though, you will overtake him. Aerodynamics and raw hp will see to that- if he stays in it that long.

If nitrous or engine mods aren't your thing. . .try gearing up. Talley has recommended several times that 5-speeds seem to like the 3.73-3.90 range, and I agree. My '94 5.0L 5-speed came with 3.08's which were almost immediately swapped for 3.73's and I loved it. If I had it all to do again though, 3.90's would get the nod in that truck. Gears will bolster your quickness and may even the odds against the higher torque V8's.

Hope this helps . . .

---J

 

Some good tires, 4.10's and a quick hand will do the trick. I don't race much, but I have had my fair share of stoplight showdowns. The only thing I can say about my 4.10's is that first gear is short and you can find yourself losing big if you don't systematically slam second at the right time, which is an early shift @3600 or so in my truck, that drops it right into the meat of the powerband and makes this lil 6 really shine. After the swap I rarely if ever lose a race until it goes into deep third and forth and I'm running a flat out faster vehicle just because the jump you get out of the gears is so much greater. It's all about multiplying the available power mechanically to make it work for your driving(an automatic can be worked in many places to almost completely make a perfect set of multiples for a vehicle). Big truck, low torque=more gearing. Only other problem is I sometimes have to sacrifice a little clutch to keep the tires from blowing off, as they tend to VERY easy with that kind of gearing. Anyways basically all this blabbing is telling you to look at going up in gearing as an ecconomical way to get the edge.

P.S.- My gas mileage hasn't suffered one bit on the hiway, but around town it has a tendency to eat a bit of gas, depending on how the day is going...

 

WrongdayJ:

I have trained you well... Yes!, I do recommend 3.73/3.90's on 30" tires w/ 5spd. the auto's I perfer 4.10's on 30" tires. of course tire size would change things up a bit but not by much.

Right now i'm on some 29" tires so I'm an effective 3.70 if I compare to my stock 30" setup. I felt better 3rd gear and 4th gear pulls way better. not so much down low at all just in 3rd and 4th.

I will soon be going to a 4.10 on a 31.16" tire.... maybe If I stick with 30" tires I will definately go to 3.90's!

However nothing is getting done till I fix the truck and get Traction bars!!!

 

Everytime I hear the 'ole "no replacement for displacement thing" I'm always taken back to the Grand National

If you wonder why I post so much about them, it's because they're bad ****ing ***

Oh, and as for a flat torque curve, ever seen an LS-1's torque curve???? How the hell did they do that with that engine

 

The almighty 5.0 will never die! But seriously, I read an article in a magazine that stated Ford is working on remaking a version of the 5.0. Anybody else read about it?

 

Charles F.-

Oh yes. . .the Buick Grand National. My automotive cross to bear. I've had a standing fued with those cars since I started drag racing. I respect them, but loathe the very sight of them.
Superman had Lex Luthor, Batman had the Joker, I have the GN.

The LS1 (and ALL Vortec motors for that matter) make that heavy torque because of the cylinder head design. The ports leading to the valve are shaped like a comma, rather than the traditional straight shot design. It's very effective, and it's really the single most power producing idea the automotive world has seen since the days of the Chrysler Hemi and the Ford Cobra-Jet. I'm not a big GM fan, but even I have to give 'em credit. . .those Vortec motors all have some serious grunt. I'm especially fond of the GM crate motor that is a 383 with the Vortec heads and a healthy cam. Whew!


Later,

---J