Ran across an interesting article comparing engine power and performance of several truck models, in the January 2003 issue of Trailer Boats. Thought this may be of interest to some of you.

The specific section reads as follows:

"The 2003 Ford F-150 powered by the 4.6L Triton V-8 offers 231 hp at 4750 rpm and 393 ft.-lbs. of torque at 3500 rpm, a 2003 GM Sierra 1500 with a 4.8L Vortec V-8 puts out 270 hp at 5200 rpm and 285 ft.-lbs. of torque at 4000 rpm. The 2002 Dodge Ram with a 4.7L V-8 produces 240 hp at 4800 rpm and 330 ft.lbs. torque at 3200 rpm. The 2003 Tundra's i-Force 4.7L V-8 delivers 240 hp at 4800 rpm and 315 ft.-lbs. of torque at 3400 rpm.

The raw numbers tell a story, but they're not the entire book. The Tundra's numbers are almost identical to the Ram's. While the Ford 4.6L has more torque at approximately the same engine speed as the Toyota 4.7L, the Toyota engine delivers more torque than the GM engine of similar displacement. And when you're talking towing, you're talking torque."

I have a 2002 Ford F-150 Supercrew, 4.6L, with a 3.55 LS back end and trailer tow package. In the last 10 days, I towed a 23 foot travel trailer from TN to Orlando, FL and back again. The trailer weighed in at about 4000+ lbs. The 2002 Ford 4.6L is rated identically to the 2003 Ford 4.6L engine described in the article above.

Much to my amazement, my Ford had no problems in pulling at interstate speeds, not even in the mountain areas around Chattanooga, TN -- in fact, the torquey little 4.6L engine actually caught up and gained on other rigs while running uphill in the mountains! I had to brake in order to avoid hittng some of the other "brands" and rigs ahead of me.

I am well impressed with the Ford 4.6L engine, and happy for the opportunity to share my experience with you. Count me as a satisfied owner!

 

Is that the right torque rating for the 4.6? The HP number looks right, but that torque figure looks high.

 

Looks like about 100 ft/lbs high to me. Peak torque only tells you part of the story, a long flat torque curve that stays above 300 ft/lbs between 1500-4000 rpm can out-perform a short torque curve that peaks at 350 ft/lbs at high rpms.

When pulling the trailer up the mountains, was the tach closer to 3500 rpm or 4500 rpm, and how many times did it kick-down to passing gear?

The only 4.6 that I ever owned wouldn't pull itself into the wind at interstate speeds without the TC unlocking or the transmission downshifting 20-30 times per mile.

 

Folks, looks like the quoted article does have the torque figure too high, by about 100 at 3500 rpm. I checked the engine power curves in the Ford Truck 2002 sales brochure.

When pulling in the mountains, the tach stayed at 4500 rpm -- did not constantly downshift or search for the right gear all over the place!

Perhaps this is an improved feature of the year 2002 and newer 4.6L V-8s. They appear to have been engineered for a bit more torque and horsepower than the earlier 4.6L engines -- this may account for people's different experiences and satisfaction levels with this size engine.