I just purchased a 97' 4.2L standard cab F150 and was wondering what was the biggest crate engine I could put in the engine bay. I was looking at the Ford 460 which puts out 500hp and 525 lb./ft. Would I fit or would I have to go down to the 360? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

I'm not sure what's the largest crate engine you can fit, but I know if it were me I would buy a 2000+ Lighting Crate engine and stick in there! They are pretty easy to aquire and with a few mods they see upwards of 500+ HP at the rear wheels!

Plus you would get the benifits of better gas mileage, being emmissions legal, Fuel Injection, less custom fabrication which I would imagine gets expensive!

Put a post in the Lighting section and I'm sure someone could tell you where you can buy new crate engines for probably as much or even cheaper then you could build a 460 or any big block pushrod!

Good Luck,

Adam

 

I don't quite know about 500 RWHP. I think you would have to dump you 4R-70W (if that's what is on the 4.2L) and upgrade tranny's, too. It would be interesting to see what you would have to do to dump a Lightning engine in a 97.


Keep us posted, I'm sure others would be more knowledgable on the topic of engine swaps.

 

Thanks for the replies. A website I went to, I can't remember the name, had a 460 that they claimed made 500 hp. I don't know if that is to the wheels or not. A lightning engine might be a better idea than the 460. I never thought about a Lightning engine. Great idea. I will keep everybody posted on the engine swap.