I only get about 12MPG around town and 15.5 tops on the freeway. I have 57K and think that I am going to change the plugs and get a tune up and see how that works. Of course I would like more engine/exhaust mods!!! Like said before you could get new gears but that will hurt your highway MPG. if you put 4.10's in with close to stock tires I would venture to guess that you would be be adding about 500 RPM to your final drive, may not seem like alot but that would bring down your MPG a little bit.

 

Love my 97 4.6 4wd sc,ithas gibson S/T exhaust,JET chip,32pp plugs,Iceman intake,MSD superconductor wires,5-50 Castrol Syntec since new,Tornado,PROLONG since new,truck has 98,000mi and runs 16.20 quarter miles that is as driven on street.I just had a high speed miss and no cel light,so i replaced the 2 upstream o2 sensors and the cured it.

 

My 5.4 has convinced me the only thing it will do in a hurry is go to the bone yard.

I recently drove a friends 4.2 with a manual transmission and it will beat up on any of the 5.4 4.6 engines I seen in my neighborhood in a truck.

 

It sounds like there is something going on with your truck if you feel that the 4.9 was better. I had a '94 F150 with the 4.9/5-speed, and I can say that my 4.6 is much stronger. The 4.9 was a torque monster but fell flat much above 3000rpm. My 4.6 pulls hard up to 5000rpm.

My '98 is modded now but it has had plenty of power since the day I test drove it. I added power because I like this particular truck but wanted to be faster than other vehicles.

You might not have a problem as such. You may just have a "weaker computer program". I would suggest trying the Superchips Microtuner. Then you could see if adjusting the shifts would net you more power.

Good luck!

 

The 4.6L is ok on performance. I used to get 9.2 second 0-60's out of it, that was in a Supercab, Shortbed, 4x2 auto. I then got a new identical truck, except with a 5.4L, and got 8.3 second 0-60's. The 5.4L really pulls better all around. Now I have a 4x4, and get 8.5. I never lose to any V6 F150, 5 speed or not.

 

I have a 97 4.6 and I don't remember timing it 0-60, but it feels alright to me. I have a supercab 4x4, and it smokes Chevys and Dodges regularly. I off-road a LOT, and I haven't found anything yet that I needed more torque for, I mean sure, I could always use more, but I'm not missing enough to need another mod (very light wallet). My mods so far are a K&N `workin` man's FIPK`, and a very recent tune-up. My next mod is exhaust, then a chip, then some underdrive pulleys, then comes the lift and 40s. Right now, I am running 285/75/16s with the stock gears, and I am not feeling a lack in any department. I still get around 20 mpg on the interstate, and I get around 15 or 16 around town. Love my 4.6, and if I was going to trade up for torque, I would get a diesel.

 

I've been a little leary on doing mods since it's still under warranty. Someone mentioned cruising on the hwy at 60 is no problem, but I normally hover around 70-79 and get about 16mpg. As for performance it's that mid range that really seems to be the problem. When I corner or slow down for traffic and then speed up it is a complete dog until I hit 3000rpm's then it really takes off, especially with the A/C on. I should also add that this is my first ext cab, which I would assume are a little more sluggish than a std cab, but I remember driving around all day with my 4.9 in overdrive with no problem. Does anyone have an opinion on comparing a 5.0 & 5.8 with the 4.6. I always thought my 5.0 was a little sluggish but my ole 5.8 was a power house, and I thought with the hp of the 4.6 it would be close to the 5.8. I think even though the 4.6 is pushing 230 hp the small cubic inches of the motor and high revs make it feel like a V6. Any thoughts.

 

I've never timed myself but my 98 4.6L w/ 3.08 gear does I would guess 7-8 sec 0-60. Of course I've never timed myself just a guess. I love it and it has a tons of potential.

 

It's hard to predict performance numbers since there are so many more factors than just peak, flywheel horsepower. And when I tell you that a stock fuel injected 351 actually was only rated at 210 hp, you'll probably be even more befuddled that your 4.6 with 21 more peak hp feels weaker than that old 5.8L. But if it's any consolation to you, the 351 did have 25 more lb/ft of peak torque than the 4.6L. It's all about the power curves, the rwhp, the gear ratios, the weight of the vehicles, the transmission characteristics, the aerodynamics of the vehicle, the weight/size of the tires, powertrain and drivetrain condition, etc. etc. etc.....

P.S. A low 9 second time sounds about right for a 0-60 time with the 4.6L.

 

I took my truck into the dealer for the third time about what I think is poor performance and MPG. Once again they ran all the test and everything checked out fine. Once again they said 12-13 MPG is normal. Once again they said down shifting to climb an ant hill was normal. I just can't believe everyone with a 4.6l is not storming the gates of Ford if they all ran like mine. I see posts about guys pulling large trailers and boats and I just can't imagine. I pull a 14 foot jon boat and it feels like I'm pulling my house. I checked into trading mine for an 03 with a 5.4. My truck is 13 months old with 18k miles. The sticker was 28,700. I got the truck on the "Z Plan" (Dad is retired Ford employee). After my discount and rebate I paid 21k for the truck plus 1,700 in taxes. I owe about 1,900 on it. They offered me 16k on a trade. Still not sure what I'm gonna do.

02 F150 XLT SC
4.6l
3.55 LS
Tow Package
Running Boards
Captain Chairs