What is the horsepower rating of the 04 5.4L?
I've seen it listed at 260hp and 300hp.

 

260 on the heritage 2 valve, and 300 on the new 3 valve...

 

Thanks Closer

Does the 2 valve engine only come in the Heritage marked trucks.

I'm waiting to pull the trigger on a "vehicle order confirmation" from my local Ford dealer but it doesn't state if my 5.4 is 2 or 3 valve.
Order code is 995, if that helps.

 

I don't know what the codes are, but the heritage is only available with the old engine since it is the old truck. I don't think they changed anything from the 2003 F150 to the 2004 F150 Heritage. The 3 valve is the all new engine only available in the all new 2004 F150... Hope that explains a little better...

 

That explains it.
I wasn't sure if the "Next F150" had any of the 260hp 5.4's in them.

What is the third valve? Intake or Exhaust? Why not just go with larger valves? Does it have anything to do with air velocity or maybe combustion chamber size?

 

My understanding is it is the intakes . This new engine is so full of tricks , I'm afraid of it . It also has variable valve timing and a "Northstar " failsafe overheating system . Lots of changes in the 2004 and I hope Ford got it right the first time around !

 

The 5.4's have had failsafe mode since '97. So that's nothing new. The new 3 valve per cylinder heads are new for '04 w/variable valve timing.

 

Why didn't they just use a 4v or a really big 2v?

 

It all has to do with the design, HP, and fuel mileage concerns. I'm not an engineer but if you go to a 32 Valve V-8 you give up bottom end torque for high RPM horsepower. This is good in a Mustang, but bad for a truck that will need to tow/haul from a dead stop.

 

The design of this engine keeps the torque curve as constant as possible . The two smaller valves promote higher intake velocity than one large single valve . Variable camshaft timing also figures into good low rpm torque and plenty of power at the top end . Smaller valves also require less power robbing spring pressure. It sounds like a great combo . I was informed this engine has been used in some Australian Fords since 2002 so my concerns about the reliability is diminished.

 

my '95 f150 eeciv had an engine coolant failsafe in it's program.

the 3 valve 5.4s have a very subtle tune from the factory. there is 30+rwhp just in a eec reflash. add a cold air kit with a sealed box and a good catback ?.... this motor ain't too bad powerwise.
kenny belle already has a twin screw kit for it.
hopefully it has a better shortblock than the older 5.4s

 

money. the 3v only uses 2 cams, the 4v uses 4. with the 5.7 hemi advertised at 345, the 5.3 chevy at 295 and the nissian at 307. fords 260 is dead a$$ last in the market.

 

but the Ford will still out tow them all. But I see your point. I guess thats why Ford is coming out with the 6.2l motor. Any one know the bore stroke measurements for this new motor?
Jes

 

http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/compa...8/article.html

Doesnt appear it does out tow them all

 

It's my understanding that the 3-valve 5.4L isn't completely new. They had it in the Navigator for a long while before it appeared in the F150.

Unless there are some other differences between the Navi 3-valve 5.4L, and the 2004 F150 5.4L, I wouldn't say there is much to be worried about as far as reliability issues go.