I've read that there's not a whole lot you can do for the 98 5.4 motor, Ive been to the superchip site. I'm debating whether to purchase the tuner. I'm Thinking the tuner and a catback system is going to be the rout I choose. However the motor does have high miles. Just worked through a misfire issue that just stumped the he** out of me. I went round and round with that and finally just puchased all new COPS and plugs with new ones and it worked!! (8 New COPS & Plugs on Ebay as a kit $139) ..Looking for power options now , any suggestions?

Thanx

 

i have a superchips tuner on my 2000 5.4 with 87k on it. works great, reads odb2 codes, changed my speedo for bigger tires. im running the 91 octane program. little spendy with the gas and living in a hilly city but hey i can feel the power differance the the truck is shifting way better. (using super chips shift points in the tuner) it accelerates alot better. and i have been known to test the top speed limiter take off function. ya ya so the stupid monte ss beat me but who had the last laugh when it hit 98 and i was still doing over 100:P of course this was on a back road with a looooong straight strech and many people watching along the way for deer and cars and what not.

 

You can buy a kit to advance the timing. Add to that a water/alcohol injection system to get rid of any pinging for a nice power bump (ever notice how strong it is when ice cold?) Steeda makes a timing kit for a 4.6 mustang, dont see why it wouldnt fit on a 5.4 truck. It moves the stock pickup sensor around. boost cooler is an alcohol/water injection system.

Full exhaust with headers will give a nice boost. Going to take a really good day to put that on. Headers have to go on through the wheel wells.

Finally a set of 99+ heads, cams and computer will bring up to the 285 hp rating from th 250 that you have now. You can also go to foxlakeracing.com for a CNC porting job. All would net you some nice performance gains.

For a different perspective on performance, put in a set of gears. If you have a 2wd, 3.55's were optional with the towing package. 4.10s are available from ford performance. 3.73's were available on 98 4x4's. 3.73's would be a nice change over a set of 3.08's.

I just bought an 06 5.4. They have a set of headers from the factory. They look to be inbetween full headers and exhaust manifolds. Dont know how the 3V exhaust ports line up to the 2v.

 

I'm under the impression that a tuner does more for the 2000 5.4 and less for the 98, that's why I asked. thanx for your reply and the good story lol

 

Yes I have noticed the boost when cold and also notice that 92 octane makes a noticable difference in sound and I'm not sure, but it feels a little quicker from the light. It's not that I have any pinging or problems or troubles what so ever running 87 octane. Once in a while I'll run a tank of 92 high-test threw her lol. I have a 4x4 with 3.73's I like the power it generates now, just want more... Headers would be a bigger job on this Michigan truck with 165, 000 miles. The salt and the rust - I'd end up pulling the heads most likely to get the bolts out I break out lol, wait , alluminum heads, maybe that wouldn't be a problem ??? The exhaust flang to manifold bolts are rusted so bad the outside drivers side bolt rusted down to the size of a pencil lead lol - that's why I mention the rust and that I might have problems - it's bad here.. You metioned 99+ heads , now this I haven't heard before. What's the difference between the 98 and 99 heads? If I changed the heads I would need a new puter as well. The 98 5.4L must have went threw some major changes in 99..

Thanx for the reply and all the great info..

 

In 99 (maybe 2000) they had improved heads and cams. Same as the mustang I believe on the mustang they call it PI heads. Yours is 235 hp stock and the newer 2 valve heads are 285, I think. I had an early 98 and It was decent from an idle but fell on its face. A reg cab LB 300 with 5speed could hang with my ext cab sb 5.4 auto on interstate.

 

Best mod for the 98 is 99 or better PI heads. That puts you up 15 ponies to start. Then a tuner, electric fans and a descent cold air intake with K&N or other compable filter. Cat back exhaust would round it out. I have all that on my 99 and I have plenty of power. Spanked a few chevies and a few dodges with it. Gears will be next. Mine has 140k plus miles and I consistantly get 18 mpg, but mine is a 4X2. Not a 4x4 like yours.

Or if ya like, go the Neal the HP freak route. But that plan is a little pricey.

By the way, where in MI are you? I am stuck in the middle, Beaverton area. Just wish it lived up to its name.

Sled...

 

Okay, that's good to know , I heard the term "PI" before, what exactly does that stand for? Did you get pully's or a throttle body spacer to free up some more of that power? I seen Neals motor build , that's awesome!! I would like to find a navi motor that I can put on the stand for a build.

Oh, from Howell area - 35 miles east of Lansing ..LOL if Beaverton did live up to it's name I'd have to come for visit and grow roots, stay for awhile, like maybe the rest of my natural life!!!

Thanx for the info

 

Jbrew
PI stands for Power Improved, at least thats what has been said on here.

No, I never have changed my pulleys, planned to, just havent yet. As for the spacer, doesnt work. I put one in and it even seem to hurt mileage by a mile or so to the gallon. Not worth the time and money. I took mine out. Want to buy it?

I know where Howell is, been that way before.
Hows the beaver in your area?

Sled...

 

The PI heads would be the best thing. You will also want to get the intake manifold from a 99-up 5.4L engine, or have your current ones ported to match the new heads (probably easier just to buy a PI manifold though).

After that a chip/tuner is another great mod.

Then the intake kits, exhaust, etc etc.

 

Okay, that cleared that up "PI" doesn't refer to something that Beaverton is known for..

Maannn, I just ordered a spacer 2 days ago off eBay - that freakin stinks!! Did the spacer make some kind of cool sound? At least? eBay has been good to me so far, 8 BranSpankinNew OEM coil packs and platinum plugs as a kit for $130.00 - New Throttle w/EGR, TPS, IMRC and vac lines were even included for $30.00 (knowone even bid on it!!) Also purchased a new wiring harness $50.00.. Oh, lol and new fuel injectors too!!! They were off a crate motor some dude was parting out. Same as the 5.4, so that works..

Howell, Well in my part of town anyway, Howell does kind of live up to it's name - The beaver here bark at the moon and would scare hungery dogs off a meat wagon!!

 

That's cool, I recall Neil & I think FasterF150 ported there manifolds themselves and posted the pics somewher on here..With the manifold and heads I would be lookin at about a 15hp gain? I heard there was a header kit with bassanies out there that's quite exspensive, but an excellent power gainer- ever hereof the system , can't remember , think it start with a "J" tho..

Thanx 4 the info..

 

Supercharge IT