Which is better? I understand the 5.4L has more torque, and the 5.3L has more hp. Isn't the 5.3L a lot easier to work on. I've read it's nearly impossible to change the spark plugs on a 5.4L. The 5.3L has 6 bolt mains, what does the 5.4L have? I know the 5.4L uses 16 spark plugs, how many for the 5.3L, what's the benefit of more plugs? The 5.4L uses no plug wires, what about the 5.3L?
What are some other differences, and benefits of one engine over the other.

 

16 spark plugs??? Rofl hmmmm I just can't seem to find the extra 8 on mine.

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2000 F150 SC XLT
5.4
4-sp auto
255/70r-16
3.55 LS
Heavy Duty electric
Heavy Duty cooling
Trailer Towing Group
Keyless Entry
Soft Cover
Captains Chairs
wedg blue& silver two tone
Fog Lights
Bed Liner
Fender Flairs
Cab Steps
10 disc CD changer

(Just 892 more payments and that sucker is all mine)

 

Ok, I guess I'm wrong, but I thought the 5.4L had 2 spark plugs per cylinder. As you can tell, I am trying to learn more about both engines, so I can make an informed choice between the two trucks. I've never owned a Chevy truck, I own a '94 Ranger 4.0L 4x4 now, I had a Toyota 4x4 P/U which I loved before that. I also like Dodge trucks as well, but they need to be brought up-to-date.

 

nlp...The 5.4 has the coil-on-plug setup (each sparkplug has its own coil pack...its those black cylinders mounted under the fuel rails). Because of this setup, there is no need for the usual thick plug wires; all that is needed is a small wire to charge up the capacitor and fire it off. I think the Nissan Maxima was the first to use such a system in mass production. Also, the 5.4 only has one plug per cylinder (dual plugs are usually found in aircraft engines).HTH.

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'99 F150 SC, 4x2, Oxford white, flareside, 5.4, 3.55 rearend,
bodyside mouldings, Snugtop hard tonneau, K&N dropin and airbox mod.
Duraliner drop-in (gave up on the Penda Nascar). Gibson Supertruck
No door cracks yet at 5K!!!

Future mods: 2/4 lowering, bra and some Roush stuff.



[This message has been edited by Marv1 (edited 01-04-2000).]

 

Why is a Chevy about $2000.00 more than a comparable Ford?
When I went shopping I found that Chevy isn't a bad truck but like the Tundra it's overpriced.

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99 XLT 5.4L Regular Cab 4x2 120" Wheelbase 4 wheel disc brakes/ABS 5 star larait style wheels Toreador Red/Silver 3.55 gears 255/70/16 OWL Delta toolbox, Ventshades, Bugflector, Bullrings, Donnelly compass mirror, 2" Rear drop.
Eclipse 5340 cd player
Memphis ARCS50 component speakers w/tweeters mounted flush in the door panels (excellent sound)powered by a Sherwood 35x2 RMS amp
Jensen 50x2 RMS for the 2 Audiobahn AWC10 subs
regcab54@sc.rr.com

 

I truly believe the Triton 5.4L engine is a far better design than the 5.3 from the competition.

The Ford has mighty impressive torque and this comes into play when you do actual work with this truck. Without a doubt, make sure you get it with Limited Slip rear end. If you don't, you'll be sorry. Even with LS, this truck easily spins the wheels, especially if the road is wet. How many people with the 5.3 in the competition will tell you this? If you get an open rear end, you'll be smoking that one tire until it shreds (assuming you drive like I do).

The Triton also has a feature that the 5.3 doesn't have as far as I know. Fail Safe Cooling. This is a great feature to have.

Listen to the two engines. Your ears will tell you which engine is better. The Ford is probably one of the quietest engines around and smooth running too.

Sure, there have been some glitches, but these glitches don't leave you stranded. Piston slap still hasn't been proven to decrease engine reliability and durability. I have yet to hear of anybody with this problem throwing a rod. Rough idle seems widespread, but that's easily fixed with the help of this board. Again, it won't leave you stranded.

As for changing the plugs, why worry about them. The platinum plugs last a long time. It's not like you're gonna be changing them every 20,000 miles.

Finally, you have this wonderful online site. The people here know their trucks and know what is good and bad for them. This place is a hell of a resource for our trucks. I have yet to find a GM site that's comparable.

 

54regcab, why is the chevy more expensive? I really don't know. I guess it could be marketing. I used to sell a product. I tried an experiment. Everything but appearance was the same. Size, weight, ingredients all the same. However, I made one look a bit different and charged 25% more for it. Guess what sold better? Yup, the more expensive one.

Some people, strange as it may sound, just like to pay more for things than others would.

 

Im saying this, not because im a ford guy, but because its a fact! The 5.4 liter is a better engine! More torque, more power to the ground, just a better overall engine.

 

What is the resale like on these newer F-150's? In relation to a Silverado? I know that if my truck was a chevy, its resale value would be at least 2 grand higher? Has anything changed in the last 5-7 years?

 

Well the only engine that I know of that had 2 plugs per cylinder is the 2.3L that was in my 91 mustang 91 to 93 4 banger mustangs had that set up.

 

A lot of Nissan truck engines used the 8 plug setup in the early 80s

 

Well so far I have been very pleased with the 5.4L in my truck. I use it to pull my horse trailer. None of my buddies has a Silverado with the 5.3 but two of the have them with the 5.7L and those engines like to rev, which I am sure the 5.3 does as well. The 350's they have pull very well and I am sure the 327 or what ever the 5.3 is does too. The Triton however is able to pull that trailer all day long and never exceed 3500 rpm. Most of the gear changes are at about 25 to 2800 rpm unless I get down on it. It has no problem getting that trailer up to speed. I don't tow in overdrive and it rarely unlocks or locks the torque converter which ever one it does to get to 3rd gear. The trailer weighs close to 7000lbs if not more, which I think it ways more than that sometimes depending on the trip and number of days we stay. I am very pleased with it and feel that it is not working as hard as the chevies that my buddies have. I have driven and towed with thier trucks so I can compare them to mine. Another friend has a Dodge with a 360 in it. The 360 is a good pulling engine also. It has alot of power down low just like the triton does. A little off subjuct sorry.

LHM

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2000 F-150 Super Cab XLT 4x4 ORP 5.4liter V8, Towing Package, Rear Slider, Remote keyless Entry, Black Exterior, Medium Graphite interior, manual shift 4x4. Current mods Gooseneck hitch and mud flaps.

 

THe 2.5L in the Ranger also uses the double plug setup.

There is no replacement for displacement in pulling applications! also the 5.3L Vortec uses coil on plug setup similar to Fords setup

 

Howdy! I work for Ford and I can give you some insight on the two engines. Dennis is right on the money about the 5.4 engines. The Triton family of engines was developed as a SOHC design. Less moving parts and a 6 quart oil capacity along with a high capacity water pump AND low friction enternals mke this engine EXTEREMLY durable. On the drawing board these motors were designed to the 150,000 mile durability targets. That's minimum life expectancy. The little brother the 4.6 has seen 300,000 miles in taxi and as you know the police use this in very hard day to day use with very little problems. This is not just me talking look at Consumer Reports ............all good marks for the F150! Need more info? I 'll give it.

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97 F-150 4.6 auto, 4x2, 3.55 LS, WMS Velocity tube, K&N, Dynomax Super Turbo exhaust with Echo tube.
Oh yeah, it's Oxford White with crome wheels, Legacy shell & custom grill!

 

On the topic of why Silverados are more expensive i simply think it is just sales. Ford sells a whole lot of f-150s so they can lower the prices some and still make huge profit. The silverado is selling well too, but not close to the f-150.

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1999 Silver F-150 XLT Supercab Triton 5.4L 4X2 3.55 LS class 4 whell ABS/4-W disc

Stuff I did not need but came with it
Class III Towing package
Power driver seat
Remote keyless entry
Free Floor mats :P
Hell of a ride

Mods I hope to do
1. Superchip
2. K&N air filter
3. Gibson Exhuast

Add-ons
1. Bed liner
2. Hard bed cover

All I'll ever need with this bad boy

Will be getting pictures soon
ccr-rules@worldnet.att.net