I was wondering why the newer type f-150's have smaller engines than my older style 94 f-150. I dont know much, but it seems strange that the older f-150's are more powerful. I would think since the older f-150's were 5.8's then the newer ones would be something larger, or the same. Sorry if I sound like a moron, I was just wondering. Ive been told that the newer ones have 5.4's.

 

Bigger doesn't always translate to more powerful.

 

They went smaller to make the trucks lighter and for better gas mileage but the newer 5.4 is rated at 260HP if I remember right the 5.8 was rated around 240HP the newer engine has 20 more horses than the older engine so the newer one has more power.

 

I have a 94 5.8 and it has around 210 hp@4800 and 315 lbs tq@2800, the lightnings had 240 hp. My brother has an 02 w/5.4 and it has 260 hp@4600 and 350 lbs tq@2600. I'm not 100% on the rpm figures but the power figures are right and I'm pretty sure his power peaks 200 rpm less than mine. Not only does he have more power @ lower rpm but he can outrun me from the stoplight. He has x-cab 4x4 w/3.55 LS, I have reg cab 4x4 w/3.55 LS. My truck probably weigh several hundred pounds less but he can beat me easier than I like to admit. His is bone stock and I have K&N drop-in w/bored out airbox, opened exhaust, advanced timing, and shorter tires which should help my gear ratio to be lower than his. Anyway, I don't drive a truck for racing. If I want to race I'll buy a Mustang. I tow and haul stuff and like to go off-road so low-end grunt is what I want. I'm planning on a 06 or 07 F150 4 door w/full size bed V6 diesel, then I'll have all the low-end grunt I'll every want.

Check out the slodges and chebbies, their new motors are smaller and more powerfull than their previous one as well.

Also, not only is his truck heavier, his engine smaller, but he gets better mileage than mine and it runs smoother and quieter. I'll be interested to see what the 3V heads do to the numbers.

 

My 4.6 truck has MUCH more power than my 86 E-150 with a 302. They weigh within 3 to 400 pounds of each other, so engineering of the drivetrain seems to be the only difference. Maybe the van has 3.08's in it or something, haha!,,,,98

 

Let me try again, this time more technical.

Remember the movie, 'Terminator II'?

The T-801 (Arnold) was much bigger than the T-1000 (liquid cop).

But, which one was really more powerful?

Sure, the T-1000 went into the firey tank first but, the T-801 would have never won if it wasn't for Linda Hamilton.


hasta la vista, baby.

 

The fact that the engine is bigger means nothing then right. this makes no sense to me, it has to have some sort of advantage given the fact that its bigger. or was technology just behind todays standars. i remember i was recommended this 94 f150 5.8 because I was told it could haul my boat easier than the newer f150 that i looked at. was i scammed.

 

No, you were not scammed.




You were flim flammed.

 

Another example of bigger not being better is this supposed 6.3L deisel they are coming out with. The figures I have seen is it had much more torque and power than the 7.3L that Ford is currently running. *shrug*

 

The 5.4 is a totally different engine design than the old 5.8 . It isn't just a smaller version. your boat doesn't care how many cubic inches your engine displaces....it cares how many ponies it puts out....and torque of course.

 

5.4 is gonna make more power than the 5.8 because like its been already stated, theyre 2 completely different engines. the new 5.4's are much more technologically advanced than the 5.8. if you wanted an engine to mod the hell out of and get maximum hp then the 5.8 is probably better due to aftermarket support, but for everyday truck use, the 5.4 wins because of more stock hp and tq, better gas mileage, and smoother operation.

 

thanks for statening out the confusion guys. what kind of mods could I put on my truck to get more hp.

 

With today's technology. The engine can be made smaller, lighter, and produce more horsepower to RPM then with technology of the late 60's early 70's.

I work in the marine industry. In the early 70's we had engines produced that weighed in at 3000 pounds and produced 370 HP at 3000 RPM. Today we have engines, B series Cummins for example that weigh 1295 with gear box and put out 370 HP at 3000 RPM. Fuel consumption is less too.

It all comes down to weight and fuel consumption. Technically the newer 4.6, and 5.4 liter engines are better than the 302 and 351, but why are we having all these oil leaks. GM has same problems so it's not isolated to one manufacture.

MK

 

as a wise old man in the construction industry explained to me 'anyone can build a strong bridge, it takes alot of great engineering to build a stong one using as less materials & labor'

When the powertrain engineering design teams start they don't have as 'clean a sheet of paper' as you might think. Everything is a compromise. Things like existing plant equipment/machinery, vendor/componant capacity, powertrain packaging (size/weight) longivity/durablilty, power output/drivablility/MPG and cost are but a few. Remember in this game of huge numbers (hundreds of thousands of 4.6L & 5.4L per year) a compromise on say a machining step or gasket material that saves a couple dollars per unit can return millions of dollars

 

take t from someone who owns a 302 and a 351, nomatter what year, all fords leak oil. reminds me of a joke i heard the other day..."how do you know when a ford needs oil? when it stops leaking!"