L.Jimmy

Question:

My '96 F150 2WD Auto Tranny Princess has 200K plus miles on her. She still rides good. In the short future i might have to rebuild her engine. Heres the question.Would i be better off Rebuilding Her original '96 5.0 FI Windsor and beefing it up. Or Saving up the cash and buying a Rebuilt '95 5.8 FI Windsor
V8 that was equipped on the 95 F150 Lightning? What would i need to do to upgrade my 5.0 to perform like that '95 "Lightning" V8 ( The 95 Lightnings V8 were pushing 240 hp and 340 torque) The '96 stock 5.0 (what i have currently) from factory pushes 199 hp with 270 torque. The 5.8 of the same year (1996) stock pushed 210 hp with 325 torque.

If i were to take a different route and buy a completely new 5.4 supercharged Triton V8 like they had in the 1999-2004 Lightning ( around 380 hp with 450 torque), How would i have to modify motor mounts, suspension, etc.? Would it be worth the pain?

Sorry if its confusing thanks for the time

wde3477

Suppose that anything is possible with enough time and money.

My perspective is that the 5.4L swap will be extremely challenging, in that the motor is a different series. Would suspect tranny bolt-up issues, as well as frame mounting issues - and that's before you tackle the engine management (computer) issues.

The 5.8 swap would be a little easier - everything should bolt up, but still have the engine management crap to deal with.

There will likely be many opinions, but mine is to replace what you got with like kind. If you feel like more horsepower, then look further into adding available performance options for the 5.0L.

Also, hold out some hope, the general feedback I get is that a properly maintained and reasonably driven 5.0L should be able to achieve 250,000 miles - at least that's what I'm hoping for - and so far, have no reason to believe it won't happen.

If you opt for the like kind replacement, consider just buying an already rebuilt long block - where you just swap the manifold, valve covers, oil pan, distributor, etc., especially if you haven't rebuilt an engine. The long blocks come with some pretty decent warranties.

L.Jimmy

Thanks for the help. O'Doule Rules!

mike83

Well have you ever rebuilt an engine before?

Ty

I would just rebuild the 5.0 and add some go fast goodies to it in the process. You know it will fit in the truck with no mods because it came out of the truck, so it just sounds like less of a headache to me.

NGM

I would buy another engine maybe from a salvage yard, build it while yours is still running then swap them out when your ready. That way you are not down a truck for an extended period of time and you can take your time, do the research and build the engine like you want it. You can go with the 5.8, but you have to either do some re-wiring or put in a cam with the same firing order as your original.

L.Jimmy

no i have never rebuilt an engine before. When i was a kid my dad rebuilt a chevy small block 350 and i watched occasionally. He can help but i would like to learn by myself. I am pretty mechanically inclined.

NGM

I would suggest finding someone who has rebuilt engines before and work with them on this. You want it right. If you are putting in a big cam and raising the compression by shaving the heads make sure to check valve to piston clearance.

04Screw

Call this place they offer 3 year 100,000 mile warranty's. Ford uses them to get engines aswell.
http://www.rhinoengines.com/index.html

I used one of there 5.0L HO motors for an 89 mustang gt. Never had any problems with it!!!

mike83

Go to autozone and check out these books one of the might be able to help you out.
CarTech / How To Build Max-Performance Ford V-8S On A Budget$19.99
CarTech / How To Build Big-Inch Ford Small Blocks$19.99
CarTech / How To Rebuild The Small-Block Ford$19.99
This last book could help alot.
CarTech / High-Performance Ford Engine Parts Interchange$19.99