Everyone's opinion is appreciated. Been wondering whether it would be a total waste of money to install a Roush or Whippet charger on my '06 F150 5.4.... Here's the kicker.... getting ready to turn over 200K. Yeah,I know....crazy as hell,huh? Well, I'm traveling all over the US as a pipeline inspector and towing a 5th wheel. Nothing wrong with the truck, beautiful body,never wrecked or anything, uses no oil, runs like a top. Just kinda thinking about it. Part of me says no, just rebuild motor when needed. The other part says, yeah, it should help reduce the wear and labor of towing the trailer and extend the life. This truck is still running great, 17mpg on a good highway drive. Most people that see it or get in that aren't familiar think it is a new or newer truck. Sandstone color Lariat 4WD with BF Goodrich All Terrain KO's... It's my office and just don't wanna get rid of it yet. What do you all think?

 

You're thinking backwards on the engine wear aspect if that is one of your goals. With the supercharger you'll at best break even on comparable wear. But with increased cylinder pressures, more fuel dilution, etc, you'll probably add some wear towing that trailer.
Your main goal is towing the trailer and longevity, yes? Take a few baby steps and start with the Gotts mod and a good custom programmer (Gryphon/SCT). Then if you're really feeling saucy, you can do gears. The gears are the one thing that will help pull the trailer with less wear.
I just can't see driving a ton of miles on 91+octane and lower mileage just for the sake of having forced induction.

 

Otto and I don't see eye to eye on some things, but what he just mentioned, I do agree with. I did mine backwards with what he said. I did a grear swap instead of jumping right into the throes of programmers. I still do not have a programer and not sure now if I even want to get one. The gear change gave me what I wanted and needed. But nowadays I am not traveling all over the US and I am sure your gas mileage would suffer a bit if you switched gears. Again, like OTTO suggested I second that you might want to try the programer/cai combo before doing the gears.

 

For more power towing do a gotts mod with a good dry drop in filter. Get a gryphon so you have custom tuning and gauges to monitor your trucks vitals. With 200k you want to make sure it keeps running great.

Then to top it off you can get long tube headers and an exhaust with hi flow cats to keep it legal and the computer more happy with it.

That will probably add about the same power as a super charger with a lot less wear.

Even little things like an underdrive pully kit will make a world of difference too.

Start small before you go huge. Because you might not need to go huge..

 

Bahahahaha, now thats a good one. No offense but theres no way in hell you will even get close to the power of a blower with those mods. Even a Roush blower non-intercooled at 5-6pdi will put down 335-345rwhp. With all the bolt on mods, exhaust mods, and custom tuning avaliable the best you could ever hope for is around 270rwhp.

To the OP I would not advise going to forced induction at 200K. While the motor may be in sound condition she is worn or broke in the well. Adding forced induction now will expose the bearings, rings and every other part of the motor to new forces and you'll have blow by and oil burn and god only knows what else. I would go with the mods above except the under drive pullies and as Deruku stated keep her happy. But don't over expect on the power gains.

 

Ok maybe not excessive power gains but it will make it fun to drive. Maybe I overstated it a bit. I am still getting used to how little gas engines gain with upgrades. Its disappointing.

 

No worries I got a chuckle out of it. Very true though about these 5.4's being a pain to get power from. It's either forced induction or heads/cams combo. Either way your looking $5000 to get 400+ rwhp.

 

Hey I have a 2v 4.6 thats even harder.

 

Thanks guys !! Now, I'm not really a mechanic... used to do lots of it on my own vehicles with Dad when they still had carbs and all.... Just never had to work on them much. Of course all us Ford people understand that,huh? Anyway, I am very capable as I'm the type that if I take it apart, it will go back together. So.... What about these Gryphon programmers? Never had one or even thought about one. Give me a quick summary of what I'd be doing to my truck as far as what it does. Sounds like the easiest way to possibly get what I'm looking for. Gonna do the Gotts mod and check into the programmer. Thanks for what info you provide.

 

A gyphon. Well you mount it to the dash plug it in press a few buttons and you are done!

I will add some power maybe 20hp doesnt sound like much but you will feel it. Will make it much more responsive and shift a whole lot better. Plus with sane driving you could pick up a few mpgs.