Hey guys I have 03 f150 supercrew 4.6 engine 8 inch lift 38 inch mud grapplers it has dual exhaust cold air intake and dual exhaust with hypertech programmer just recently installed 4.88 gears but feel like it’s needs more grunt I noticed engine is got valvetrain ticking and with 290000 miles decided to just overhaul engine I got deal on stroker kit to change to 5.0 and was wondering if I would see big notice in low end torque and what should I do with cams I saw trick flow offered some for low end if I should consider or not or I waisting money on stroker kit give your opinions thanks

 

If you haven't got set you back in your seat grunt and spirit lift with 4.88's , something is really holding you back. .... Ooh. I see. A measly 4.6 and 38 mudder tires.
Really, honestly, you are simply asking and expecting too much out of too little. Full stop. Imho, change direction on the vision for this rig. Drop it back down and set it on 30's with the 488s, then hang on, maybe.
If you want to keep the truck jacked and mitted as it is, and want some sense of respectable performance, then you are looking at a complete powertrain swap (engine+transmission). There is no replacement for displacement. Go big.
Another idea is to buy another truck that already has the 5.4 or bigger or diesel with a stout transmission to back it. Then swap all of your modes off of the puny 4.6 truck onto the replacement truck.

So basically I see three options:
- take things back down to a regular or low rider
- complete powertrain swap
- get another truck with bigger powertrain and swap all of your mods over to it
..... continuing spend and mods to the existing truck along the current line of thinking is not a reasonable option.

imho. Probably not what you wanted to hear. But I am practical and really hate seeing guys keep flogging their pony while pretending it is a clydesdale

 

You got a 4.6. You are stuck with what you have. Even a 5.4 with 38's is going to be a dog.
Maybe unreasonable expectations after the gear swap. What are you comparing to?

You need serious power, and a 5.0 stroker kit will not do it.
Maybe a 5.0 Coyote swap with a blower would?

You have a money pit going right now, you can either keep pouring money into it and still not be satisfied, or as said above, quit while you are ahead (or at least not too far behind).

 

Im not needing tons of power just enough if I wanna pull trailer i don’t feel like I got floor it to pull it’s not horrible right now way it is just asking if stroker kit will make difference I do have access to 5.4 if it’s better way to go

 

Sounds to me you have a couple of issues with that setup. 38" tires with a 8" lift. That will triple the air drag on the truck driving down the highway. I think there's a reason Ford kept the tire size
to a maximum to a 17" especially with the 4.6/5.4 in the early 10th Gen's. As FaceDeAce mentioned bring the tire size down & 3 things will happen, 1) you'll reduce the dead weight on all four corners
the truck has to turn. 2) reduce the air drag which will give you a bit better mpg. 3) Regain the lost torque. Your working the butt off that 4.6.
Also remember that with your set up you have to figure the extra weight into your towing capacity.
As a note a 17" tire in a 265/70R17 is a 31.6" tire. You'll only be losing about 6".

Just curios....you a lifetime member of OPEC?

 

Everything said above, I agree.

get a tonneau cover, very slight air drag improvement, but may help a tad in towing on highway. Just trying to think outside the box.

 

The 5.4 would be better yes if you can drop it in place of the 4.6. Even with more engine power of the 5.4, that setup is a lot of strain on the transmission

 

Getting rid of those humungous 38" tires would be a good first step.

 

^^^this

a 4.6 in a stock F150 is enough of a dog, put stupid big tires on it and forget it

 

You should post some pics of the truck with the 38" tires.
I would like to see them.

Also,
Of course the stroker kit will help and a rebuild will also help but you are still asking a lot from a small engine.
The stroker will get you some more torque without the hassle of a 5.4 swap.

Also for cam advise, call Comp Cams at CAM HELP® 1-800-999-0853 .
Tell them what you are doing and what you want from it and they will set you up.