Ford 4.6....why?
03-09-2012, 01:03 PM
#42
think it through before entertaining Trick Flow Heads. Why?
While the figures are very nice on paper the reality of driving this package i think would be quite different & not necessarily what you were hoping for in a f150, especially if 4x4.
if you forget the numbers & look at the natural character of the 4.6 engine, most people will tell you that this engine comes into its strides in mid to top RPM range. drag racing aside, most people like to drive quick without completely flooring it and taking redline gear changes. this type of driving would seem to be at odds with natural character of the engine & to some extent it is!
examine the numbers & check this out. they quote 380hp & 375 torque, this a 65% increase in power & 28% in torque, nice big numbers without even changing compression & on 87 fuel. at the same rpm 28% more torque will give 28% more power, so where does the other 37% extra power come from???? Well it can only come from more RPM, 380hp is likely to be delivered at an RPM beyond anything you ever rev your motor too. while this upgrade does give bigger numbers it also has become even more of a Top-end motor, this will bring no joy if you like off roading or towing etc. with the exception of stroking & CR increases (neither is used here) modifying NA engines almost always pushes the torque curve higher up the rpm scale. this motor would be a screamer but much better suited to a sports sedan.
while a cheap supercharger kit as mentioned earlier probably would not get you the 400 hp figure (no additional rpm), it would deliver the same if not a greater torque increase & you would feel it almost the moment you touched the gas through the whole working RPM not just when you ring it's neck. Forced induction makes the torque curve fatter without pushing up the rpm. i would bet there is more area under the graph of a super charged engine than the trickflow, which means it is more powerful most of the time. for towing, offroading, and general everyday driving the supercharger will outperform the trickflow heads no question, if you want to go oval racing then the trickflow would be the better choice. having lots of low & midrange torque is great for getting those oversized wheels started, towing & also when off road climbing over stuff, this what a supercharger delivers in spades. low RPM torque is easy to manage & finese with the right foot, high rpm torque is wild & much harder to manage, especially in low gears.
the trickflow makes your "cake" work harder - the supercharger is "more cake!"
don't care which way you go, but understand what the different modification options will have on the character of your engine & where in the rpm range it will make its power. then consider how this applies to your driving style & requirements.
go for it!
While the figures are very nice on paper the reality of driving this package i think would be quite different & not necessarily what you were hoping for in a f150, especially if 4x4.
if you forget the numbers & look at the natural character of the 4.6 engine, most people will tell you that this engine comes into its strides in mid to top RPM range. drag racing aside, most people like to drive quick without completely flooring it and taking redline gear changes. this type of driving would seem to be at odds with natural character of the engine & to some extent it is!
examine the numbers & check this out. they quote 380hp & 375 torque, this a 65% increase in power & 28% in torque, nice big numbers without even changing compression & on 87 fuel. at the same rpm 28% more torque will give 28% more power, so where does the other 37% extra power come from???? Well it can only come from more RPM, 380hp is likely to be delivered at an RPM beyond anything you ever rev your motor too. while this upgrade does give bigger numbers it also has become even more of a Top-end motor, this will bring no joy if you like off roading or towing etc. with the exception of stroking & CR increases (neither is used here) modifying NA engines almost always pushes the torque curve higher up the rpm scale. this motor would be a screamer but much better suited to a sports sedan.
while a cheap supercharger kit as mentioned earlier probably would not get you the 400 hp figure (no additional rpm), it would deliver the same if not a greater torque increase & you would feel it almost the moment you touched the gas through the whole working RPM not just when you ring it's neck. Forced induction makes the torque curve fatter without pushing up the rpm. i would bet there is more area under the graph of a super charged engine than the trickflow, which means it is more powerful most of the time. for towing, offroading, and general everyday driving the supercharger will outperform the trickflow heads no question, if you want to go oval racing then the trickflow would be the better choice. having lots of low & midrange torque is great for getting those oversized wheels started, towing & also when off road climbing over stuff, this what a supercharger delivers in spades. low RPM torque is easy to manage & finese with the right foot, high rpm torque is wild & much harder to manage, especially in low gears.
the trickflow makes your "cake" work harder - the supercharger is "more cake!"
don't care which way you go, but understand what the different modification options will have on the character of your engine & where in the rpm range it will make its power. then consider how this applies to your driving style & requirements.
go for it!
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CogentFord<(((>< (10-22-2020)
03-10-2012, 12:43 PM
#43
Senior Member
Good points about power and drive ability. The only problem with the 4.6 2v in our trucks is that nobody makes a working complete supercharger kit for them yet as far as I know. I think just for the 5.4, correct me if i'm wrong. I wonder how much power gain would be seen with longtube headers?
03-13-2012, 12:27 AM
#46
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After looking around at the other trucks, it seems the Ford 4.6 has the lowest hp rating of all the other 4 litre engines...it took me a pile of money and time to bring my 4.6 up to a decent hp..it would have been nice if it had a better base to start with...
I know the 4.6 is a thing of the past but I never really understood why a company like Ford would have not boosted the hp up somewhat...
I like the Eco Boost but not a big fan of that much technology to make hp...seems like the more technology you put into something, there is more that can go wrong. There was a time when turbo engines were all the rage and then they started to fly apart..march on the Buick Grand National...I know older technology was used but the prinicple is the same.
I know the 4.6 is a thing of the past but I never really understood why a company like Ford would have not boosted the hp up somewhat...
I like the Eco Boost but not a big fan of that much technology to make hp...seems like the more technology you put into something, there is more that can go wrong. There was a time when turbo engines were all the rage and then they started to fly apart..march on the Buick Grand National...I know older technology was used but the prinicple is the same.
03-13-2012, 07:34 AM
#47
Former Powerstroker
Originally Posted by 994Six
i like my 4.6 because it has enough power to play with and i get great gas mileage. Doesent hurt its a 5 speed either i guess
03-13-2012, 08:32 PM
#48
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Big White-thanks for the response. I've been away from the box for a bit...
994six, a standard transmission would make a difference...The 4.6 seems bullet proof but all we do is try to produce more HP due to it's "dog like" personality...Ford could have helped us out, they have so many powerful engine plans out there...
Now the 5.0 and 3.5 have taken the podium for the smaller displacement power-plants...
994six, a standard transmission would make a difference...The 4.6 seems bullet proof but all we do is try to produce more HP due to it's "dog like" personality...Ford could have helped us out, they have so many powerful engine plans out there...
Now the 5.0 and 3.5 have taken the podium for the smaller displacement power-plants...
05-16-2012, 06:22 PM
#49
Senior Member
Thread Starter
My case in point-look on the search part of the forum and type in anythng to do with increasing performance in 4.6 and it will fill your screen...this weak little engine is a challenge to remain loyal to...
05-20-2012, 01:07 AM
#50
Senior Member
This thread is disheartening, I was/am considering getting this 2005 screw 4.6 but now I think I will be disappointed with the acceleration considering I had the 5.4 Trion before. But I'm happy to read and gain knowledge. I will test drive it just to formulate my own opinion.