I have a 4.9L I6 in my 94 F-150 and i wanted to hear about anyone's experience turbo or supercharging this engine. I have experience with a turbocharged yamaha fzr(600cc I4) engine so im leaning towards turbos.

1)im wondering if my engine is overdesigned enough to handle the higher pressures in the cylinder or will i need new connecting rods, etc.

2)will i need new fuel injectors or will the stock ones be able to handle spraying the additional fuel needed for the higher mass air flow.

3)is knock going to be a problem? will i have to figure out how to adjust the spark advance to prevent knock? if anyone has adjusted their spark advance could they let me know how to get started.

4)any tips on finding a place with a chasis dyno that i could use.

[This message has been edited by mtg9 (edited 04-29-2001).]

 

You'll blow it. Get a V8

 

great advice. very helpful.

 

Howdy!

97GreenLariat,

LOL. Interesting advice. Help yes. Full? Hmmm, not sure about that one..

mtg9,
Ask the Superchip Distributor. He might have some recommendations.

Have a nice day.

------------------
My ride:

Basics:
- '99 XLT F-150

Under hood and back:
- Ram air (Don't ask me how )
- AiRaid intake
- Flowmaster DF 50 Series
- 24x3.5" Stainless steel slashed tips (Yes! Solid polished SS, no cheesy chrome-plated)
...

Outside:
- Precision polished billet grille and plate holders
- American Racing 17x8s polished Pythons (Flushed front AND back)
- Goodyear.. something tires (Expensive is all I know. LOL. No Firestone firecrackers for me either)
- Rhino liner
- Ford nerf bars
- Ford bed rails
...

Inside:
- My girlfriend!
...

Fun stuff:
- Dual sirens Black Widow alarm system/keyless entry (Enough decibels to go deaf in a garage )
- Custom driving lights (Just a cool blue)
- 2 High-Watt lights behind grille (For people who cut me off )
- Dual horns (For people who, again, cut me off)
- Dual wheel locks (So I won't be driving home on bricks!)
- Spare wheel lock (So I won't have to use a brick as a spare )
...

Best of all:
- Texas A&M University aTm front plate! Gig'em Aggies!!

Stephlan

 

The 4.9 I-6 is tough as nails. I remember one of the 4x4 magazines saying it was the best engine Ford ever made in a light duty truck. But it's a gutless wonder.

The biggest problem you will have is designing a system to attach the blower or turbos. I don't think anyone makes anything that would work, so you would have to fabricate everything.

You would need: supercharger, custom engine computer with MAF sensor, new fuel injectors, knock sensor system (or spark retard - MSD makes one), new manifolds, bigger cooling system, transmission, rear end, etc..

I know you don't want to hear this but it would be cheaper to trade your truck in on something with a bigger motor. The reality is that you will never recoup your investment. I would suggest a used F250 with the 460 or diesel. Sorry

Ian

------------------
99 Expedition EB
5.4l, 4x4, 4.10 LS
WMS Tube, Bassani Cat Back Exhaust, Superchip Flipchip

 

what do you mean by gutless wonder. im not looking for a bolt on system, im doing this for an engineering design project and making the manifolds will be the fun part. unfortunately im not an ee so dealing with the electronics part (maf, ecm, injectors) is what im worried about.
i hadnt thought about a new cooling system, but thats why i want to hear from everyone about this because i want to get an idea for everything thats involved.

 

Ah, another person who puts the "Can it be done" before the "is it cost effective" question. A kindred spirit!

Anyway, my comment about gutless wonder was based on a friend's F150 I-6. It had tons of torque but no horsepower (it was all done by about 3500 rpm) - no offense intended.

A couple of suggestions: contact www.whipplesuperchargers.com they have a newsgroup with lots of useful information and they are very helpful.

Also, to see what you are up against check out http://frontpage.inficad.com/~houlster/Amigo/amigo.htm - this kindred spirit first turbocharged and then supercharged an Isuzu Amigo (!). His play by play is very entertaining and should give you an idea of what you are getting into.

Good Luck;

Ian


------------------
99 Expedition EB
5.4l, 4x4, 4.10 LS
WMS Tube, Bassani Cat Back Exhaust, Superchip Flipchip

 

mtg9, design a good supercharger or turbocharger for the 4.9L then start a business and sell it! I would be willing to pay lots of money for a supercharger for my I6.

As far as the I6 being a "gutless wonder" with the right intake, exhaust and tender loving care it's pretty strong. I raced a Chevy stoplight to stoplight yesterday with a v8 and standard transmission. He spun his tires for a few seconds but i had no trouble hooking up with my Super Swampers and took off pretty quick with my 4.9L with auto tranny and stock rear end. Yes he did beat me, only by about 2 feet but my truck is built for offroading, not street racing. I thought i did pretty damn good with my little 6 cylinder!

-Jon

 

The 4.9L is the strongest engine i have ever seen. The work truck I drive at my job is a 93 with 200,000 miles. The truck is a roofing truck and has had the knots beaten out of it. Who knows when the last time the oil was changed or anything else in it. I started briniging it in for matience. The only problem it has is exhaust rattles. It doesn't burn a drop of oil. I would have to say though it does have no ***** but when you start going it does get out of its own way

------------------
2001 F-150 5.4L trition,
Regular cab with 8' bed
XLT with Black Clearcoat
4x4 3.55 limited slip
factory cab steps
class III tow package
Factory ordered: 12/5
recieved: 2/22

Current Mods: Ford Plastic bedliner, Bug Deflector II

 

mtg9,

Go for it! Where are you getting your parts? Are you paying for them out of pocket or is your project funded in some way? I would go the turbo route myself. it is easier to fab a turbo bracket than a supercharger. There is no outside force (power belt) pushing against the blower housing with a turbo. Basically create a flange that bolts up to the turbo, weld the flange to the exhaust and bingo. There is plenty of room in the engine compartment so heat will not be a big factor. If you want low end power you will need a turbo that spins up fast. Take a look at the turbos out of the chrysler 2.2 engines. Get a couple of these mounted parallel and ½ the work is done. I am sure the boys at Superchips can program a chip to handle all the computer controls. If memory serves they have been doing those exotic European cars for years and years. The bottom end of the 4.9 should be able to handle the extra pressure from the turbos. Just don't go adding 20lbs to it.

Regards

Jean marc Chartier

PS. There are aftermarket kits that measure air fuel ratios. You might want one of these so you don't melt a piston.

------------------
00 F-150 XLT SC Flairside 4x4 4.6 w/5spd 3.55LSD
Warn XD9000i, skid plates, Draw tite class III,
Rancho RSX Reflex shocks, MAC 8.8 Axle Girdle
BFG 285/75 R16 MTs,
Borla Cat Back, Hedman Headers,
Custom air intake system with modified
air box, Ported Throttle body,
Shortened MAF sensor tower,
K&N air filter,
Superchips

 

mtg9,

I forgot, check out http://www.turbocity.com

Regards

Jean Marc Chartier

 

Jean,
ill be paying for the parts i need, but the schools got an incredible machine shop and an autolab i can work in. ill be able to use cnc and regular lathes and mills, welders, and the auto lab has basic tools like grinders, welders, drill press but its open 24 hrs.
im part of an autocross racing team here where we take a yamaha fzr and turbocharge it and build our own ecu to control it. its got a electronic controlled wastegate, the frames all steel tube, fiberglass intake manifold. it puts out about 80 horse even though its restricted and only weighs 470lbs without the driver. in 100 yard acceleration run it goes 0-80 in 4.6 seconds.
this should be a good project for the summer. ill keep everyone posted. i just want to be able to light up my tires.