Ford F-150 4.6 Supercharger Kits – Boost Your Trucks Performance
If you own a Ford truck from the F-series, you already know how incredible they are. These models have been around for quite a while, and you can find newer ones designed in 2021. But if you own an older model, you might want to consider installing one of the many Ford F-150 4.6 Supercharger Kits that are available on the market today.
Ford F-150 4.6 Supercharger Kits are the most effective way of boosting performance, and they can easily increase horsepower by 50%. If this is something that you might find interesting, we have a couple of things you need to know. In the following lines, we will cover some of the things you need to know about F-150 trucks with 4.6-liter engines and how to find a supercharger that will transform your car into something incredible.
Ford’s F-Series
There are many different versions of the F-series trucks. After all, the series has been around for quite a while. But the most popular version of the truck is the F-150. Even though Ford hadn’t released this model at the very start, it easily became one of the most sought-after trucks in the entire country.
As with nearly every other vehicle, there are numerous options when it comes to engine sizes, and it is up to you to find the model you will enjoy. You can find models with small-block engines, V6, l6, V8, and even ones that share engines with Ford Mustang.
Today, Ford’s F-series is in its fourteenth generation, and each year offers something new and exciting. The current generation started in 2021, and it’s incredible. But what about older models? Are they still good? Are they worth investing in them?
[read more]History of F-Series
Before we go any further, let’s take a closer look at the history of this iconic truck. The first model from the F-series was introduced in 1948. During its first four years, trucks were named F-1 to F-9. The second-gen, starting in 1953, introduced F-100 and other three-digit models. But it wasn’t until 1975 that the first F-150 appeared.
This model was a part of the sixth generation, and it quickly replaced the F-100 model. Even today, the F-150 is the most popular truck from the F-series, and there are numerous different versions and editions. One of the editions worth mentioning is Harley Davidson and Raptor. Today, there are different trim levels and different models included in the series, and they are:
- F-150
- F-250
- F-350
- F-450
Trim levels include:
- XL
- XLT
- Lariat
- King Ranch
- Platinum
- Limited
These trim levels apply to F-250, F-350, and F-450 or Super Duty trucks, while F-150 is available with additional trim levels like Tremor and Raptor.
Ford F-150
Ever since it was introduced in 1975, the F-150 has been the most popular model in the series. That is one of the primary reasons why there are so many options when buying it. You can choose between different engines, trim levels, and other details. And each version offers something different and unique.
This means that the F-150 was available in nine different generations, with the current one having started in 2021. As a result, there have been numerous engine options, and almost every series offered a couple of different models and sizes.
Engines Used
Since engines are the most important thing when picking a supercharger, we should take a closer look at some of the options available for F-150 trucks. If we take a look at the current series, we can see there are a couple of engines based on trim levels.
Ford F-150 XL | 3.3-liter Cyclone V6 | 290 horsepower | 265 lb-ft of torque |
---|---|---|---|
Ford F-150 XLT | 3.3-liter Cyclone V6 | 290 horsepower | 265 lb-ft of torque |
Ford F-150 Lariat | 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 | 325 horsepower | 400 lb-ft of torque |
Ford F-150 King Ranch | 5.0-liter Coyote V8 | 400 horsepower | 410 lb-ft of torque |
Ford F-150 Platinum | 5.0-liter Coyote V8 | 400 horsepower | 410 lb-ft of torque |
Ford F-150 Limited | 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 | 400 horsepower | 500 lb-ft of torque |
Ford F-150 Tremor | 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 | 400 horsepower | 500 lb-ft of torque |
Ford F-150 Raptor | 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 | 450 horsepower | 510 lb-ft of torque |
As you can see, the 4.6-liter engine is no longer an option. These were available for a couple of generations starting in 1997.
- 4.6-liter Triton V8 from 1997 to 2004 (tenth generation)
- 4.6-liter Triton V8 from 2004 to 2008 (eleventh generation)
- 4.6-liter Modular V8 from 2009 to 2010 (twelfth generation)
If you own a 4.6 L F-150, you are the owner of one of the older models made between 1997 and 2010 based on the type of engine.
4.6-liter Ford F-150
All of these versions of 4.6-liter engines are Ford’s modular engines, and they are quite good. The company marketed engines designed for trucks between 1997 and 2010 as Triton. There were three versions available:
- 2-valve SOHC
- 3-valve SOHC
- 4-valve SOHC
Only the first two models were used for F-150 trucks. The 2-valve version was used during the tenth and eleventh generations.
1. | 4.6-liter V8 | From 1997 to 2000 | 220 horsepower | 280 lb-ft of torque |
---|---|---|---|---|
2. | 4.6-liter V8 | From 2001 to 2004 | 231 horsepower | 293 lb-ft of torque |
4.6-liter V8 | From 2004 to 2006 | 231 horsepower | 293 lb-ft of torque | |
3. | 4.6-liter V8 | From 2007 to 2008 | 248 horsepower | 294 lb-ft of torque |
4.6-liter 2V V8 | From 2009 to 2010 | 248 horsepower | 294 lb-ft of torque | |
4. | 4.6-liter 3V V8 | From 2009 to 2010 | 292 horsepower | 320 lb-ft of torque |
Each generation offered two different models, with the more powerful version carrying over to the next generation. The most important difference is that the last version is a 3-valve modular engine, while the other three are 2-valve models.
Is 4.6 Engine Available Today?
No. If you are looking to get yourself a new F-150, there isn’t an option to get a truck with a 4.6-liter engine. The only solution is to go for the older model if someone is willing to sell it. As we saw before, this engine was only available between 1997 and 2010. After that, Ford stopped offering engines with this displacement.
That doesn’t mean that the company abandoned this type of engine, though. In fact, modular engines are available to this day. The most popular versions of Ford’s modular engines are Coyote, Voodoo, and Predator. All of these are designed for Ford Mustang, and the Coyote version is available for the new Ford F-150 as well.
1998 Ford F-150 4.6 Supercharger Kits
For those that own an older truck with a Triton engine, installing a supercharger system might be a good idea. The engine is quite good, but compared to current models, it might need a bit of help.
And getting a supercharger is the best possible option. It is also the simplest way to improve performance and add more power to the engine. The second version of the engine we mentioned before is performance-improved, which means that you can use the same supercharger on any model of the truck with a 4.6-liter engine made between 1997 and 2003. The 1998 version will be the same as the one from 1997 or 2000. The only thing that matters is for you to find a blower designed for 4.6 L modular engines.
What Blowers Can You Find?
Now, one of the main downsides of owning an older car is that not many companies design parts for it unless we are talking about something as popular as a 1969 Dodge Charger. That means that your options for superchargers might be limited. Of course, you will still have a few options to choose from.
Probably the most popular option is to get either a centrifugal supercharger or a positive displacement pump. These are available from several different brands like Whipple and ProCharger, and it is up to you to pick the one you like. For newer versions of the F-150, there will be a lot more available options for obvious reasons.
Finding a Perfect F-150 4.6 Supercharger
The most important thing to know when picking a supercharger is what type of engine is in your car. While the history of 4.6-liter engines is not as long as that of some other models, there are still a few trucks that used it. And this is why it would be ideal if you knew the age of your truck. That would help you determine which type of engine is inside and help you find a suitable supercharger.
One of the tricks that may help you along the way is to check other cars that had the same engine. Specifically, there were a couple of Ford Mustangs that used the 4.6-liter engine with two valves. That means that you might be able to use the same blower on your truck. Before you decide to buy one, make sure to talk to someone experienced that will be able to tell you whether the blower will be suitable for your truck.
Which Models Had a 4.6 Engine
We already know that the F-series of trucks used the 4.6-liter engine in the past. But these aren’t the only models that had them. Since the modular engine is quite popular, there have been numerous cars and even brands that used them.
You can find a 2-valve modular engine on Lincoln, Ford Crown Victoria, Ford E-series, Explorer, Mustang GT, Mustang Bullitt, and Rover 75. As for the 3-valve version, the engine was used on Ford Mustang GT, Bullitt, Ford Explorer, and F-series. This might help you find a suitable supercharger easier since there are many options. Of course, there is a chance that installation might require additional modifications.
Installation Procedure
In a perfect scenario, you’ll be able to find an F150 supercharger kit designed for the model you own. If this is the case, the installation will be quite simple. Supercharger kits arrive with all the necessary parts for the installation, and there are no permanent modifications necessary. All you need to do is replace the parts you get in the kit, install the blower, and you’ll be ready to go. Naturally, if this is something you wouldn’t be comfortable doing, you can always pay for the professional service and let someone else handle the problem.
But things can get a bit more complicated if you can’t find a blower designed specifically for the F-150. As we mentioned before, the Mustang used the same engine for a couple of years, and we all know how popular the car is. However, even though the engine is the same performance-wise, they may not be identically built. For example, the intake on the Mustang might be on the other side, which will only increase the cost since it requires more modifications.
The safest option is to consult the service and ask for the price before you buy the blower since these types of modifications can get quite expensive.
Maintenance
Once the supercharger is installed, there is nothing to worry about. Yes, superchargers require maintenance, but it is nothing too complex or pricey. All you need to do is change the oil in the blower, and you’ll be good to go.
As for the frequency, the best option is to consult the instruction manual and see what the manufacturer has to say about it. They will usually write which type of oil you need to use, as well as how often the oil needs to be changed. The general rule is to change the oil in the blower as often as you change the engine oil.
Popular Brands
The quality of the supercharger will dictate the increase in performance and how much horsepower you will be able to get. Needless to say, popular brands are popular for a reason. If you go for a Whipple supercharger, you can be sure that you will get one of the best blowers money can buy. Of course, if you can find a Whipple blower for the F-150.
Other popular brands include ProCharger we already mentioned, Eaton, Roush, Edelbrock, Paxton, and many others. Regardless of the brand and model you pick, you can be sure that you will get a significant increase in performance. In fact, there is no wrong answer if you choose one of the best brands of superchargers.
Ford F-150 4.6 Supercharger Kits – How Much Will It Cost?
One of the determining factors when buying a supercharger is the price. As we mentioned, these things can get quite expensive. And the better the blower, the higher the price will be. The cost of the supercharger is usually between $4,000 and $8,000, depending on the car and the model of the blower.
You can expect to find a Ford F-150 supercharger for $6,000. Additionally, you will need to account for the price of the installation as well. If you get a supercharger kit for your truck, the price of the installation will be between $500 and $1,000. However, if the installation requires additional modifications, as we mentioned before, the price can go a lot higher.
Why Do You Need One?
Instead of buying a new truck, you can breathe a new life into your old one with a supercharger. The installation can be quite simple if you manage to find a suitable supercharger, and the difference will be significant. It will give you more horsepower, more torque, and you will feel like you bought a new truck.
The specific numbers will depend on the exact series of the engine and the type of blower you buy. A 50% increase in power is not the same for a truck that has 220 horsepower and for the one with 292 horsepower. You can also find blowers that provide forced induction and add over 65% more horsepower. This means that with the right configuration, you’ll be able to reach 400 horsepower with ease!
In addition, we’ve written an article about the 2002 F150 Harley Davidson supercharged truck too. We’re sure that you will find it to be an interesting read. The Harley/Ford collaboration was very popular. So much so, that more supercharged models were offered within the Harley specific series too. You can find out more by clicking the link above.
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8 comments
Looking to ad some h.p. to 2007 f150 , but not looking to build a race car.
Thanks,
H. Glasgow
Hi Harold,
Thanks for your question. I’m curious as to what engine option you have? V6 or V8? Adding more power really depends on two things. What is your goal or main purpose with your truck, and how much do you want to spend?
The cheapest option is a good tune. The other end of the scale is either a supercharger kit or a turbo kit. If you wish to discuss this further here, I can point you in the right direction.
All the best,
Dave
What do you recommend for a 08 4.6 2v f150? Been looking online and am not finding much luck for either turbo or supercharger.
Hello Isaiah,
That’s a great question. I’m finding the same thing, most kits are specifically for the 08 5.4 engine and up. For either supercharger or turbo. The best bet is to build a custom kit. The best place I have found is for a Garrett turbo kit found here.
Take a look at the link then contact a technician via the live chat box and tell them what you need.
Good luck with your project.
I have a 2006 Ford f150 XLT with a 4.6 V8 3 valve.
I want to put a kit on it, where could I find one
Hi Gabriel thanks for your question.
Summit Racing has them, although they fit the Mustang version the engine in your Ford F150 XLT is pretty much the same. I would contact Summit or the supercharger manufacturer to be sure of fitment. There seems to be a list of Paxton and Vortech supercharger kits listed for this engine on Summit, so I would contact Vortech superchargers to discuss.
Good luck, let us know how you get on.
Dave
Hey there. I have a 97 f150 xl with low miles and want to put a supercharger on it. There looks to be a handful of options ready to go. Is that your take? Its a 5 speed manual transmission. Assuming it will be fine to handle the extra hp?
Hi Ben,
That’s a great question. Yes there are many options for a supercharger kit to suit your 97 F150 XL.
Is that the super heavy transmission? How many miles exactly, as you say it has low miles, and do you know the service history? I’ve read many mixed reviews about the 5 speed manual. I would contact Roush and get their feedback on what you want to achieve. A good friend has a stage two Roush supercharger on his Mustang 5.0 Coyote engine, but it is a automatic. I’ve driven it a few times, unless you jump on the throttle you wouldn’t even know it had a supercharger on it. The autos are very stout. I do like the manual idea though.
Good luck with, I’m keen to hear how you get on with it.
Dave