turbo '96 4.9l

[kerstinglane]

hey guys, i have a 1996 short bed single cab f150 with the 4.9 inline six and i want to turbo it, and had some questions. i am not new to turbos, just new to turbos on fords.
1. what kind of boost can i run and the stock computer still read?
2. what kind of boost can this motor handle for extened periods of time?
3. i am new to megasquirts (i dont understand them well enough to want to instal one) and do not have the resourses to program a chip, so who do you suggest that i send my computer to, to have it reflashed, or is there a on the fly tuner (like the APEXI for the civics) that i could run?
4. what injectors do you suggest i run and for how much boost will they handle?
5. should i run a fuel pressure regulator or should i try to get that programed into the computer?
thanks

 

[Rockaholic]

Not trying to be rude but have you read through any builds thus far on this forum? Many of these same questions have been asked more than once and answered several different ways. Can you post more on the motor first, such as any modifications already… Also what will be the application of your build? wether it be a dd, drag, mudd, etc. Thanks

 

[kerstinglane]

thanks for the reply, i have read some of the builds on here but non have exact answers on what to do for fuel maping and such, im am looking for more of a dd truck, something i can pull a little bit more with, i know that i would rather have a reflash than doing a mega squirt, becasue i dont understand them, that is also why i ask what the stock mapping will read in the way of how much boost, im not looking to go much past stock for the amount of power, maybe 180hp... the motor in the truck is 100% stock
thanks for the help.

 

[StrangeRanger]

Your 96 has MAF so it really is should not care about boost one way or the other.
However if all you're really looking for is 180HP, you can probably get there without the expense or complexity of a turbo. You probably won't even have to mess around with re-flashing the PCM since you're still in the range of the stock injectors. Re-work the head, bump the compression a hair, put a free-flowing exhaust on it, change the cam, kit and timing gears and call it good.

 

[Rockaholic]

If i am mistaken doesn't a 4.9L give 185hp stock? or are you talking about gaining 180hp? i hope so. If so what i agree with above comment. Nothing major needs to be done. Opening up the exhaust and getting new intake should net up to 20hp, its insane what a good exhaust and intake does for these motors. Mine is S/D as a sad factor so a lot more to deal with! Best of luck, let us know what you come up with

 

[kerstinglane]

The truck has 145 hp stock, and i can make the power without pulling the motor appart, and a turbo is cheaper than all those parts you listed, and i enjoy turbos. Is there any " magic " number of the amount if boost a 100% stock motor can take and run well. I'm thinking about just trying to run bigger injectors and a turbo and try to leave the electronics stock, thus making tunning easier for starters...

 

[StrangeRanger]

The stock engine has notoriously weak pistons, I would not even consider putting more than 6 PSI on it without a rebuild using hypers.

Your stock engine puts out 150 HP. At 6 PSI you'd be somewhere around 200 HP but you'd need to replace the injectors, re-calibrate the MAF and have the EEPROM re-flashed.

Tell me again how a turbo is cheaper than a cam, kit and a timing set and a few hours with a grinder? :rolflmao:

 

[Turbo_B]

Having done the turbo thing- I promise you it isn't cheap. The stock pistons are weak, my engine broke a piston when it was stock!

Not to discourage you, but 180hp isn't going to be hard to obtain with just minor engine work. DIY port the head, mild cam, keep your EFI manifolds and open up the exhaust.

If you do opt for boost- the stock pistons are weak, the stock head gasket is weak, and it will detonate on premium fuel around 11psi.

That said- I run about 7psi and premium fuel on my rebuilt 300. No problem pulling a twin axle car trailer with a Volvo at 70mph- actually it will keep accelerating but my suspension isn't good enough to handle it. I will say you want an oil cooler or some other cooling improvements- under load the engine will start to heat up at highway speed.

 

[kerstinglane]

Thank you for the reply turbo_b, that is what i needed to hear, i was thinking on running 4-5 lbs of boost, just a moderate amount of power, and for me the turbo this is cheeper becasue i have the resources to do a turbo better than motor work and its more fun, and differant. i have turboed snowmobiles and they are more fun with a turbo than other motor work done. that said, what kind of injectors will i need for 4-5 lbs? not much larger than stock correct? and turbo addiction makes a replacment MAF sensor for a mustang of the same era and looks just the same as stock other than it is bigger around. would that work? here is the link to the site,
http://turboaddictionparts.com/catalog/ ... meter.html
thanks for the imput.

 

[Rockaholic]

Might be cheaper and easier to flash and tune using the MAF you have stock. What would be the point of buying that new MAF sensor? other than its a bigger hole? Your lucky you have MAF, I am going to look into the conversion because i hate the lag my truck has vs. my buddies MAF conversion with everything stock like mine he is getting MPG, more power, etc, etc… but either way best of luck with the build and post ALOT of pictures and do a write up, i have been wanting to turbo mine for awhile as well.