Hello, I am in the market for a 2009-10 Expedition with the 5.4L SOHC engine. I am interested in learning more specifically about performance upgrades specifically for this engine, including cams, heads, headers, and also forced induction.

Are there any vendors/installers in the New Jersey/New York/CT area that can help me understand better the types of gains achievable for this engine so that I can prioritize my dollars?

I am completely new to Ford engines but not to aftermarket upgrades (most of my previous experience is with Mopars and HEMI engines).

Any quick directs to either websites or links that can help clarify the options in a structured way would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Raghav

 

Buy a Mustang. Suping up a 6,000lb SUV is a losing battle.

 

Not going there. Already drive a 600 hp 426 stroker Dodge Challenger. I am used to a certain level of responsiveness and acceleration in the cars I drive and was hoping that minor mods could improve the performance of the Expedition. I need the space to schlep around my family, but normally will be using this to drive to/from work where it is just me.

Meanwhile, if anyone else has useful comments I'd love to hear them.

 

probably arent going to be any minor mods to get responsiveness. With the 6 speed trans this beast is setup for hiway cruising. I bought a tuner for mine and the difference on acceleration was so minor it wasnt even worth it.

 

That was useful. I have been on this board for over 5 years. Seen so many 'how can I improve speed, acceleration, performance' threads it makes me dizzy. All concluded it's a losing battle, waste of money, etc. If you are hell bent on blowing cash, go ahead, just don't expect anything for it.

 

I'm with everyone else, there are no minor mods that will help out much. I think once you start tearing into the engine it stops being minor. My opinion is that if you looking. for responsiveness then you need to look at other options such as a Tahoe/escalade/yukon trio as they have more power with less weight.. If you must have a Ford. then I think the biggest bang for your buck will be any type of positive displacement power adder. this will give you the low end / over all power curve your trying to achieve.

 

Thanks pgonza. This is exactly the input I was hoping to hear. Any suggestions on vendors who might be able to lay out what some of the different PD blower options might be?

 

This is going to sound a little simple, but as soon as you think you might want to be going faster in a little bit, FLOOR IT!

The 6-speed isn't all bad. It's actually terrific, you just have to make it work for you. 1st gear is really deep, but if you roll away from a red-light gently and it shifts into 2nd gear around 13-15mph, you're too far down the torque curve to get any power. By the time you mash it at 20-25 mph, you're going too fast to catch 1st gear and it just can't get screaming.

Likewise on the highway, if you plan your moves a little bit and start gaining speed before you need it, these buses will move.

I didn't care for the "buy a Mustang" answer above as I already have a Mustang but can't take my family of 5 to the beach in it... but there is some truth to the point that it's not easy to find an extra 50 hp in an Expy/Navi (oh, if only we had Ecoboost!).

I've got some fast stuff too, but if you reprogram your right foot I think you'll find your Ford has more in it than you'd think.

Oh, and its free.

 

And here I was thinking a 16 sec 1/4 mile was a 16 sec 1/4 mile but I guess if they think it's faster it is faster.

$$$ for $$$ mod motors like boost the best. You can slap a blower on this beast and pick up 120 to 150 hp but it's only going to get you into the 14s on a good day.

If you want a fast domestic you either need to look at a Yukon Denali 6.2 AWD which will bust out high 14s stock (but you lose low range) and mid to low 14s with just tune and intake / exhaust work or a JGC SRT8.

I was all for a Yukon Denali when I got this King Ranch and would trade even up for a new one today BUT they want almost 10k more for a Denali than what I paid for the KR. 10K for 100 hp didn't work out well in my book.

 

Ha-ha! We had a JGC SRT8! You didn't need any tricks to make it go fast.

Edmunds says 15.9, not 16.1... for my 2007 Navigator L. Either way, it's glacial compared to something fast... but they really aren't painfully slow if you keep your foot in them. But I think the 15.9 or 16.1 would grow to 17.1 if you let it get into the higher gears too soon... and that's why they feel slow to most drivers.

For what it's worth, my collegue had a 400+ hp Escalade and I was underwhelmed by it. Probably faster than my bus but as you said without forced induction there's only so much you can do with 3 tons.

Oh, I think Edelbrock's supercharger should fit.