03' 5.4L, What Superchargers are available?

[joezek]

Seems like everywhere I look they skip the 2003 Expedition. I really prefer the Whipple S/C but their website says 2004 and up Expedition.

So what superchargers are made for our 2003 models? I want a complete ready to bolt on kit, not a few parts here and there from various people. I'm very experienced as a mechanic but haven't played with modding and installing a supercharger yet.

Also, in the future when I blow up my engine since it has 142,000 miles on it.... where can I find a factory drop in crate motor? If/when mine ever blows up I'd like to transfer the supercharger to the new motor and reinstall it.

 

[joezek]

Looks like Kenne Bell makes one for the 5.4L, however their price sheet completely skips the SUV's, Expedition section completely! Their price sheet only shows mustangs and lightning upgrades. They have a complete section of their website dedicated to the 5.4 liter SUV engines and shows the HP/Torque, but no prices.....wtf?

I've emailed both Kenne Bell and Whipple, we'll see what they say.

I guess I'll run at a mild psi setting and if it ever blows up then I'll build an engine capable of 15 psi to get around 450 hp.

What mpg losses have you guys gotten with this setup? For example if I cruise at 65-70 mph without stepping on it, is the mpg worse or the same? Not stepping on it I should technically be using the same amount of power/load.

 

[WHOISMOOTOO]

The selection has to do with the 2v, 3v, and 4v 5.4l engines, and the s/c's ability to "bolt on" procharger makes a pretty good bolt on kit and theres a shit ton of how-to and step by step videos

 

[Stoned06]

The 2003 being a 2V engine, the lightning/harley supercharger will bolt up, as well as the Kenny Bell and Whipple applications for the Lightning. The issue with that is there are a lot of misc. pieces needed to complete the job. Something like the procharger would be easier to hookup. Just make sure the SC you decided on is designed for the 5.4L 2V engine and it should work.

 

[panda24619]

i saw this one time. dont remember where wish i took a pic. i know your like no pic no proff. but take my word. some guy had a tahoe i think. gaaa... i for the technical names for them. but the sc you put on top and the procharger set up. had them both! idk why but it was kind of kool looking. had made custom mounts and stuff to run them. i just wish i had a camera on me.

but any ways. the 03s have the same motor as the 1st gens. thats why most sites dont post that up. idk why but what ever. so almost any 1st gen super charger will fit on to yours. and there is a chance you could blow the motor but then you have the opportunity to up grade to the navigator motor which is 4v instead of 2.

 

[joezek]

I definitely wanted the Whipple or Kenne Bell style instead of a factory Lightning one. I just don't know what other pieces I would need to make it a direct bolt on. If it's just a few pulleys or tensioner or something then not a big deal. But if it's gonna involve changing to a Lightning computer, and then it possibly doesn't match up with the other computers then I don't want to mess around with it.

I had heard the Procharger wasn't good and stay away from it. Why? I know it runs hotter and needs an intercooler to get the same performance as a twin screw, but are the end results any worse? I'm not racing this thing, it's a daily driver and I tow occasionally. For me, the S/C is just for fun, make driving more enjoyable etc.

 

[joezek]

Previously I had avoided even looking at the Procharger because I had heard bad things about it. However, I read plenty of info on it this morning and it looks really nice. I especially like the fact that it's intercooled, and the intake air is ambient temperature. So running 8-9 psi Procharger claims 450-475 HP, and at the same time the intake air is nice and cool, you can't go wrong.

The Kenne Bell and Whipple both show very clearly that they have a 100 degree intake air temp INCREASE at slightly higher boost level. Whipple claims that this isn't very much increase compared to the Lightning's eaton/roots style s/c, and that it won't hurt anything. Apparently the root's style is something like 175 degrees increase just as it pumps directly into the top of the engine. They end up having to retard the timing and risk detonation etc.

Either way, I wouldn't want to run without an intercooler since I live in a hot part of the country. And since Procharger makes the complete kit, intercooled and everything, I'm leaning toward that setup- unless I hear a lot of horror stories about it. It comes with 1 year warranty, and for $49 makes it a 3 year warranty.

 

[WHOISMOOTOO]

IF YOU WANT TO SEE A WHIPPLE S/C THERES A WHITE '03 XLT (ON 22'S) ON YOUTUBE WITH 600HP, DEF NOT BOLT ON LOL, I WOULD SO DO THIS IF I HAD THE MONEY....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Te69STd5vIA

GO TO THE F150ONLINE FORUM THERES A BUNCH OF GUYS RUNNING PROCHARGERS, ASK THEM PROS AND CONS ABOUT S/C DAILY DRIVERS AND ANY ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCE MODS MOST OF THE GUYS HERE ARE MEMBERS ON THAT FORUM TOO

PERSONALLY I'D RECCOMEND THE PROCHARGER IT SEEMS TO BE THE EASIEST BOLT ON WITH LEAVING PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING ELSE STOCK

 

[joezek]

The more I read and learn the more I like Procharger. How loud is it? There's a quieter option, is it really a big difference? What is the difference with the D-1SC upgrade option that cost $400?

I may have to join an F-150 forum like you suggested.

 

[Stoned06]

As far as noise, the Procharger will be quiet compared to the Eaton, Whipple and KB. Of the top mounted superchargers KB is the loudest, followed by the Eaton, then the Whipple. I posted on a thread a while back that had a link to all the parts needed for the Lightning Eaton install. The same would be needed for either the KB or Whipple also as those are replacements for the Eaton.
The Procharger is going to be the easiest to install as you wouldn't need to change the topend intake on the motor and install the IC, midplate, etc. Most everything will be bracket mounted and fairly straightforward.