What are 1st gen 5.4 tritons so slow?

[Plati]

Off topic slightly or probably but is there a tradeoff between hp & torque? In other words does a given hp translate directly into a corresponding torque number or is increased torque done at the sacrifice of accelleration? Don't even know if I said that right. I was thinking these big tank not huge hp beasts need torque to get moving and haul so they use up hp to get that. And, more hp means faster acceleration but more torque doesn't. Was thinking that's done by gearing, sort of analogous to using leverage to lift something with a given weight.

Back more on topic, I really feel like my 2014 5.4 EL has a lot more get up and go than my 2003 5.4 XLT. I'm driving down in FL this month and I find myself needing more aggressive acceleration just to keep from getting run off the road by the drivers down here.

 

[Trainmaster]

Used a 2000 as a first responder for six years. I thought it was pretty quick for a heavy truck. Kicked ass, actually. I mean, it's a truck, and I carried 800 lbs of metal in it too.

 

[Flexpedition]

Crouch down with the drivers door open and look up under the dash. Push the gas pedal by hand. You'll see how it pivots to pulls a cable. Now with your fingers, pull on that cable end to see if there is much slack. Like ExplorerTom eluded to, chances are good that cable is stretched. Its a common mod to install a couple zip ties between that cable end and the pedal assembly. You'll notice an immediate improvement in acceleration.

Random google images to give you a before and after idea:


Looks like this guy was able to install about 4 small nylon zip ties:

 

[johnboneske]

You answered your question when you asked it... You said the 1st gens are slow compared to your wife 16 Explorer and a new big horn Dodge. Go to a car lot and drive a 2000 Explorer V6, see how peppy it feels? Newer engines flow and breathe better, they perform better, have more HP per pound of vehicle, etc. Technology isn't always awesome, but it is in this case!

 

[1955moose]

Well Machete, couple of corrections. 1, I have exact same year, same engine, same 4x4 SUV. Last time I checked my Eddie Bauer is not a pushrod engine, but a single overhead cam engine with 16 valves, 2 per cylinder. It produces 260 hp off the crank, in reality around 205-210 to the rear tires. Not a lot to propel a 5800 pound vehicle. Second the newer 24 valve, or 3 per cylinder, started in 05 for Expeditions, 04 for F150, are still single overhead cam engines. The horsepower got bumped to 300, due in part to the better breathing heads, and variable valve timing. The Lincoln engine in the Early Navigators used a dual overhead cam engine rated at 300 hp. Lincoln switched over to the same 300 hp single cam motor as Expedition in 2005. Actually 2005 they still offered both engines. 2006 was the switch to the 300 hp sohc Expedition engine. 2009 Ford bumped hp to 310. The 96 Bronco was the last year full sized SUV from Ford that used the pushrod motor. They offered the 5.0/302 or 5.8/351 engine. They actually we're very tried and true motors. I've owned 5 302 engines, 3 mustangs, 2 Lincoln's, all were bulletproof.

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[ExplorerTom]

I came from a 4 cylinder Saturn VUE. That’s slow.

 

[Machete]

My original question was “why”.

The most defining aspect of a pushrod engine is the fact that it uses a pushrod to actuate the valves. It is also commonly referred to as an overhead valve engine. The block houses both the crank and one camshaft, with the camshaft sitting above the crank. Connected directly to the crank via a chain, the camshaft rotates at half the rate of the crank.

 

[Machete]

https://www.wardsauto.com/news-analysis/ford-54l-sohc-triton-v-8

I stand corrected. The 5.4 Triton was designed intentionally by Ford engineers to be a low end torque machine to appeal to conventional truck crowd.

Good article.

My original question is answered. Thanks to all as this was very educational and I feel better about my truck.

It’s slow by design.

 

[1955moose]

There you go, that says it all. Expeditions in life are supposed to take time, who wants to rush it!

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[JExpedition07]

Back more on topic, I really feel like my 2014 5.4 EL has a lot more get up and go than my 2003 5.4 XLT. I'm driving down in FL this month and I find myself needing more aggressive acceleration just to keep from getting run off the road by the drivers down here.

Well your going from a 5.4 2V/ 4 speed to a 5.4 3V/ 6 speed. Even with the extra weight of the EL I’d think it’s quicker...