Ford Vehicle

Ford introduced the new F-150 as an ‘04 model, and with its fresh appearance came a bold new powerplant. Under the hood, the optional 5.4L engine was improved greatly thanks to a set of three-valve cylinder heads. The increased airflow offered by the new castings are making all the difference in the power department. Horsepower and torque production shot up, and it now boasts a vigorous 300 hp and 365 lb-ft of torque.

It was a nice improvement of power, and one would think it would equate to a better performing F-150. Unfortunately, that isn’t the case thanks to a severe increase in curb weight. Today’s modern F-150s are pushing a curb weight in the realm of Super Duty trucks. High performance took a backseat despite the jump in power. That is fine if you plan on using the F-150 solely for its intended workhorse duties. Ford never had enthusiasts in mind when designing and building these vehicles.

If you’re reading this high-performance magazine, chances are you want more performance out of your truck. A growing legion of tuners, shops, and enthusiasts have been taking ordinary F-150 trucks and treating them to lift kits or slamming them to the ground and building their own high-performance pickup. Just because it’s big and bulky doesn’t mean the new generation F-150 can’t be turned into a high-performance vehicle.

If your agenda includes adding more power to that F-150 in the driveway, then you’ll like this Vortech supercharger installation story. Adding a centrifugal blower makes up for the excessive weight of these trucks. The torque output alone helps around-town driving, and the horsepower increases will certainly give you a leg up on the competition. We installed Vortech’s High Output kit, which makes up to 10 psi and includes an air-to-water intercooler, the Powercooler, to chill the boosted air.